The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has submitted its response to UK motorcycling’s most important consultation today. The response runs to 29 pages of widely referenced arguments against the proposed end to sales of new petrol-powered motorcycles. It authentically represents the view of the majority of UK bikers and fulfils MAG’s pledge to fight the proposed ban to the last ditch.
The consultation, entitled ‘L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models’, launched in July is due to close at 23:45 on Wednesday 21st September. MAG has been resolute in defending the views of UK motorcyclists, the vast majority of whom oppose the policy proposals.
MAG Chair, Neil Liversidge, said:
“The government is making a huge mistake in trying to pick winners. Free markets pick winners, not bureaucrats. I can see that and so can MAG members. Governments do not have the ability to predict the future and should not seek to limit innovation and creativity in solving the problems that we all face. We have openly stated a willingness to work with the Government on reducing the environmental impacts of transport. The proposed enforced end of fossil-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles on this, or any other, timescale is not the way to get to the best outcomes. The justification for the focus on zero tailpipe emissions is highly questionable, and the ridiculously short schedule is unnecessary. The outcomes will be economically and socially catastrophic. The benefits will be too small to measure. We shall not stand by and allow this policy to go unchallenged.
We are faithfully representing the views of the vast majority of riders, and I trust that other organisations will put a similar level of passion and clarity into their responses. Simply trying to delay this policy is the wrong approach. It must be rejected in its entirety. Our exhaustive research has gone far beyond the world of motorcycling, and nothing we have found dissuades us from the belief that this policy is wrong.”
MAG’s full consultation response is available here.
MAG continues to seek a meeting with DfT ministers. MAG formally requested a meeting with Trudy Harrison in July. That was delayed due to the Tory leadership contest and, more recently, the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II. There is now a new Secretary of State for Transport, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP. MAG is continuing to press for a meeting with Trevelyan as soon as possible.