British motorcycle community reacts to new UK government plan

The UK’s National Motorcyclists Council has responded to the new Road Safety Strategy announced by the UK government.

The new plan was announced on 6 January, and includes global road safety targets like reducing road deaths by 65 per cent by 2035. But it also includes specific considerations regarding motorcyclists’ safety, including consultations on changing the licensing and training systems in the UK.

Reforms to the motorcycle training system in the UK have long been desired by groups like the NMC, which feels the current system is overcomplicated and therefore makes the process of progressing through the various licences daunting for beginners.

“The NMC strongly welcomes news that there is to be a consultation on reforms to motorcycle training, testing and licensing,” says NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch.

“These are areas which are fundamental to motorcycle safety and there are several options which can be considered as part of a structured new approach to motorcycle licensing that can deliver short, medium and long term safety improvements in line with new road safety targets. 

“We also welcome news that the strategy will have a focus on improving rural motorcycle safety.”

Carey-Clinch added that the government must continue to include motorcycle safety in its overall strategy for improving road safety.

“The Strategy contains a wide range of proposals and consultations on different areas and the NMC looks forward to responding to these,” he said. “But it is vital that if the strategy is to fully deliver for motorcycle safety, a positive approach needs to be taken to the inclusion of motorcycling in wider strategic safety and transport policy development as part of the Safe System and also as part of the work of the new Road Safety Board.

“This is why we particularly welcome the announcement stating that the strategy depends on strong partnerships. 

“We look forward to discussing the NMCs proposals in relation to the Strategy with DfT Ministers.”

BMF: Licensing reforms “long-overdue”

The British Motorcyclists Federation has shared the opinion of the NMC on the UK’s motorcycle licensing system. The possibility of reform within the new strategy, it says, is “long-overdue”.

“The BMF has campaigned long and hard for the Government to integrate motorcycling into the mainstream of future UK transport policy, and for the delivery of effective government-led safety strategies for motorcyclists, including the need for long-overdue reforms to the current motorcycle training, testing and licensing regimes, which have failed to reduce motorcycle accidents and casualties,” said BMF Chair Jim Freeman.

“We therefore welcome today’s announcement which demonstrates that the Government has listened to the BMF’s concerns and is committed to take action.

Freeman added that he would like to see more government attention given to the specific safety challenges that motorcyclists face, and suggests that changes to road design and infrastructure would be ways to address this.

“There is a real opportunity through the government’s new Road Safety Strategy, and the forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy,” Freeman said, “for organisations such as the BMF and our key partner the National Motorcyclists Council to work closely and collaboratively with Ministers and relevant government departments to develop a sustainable and comprehensive road safety strategy that properly addresses the specific risks and vulnerabilities faced by motorcyclists on UK roads. 

“Reform of the current training, testing and licensing regime for motorcyclists, and a separate piece of work to improve motorcycle safety on rural roads, is a good place to start, but more needs to be done with specific government action tailored to the particular risks and vulnerabilities motorcyclists currently face on UK roads. 

“This must include the delivery of improved road design and infrastructure and an unwavering focus on reducing the specific factors that contribute to motorcycle collisions and fatalities, underpinned by significant government investment in improving motorcycle safety. The BMF looks forward to working with Ministers and officials to deliver on these objectives.”