Mag And Fema News

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Motorcycle Parking Needs Ignored in Government Consultation

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is calling for urgent action. The Government must properly consider motorcycles in national parking policy. This follows the launch of the latest consultation on the Private Parking Code of Practice. However, MAG highlights a persistent problem: the lack of engagement with motorcyclists' needs. This continues despite years of professional advocacy and clear evidence of under-provision.

MAG has consistently raised concerns about motorcycle parking with Government. This includes a detailed letter to Angela Rayner MP in August 2024. That letter highlighted several key issues. First, the flaws of emissions-based charging for motorcycles. Second, the inadequacy of DVLA emissions data. Third, the need for secure, fair provision for riders.

The Government's response came from a correspondence officer rather than a Minister. It acknowledged the issue in general terms but failed to address the specific points raised. Moreover, it did not commit to any action for motorcycles.

Recent research from Bikesure (2025) has further underlined the scale of the problem. Motorcycles make up between 2.5% and 5% of private motorised vehicles in UK regions. Yet they typically receive less than 1% of dedicated parking provision. Importantly, MAG has been campaigning for years for improved security, fair treatment, and appropriate standards for motorcycle parking. This advocacy began long before these latest figures were published.

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

"We have engaged repeatedly and constructively with Government. For years, we have warned that the current approach to motorcycle parking is inadequate and unfair. I am sad to say the new consultation looks like another missed opportunity. It fails to address these issues and to recognise the important role motorcycles play. They reduce both congestion and emissions. What is most disappointing is that, despite raising these issues directly with Ministers, my correspondence was not even afforded the courtesy of a response from a decision-maker. The reply I did receive came from the Department's correspondence unit. It acknowledged the issue but chose not to address the specific needs of motorcyclists. Furthermore, it offered no meaningful engagement. Riders continue to face inconsistent provision, inappropriate charging structures, and a lack of secure facilities."

MAG will respond fully to the consultation as it stands. However, the organisation is clear that the scope must go further. MAG calls for motorcycle parking to be given proper attention in both private and public parking policy. This includes minimum standards for provision, security, and fair pricing. If the current consultation cannot address these needs, MAG urges Government to launch a dedicated consultation or code for motorcycle parking.

Colin added:

"We will not disengage, but we will not accept continued neglect. Our formal proposals have been developed through years of research and engagement. They will be released soon. Motorcycle parking must be discussed, and the needs of riders must be addressed in both private and public spaces."

Key Message:
MAG urges government to ensure motorcycle parking is properly addressed in national parking policy and consultation. The needs of riders must no longer be ignored.

Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

MAG: "Motorcyclists' Lives Depend on Getting Automated Vehicles Right"

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) today submitted our response to the Government's consultation on automated vehicle safety principles. We propose a practical framework to help deliver promised road safety benefits with specific measurable standards ensuring motorcyclists benefit from these improvements.

Our submission addresses a critical gap in current automated vehicle regulation. The law requires vehicles to match "careful and competent human drivers" but provides no measurable definition of that standard.

With motorcyclists making up 315 of 1,695 total road deaths in 2023 despite being less than 1% of traffic, we believe current human driving standards are inadequate for protecting vulnerable road users.

Objective Standards for Safety

We propose adopting Stephen Haley's Speed, Space, Surprise, Consequence (SSSC) model to define competent driving objectively. Haley detailed this model in his book "Mind Driving." The model gained widespread support when first published but failed adoption due to institutional inertia within driving training establishments.

The SSSC model provides measurable criteria including dynamic speed management, proactive hazard anticipation, and consequence-aware decision-making.

Colin Brown, Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, said:

"Government has set ambitious goals for automated vehicle safety benefits. We offer a practical framework to help achieve those goals with measurable outcomes. When automated vehicles demonstrate superior performance in protecting motorcyclists, that proves the technology works and benefits all road users."

We identified "failed to look properly" as the most common factor in motorcycle collisions. This represents systematic failure in hazard anticipation that current driver training fails to address.

New Safety Principles Needed

Our response recommends several new principles for the Government's Statement of Safety Principles:

Anticipatory Safety requiring proactive hazard detection
Dynamic Risk Management based on actual conditions rather than speed limit compliance
Consequence-Aware Decision-Making prioritising vulnerable road user protection
Predictable Behaviour helping other road users safely adjust to vehicle actions
Bidirectional Safety Enhancement

We propose using automated vehicle standards to drive improvements in human driver training. This creates what we term "bidirectional safety enhancement."

Colin Brown explained:

"We can define what careful and competent driving looks like for machines. Why should we accept lower standards for humans? Stephen Haley's SSSC model offered a solution to driver training deficiencies years ago. Institutional resistance prevented its adoption. Automated vehicle regulation now presents a unique opportunity to implement proven safety frameworks that benefit all road users."

Expert Collaboration

Stephen Haley, author of "Mind Driving" and developer of the SSSC model, provided input to help develop our response. He said:

"The fundamental question is whether automated vehicles will genuinely adapt to human road users. Will humans be expected to adapt to technology limitations instead? Motorcyclists especially need automated vehicles that anticipate surprise situations and respond predictably. These vehicles must help other road users adjust safely rather than creating new hazards. If technology cannot co-exist safely with vulnerable road users, we must question whether it's ready for deployment."

We thank Stephen Haley for his valuable contribution to our consultation response.

Explicit Motorcyclist Recognition Required

We argue that automated vehicle safety principles must specifically name motorcyclists rather than using generic "vulnerable road user" terminology. Historical experience shows this generic language leads to exclusion from targeted safety considerations.

