Off Road Vehicles (registration) Bill, A THREAT

[idh]

OFF ROAD VEHICLES (REGISTRATION) BILL - A THREAT TO MOTORCYCLE SPORT IN THE UK

Just came across this on the main form apologies for those who may have seen it

Posted by "Man in Black"

"OFF ROAD VEHICLES (REGISTRATION) BILL - A THREAT TO MOTORCYCLE SPORT IN THE UK
I have been made aware of this via the Vintage Motorcycle Club. Please forgive me if this has been raised elsewhere within the speedway community ( I don’t read the Speedway Star), but the future of British speedway (and all other motorcycle sport) could be under threat if a Private Member’s Bill currently working its way through Parliament becomes law.

I am referring to the Off Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill, which has been created by Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Manchester Blackley. You can view this Bill at www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/resea...07/rp07-021.pdf and more information can be found on the Motorcycle Industry Association website at www.mcia.co.uk

Very briefly, this ludicrous Bill is intended to tackle antisocial and illegal minimoto riders by requiring all non road-going motorcycles to be road-legal and display number plates. If this Bill should become law in its present form the police will have powers to confiscate and destroy any motorcycles which are not road legal. THIS WILL INCLUDE ALL RACE BIKES, be they road-race, motocross, speedway, grasstrack etc.

BE AWARE THAT, DESPITE GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION, THIS BILL HAS ALREADY PASSED ITS FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND WILL NOW ENTER A COMMITTEE STAGE AT WHICH AMENDMENTS CAN BE PUT FORWARD BY MPs.

It is therefore vital that followers of all motorcycle sports write to their MP as soon as possible to ensure that the Bill is either amended to exempt all legitimate off-road motorcycles or rejected in its entirety. There is a pro-forma letter on the Motorcycle Industry Association website which, once you have completed your personal details, will identify your MP and automatically email the letter. Go to www.mcia.co.uk and click on “Political Wizard” for details."



Here's the link to go straight there Click Here

[squibby]

When this was first brought to public view, I ( as just one of many thousands ) wrote to my local MP, Ben Bradshaw, and to Graham Stringer pointing out the potential injustices the wording of the Draft Bill would impose on the likes of speedway, and I have recently received, via Mr Bradshaw, a copy of a reply to him from the Minister for Transport. This letter assures us that many and various proposals are being considered as to amendments to the wording, to ensure that sports such as speedway, run in a law-abiding manner, within Health & Safety rules etc etc, would not be affected.

The letter from the Minister also reiterates that the proposed new legislation is designed to curb anti-social use of mini moto bikes. We will have to have faith in the legislators - whatever the final form of the Bill, I really cannot see that the need to register machines with the DVLA etc will be deemed to apply to the likes of speedway bikes, motocross, road racing bikes etc. I just hope I am right !!

[Nevs]

This bill has apparently failed now.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1011/1011341_offroad_bikes_bill_fails.html

[idh]

Nice to see that one out the way

Nevs as well as being Our Reuters Speedway Internet Correspondent i think you should double up as our Parliamentary Correspondent as well ;D ;D