THE RIDER'S DIGEST - ISSUE 152 - September 2010

I wasn’t intending to write about motorcycle protests or demos again this month but a couple of things occurred that forced my hand somewhat.

Firstly, the court case regarding the motorcycle parking fee campaign reached its conclusion with a verdict in favour of Westminster City Council. In brief, it means that WCC did not break any rules or laws when it implemented the charge and that the arguments presented by the protest group, while not without merit, were not sufficient to prove otherwise.

Secondly, a press release from the British Motorcyclists Federation announced details of “the biggest change in the 50 year history of the UK’s leading riders’ rights organisation, a change that will see a complete overhaul of the way the bmf operates.”

In my editorial last month I questioned whether the existing lobby groups had become too close to those in power to be effective and this month, on pages 76-79, Richard Bradley takes over Digest This to explain why the No To Bike Parking Tax campaign group, in spite of this initial court setback will be continuing the regular demonstrations as well as seeking areas on which they can appeal the court decision. He also suggests that they will be looking to expand their horizons beyond this single issue. We could be looking at the formation of a new nation-wide pressure group.

Perhaps this is why the bmf have decided to look at making such sweeping changes to the way they operate. Reading the press release, it certainly seems so.

Showing great honesty, they point out that a thorough review (after it becoming apparent that “the bmf’s Management Team had already recognised that the organisation had moved away from its original focus of promoting, protecting and pursuing the interests of motorcyclists, the aims established by the bmf’s founding fathers back in 1960”) has shown them to be “too far removed from its core target market – motorcyclists” and “too inward looking”.

As part of these changes, the bmf are looking to “re-energise the volunteer structure, reconnecting with the bmf’s regions on local and national issues”.

Anna Zee the bmf’s chairman commented “It is very easy for an organisation that's been around for as long as we have to rest on past laurels and we will not forget our history, but the bmf is nothing if it cannot work well for its current and future membership. Making the most of the opportunities offered by today’s technology and means of communication will go a long way towards achieving those ends.”

This use of communication is one reason that the NTBPT campaign has become so successful (depending on how you define ‘successful’). Clever use of email and text messages have allowed them to coordinate groups in different locations at specific times to maximise the effect of their protests.

TRD applauds the bmf for taking this big step and along with the expansion of the NTBPT group, it looks like we could see an increase in publicity and protest for motorcycling. Motorcycling in this country has been under great pressure and reading Inside Line this month on p18 detailing the development of Automatic Speed Limiters and how they may be applied to bikes is a clear reminder that the right future for motorcycling is something worth fighting for.

Ride safe

Rog