Business news
Brexit confusion on Euro transport
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espite seemingly being resolved in May, there are still questions over the ability of British bikers to take their motorcycles into the EU in a van or on a trailer without running into customs problems. The Federation of European Motorcycle Associations and the UK National Motorcyclists Council had been pushing hard in talks with the EU and UK authorities to solve problems with people taking bikes in vans from the UK to the continent for European track days and other purposes. Since they weren’t being ridden across the border, they could be seen as commercial freight – meaning they would need either paperwork for importation or an expensive carnet to cover them for temporary importation into the EU. And if the bike was being transported by a third party such as a trackday company, the situation became even more complex. In May, FEMA published a letter from the European Commission, which stated that “Means of transports entering the EU temporarily and returning back to the UK after a few weeks can be placed under temporary admission and declared to customs by the sole act of crossing the frontier.” Minor celebrations amongst European trackday fans then? Well, no. It turns out that ‘means of transport’ might not strictly apply to a motorcycle in a van, especially a track or dirt bike which isn’t road legal, or a non-running show bike. As before, a strict customs agent might slap charges onto anyone bringing a bike from the UK into the EU in a truck.
European inflation soars
The NMC’s executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “The work done jointly by FEMA, FIVA and the NMC has shifted the dial on this issue and led to the reopening of talks between the UK and individual EU member states, which had stalled. The NMC has proposed a potential solution which the UK government will consider internally and also discuss with counterparts within the EU, but we fear that it could be some months before this is finally resolved. In the meantime, we urge riders to check the rules carefully before transporting their bikes to and from the EU in a van or on a trailer.”
EUROZONE INFLATION ROSE to another record high in May. Annualised consumer price inflation across 19 EU countries sharing the euro currency climbed to 8.1% in May from 7.4% in April, beating a European Central Bank forecast of 7.7%. Analysts noted that price growth had continued to broaden, indicating it isn’t just energy pulling up the headline figure. They also saw the data as a challenge to the Frankfurtbased ECB’s view that gradual interest rate increases from July will be enough to tame inflationary pressures.
Vouchers for BMW rookies IT HAS LONG BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY training professionals that a customer who is new to two wheels is heavily influenced towards the brand they first come into contact with, especially when this is through organised, professional and well delivered training. BMW is seeking to exploit this fact further with the introduction of a new Rookie to Rider voucher scheme to its existing rider training programme. Customers now have two different options to kick-start their motorcycle journey: • A finance package starting from £119 per month, which covers the cost of learning to ride as well as access to a new BMW motorcycle • A new Rookie to Rider voucher that can be redeemed at any BMW dealer for up to £1000 off a new motorcycle, depending on model, and also receive a 20% discount on clothing and accessory purchases BMW Rider Training has five training centres across the UK based in Scotland, Darlington, Stoke-on-Trent, Royston and Exeter.
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Kevin Bryan, who has been running Bryan’s Motorcycle Training in Stoke-onTrent for 33 years and is one of BMW’s five authorised Rider Training Centres, believes this is a welcome addition to the BMW offering. Bryan says “It provides customers with a straightforward, easyto-understand offer and further enhances the existing programme. It is particularly of interest to those customers who are not looking for finance on their purchase and therefore widens the appeal of the Rookie to Rider voucher to encompass all potential customers.” Bryan adds that with business returning to pre-Covid levels the new offering will further boost interest in the Rookie to Rider scheme. The new all-in-one packages can transform an aspiring rider from complete beginner to full licence holder, and the proud owner of a brand-new BMW motorcycle, all within a week. Ian Biederman, chief instructor at BMW Rider Training explains: “The new voucher scheme is a great addition to the programme, giving customers the freedom to choose their brand-new BMW motorcycle after their
Kevin Bryan, owner of Bryan’s Motorcycle Training, has been offering professional motorcycle training since 1989 and has trained more than 20,000 new riders training and secure a great discount.” To secure their Rookie to Rider voucher, students just need to book their training through World of BMW and successfully complete their Direct Access Course at an authorised BMW Rider Training Centre. The voucher can then be used at any participating BMW Motorrad retailer. For more details visit: www.bmw-motorrad. co.uk/en/offers/Rookie-to-Rider.html
AUGUST 2022 15
