Do you need the BMF?

Zoffo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Karma :

New European motorcycle driving licence proposals currently before the European Parliament have been condemned as misguided and unnecessary by the British Motorcyclists Federation.

The BMF, the UK’s largest riders rights organisation and a respected body in the motorcycle training field, says that despite the findings of the recently completed €2.5 million ‘Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study’ (MAIDS) research project, funded by European taxpayers, the motorcycle industry and other bodies including the BMF, the findings have been largely ignored.

MAIDS research showed that the three key factors in rider safety are the behaviour of other road users; rider experience and the road environment, but European Parliament Transport Committee proposals relating to the draft EU 3rd Driving Licence Directive ignore these. The proposals will:

• Allow Member States freedom to increase the access ages to mopeds, scooters and motorcycles up to 26 years of age with the possible result of wide variation across the EU

• Specify structured training (that due to small numbers is not commercially viable)

• Specify minimum engine capacity (as well as power requirements) for the various test vehicle categories, therefore significantly restricting the range of test vehicles

• Continue to restrict car licence holders to 50cc mopeds

And further:

• Are inconsistent with the aim of harmonisation recommended by the initial draft directive

• Are a step backwards in social mobility from the existing situation

• Will have little effect on motorcycle safety as other road users are main contributors to PTW accidents

Now, in an unprecedented close alliance, European groups, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA), the manufacturer group the Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles (ACEM), and the governing body Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), have united to bring pressure on the European Parliament.

In a letter to UK Members of the European Parliament, supporters of the alliance, namely the British Motorcyclists Federation, Motorcycle Action Group, Motorcycle Industry Association and other members of the National Motorcycle Council, have called upon European Parliamentarians to take action to ensure that the Directive is either re-drafted to take account of their joint concerns or is rejected.

Commenting, the BMF say that the EU proposal is premature and will create unacceptable financial barriers to motorcycling without guaranteeing any improvement in motorcycle safety.

BMF Senior Government Relations Executive Trevor Magner said: “I am amazed that after funding the MAIDS road safety project we should be facing a 3rd Driving Licence Directive that does not directly address any of the real issues. The BMF advocates that maintaining the legislation regarding access to motorcycles and scooters, (as presently in force under the 2nd Driving Licence Directive), would be a sensible move because under subsidiarity rules, appropriate improvements to current licensing schemes can already be implemented by Member States.

Robin · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Yet another good reason to join MAG and/or BMF.

Need I say more, is £20 realy to much to shell out instead of allowing this sort of thing happen without any input from the riders it will affect? Rolling Eyes

Don't forget that FEMA is there to fight at european level for us, and without the support of groups like MAG/BMF FEMA wouldn't have the funds to do this.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Well, I'm a member of MAG for just this kind of reason, and if they don't deliver the goods I'll wanna know why! Smile

I really do wish they would forget the helmet law malarky though... Wink

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Robin · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hence the

.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

kasandrich · Trackday Trickster Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

Doesn't the fact that they continue to lobby for something that the average motorcyclist (and therefore their target membership)doesn't want, mean that they are not in tune with the people and therefore not a good representative body? Confused

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Richard

CBR1000FM

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Looks like more legislation masquerading as "safety" laws, this is a good example of exactly why the fight against the helmet law is so symbolic. If the government don't feel you are mature or responsible enough to decide for yourself whether or not to wear a helmet then why should they think you are capable of riding a bike safely at any age?

RIP Fred Hill.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

I fear I might have missed something but... ^^^^ Confused

My guess is that helmets not to be compulsory for all bikers to wear? I think thats lunacy in itself. Imagine even a slow 'off' on your bike. Your head is going to crack pretty easy. Dunno about you but even riding my bike without gloves (just turning it in the street) I feel very vurenable

I've just recently joined BMF Thumbs Up

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Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Personally I am against compulsory helmets. Would probably wear one still 99.99999% of the time even if they were not (and from memory 80% of people did wear them when they were not compulsory).

Yes you do stand more chance of injury, but not as much as you seem to assume. You are more likely to shred your hands at low speed as you put them out to protect your head.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Not wearing a helmet is more for 'poser' appeal. They are there for a reason. I'd rather have the skin off my hands than be disabled from cracking my head on the floor.
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Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

The point about wearing helmets, CC, is that the safety police decided that they should implement a law for our safety without any consultation with bikers and without any real data to back it up.

They also wrote a law to ensure that we all had to do what the majority of bikers (80%) were doing of their own free will anyhow. This figure would probably have increased without enforcement as time went on.

Also, for the record, MAG has never been anti-helmet. It has been anti-compulsion. MAG has never advocated that everyone should stop wearing helmets, only that they should have the choice, which is an entirely different matter.

BTW, CC, I like the signature! Laughing

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With experience comes age.

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

^^^ Yes, changed it after you and others ganged up on me last week!!

TBH I wouldn't be bothered if wearing a helmet wasn't compulsory because I'd still be wearing mines for peace of mind.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Zoffo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Karma :

Were getting off track here. How many of you would be illegal if the law was changed to 26 for a bike license?

Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

^^ Yes but when was the last time you had a wasp in the eye at 70mph, or a stone chucked up off the road. I'd rather have one on, all the time but thats just me....

Zoffo · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Karma :

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

If we had to wait til we was 26 to get a bike license I would be so furious.

However if we already have a license will that be revoked?
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

Sadie · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Karma :

bish777 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Karma :

They cant revoke a licence already issued

So hurry up and pass your tests everyone, before they mess everything up.
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GSXR1100J

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Yeah, can't see them changing the rules after you've earned the right to your full licence....

It's total rubbish from what I picked up. It's not age but experience that counts. Christ I'm not even 26 yet. I remember how I couldn't wait to my 17th birthday just so I could take lessons!
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Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/