Banning bikes - steve farrell

Consider banning motorcycles, police tell MPs

By Steve Farrell
Politics & the law
05 November 2008 15:46
The time has come to consider banning motorcycles from the roads, police chiefs have told MPs.
They are ‘motorised toys’ which may not be ‘fit for purpose’ on public highways, the Association of Chief Police Officers told the Commons Transport Committee.
The association based its call on the false claim that production motorcycles are ‘readily available’ with tops speeds of over 200mph. In fact not a single production motorcycle has broken the 200mph barrier.
The association said: ‘Production machines are readily available for use on our roads with top speeds in excess of 200mph. Motorcycles are seen in the UK to be, in the majority of instances, vehicles of choice rather than necessity and one might consider if our congested roads are any longer fit for purpose for these motorised toys.’
The comments have been published in a report by the committee on road safety. They were part of ACPO’s official response to a committee consultation.
The ACPO memo calls for the creation of no-motorcycle zones and points to power caps. It states: ‘There is a need for radical thinking in respect of motorcycles, including consideration of engine capability and the creation of protection zones where all motorcycles other than those specifically permitted would be prohibited.’
The association also calls for motorcycles to be fitted with chips to allow police to identify them from a distance, and tougher penalties for illegal number plates. It says: ‘The detection of motorcycling offences is problematic, encouraging non-compliance. This includes Vehicle Excise Duty evasion on a massive scale.
"For this reason, stricter penalties should be introduced for non-compliant registration plates and further work should be done on the development of such products as number plates containing chips that will allow automated vehicle identification, even at high speeds.’
In fact official Government research shows just 6.5% of motorcycles are untaxed.
MCN asked ACPO to defend its claims. The association has yet to do so.
For more on this, get MCN, on sale October 12.


LINKY

Unbelievable.

A link to the report published would be handy, before I'm rude about people. I can't find it on the ACPO site.

[Lissa]

I was getting all angry and indignant until I got to the bottom.


For more on this, get MCN, on sale October 12.

Originally Posted by Lissa

I was getting all angry and indignant until I got to the bottom.


For more on this, get MCN, on sale October 12.

Aye, might as well say we made most of it up and changed other bits to get a rise out of people. Load of ****e.

If it's a serious claim, I take it all police bikes will be taken off the road. No?

[Ch00]

MCN making stuff up again? surely not !!!!

Ch00

Originally Posted by Sean_C

If it's a serious claim, I take it all police bikes will be taken off the road. No?

...and the bike couriers that work for the NHS, getting blood and specialist equipment/medicines to and from hospitals. Ironic that the very thing the NHS hate and they use them to save lives.

[dizzyblonde]

Pah, bollox. Theres more and more folk that are getting bikes to avoid rush hour boring congestion. Would be kinda hard to get rid of us all

It's made it into the Telegraph too, only from some other t*sspot, sorry, expert.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...pert-says.html

Nope, can't see anything like that on the ACPO site, just this:

http://www.acpo.police.uk/asp/polici...gy_website.doc

Some random quotes:


“Motorcyclists have the right to expect central Government to take account of motorcycling in the planning process, when designing and maintaining the road network, when managing traffic and when considering safety. In return motorcyclists must recognise their responsibilities – to ride sensibly and safely within the law, be considerate to other road users, and to others more generally – for example those who wish to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our rural areas”

"It is acknowledged that the vast majority of motorcyclists are law abiding, responsible people."

"It is difficult for enforcement agencies to differentiate between the individual who wishes to make a fashion statement or enhance the appearance of their machine from one who is deliberately attempting to avoid detection for criminal purposes. It is with this rationale that it has been decided not to focus on the technicalities of the size of the plate or font size to comply with current legislation, but to apply a simple test of legibility, based upon the standard eyesight test for riders and drivers."

MCN making an ar$e of themselves? Hope so.