JD Sports Advert Update

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) finds in favour of the British Motorcyclists Federation's (BMF), over our complaint concerning JD Sports' "irresponsible and unsafe" advertising campaign. Earlier this year the BMF lodged a formal complaint with the ASA regarding JD Sports' advertising campaign for Nike Air Max clothing which, in the view of BMF and other concerned parties, depicted motorcycle riders engaged in "unsafe" riding practices. (click here to read that article) The BMF's view was that the ads were irresponsible and condoned unsafe and irresponsible riding practices. In their response, JD Sports said they did not consider that their ads depicted activities that broke the Highway Code, and that the focus of their ads was on clothing and footwear. Although the ASA

Hackney Parking Charges – UPDATE

Latest update from Save London Motorcycling (SLM) A few months ago we, SLM, told you the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) were taking legal action against Hackney Council over their punitive motorcycle parking charges. At the time we thought we couldn’t bring the case as an unincorporated organisation. We’ve now found out that we can! We couldn't establish this before the tight deadline for filing so the BMF stepped up but we've now agreed that SLM is the best group to take the case forward as we’ve been leading the campaign in Hackney. Now we need your help to raise the funds needed to help take Hackney to court. Donate here! We don't want to ask for money but Save London Motorcycling is entirely volunteer led

Sammy Miller Awarded Town Freedom

Sammy Miller MBE, the veteran museum owner and ex-trials World Champion, has been awarded Freedom of New Milton, Hampshire, where he has lived for 60 years. Now in his 91st year, Sammy moved to the small town on the edge of the New Forest back in 1964, when he left Ariel to join Bultaco as a works rider and designer. “Senor Bulto requested that I move close to the Rickman Brothers, the UK importer of Bultaco,” he recalled, “so that I could help with the design and development of a Bultaco trials bike, which turned out to be the most successful trials bike of all time, changing the world trials scene and helping establish Spain’s dominance of the sport.” The

Classic Bike ‘Super MOT’ Quashed

The BMF and VMCC (Vintage Motorcycle Club) have countered a suggestion that Historic vehicles (over 40 years old) could be subject to ‘in-depth inspections’ before being used on the road. The story was originally picked up by the Daily Express, which on 14th July suggested that a ‘super-MOT’ was on the cards for classic cars (with no mention of bikes). However, the situation has been clarified by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) which in a submission to the DVLA, did call for a ‘one-off safety check’ for older vehicles, but only if they have undergone major renovation or modifications. It argues that this would be simpler than the current system, which can require classics to undergo a very

UK Bike Sales Fall Flat

June was another disappointing month for motorcycle sales in Britain, according to trade magazine British Dealer News. Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) figures revealed that registrations fell by 5.8% compared to June 2023 – motorcycles were down by 2.4% and scooters by a whopping 18.9%. Central to the fall in scooter sales was a 15.2% drop in the up to 125cc class, which has been strong in recent years, thanks in part to demand from fast food deliveries. Mopeds were marginally up (by less than 1%) but this masked a serious long-term decline in 50cc sales. Back in 2008, over 25,000 new fifties were registered in the UK – by 2023 the figure was just over 5500. Why? Electric bicycles may have grabbed

Chrome Plating Carries On

Chrome plating lives on, despite restrictions on the common Hexavalent process which come into force in September 2024 in the UK. Back in March 2024, the BMF reported that a ban on Hexavalent – which uses toxic chemicals – was under consideration but that alternatives might be available. To read that article please click here. Platers using Hexavalent will now need to apply for a licence. Nottingham Platers, a well-established aftermarket chrome plater, has pointed out that it has been using the non-toxic Trivalent for 26 years, pioneering its use in the UK. “My father-in-law, who was a chemist, came across the Trivalent process in the USA,” the company’s Simon Revelle told the BMF. “We’ve been using it ever since. It’s

£1 billion shortfall in Government Funding for Road Repairs

A Government report has criticised the Department for Transport (DfT) for a lack of understanding of the condition of local roads. The report, by the National Audit Office, recognised that the DfT has kept up annual funding to local authorities for the maintenance of local roads, but pointed out that that the £1.1 billion provided to Councils in 2022-23 was £1 billion short of the £2.1 billion actually spent. Local authorities, already strapped for cash, made up the difference. DfT data suggests that up to 67% of local roads are in “good structural condition”, but figures from an Asphalt Industry Alliance survey (cited in the NAO report), put that at just under half (48%). The NAO report states: “At present, DfT

Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels Consultation

Do you live or travel to London? Then you need to be aware that Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation on a proposed "toll" to use the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels to be introduced in spring 2025, that includes a plan to also charge motorcycles using the tunnels. The current proposed charges are set out below. The fee will be the same for both tunnels, but they will vary in peak and off-peak times. As they currently stand, the plans will see motorcycles being charged a slightly reduced price to car and vans during peak times but the same as cars at off-peak time There is no justification for this. TfL say they must bring in charges to ‘manage

Camden Parking Charges – Update

Save London Motorcycling has issued a "Press Release Update" regarding the proposals by Camden Council to introduce new parking charges for motorcycles in Camden (You can Read the Save London Motorcycling Press Release Here) Following opposition from riders and rider organisations, including the BMF, National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) and Save London Motorcycling, to the proposed implementation of new parking charges for motorcycles across Camden, the Council has now delayed the statutory consultation on the proposals for motorcycle parking fees until late autumn, whilst pressing ahead with their proposals for cars and other vehicles. This is a significant climb down by Camden Council but the threat to motorcyclists remains. If you live or work in Camden we need riders to email their MP

Bath and North East Somerset Parking Charges

UPDATE *Response sent - read the full BMF response here The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has joined forces with the Motorcyclists Action Group (MAG) to fight illogical and ill-conceived proposals by the local Council to introduce emission-based parking charges for motorcycles across Bath and North East Somerset. The BMF is working closely with MAG and other interested parties, including the National Motorcyclist's Council (NMC), to fight proposals by the council that will see small mopeds charged the same to park as the average family car and motorcycles over 600cc charged the same parking fee as a 3 litre straight-six diesel Range Rover. BMF's Regional Representative Carenza Ellery has joined up with her MAG regional counterpart, Geoff Mills to put together a joint campaign to

BMF response to Bikes in Bus Lanes consultation

The BMF has called on the Government to end the current inconsistent, fragmented and confusing situation on bus lane access for motorcyclists across the UK. Paul Morgan CBE, the BMF's Government Relations Executive said: "The BMF has today submitted its detailed response to the Department for Transport's Open Consultation "Motorcycles in Bus Lanes" calling on the Government to grant default access for motorcycles to bus lanes and resolve the current inconsistent and fragmented approach by local authorities that is impacting on the safety of motorcyclists and other road users. You can read the BMF's response here You can read previous BMF news articles in relation to this here and here Written by Helen Hancock Top image courtesy of Sophie Popplewell – Unsplash

Nissan Dealers to Sell Scooters

Commuters could buy their next scooter at...a Nissan car dealership. Nissan has signed a deal with the Spanish Accoiona Group, which makes the Silence range of electric scooters. Nissan dealers in France and Italy began selling the scooters in June, with Germany due to follow in September and British Nissan dealers in October. Nissan is hoping that the move will enable it to tap into new markets, such as powered two-wheelers, which it has been absent from until now – the Silence range includes 50cc and 125cc-equivalent electric scooters, as well as the two-seater Nanocar, all of which come under the umbrella term of ‘micromobility.’ Nothing to do with motorcycles? Scooters are part of the powered two-wheeler sector, and micro-cars are

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