All contents copyright ©, Drive and Stay Alive, Inc., 2003 onwards, unless specified otherwise. All rights reserved.

IMPORTANT: click here to read the DISCLAIMER

Advisory Group on Motorcycling: Final Report to Government 

2 August, 2004

Road Safety Minister David Jamieson today welcomed publication of the 'Advisory Group On Motorcycling: Final Report To Government'.

The Report concludes the work of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling, which was established in 1999 to consider the role of motorcycling within an integrated transport policy, including important issues such as safety and environmental impact.

David Jamieson said:

"I am delighted to have received this Report, which is the product of a constructive and co-operative partnership between Government and motorcycling interests."

The Report makes a number of recommendations to Government. These include:

• a fundamental review of gaining a motorcycle licence under the Direct Access Scheme, which allows faster access to riding bigger bikes;

• Rider Improvement and Speed Awareness courses for offending motorcyclists;

• a hard hitting advertising campaign to make motorcyclists more aware of dangerous situations and other road users more aware of motorbikes;

• a review of the position concerning motorcycle use of bus lanes;

• and the mainstreaming of motorcycling into the transport planning process.

David Jamieson added:

"This report is timely. Motorcyclist deaths rose by 14% in 2003 and this is a challenge we must face up to. The Government and the motorcycling community are working together to make biking safer and to take account of the needs of motorcyclists. Motorcycling is an important part of the transport mix and we will consider the report's recommendations closely as we further develop our motorcycling strategy."

To obtain advice on the complex issues surrounding motorcycling, the Government established the Advisory Group on Motorcycling (AGM) on 6 May 1999. The AGM set up five Task Forces to examine vehicle safety and security, integration and traffic management, environmental and fiscal issues, statistics, and research.

The full report is available here: 'Advisory Group On Motorcycling: Final Report To Government'

Source: Department for Transport News Release 2004/0106