Policy Briefings

Manhole Covers - August 2007, Version 1

What are manhole covers?
Manhole covers (sometimes known as inspection covers) are the metal covers that are used to cover over large or small holes created in the road surface to gain access to the equipment underneath.

Why are they dangerous?
Single track vehicles such as motorcycles have a very small contact patch with the road surface, therefore the availability of grip from the road surface is critical to remaining stable and upright. A consistent (preferably high) level of grip is required to be able to predict the correct method of negotiating a corner. Manhole covers, amongst many other obstacles, usually have low levels of grip (especially when wet) compared to the surrounding carriageway. This problem is often compounded by the placement of covers where a motorcycle would expect to travel.

Click here for more information on Manhole Covers.

Road Debris - June 2007, Version 1

What constitutes road debris?
Road debris is a term used to describe all the small stones, bits of broken glass, nails, screws, sand, gravel and general rubbish that accumulates on our roads.

What is the problem?
Besides a nail or piece of glass sticking out of your tyre being very irritating, road debris can also be very dangerous. The dangers fall into two categories: punctures and skids.

Click here for more information on Road Debris - the dangers and the solutions.

Intelligent Speed Adaptation - May 2007, Version 1

What is the BMF's policy on ISA?
"We will not accept any ITS [intelligent transport system] which takes control from the rider, such as Intelligent Speed Adaptation, without incontrovertible proof that it will not destabilise single track vehicles under any circumstances and that it will provide road safety benefits." As none of the systems developed so far appear to meet this criteria, we remain opposed.

Click here for more information on Intelligent Speed Adaptation.

3rd European Directive On Driving Licences - May 2007, Version 1

What is the 3rd DLD?
The 3rd DLD is a major alteration of the current legislation on driving licences and has specific impacts on motorcycle licensing. The directive is known as 2006/126/EC in the official European Parliament Journal.

Why is this an issue for the BMF?
The BMF understands that almost all of our members have motorcycle licences and therefore the issue will not be directly relevant to them. However, the new and more complicated regime will be a barrier to new riders and will consequently reduce the number of motorcycles on the road. This will mean that as a group our voice will be significantly smaller and therefore effecting changes in legislation and opinion will be much harder.

Click here for more information on the 3rd European Directive On Driving Licences.

Motorcycles Scooters and Travel Plans

Most travel plans entail the promotion of alternatives to single car occupancy and include cycling, bus use and car sharing. The motorcycle as legitimate and practical transport is rarely considered in spite of their role in travel plans being cited in The Government's Motorcycling Strategy and the Institute of Highways Incorporated Engineers Guidelines for Motorcycling - two documents that seek to mainstream motorcycling.

Visit the BMF website for information on Motorcycles Scooters and Travel Plans.

Motorcycle Use of Bus Lanes

In considering whether motorcycles should have access to bus lanes, some wider aspects should first be considered in order to put them in an appropriate context.

Visit the BMF website for information on Motorcycle Use of Bus Lanes.

BMF Comments to the Davision Review

BMF Comments to the Davidson Review on the Implementation in the UK of the 2nd EU Driving Licence Directive.

The amendments to the 2 nd EU Driving Licence Directive (2nd DLD) took effect during the course of 2005 as the commission required that all member states comply with the introduction of the collision avoidance exercise as well as other manoeuvres. However the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) managed to defer the introduction of the 2 nd DLD until September 2008.

Visit the BMF website to read the BMF Comments to the Davision Review.