December 13, 2024
Opinion Piece: -WHY DO MOTORCYCLISTS FEEL THEY ARE IGNORED? Because they are!
As a motorcyclist participating in discussions of road safety, I am only too well aware that motorcyclists are massively over-represented in the collision statistics given that overall they are only 1% to 3% of the traffic on the road. Consequently, the perception of a great many people is that motorcycles are very dangerous. In turn this perception means that many people working in local government and all the way through to national government are unwilling to do anything which they think could be classed as encouraging or promoting motorcycling. So politicians and officials do not want to seem to favour motorcyclists. Not even if it would improve motorcyclists' safety! Bikes in bus lanes, anyone?
Never mind that motorcycling is just as legitimate as driving, those politicians and officials who would prefer that it didn’t exist don't mention it if they can possibly manage it. For instance, in the writing of policy papers which have any reference to transport. Take a look at plans for commercial or residential developments. There will always be something about transport and parking. Nowadays some residential developments in urban areas with good public transport links may not be permitted to include parking but many will and there will always be advice on providing facilities for bicycles. Do they mention motorcycles? Unless it's written in an exceptionally enlightened area, no. Same goes for commercial developments.
I believe a major factor in this is because the national level guidance does not mention motorcycles. The National Design Guide has a section on Movement. The third subsection is headed "Well-considered parking, servicing and utilities infrastructure for all users". Only problem is, apparently motorcyclists are not users since they don't get mentioned. The National Design Guide is one of the supporting documents for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). There has recently been a consultation on reforms to the NPPF. The BMF has submitted a response objecting to the exclusion of motorcycling from the planning process.
And it is no better when it comes to high level documents that are specifically about transport. A top level document here is named the National Networks National Policy Statement which supplies guidance for major transport developments. It is signed off by the Secretary of State for Transport. This document happily includes walking, cycling and wheeling (see Active Travel definition - it does not mean motorcycling!). It even mentions horse riding - twice! but guess what! The word motorcycle does not appear. Anywhere. The BMF submitted a response pointing this out in the 2023 consultation. I'm sorry to say that the word motorcycle still does not appear. Two words did get added to the Statement after the consultation. In a paragraph referencing users of motorways the word 'drivers' has become 'drivers and riders'. The lengths gone to, to avoid mentioning motorcycles, would be really astonishing if it wasn't for the fact that it's been going on for decades. I have a message for those politicians and officials; ignoring us doesn't work. Motorcyclists are still here and we have no intention of disappearing.
A lot of work has been done in some quarters to improve the lot of motorcyclists. National Highways have taken notice, Transport for London are not invariably tin-eared, some local authorities such as Haringey have consulted us, and I am truly grateful to all those who have listened and taken action on our concerns. But, if government, at any and all levels, truly wants to cut the casualty figures for motorcyclists then government must include consideration of motorcyclists needs in all policies which affect them. All too often any consideration of motorcyclists results in a separate strategy which is an add-on to the principal policy document. The best way to do it is to include motorcycling in all planning from the start. That is not about promoting or encouraging motorcycling; it is about making reasonable provision for a legitimate form of transport. As an OECD report from 2015 said: "There would be many benefits in terms of mobility and traffic management as well as traffic safety in a better integration of PTWs into mobility plans and in the development of national and local transport strategies."
So come on government - do your job properly. You have nothing to lose but your prejudice.
Anna Zee.
Anna is the BMF Director, Political and Technical Services and Chair of the NMC.
(Photo: Benjamin Elliott – Unsplash)
