The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) says it held a ‘positive meeting’ with transport minister Richard Holden, where a wide range of issues were discussed.
According to the NMC, Mr Holden agreed that further work on rider licensing, safety and various areas of regulation is needed and accepted that ‘the practice of overlooking or ignoring motorcycling in various policy initiatives deserves reconsideration’.
The NMC outlined how motorcycling represents an important area of transport, mainly focussed around commuting and practical purposes, but with a strong leisure and organised sports contribution.
The benefits of motorcycles as a key step towards decarbonisation were highlighted and the need to not apply a ‘one size fits all’ approach to different road users for phasing out fossil fuelled vehicles, but instead to adopt a multi-technological approach.
The NMC delegation included senior executives from the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), IAM RoadSmart and the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF).
The BMF focussed on the lack of motorcycling in wider transport policies, the need for emerging ‘smart’ roads and vehicle technologies, plus automated systems, to take motorcycles into account. The BMF also raised the issue of motorcycle taxation.
IAM RoadSmart raised research and advancements in PPE, making safer equipment more accessible though removing VAT, plus offering grants for certain items. The need for improved riding skills, particularly in the gig economy was also discussed, plus support for post-test training.
Craig Carey-Clinch, NMC executive director, said: “This was a very positive ministerial meeting and Mr Holden was clear about what he does and doesn’t know about motorcycling and was keen to know more.
“His strong support for motorcycles in bus lanes was very welcome, as was his open mind about many of the issues that the NMC raised. NMC members were able to raise individual issues and received a positive reception to these.”
Comment on this story