The BMF has been updated on progress to make smart motorways safer, by the Department for Transport. Anna Zee (Political and Technical Services Director) attended a Transport Focus Road User Panel meeting and was told that the retro-fit of additional Emergency Areas is intended to be completed by March 2025 – they should then mostly be about 1km apart. All Lane Running (ALR) ‘smart’ motorways replace the conventional hard shoulder with a live traffic lane, which is closed to traffic via overhead signs if a vehicle breaks down and is stationary in the lane. However, a series of collisions, some resulting in fatalities, have led to criticism of the whole concept of smart motorways, with a BBC Panorama programme highlighting faulty

The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has responded to Government proposals to increase the legal power of e-bikes; opposing the proposals and commenting that rather than the piecemeal approach proposed, any changes to the power capacity of e-bikes should be considered as part of a wider and comprehensive regulatory review into ultra light electric Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) and micromobility regulations. The BMF has responded to the DfT Consultation Smarter Regulation: Proposed Changes to the Regulations on Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC). The Government has proposed to amend the legal definition of how EAPCs are classified so that the maximum continuous rated power of the electric motor must not exceed 500 watts instead of 250 watts as set out in the current regulations. The

Friday 19th April saw the inaugural BMF Get Together at The Lakeside, held in the centre of the circuit at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. Despite the torrential rain and high winds for most of the day, as late afternoon approached the weather finally calmed and the sun even made a brief appearance during the evening! Over 70 bikes and a dozen cars joined us at the BMF HQ location for an evening of good food, drinks, great live music and a good old natter about bikes! BMF Staff, Helen and Net were supported by a crew of volunteer marshals and all proved worth their weight in gold, all enthusiastically took to their new roles with big smiles. Food and drinks were served in the Lakeside

Motorcyclists feel the pinch as insurance premiums continue to rise A rise in insurance premiums across the motor industry, which has seen the overall cost of motor insurance increase by 43% over the past 12 months, is posing a real challenge for motorcyclists and car drivers alike as insurers hike their prices higher in the face of rising repair costs, higher wage bills and the continuing high level of motor thefts, in part driven by the ongoing cost of living crisis with a clear link between the cost of living crisis and a corresponding increase in crime rates. Motorcycles thefts across the UK remain disproportionately high. 2023 saw 23,963 total bike thefts which was only slightly down on 2022 figures. The

Fletchers Solicitors provide BMF members with dedicated legal line. We have entered into a partnership with Fletchers Solicitors and the firm will now be providing a legal line available to all of BMF members. Fletchers is a Top 100 law firm who are recognised as leaders in the field by the independent legal directories such as Legal 500 & Chambers and Partners. BMF members receive special rates from the firm. Having a specialist team on your side if you have had an accident can make all the difference. Fletchers Solicitors has a strong heritage of working with motorcyclists, motorcycle groups and organisations, and the new legal line will ensure more motorcyclists have access to the assistance they need when they need it most. If

Could “the scourge of potholes” (as described by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak) be finally on its way out? Last November, the government announced that £8.3 billion would be handed out to local authorities over the next 11 years so that they could start fixing Britain’s battered roads. Funds for this pothole dividend were said to have resulted from the axing of part of the HS2 high speed rail project. Only £150 million has so far been transferred, but nearly all local authorities (102 out of 119 allocated funding) have now submitted plans of what they will do with the money. The West and East Midlands, which will be receiving £2.2 billion over the 11 years, say they will be repairing 600,000

On the 10th anniversary of the original campaign, the AA's message remains as relevant as ever with 350 motorcyclists and 91 cyclists alone killed on UK roads in 2022. It is important that we continue to increase motorists' awareness of those on 2 wheels to reduce the continuing high number of collisions and fatalities caused by a failure to see them on time. Government road traffic statistics show that cycles and motorcycles make up just 2.75% of miles travelled compared to cars but account for more than one quarter of road deaths. This is completely unacceptable and highlights the importance for all drivers to look out for vulnerable road users and to always think bikes when out on the road. 10th