The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has joined the rush in sending a wish list to the new Labour government and congratulating it on its victory.
The NMC says that an extensive to-do list of motorcycle matters awaits the new ministers at the Department for Transport, including some topics that will be familiar to most dealers. Those include a review of motorcycle licensing, testing and training, nationwide access to bus lanes, tackling potholes, motorcycle access to the countryside, and a bespoke approach to decarbonisation needed for motorcycling.
NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “Given the advanced nature of development on several issues, it would be a big mistake for the government to start all over again. The new administration needs to continue existing work in several areas and bring these to a conclusion.
“Motorcycling delivers significant benefits in terms of a sustainable and responsible form of transport for both work and leisure, with this needing greater recognition and support from the new government. We will also be looking to ministers to finally bring clarity to motorcycling in transport and other public policy through commencing development of a full strategy for motorcycling and the implementation of the NMC’s ‘Motorcycling Matters’ manifesto [see below]. We are looking forward to working with the new administration on all these areas.”
The NMC manifesto outlines seven key areas for change:
- Transport choice: bringing motorcycling into the mainstream of transport policy
- The introduction of improved and simplified licensing, training and testing
- Ensuring better and safer roads for riding, tackling potholes and with proper investment in motorcycle safety
- The adoption of a “technology neutral” approach to decarbonisation to preserve rider choice
- Default access to all bus lanes and protecting motorcycles’ access to the full road network, including sealed and green roads
- Ensuring greater recognition of and support for the UK motorcycle sports sector
- Recognition of the cultural importance of the classic bike sector and protection of the UK’s motorcycling heritage