Mag And Fema News

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Integrated Transport Strategy call for ideas: Time to recognise motorcycling

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has submitted a bold response to the Government’s Integrated National Transport Strategy call for ideas. The response demands an end to motorcycling’s neglect in transport planning. MAG is urging the government to recognise motorcycles as a vital part of the UK's transport future. This submission comes at a pivotal moment, following the Department for Transport’s (DfT) admission that "at present, the Government has no policy to encourage greater use of motorcycles."

MAG’s response highlights decades of policy failures that have reduced mobility, increased congestion, and ignored air quality benefits. A truly integrated, safe, and efficient transport network must acknowledge motorcycling as a sustainable, flexible, and cost-effective transport solution.

Key themes outlined in MAG’s submission include:

Embedding Motorcycling into the National Transport Strategy.
Consider motorcycling across all areas of transport planning, including infrastructure, policy, data collection, and technology. The current approach creates inconsistent and ineffective policies that fail to recognize motorcycles’ contribution to a balanced transport system.

Data-Driven Policy Development.
Comprehensive data collection on motorcycle usage, safety, and needs is essential. Better data will allow for successful interventions, improved road design, and safety measures that benefit all road users. This must be done under a Welcoming Roads ethos.

Leveraging Technology for Motorcyclists.
Support all powertrain technologies, including electric, alternative fuels, and improved internal combustion engines. Battery-electric should not be the only solution. A diverse range of technologies must be explored to meet different transport needs. The government must also wake up to the “repackaging” of motorcycles as e-scooters and e-bikes to exploit regulatory loopholes. These vehicles must be properly classified and regulated as motorcycles.

Colin Brown, MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, said:

“The DfT’s admission that there is no policy to encourage motorcycling needs to be a watershed moment. It exposes a glaring gap in transport planning. Will the Government finally engage with the motorcycling community? Or will it continue to ignore a transport mode that offers real solutions to congestion, sustainability, and personal mobility? The time for action is now.”

MAG’s submission highlights the fragmented approach to motorcycling in Local Transport Plans. Research conducted with the University of Nottingham reveals that most local authorities fail to recognise motorcycles as a viable transport option. MAG argues that a national strategy is necessary to ensure consistency and prevent councils from “reinventing the wheel.”

Colin added:

“Motorcyclists have been treated as an afterthought for too long. This lack of direction has led to policies that are futile and often disadvantage riders. If the Government is serious about creating a modern, efficient, and sustainable transport system, it must stop ignoring motorcycling and start integrating it.”

MAG urges Labour Ministers to engage with the motorcycling community and take these proposals seriously. The organisation stands ready to work with policymakers. MAG wants to ensure that the Integrated National Transport Strategy is about all road users, including motorcyclists.
Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

The full MAG response can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/7/78..._Strategy_call_for_ideas_response_2025_02.pdf

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Last chance to block Camden motorcycle parking charges

Camden Council has released its final statutory consultation for the introduction of their motorcycle parking charges. This is now the last chance to block these illogical charges set to discourage motorcycling.

Proposed motorcycle charges for the first year of the scheme are as follows: Residents' annual permits for electric motorcycles £74.70. For conventional motorcycles £110.50. For visitors the proposed charges are electric £0.33/hour or £2.36 all day, conventional £0.74/hour or £5.27 all day.

MAG and Save London Motorcycling (SLM) are urging riders to respond to the consultation before the closing date of 21st March. To respond, send an email stating your objection to [email protected] making sure you quote reference 'TMO2425-0036'.

It is important to suggest alternative solutions for the stated aims of the policy. Camden states that the aim is “ensuring that the way parking is facilitated contributes to meeting the Borough’s sustainable transport, road safety, climate change, air quality and public health ambitions.” This is the only aim claimed; revenue generation is not a stated aim. Responses therefore need to suggest a charging regime that encourages uptake of motorcycling by Camden residents and visitors as we know this will help the Borough meet all those ambitions. MAG and SLM are calling on riders to send creative responses, not simply complaints.

MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement said:

“This is another classic example of absolutist policymakers applying a policy for cars to motorcycles without considering the differing impacts of the two vehicle classes. The Council has received multiple representations and a wealth of evidence proving that modal shift from cars to motorcycles will help deliver their stated aims. Why then, would they introduce a charging policy that will discourage use of a more sustainable mode? I would encourage Camden residents to both respond to the consultation and speak to their Councillors and MP. It is high time that policymakers are educated about the self-defeating outcomes of an approach treating motorcycles as nothing more than slightly smaller cars.”

The full details of the consultation including the proposed charges can be found here: https://www.camden.gov.uk/documents...er-amendment-proposals-dated-27-february-2025

Central Office
The Motorcycle Action Group Limited
Tel: 03300 560 886
www.mag-uk.org

 

For what use it will do.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763



View and share the YouTube petition video here:

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

MAG calls for better solutions for speed management in Scotland

The Motorcycle Action Group’s response to the Scottish National Speed Management Review Consultation calls for better solutions for speed management. The response opposes a blanket 50mph rural speed limit.

MAG asks for a more effective approach to tackling the issues around inappropriate speeds on Scotland’s rural roads. The response points out that this is not support for inappropriate or unsafe speeds, but a call for a better thought-out response to the issue.

MAG promotes a Welcoming Roads approach to road safety in which use of the roads is both safe and enjoyable. Whilst there are undeniably issues with poor behaviours by some road users, MAG argues that a blanket restriction leads to a backlash as demonstrated by the enormous petition response opposing the Welsh urban 20mph default.

MAG is calling for solutions including increased roads policing in the form of traffic officers with the ability to use discretion as opposed to camera enforcement. Further suggestions include better road design to signal appropriate speeds, and potential consideration of variable speed limits that are aligned with the circumstances such as poor weather conditions. An important suggestion is better training for drivers so that they can better manage risk using the Speed, Surprise, Space model.

MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:

“I find it disappointing that the consultation frames this as a choice between doing nothing or a blanket speed limit reduction for cars and motorcycles. There are other options and keeping the 60mph NSL does not imply there is nothing else to do. We do not deny the need to tackle poor behaviours. But by inappropriate reduction of a national rural speed limit, most compliant road users will feel victimised for safe behaviour while the worst offenders will continue to offend. If you don’t comply with a 60mph limit, why will a 50mph limit change your behaviour?”

On the question of raising the HGV limit MAG has supported this element. Reducing the speed differential between HGVs and other vehicles reduces the need for overtakes and reduces frustration in situations where overtakes are not safe.



The full MAG response can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/2/2c...d_Management_Review_Consultation_Response.pdf
Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Over 10,000 support new bus lane petition in first week

Over 10,000 people have supported MAG’s new bus lane petition in its first week. The Government will produce a written response soon, but MAG warns that it is likely to be dismissive.

MAG launched the petition on Monday 3rd March, and it has attracted over 10,000 signatures in its first week. At this point a written response is a given. MAG is warning the 10,000 supporters that the response is likely to repeat the outcome of last year’s consultation. MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, has said that a dismissive response is entirely expected. We will not allow this to put off further people from signing the petition.

Colin said:
“I am delighted by the level of support for the petition in its first week. I have said from the start that the initial written response is most likely to be negative. This should not concern us in the slightest. Our target is the 100,000-signature mark which should trigger a Parliamentary debate. This is where we will have the opportunity to get the result we are looking for.”

MAG is also laying out a programme of activity to run in parallel with the petition.

1. Help us make more riders aware of and to sign the petition. We need at least 100,000 signatures.
2. Contact your local MP to ask if they will speak in favour of default access at the hoped for debate.
3. Put pressure on the Department for Transport (DfT) to invite MAG to collaborate on the promised revised bus lane guidance document.
4. Ask the DfT what action it plans to take to work with Metro Mayors, Transport for London and others to deliver consistent bus lane access.
5. Put every local authority on notice that they will need to comply with the new guidance.

