B.M.F report
Following a BMF Council meeting in Burton on Trent in November the Fedreation has a new Chairman, Roger Ellis who is the chairman of the midlands region.
The BMF has revamped it’s website with a new look and easier navigation. At present it still has a lot of the old content but some of the less used corners are gone and the rest of the content is being up-dated. Like a lot of sites it is a work in progress but at least the work is once again in progress.
BMF In ‘Back Off EU’ Brussels Protest
Despite the unseasonable time of year, Tuesday 23 November 2011 saw the BMF amongst the hundreds of riders from all over Europe who converged on the European Parliament building in Brussels to protest at the latest raft of motorcycle related Type Approval Regulations emanating from the European Commission.
Organised by Motor Cycle News, about 200 riders, mostly from the UK, assembled at the Parc du Cinquantenaire to take part in the ‘Back Off EU’ protest ride. Before the start of the ride they were addressed by MCN’s Senior Reporter Steve Farrell, the British Motorcyclists Federation’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, British MP Mike Weatherly and the Motorcycle Action Group’s President, Ian Mutch.
A ride-past the European Commission offices ended at the European Parliament at the Place du Luxembourg where UKIP MEP Marta Andreason also addressed the riders, emphasising that she had been previously campaigning with bikers across the UK and with MCN to ensure that ‘this needless legislation is thrown on the scrap heap.’
Although there are a number of issues of concern say the BMF, the principle one is of the anti-tampering regulations. These have the effect of preventing any changes to a machine from its standard specification which, given the independence and individuality of owners, is an anathema to many motorcyclists say the BMF.
Speaking afterwards MCN’s Steve Farrell said: "People can question whether protests like this make a difference, but we can be certain that nothing will be achieved by sitting at home."
Supporting this line, Chris Hodder of the BMF said: “At times it’s important to visibly show solidarity and demonstrate the strength of feeling there is when debating items like this with politicians and civil servants.”
Some of you may remember the lobby day that we had last year as part of Riders Are Voters (BMF/MAG/MCIA/ACU collaboration). Well, we're having another one next year.
February 1st, 2012 in the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House (where MPs have their offices, next to the Palace of Westminster)
The idea is to get own MP along for a chat, so those taking part need to write to them to let them know they’re coming.
Topics for discussion include the two main issues – anti-tampering/type approval and the motorcycle test review.
The event will be run under the Riders Are Voters banner, as was the last one, which had around 90 people attending and had a good selection of MPs
This event will be hosted/lead by new chair of the all-party motorcycle group, Steve Baker MP