Make sure motorcycling matters in the latest transport consultation

For decades, successive UK governments have ignored, overlooked, or worse, deliberately discriminated against motorcycling, dismissing it as dangerous and anti-social. In doing so, they have failed to recognise the many benefits it offers society: enhancing social mobility, reducing environmental impact, improving public health and wellbeing, and contributing significantly to local and national economies.

Now the Department for Transport has launched an Integrated Transport Consultation which risks motorcycling being ignored again.

Unless YOU act now, this pattern of neglect will continue—putting motorcycling's future at risk.

The transport landscape is rapidly changing. There’s an increasing focus on active travel and public transport, with a shift away from cars towards more sustainable modes of transport. The vision is for cars to become the “last resort” for journeys, only used when no other option is viable. But motorcycling has a crucial role to play in the future of personal transport—if it is recognised, supported, and integrated into this evolving vision.

Sadly, the motorcycle industry has failed to respond in a timely fashion to the growing threats to its future. Too often focused on short-term sales and perpetuating outdated, negative perceptions, the industry has been slow to innovate with new technologies and sustainable solutions. The onus is now on motorcyclists to demand change—to make it clear to both the industry and government that motorcycling is ready to evolve for a greener, safer, and more sustainable future.

Right now, the government is conducting an Integrated Transport Consultation, seeking public input on the future of transport. This consultation is focused on how different modes of transport can be better connected and there is an online survey you could take to respond.

Its critical motorcyclists make their voice heard by responding to the consultation, but this opportunity won’t last long with the consultation closing on 31 January 2025. Outcomes that support motorcycling can have a significantly positive impact on the future of trail riding so it is important not to overlook this opportunity.

As a founding member of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), the TRF works alongside with respected organisations such as the British Motorcycle Federation (BMF), Auto Cycle Union (ACU), Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC), and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Together, we are striving to ensure that motorcycling takes on a more prominent and integral role in shaping the future of transport in the UK.

Act Today!

The survey first asks a number of anonymised profiling questions before going on to ask questions on a number of different transport modes. Here are the questions posed in the survey to help you get a clearer picture. However, it is better to send an email to INTS@dft.gov.uk explaining what motorcycling means to you and what would improve your experience when riding rather than having the survey dictate your response.

What is critical to get across is the importance of including all transport modes, including motorcycling, in national and local transport policies alongside a considered strategy for each in order that the benefits of a truly integrated transport can deliver.

As always respond as a member of the public and there is no need to mention your membership of any organisation, but do ensure you ask the government to work with motorcycling organisations to develop an integrated motorcycling strategy.

Motorcycling has a future—but we need to take action now. Act today. Shape tomorrow.

UPDATE

We are getting reports that the email address above is now issuing instructions to make submissions via the form. Which is not what we wanted to do, as the structure of the form is restrictive and designed to produce data that suits a certain narrative. We are contacting the DfT for further information on the issue and will update the above post in due course.

Take action today - write to the Department for Transport and help ensure motorcycling takes its rightful position the transport agenda!

There is now a real opportunity to reshape the narrative and thinking around motorcycling and send a clear message about what riders need from 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

"Motorcycling in all its forms has much to offer society in terms of social mobility, addressing environmental challenges, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, as well as achieving economic growth in both local and national economies. We call on the government to work with motorcycling organisations to realise the potential of motorcycling for a sustainable transport system in the future.