Motorcycling matters

Motorcycling matters to over 3.5 million people who hold motorcycle licences and especially to riders who enjoy and benefit from riding on Green Roads as well as black. The National Motorcyclist Council (NMC) and the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) calls on the next government to seize the opportunity that motorcycling in all its forms offers society.

The Motorcycling Matters manifesto has been created by the NMC’s members, including the TRF, and sets out in simple terms what motorcyclists need the post-election Government to deliver for motorcycling.

It presents a manifesto for a positive vision for the future of transport and the role of motorcycling within this.

Motorcycling is a key part of the future of transport. If supported by government, it will foster social mobility, quality of life, economic growth and improved safety. The choices riders make about the bikes they want to ride, plus how and where they want to enjoy motorcycling, also needs to be protected.

The Motorcycling Matters website also calls on parliamentary candidates to sign a pledge that supports the future of motorcycling.

The Motorcycling Matters manifesto sets out seven key themes;

Transport Choice: Bringing motorcycling into the mainstream of transport policy
The introduction of improved and simplified licensing, training and testing
Safer roads for riding, tackling potholes and proper investment in motorcycle safety.
Adoption of a ‘technology neutral’ approach to decarbonisation, preserving rider choice.
Default access to all bus lanes, continued free parking and protecting motorcycle access to the full road network, including sealed and green roads.
Ensuring greater recognition of and support for the UK motorcycle sports sector.
Recognition of the cultural importance of the classic bike sector and protection for the UK’s motorcycling heritage.

"The forthcoming General Election is probably the most important for motorcycling in a generation. We face a situation where, like 1997, all political parties have everything to play for. With a strong likelihood of a change in Government, there is now a real opportunity to reshape the narrative and thinking around motorcycling and send a clear message to candidates about what riders need from a new government. We urge all riders to support the campaign and help to make a real difference for motorcycling both locally and nationally".

Craig Carey-Clinch NMC Executive Director

What riders need to do

What matters to politicians are votes, what matters to you is motorcycling, and more specifically Trail Riding – so let them know

Write to your local MPs from all major parties, details of whom can be found here. Explain the benefits of Trail Riding and wider motorcycling and what it means to you. We have produced these guidance notes to help you. Call on their support and ask them to sign this pledge. If you hear back from them, please forward their response to to us.

"Providing greater motorcycling access on Green Roads and black has great value and advantage to modern society, however, successive administrations have failed to realise these opportunities. Motorcycling represents both a responsible and sustainable form of transport, sport and active recreation. We call on the next government to finally realise the potential for motorcycling and integrate it into its policies across all government departments."

Graeme Collins TRF CEO

Green Roads for All

Britain is blessed with some of the most incredible countryside in the world, a place that should be shared, enjoyed and respected by all no matter how they choose to explore it.

The Green Road Network provides unique public access to this rural landscape unlike any other, but sadly a minority seeks to misrepresent these public roads and the historic rural enjoyment of exploring them by motorcycle.

Green Roads for All takes a closer look at facts around the Green Road Network and the value of Trail Riding to the environment, public access, rural communities, local and national economies as well as the health and wellbeing of riders.