Unlike pedestrians or cyclists, motorcyclists share all road types and the full velocity range with cars. This presents unique detection and interaction challenges for automated systems.
Comprehensive Monitoring Proposed
Our submission calls for comprehensive scenario-based testing, continuous real-world performance monitoring, and stakeholder engagement to ensure automated vehicles deliver measurable safety improvements.

We propose annual reporting requirements comparing automated vehicle and human driver performance, with data separated by road user type to ensure motorcyclist safety outcomes remain transparent.
Colin Brown added: "This consultation represents a critical moment. We want to help Government succeed in delivering genuine safety improvements for the most vulnerable road users. Our framework provides the tools to achieve that goal."
What Happens Next
The consultation on the Statement of Safety Principles closes on 1st September 2025. Our submission forms part of the evidence base that will inform the final regulatory framework for automated vehicle deployment in the UK.

We look forward to working with Government to implement these proposals and deliver the road safety revolution that automated vehicles promise.
Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

MAG: "Support Doubles: Motorcycle Bus Lane Campaign Unstoppable"

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) today marks the conclusion of our parliamentary petition on motorcycle bus lane access with over 27,000 signatures. This represents a doubling of support from the 13,885 who backed the policy in the Government's consultation. The petition reached the top 0.7% of all UK parliamentary petitions.

The doubling of support shows unstoppable momentum behind evidence-based transport policy. From 13,885 consultation supporters to 27,000 petition signers - the voices demanding change keep growing.

Colin Brown, Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, said:

"We've doubled our support from consultation to petition. This momentum is unstoppable. Government has two opportunities this autumn to get on the right side of this growing movement - the Road Safety Strategy and Integrated National Transport Strategy."

Fight Continues on Multiple Fronts

MAG has already engaged with the Integrated National Transport Strategy consultation. For the Road Safety Strategy – which, shockingly, has no consultation process - we will proactively submit our comprehensive Welcoming Roads Philosophy. We're also pursuing the two commitments Government made in the consultation outcome: updated bus lane guidance and working with metro mayors on implementation.

The campaign continues at national, regional and local levels. After three decades fighting for motorcycle bus lane access, MAG isn't stopping now.

Colin Brown added:

"This petition proves our message resonates with growing numbers of people. The autumn strategies present perfect opportunities for Government to embrace evidence over ideology. The momentum is building - the question is whether Government leads or gets left behind."

What Happens Next

The 27,000 petition signatures demonstrate that support has doubled since the consultation. This growing momentum shows Government cannot ignore evidence-based transport policy demands.

The fight for motorcycle bus lane access continues.

Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

 

SLM vs Hackney: Court Date Set for October 14-15
Central Office via mag-uk-list <[email protected]>

Dear Rider,
We wanted to update you on the legal challenge that could change motorcycle parking rights across the UK.
Save London Motorcycling's case against Hackney Council will be heard in the High Court on 14th and 15th October.
After delays earlier this year, the case is finally going ahead. SLM will argue that Hackney's motorcycle parking charges are legally flawed – and if they win, the precedent could protect riders nationwide from similar unfair policies.
If you wish to support this legal challenge, SLM needs one final push to reach their legal costs. Over 800 riders have already backed this fight, but they're still short of their target.
This isn't just about London – it's about every council in the UK that might target motorcycles with unfair parking charges.
If you can spare anything, please donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/slmc


If you've already donated, please share this with your riding mates. Every contribution helps show councils that riders will stand up for their rights.
A win in October could set legal precedents protecting motorcycle parking rights, make it harder for any UK council to discriminate against motorcycles, and potentially challenge existing schemes like Camden's charges.
Strategic legal action like this complements our ongoing policy work with government. While we focus on preventing problems through political engagement, SLM's court case could provide the legal framework that strengthens our advocacy for years to come.

We'll keep you updated on the outcome.

Support the crowdfunder: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/slmc
Best regards,

The MAG Team.

 

MAG presents breakthrough road safety framework to Government

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has submitted three major policy reports to the Department for Transport and Transport for London. The reports draw on motorcyclists' unique road safety perspective to propose solutions for casualty reduction stagnation affecting all road users.

The reports present a complete framework for implementing MAG's "Welcoming Roads" approach. This has been developed through four years of policy work. It draws on motorcyclists' distinctive position as road users who experience both vulnerability and mobility.

As both vulnerable road users and motorised traffic participants, motorcyclists encounter the full spectrum of road safety challenges daily. This dual perspective has enabled MAG to identify systematic approaches that could break the casualty reduction plateau. This plateau has affected all road user groups since 2010. It moves beyond fragmented policies that address different user types separately.

Building on formal recognition from Oxfordshire County Council, which acknowledged alignment with MAG's 'Welcoming Roads' approach in their 2024 Vision Zero Strategy, and formal endorsement from the National Motorcyclists Council, the reports demonstrate how evidence-based approaches can accelerate Vision Zero ambitions. They avoid the divisive policies that have created public resistance in other jurisdictions.

The framework addresses eight key areas. These include licensing reform, infrastructure design, proportionate funding allocation, and vehicle safety standards. While ensuring motorcyclists receive recognition proportionate to their 19% share of road deaths, the approach delivers safety improvements for all road users through integrated policy development.

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

"Motorcyclists occupy a unique space in road safety discussions. We understand vulnerability because we live it. But we also understand the realities of motorised transport. This dual perspective has shown us that the biggest safety gains come from systematic approaches. These consider all road users together, rather than policies that fragment by transport mode.

We're not claiming to have all the answers. But our position between different road user communities has given us insights that could help break the stagnation affecting everyone. These reports offer practical solutions developed through that distinctive viewpoint."

The reports arrive as the Department for Transport prepares its autumn road safety strategy. They present Government with a comprehensive alternative that draws on motorcyclists' unique perspective to benefit all road users.

Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]