Speaking with bikers from across the South East

Peter Skinner is backing motorcyclists in their bid to challenge new EU rules.

Bikers angered by new laws proposed in Brussels were given the chance to tell the MEP about their concerns. New EU rules could see expensive ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) made compulsory and bike modifications threatened.

The event on 14^th January was held at P&H Motorcycles in Crawley and bikers from across the region attended including motorcyclists from Brighton, Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Oxford, Berkshire and Hampshire.

Discussions covered a wide range of issues including concerns regarding EU legislation, rider training issues, the state of the retail bike industry and the future of the whole industry.

The MEP has been working closely with MAG to campaign against the new rules and get changes ahead of a crucial vote in the European parliament currently scheduled for 14^th March.

Peter Skinner MEP:

“It was fantastic to see such a big turn out and hear what people had to say. MAG and P&H did a great job organising the event and I will be taking the bikers’ message to Brussels. If we work together there is good reason to hope we can make changes.

“I already knew from my mailbag how passionate people are about their bikes but it was great to get the chance to discuss the issues face to face. Everyone was well informed and we had a very productive discussion about taking the campaign to the next level. The proposals as they stand are ill suited to the realities of biking and we have to work together to make that point to lawmakers in the UK and EU.”

Paddy Tyson of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG):

“It is very refreshing to meet a representative who is prepared to listen to constituents. The event was a clear demonstration that EU politics affecting bikers and the motorcycle industry remains a hot topic, even though we’ve been fighting this particular piece of EU legislation for over a year. There is as much interest in the EU legislative procedure and what many see as the ‘democratic deficit’ as the new proposed laws themselves, so it was great to have someone on hand who could answer the questions that related directly to the day to day running of ‘Brussels’. Peter made it clear how important it was to write to your MEP and MAG continues to encourage it, because some of these new proposals will have such a huge impact, but if riders don’t speak up, the politicians won’t be able to hear.”

Steve Manning, Operations Manager Advanced Riding Techniques Ltd:

“Really good to see the support given by all the riders who rode in very cold weather to get here, Advanced Riding Techniques have been working with P&H Motorcycles since 1995 to train riders to enable them to pass a full licence, conduct their CBT or just as importantly come back and get refresher training when they feel it necessary. Our industry has suffered hugely every time there is a change in legislation that makes learning to ride a motorcycle or scooter more onerous and expensive, since 1995 we have seen no less than three major changes and the last one in 2009 reduced the amount of new riders coming into our industry by 50%!

“This clearly cannot continue, motorcycles can be a cheap alternative to cars and certainly cause far less congestion! Studies have show that around two thirds of all accidents at junctions involving Powered Two wheelers are the fault of another road user, yet it is the motorcyclist that has to pay for more and more training and testing than other road user groups! Surely this is discriminatory.

“We continue give our full support to MAG to ensure that this can be heard by more people, and urge anyone who has an interest in preserving the rights of an individual to ride a motorcycle or scooter to join us.”

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