thisisplymouth.co.uk
BIKERS are gearing up for a huge ride-out to fight what they say is an "unfair tidal wave" of proposed European regulations.
Hundreds of motorcyclists from the region will be taking part in the on-road protest on Sunday, September 25, which looks set to have a major impact on other road users.
They will be taking to the A38 en masse to ride from Lee Mill to oppose plans put before the European Union.
The regulations, if passed, would ban modification of machines and single out bikers for regular roadside MOT-style checks.
The ride will see a convoy travelling around 25 miles in the inside lane, at around 40mph.
It is one of 70 that will take place UK-wide, all organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG).
Campaigns manager Paddy Tyson said: "The motorcycle industry has been under severe pressure recently with new licensing directives dissuading riders.
"What our congested roads need are more bikes, not increased legislation to discourage them".
The demonstration is also intended to express solidarity with French and Irish riders.
In France, legislation has been put forward that would force all bikers to wear reflective or high-visibility clothing, outlaw filtering between cars in traffic jams and ban bikes over seven years old from urban areas.
The Irish Government, meanwhile, is also demanding all motorcyclists wear full-sleeved high-visibility jackets.
"MAG is determined that the onus of blame should not be shifted to riders in an accident situation where a third party didn't actually look and conspicuity arguments are irrelevant," Mr Tyson added.
"Both French and Irish Governments have failed to provide research to support their ideas and MAG is concerned that the insurance industry in the UK may impose compulsion, when educating all road users in hazard avoidance would be more effective".
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAG-UK-Motorcycle-Action-Group/179141508124?sk=wall
http://www.mag-uk.org/en/index/a6296
Hundreds of motorcyclists from the region will be taking part in the on-road protest on Sunday, September 25, which looks set to have a major impact on other road users.
They will be taking to the A38 en masse to ride from Lee Mill to oppose plans put before the European Union.
The regulations, if passed, would ban modification of machines and single out bikers for regular roadside MOT-style checks.
The ride will see a convoy travelling around 25 miles in the inside lane, at around 40mph.
It is one of 70 that will take place UK-wide, all organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG).
Campaigns manager Paddy Tyson said: "The motorcycle industry has been under severe pressure recently with new licensing directives dissuading riders.
"What our congested roads need are more bikes, not increased legislation to discourage them".
The demonstration is also intended to express solidarity with French and Irish riders.
In France, legislation has been put forward that would force all bikers to wear reflective or high-visibility clothing, outlaw filtering between cars in traffic jams and ban bikes over seven years old from urban areas.
The Irish Government, meanwhile, is also demanding all motorcyclists wear full-sleeved high-visibility jackets.
"MAG is determined that the onus of blame should not be shifted to riders in an accident situation where a third party didn't actually look and conspicuity arguments are irrelevant," Mr Tyson added.
"Both French and Irish Governments have failed to provide research to support their ideas and MAG is concerned that the insurance industry in the UK may impose compulsion, when educating all road users in hazard avoidance would be more effective".
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAG-UK-Motorcycle-Action-Group/179141508124?sk=wall
http://www.mag-uk.org/en/index/a6296
