November 25th 2008
By Chris Hodder, Government Relations Executive
? Brief News
? In the Government?s Pre-Budget Report, it was announced that motorcycle VED would remain frozen. With the temporary reduction in VAT to 15% from 17.5%, this means that the cost of purchasing, owning and riding a machine will be reduced (at least for the short term). Car VED is still set to rise (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pbr08_completereport_1721.pdf).
? There was much furore regarding the Association of Chief Police Officers? evidence to the Transport Select Committee on Road Safety, especially regarding comments over ?motorised toys? and 200mph road bikes. The BMF has written to ACPO asking for clarification. Fortunately, it appears that the evidence was ignored in the final recommendations. See the report for yourself at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmtran/460/460.pdf.
? The EU will soon be consulting on new technical regulations for motorcycles which may include 100bhp limits, mandatory ABS and anti-tampering measures for all motorcycles. However, there are EU elections in May next year and this is a good time to encourage MEPs to use their powers of scrutiny. Go to http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?main_page_id=778 to find draft letters to send to your MEPs. Their details can be found at http://www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/MembersMain.htm.
? Get Involved
? To officially contest the motorcycle parking charges in Westminster, please put down your thoughts in writing to Amanda Jones and Martin Low at West One, 59 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ, quoting reference 5303-03/AJ. The consultation period still has 2 months to run. However, the sooner objections are received, the sooner we can overturn this decision. For maximum effect, responses should focus on how this will increase hardship and reduce personal safety and how it does not fit into the Government?s aim to ?mainstream motorcycling? as well as the Mayor of London?s direction to provide adequate parking for motorcycles. Any negative environmental or small business impacts would also go along way to bolstering our opposition.
? The No To Bike Parking Fees campaign will have a large demonstration at 11am on Sunday the 14th of December at Golden Square, off Regent Street in Central London. Westminster are close to implementing the paid parking scheme permanently, so the more pressure we put on now, the closer we will be to winning. National support is vital to prevent other councils from getting the same idea (http://www.notobikeparkingfees.com/).
? PTS Director Cathy Phillpotts is currently trying to complete a motorcycle parking map of the UK highlighting problem areas and issues. In an effort to speed up the process, we have created a very short survey for you to complete. The address is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2fk15TzaVP9ESyh_2fdpwRN2w_3d_3d.
? New e-Petitions
There are several petitions on the Prime Minister?s website which relate to motorcycles. Please feel free to add your name to any you support. Inclusion here does not necessarily mean the BMF supports a particular petition.
Due to the increasing length, we will now only cover new petitions. Previous Campaigner lists of petitions can be found at http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?main_page_id=806.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk
Summary
End date
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/motorbike-safety/
Use non-slip paint on roads
31st Mar 2009
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/EUDUTYCAR/
End customs duty between EU states
6th April 2009
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/stonechippings/
Scrap resurfacing with bitumen and stone chippings
2nd Oct 2009
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