Manufacturers struggle with delivery delays

A growing roster of manufacturers has publicly acknowledged that they are experiencing serious difficulties in constructing and delivering new machines to their dealer networks and customers. Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha have all highlighted disruption to their manufacturing processes, citing a shortage of essential components including semiconductors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, delivery of the machines that it has been possible to build has been affected by the accidental blockage of the Suez Canal when the Ever Given famously ran aground and prevented other ships from travelling through it earlier this year. In a public message to the dealer network and customers, President and CEO of Yamaha Motors Europe Eric de Seynes said: “We understand that the wait for products to be delivered

Sales soar as lockdown lifts

Sales and registrations of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) surged by 570% last month as consumer demand rocketed back along with the gradual lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown. New statistics released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) revealed a vast increased in sales and registrations compared to the same period in 2020. Almost every category – with the sole exception of the ‘Unspecified’ category, which only accounted for eight machines - saw major growth of more than 100% year-on-year. In some categories, this growth reached spectacular four-digit percentages. There were particular success stories in the Adventure Sport category (1,357%) and the Touring category (2,671%), while scooters also saw noteworthy growth with a 384% increase year-on-year. Although April 2020’s sales were noticeably low, as the BMF

How to improve the driving licence

The European Commission wants to revise the driving licence legislation and asks for feedback. FEMA asks the Commission to shift the focus from technical skills to better risk awareness and the ability to handle unexpected situations. The European Commission takes the next step to new driving licence legislation and has published a ‘Roadmap’ to a revision of the Directive on driving licences (you can respond here until 21 May 2021). In this roadmap the Commission defines several problems and initiatives the tackle them. FEMA reacted and has sent its views on driving licences to the Commission (you can read FEMA’s full reaction here). In FEMA’s view, the revision must be used to solve several problems that we have already addressed for a

European Parliament: no more exceptions for motorcycle testing

The European Parliament calls upon the European Commission to have all powered two- and three-wheelers periodically tested. On 26 April 2021, the European Parliament - in its plenary meeting - voted on the report about the review of the Roadworthiness Package. The vote confirmed the outcome of the earlier vote in the transport committee. This means that the European Parliament calls upon the European Commission to have all powered two- and three-wheelers periodically tested, although for mopeds and light (<125cc) motorcycles they ask for a cost-benefit analysis first. Literally the report says: "...calls on the Commission therefore to consider extending the obligation to conduct roadside inspections to two- and three-wheel vehicles, including the 5 % minimum yearly inspection target, as these vehicles are

BMF concerned over petrol station discrimination

The British Motorcyclists Federation is concerned by discrimination against motorcyclists at petrol stations that is potentially putting their safety at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Petrol stations asking motorcyclists to remove their helmets or withholding service until they do so is a recurring issue and one that many bikers have personally experienced. This request is often made for dubious and poorly defined reasons, and it is particularly significant amid the current pandemic. Because wearing a second mask under a helmet is uncomfortable, impractical or even impossible, many bikers use their helmets as their sole face-covering while travelling. We were recently contacted by BMF member Paul Myler, who highlighted his experience at the MFG Ketley petrol station in Telford. A long-standing biker who

Riding in Europe in 2021

If you're thinking of taking a holiday in Europe later this year, there are a number of things you might want to consider before you go due to the changes prompted by Brexit. This document does not cover travel for work or trade or countries outside the EU and EEA, and does not take account of any restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Links to relevant official webpages are included to make it easy to check for up-to-date information. This is recommended because the advice may change. The basics Generally, what applies to EU countries also applies to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, henceforth referred to as EU+4. Your passport must have at least six months left AND be less than 10

Motorcyclists deserve a full role in road safety policies

FEMA wants motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers to be included in Europe’s road safety plans. FEMA studied the European Commission's latest road safety plans and wrote an extensive response, stating that the plans focus on cars only and do not sufficiently take motorcyclists into account. FEMA can and will not support an approach that is not safe for all road users, including motorcyclists. The European Commission published its Road Safety Policy Framework, called 'Next steps towards Vision Zero'. The Commission sets new intermediate targets to halve the number of fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2030. According to Mrs Adina-Ioana Vălean, EU Commissioner for Transport: "The Framework provides a comprehensive set of measures for priority areas such as improving the

Government opens discussions with the NMC

Less than a month since the launch of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), initial meetings with the government have revealed strong interest from key officials in exploring potential next steps for policy development in relation to motorcycling. The NMC is calling for a Government Motorcycling Strategy, with the key elements of this presented during the NMC's launch which was attended by both government representatives and parliamentarians. Subsequent meetings with key officials have been held to explore next steps in several policy areas related to the strategy, with officials welcoming the combined approach to these issues from the range of organisations that have been brought together by the NMC. A range of possible next steps have been discussed, and the NMC has

BMF welcomes the launch of the National Motorcyclists Council

The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has warmly welcomed the launch of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC). A new initiative designed to help bring the UK’s leading motorcycle rider organisations together, the NMC’s fundamental purpose is to represent motorcyclists with a single voice on significant issues such as government policy, safety, motorcycle sports and regulatory matters where there is a great deal of common ground. The BMF is a founder member of the NMC alongside the Auto Cycle Union, the Institute of Advanced Motorists, the Motorcycle Action Group and the Trail Riders Fellowship. Motorcycling is currently undergoing once-in-a-generation changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of new technologies such as electric and autonomous vehicles, evolving demographics that are changing the

Fuel labelling: information to help you choose the right fuel

Fuel identifiers have been placed on new vehicles and fuel pumps since 2018; this year labels will also be placed on charging stations and on all newly-produced electric vehicles. A European directive* requires European Union member states and European Economic Area states to improve the information given to consumers who are faced with a choice of fuels for their vehicle. To that end, a CEN standard** has drawn up common symbols, or ‘fuel identifiers’, that will be placed on new vehicles and fuel pumps. These identifiers have to be in place since October 2018. When customers arrive at a filling station and open the fuel-filler cap on their vehicle, a common fuel identifier will be visible on both the vehicle and the

European Parliament votes for technical inspections for all motorcycles

The European Parliament wants mandatory periodic technical inspections for all motorcycles and mopeds in every member state. No exceptions. On 25 February 2021, the European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) asked the European Commission to include motorcycles in the obligation to have a periodical technical inspection. For small motorcycles - less than 125 cc - and mopeds, the Committee asks for an assessment first to investigate the cost-benefit factors. By means of this own-initiative report, the European Parliament requests the European Commission to put forward a legislative proposal. Most European countries already have a mandatory periodical technical inspection (PTI) for motorcycles, some are going to introduce it in 2022 and three countries (Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands) do not intend

E10 fuel to launch this autumn

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that ethanol-blended E10 fuel will go on sale at British petrol stations as early as September this year. A combination of 90% conventional petrol and 10% ethanol biofuel derived from sugar, grain and wood, the E10 mix is intended to help cut carbon dioxide emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year. A similar E5 blend of 95% petrol and 5% biofuel is already widely available in the UK and it will continue to be sold as the so-called ‘Super’ grade. Some machines will only be able to use E5 and not E10, and the DfT has advised anyone unsure of whether their vehicle can run on E10 to consult their checker here. However, the transition to any

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