Colin said:

“This campaign is far more than just a petition. If we want the best outcome we cannot simply rely on signatures; we need action. MAG is already working behind the scenes on this five-step plan. Every rider, every organisation and the media can help achieve this win by playing their part. A simple email to your MP or local councillor will join others if you take the time to do it. If you have more time why not speak to them face-to-face for a more direct conversation? I have yet to meet anyone who can understand how the consultation outcome bears any relation to the responses. We need to correct this Government misstep and get this policy change over the line.”

We can get this across the line. With your help we will get this across the line.


Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

The Government petition can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763
The full motorcycles in bus lanes consultation outcome can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...motorcycles-in-bus-lanes-consultation-outcome

The extended version of the petition can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/f/fd/Default_bus_lane_access_petition_full_text.pdf

MAG’s analysis of the consultation responses can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/7/79...s_consultation_responses_-_MAG's_analysis.pdf

MAG’s rebuttal to the consultation outcome justifications can be found here: https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/c/ce...consultation_outcome_needs_to_be_reversed.pdf



Central Office
The Motorcycle Action Group Limited
Tel: 03300 560 886

www.mag-uk.org

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

MAG says don't treat new ALARM report as a joke

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is asking politicians not to treat the 2025 ALARM report as a joke. Following vacuous debate of the issue on the BBC’s Question Time programme, the AIA’s 30th ALARM report reveals the depth of the issue

The BBC’s topical debate programme Question Time took on potholes for the first time on 13th March. Filmed in Wolverhampton the producers devoted a mere seven minutes for the discussion despite admissions that the question comes up every week.

Labour MP Emma Reynolds admitted that this question is raised continually by voters on the doorsteps. Reynolds said: “We’re investing £1.6 billion to ensure we fill these potholes, and we give the councils the resources they need to do that.”

When asked: when can we expect to see an improvement? she said, “Very soon.” And despite derision from audience and being challenged by another panellist that a lot of Councils are having their budgets cut, she claimed “Well we are giving them additional funding to fill the potholes”.

Fiona Bruce asked, “Is it hypothecated to potholes?”, but Emma Reynolds did not know.

Conservative MP Luke Evans joked about a guy on TikTok who plants flowers in potholes and pointed out that if people care about potholes, then we have local elections coming up. He also pointed out that it is “a trendy thing when elections come up to have pothole funding”.

The ALARM report published today by the Asphalt Industry Association shows one in every six miles of the local road network – equivalent to 34,600 miles – has less than five years’ structural life remaining. Roads are only resurfaced, on average, once every 93 years and 94% of local authority highway teams report that, in their opinion, there has been no improvement to their local network over the last year. Local authorities say they need their budgets to more than double for the next five to ten years if they are going to be able to make any lasting improvements to the condition and resilience of the network.

Over the past three decades ALARM has reported a consistent pattern of short-term cash injections, followed by longer periods of underfunding.

David Giles, Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance, says there needs to be a complete change in mindset away from short-term to long-term funding commitments.

MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:

“It is rarely mentioned that motorcyclists are the road users placed at most risk by poor road surface condition. Voting in a new local councillor is not going to make any difference to the problem if they do not have more funds to spend. Long term underfunding is to blame, and we need MPs and a Government that is prepared to do what is necessary rather than having a laugh and deflecting attention from their choice to allow our road network to crumble. Let’s be clear - it is their choice. And we are not finding their jokes amusing.”

Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

The 2025 ALARM Report can be found here: https://www.asphaltuk.org/wp-content/uploads/ALARM-survey-2025.pdf
Details of MAG’s Resurface Our Roads campaign can be found here: https://mag-uk.org/resurface-our-roads/

www.mag-uk.org