Politics

Southern Region MAG

SHOCK! HORROR!
Local authorities set to ignore bikes

Urgent action is now required - to ensure motorcycles remain in local transport plans!

All UK local authorities are required to submit their local transport plans by 31st July 2000. Many have already been consulting with their biking communities, with highly positive results, such as bus lane trials, motorcycling strategies, allocated and secure parking and many other biker friendly policies. However, more than half are yet to consult, and unless they receive input from their local riders, are set to overlook the benefits of the powered two-wheeler completely. Please ensure you are in contact with your local authorities, or face a miserable five years without positive change.

ACTION REQUIRED NOW!

Time is running out - the deadline is rapidly approaching when our local authorities must present their final transport plans - so this is our last chance to ensure motorcycling is considered in local transport plans (LTP's). If you have not done so already please contact your local authority. They will be delighted to hear from you.

Unless motorcyclists actively consult with the local authorities we stand to lose the positive policies toward motorcycling that we currently enjoy. It is essential that we do not lose the gains we have made by ensuring motorcycles are included in our local transport plans.

Here's what to do:

Contact your local authority if you are not already in contact with them.
Find out whom the relevant person is dealing with their local transport plan.
Send them a copy of MAG's booklet 'The Powered Two Wheel Option', available from Central.
Follow up with a phone call to ensure they have received your comments.
Ask for comments.
Suggest a meeting.
Let MAG Central know you have done this.

Points you should make to your local authority:

MAG represents the views of the UK's million motorcyclists.
MAG works with International, National, Regional and Local Government.
The motorcycle market has increased fourfold during the last five years.
Motorcycle sales will continue to increase.
PTWs have already exceeded the majority of their year 2000 safety targets.
Local motorcycle strategies should be adopted.
Local forums & consultation groups should be convened.
Motorcycle secure parking should be provided.
Infrastructure improvements are needed.
Exemption should be granted from parking or use charges.
Access to priority measures should be afforded, including bus lanes, HOV lanes and advanced stop lines.
Lockers & changing facilities for riders.
Interest free loans should be offered to encourage people to purchase motorcycles instead of cars.

DETR, Draft Guidance on Local Transport Plans. 1998-1999 offered the following advice:

Chapter 3, Integrated Transport. The Role Of Motorcycling.

"Mopeds and motorcycles can provide an alternative means of transport for many trips. Where public transport is limited and walking unrealistic, for example in rural areas, motorcycling can provide an affordable alternative to the car, bring benefits to the individual and widen their employment opportunities.

Whether there are benefits for the environment and for congestion from motorcycling depends on the purpose of the journey, the size of motorcycle used and the type of transport that the rider has switched from. Mopeds and small motorcycles may produce benefits if they substitute for car use but not if people switch from walking, cycling or public transport.

The role of motorcycling in an integrated transport policy raises some important and complex issues. We are therefore setting up an advisory group to bring together motorcycle interests and other interested parties. This will allow discussion of issues of concern to those who ride motorcycles and of the ways we can work together on policies, including encouraging further improvements in the safety and environmental impact of motorcycling.

In drawing up their local transport plans, local authorities should take account of the contribution that motorcycling can make and consider specific measures to assist motorcyclists, such as secure parking at public transport interchange sites. We would welcome proposals from local authorities interested in conducting properly monitored pilot studies of the use of bus lanes by motorcycles, to help inform decisions on whether there is a case for motorcyclists to be allowed to use bus lanes."

Local Transport Plans were a key element of the Integrated Transport White Paper. They will cover all forms of transport, and encourage local authorities to seek integrated solutions to problems, involving closely local people, businesses, transport operators and users.

Provisional one-year LTPs were submitted last summer. Full plans submitted in July this year will run for five years once approved. Despite around a third of all local authorities working with their motorcycling communities many others have failed miserably to accommodate us in their plans.

Local authorities were recently given new guidelines for drawing up comprehensive strategies for delivering better transport services, safer roads and greater travel choice and produced the document 'Full Guidance on Local Transport Plans' which states:

POWERED TWO WHEELERS

Mopeds and motorcycles can provide an affordable alternative means of transport for trips where public transport is limited and walking and cycling unrealistic, increasing mobility and widening employment opportunities. Local authorities should take account of the contribution powered two wheelers (PTW's) can make in delivering integrated transport policies, for example where they are being used in congested traffic conditions. Mopeds and small motorcycles may produce benefits if they substitute for car use, but the intention should not be to encourage people to switch from sustainable transport options - walking cycling or public transport.

Local authorities should ensure that the relevant aspects of their LTP (including road safety, planning and social policies) take account of the needs of motorcyclists. They should consider specific measures to assist motorcyclists in making integrated journey such as secure parking at public transport interchanges.

Some authorities are allowing motorcycles into bus lanes. We need properly monitored pilot studies to reach conclusions about this practice. We have been encouraging proposals from authorities interested in conducting such pilots. A thorough examination of the traffic, safety and environmental implications for motorcyclists and other road users would help to inform decisions on the case for allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes.

Some authorities have already expressed an initial interest. We will be approaching those who are keen to proceed to discuss the monitoring arrangements.

The DETR are also inviting authorities to bid to become Centres of Excellence in transport planning. By expanding this initiative they can give even more good ideas and good practice the recognition they merit, in the hope that authorities will be able to help each other to deliver the high-quality integrated transport system that we all want to see.

Please do this, to ensure motorcycling is not forgotten!

Don't delay; act today!

Biker Power 2000

After Ride to Work Day, MAG is organising a huge demonstration in Trafalgar Square this summer on the afternoon of Saturday July 22nd.

We will have speakers raising the issues:

Rip-Off Britain
Bike theft and lack of parking provision
Telematic 'remote' control of bikes
Parking and congestion charges
Access to bus lanes
Diesel spillage

Many regions will be organising ride-ins to the demo. Please ensure you are part of this show of 'Biker Power' by being there and reminding our politicians to support our rights.

Further details can be found here

As well as 'Biker Power 2000', many other events including the annual MEP Ride are planned for this summer, so let's celebrate our freedoms and get out there and enjoy the British summer by being part of this resurgence in motorcycling.

This page is primarily concerned with local issues relevant to our region and is still under constructio, however, to find out more about the issues MAG is concerned with nationally and internationally follow the link or visit your local group.