News NMC HITS THE GROUND RUNNING The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), which was launched on 5th March, has already started work. “The period since the launch has seen early impact and more political gains than expected,” said spokesman Craig Carey-Clinch. “Government officials themselves initiated early contact, which has had the effect of establishing the NMC as a consultative body.” The NMC is a joint venture between the BMF, MAG, the TRF, IAM and the ACU, to present a single voice for motorcycling to government. “Parliament has also offered support to the NMC,” added Craig Carey-Clinch. “MPs and Peers attended the launch and have been very positive since. We’ve also been well received by the All Party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group (APMG), which has agreed to support a number of activities in Parliament on behalf of the NMC.” Initial meetings have centred on the group’s call for a new Government Motorcycling Strategy, and government officials are said to have reacted positively to the idea. This would include: • Motorcycle access to bus lanes • Access to ULEZ/LEZ areas • Easing licence barriers for new riders • Driver education about PTWs • Protecting the use of older machines, on and off-road • Being part of the debate on future transport/ decarbonisation Outside Westminster, the NMC organised hustings for the London mayoral election, giving riders based in London and the south east the chance to quiz candidates or senior party figures. The Green Party and Animal Welfare Party were keen to engage ‘sustainable motorcycling’ within the transport policy debate, while both the Lib Dem and Conservative speakers spoke 4
Motorcycle R I D E R
NMC wants to get more bums on seats
positively about motorcycling’s role in the capital. Meanwhile, the NMC responded to the DfT’s Future Transport Rural Strategy consultation, pointing out that motorcycles and scooters can play an important role in rural areas where walking and cycling is less of an option, but where lower wages make the lower running costs of a small machine more affordable than a car. The role of motorcycles as transport was not considered in the consultation and yet schemes such as Wheels 2 Work can address specific issues such as longer distances and lack of public transport.
Good Start “The NMC’s foundation has been welcomed,” said Craig CareyClinch, “sometimes strongly so, and it seems clear that key audiences also welcome the ‘combined voice’ approach on those shared issues we have identified. This is particularly apparent in dealings with Government and Parliament thus far. This is not the first time that motorcycling organisations have worked together, and the NMC has sent out a powerful message of unity on motorcycling issues.” www.uknmc.org
