Check out the latest pictures and videos
in the 'Gallery'
We can now supply pint beer glasses with the club logo, and your own (or someone elses) name etched into the glass for £8 each. A picture of an example can be seen in the club shop section of the website. Orders via the contact us page please.
You may have noticed that some articles have disappeared from this page. In attempt to keep only currently topical items on here, the rest are on the 'archive' pages under the year they appeared on the website.
in the 'Gallery'
We can now supply pint beer glasses with the club logo, and your own (or someone elses) name etched into the glass for £8 each. A picture of an example can be seen in the club shop section of the website. Orders via the contact us page please.
You may have noticed that some articles have disappeared from this page. In attempt to keep only currently topical items on here, the rest are on the 'archive' pages under the year they appeared on the website.
Travelling abroad on your scoot?
If you are planning a trip to the continent, there is an article on Page 16 of 'Scootering' you'd be well advised to read!
Here are some of the things you have to comply with-the consequences of not doing so could ruin your trip!
1. A legal requirement to carry your driving licence, MOT, insurance, logbook (V5), and passport-at all times!
2. A GB sticker on the rear of your scoot (unless you have the EU style number plate)
3. Spare bulbs and a first aid kit are advisable.
4. From July 1st. it is compulsory to carry a DIY breathalyser-not one, but two! Drink drive limits are lower than the UK, so be warned! This even applies if you're teetotal!
5. Bikes over 125cc must drive on dipped lights at all times. And remember, speed limits are different on the motorways in wet weather.
6. If you're using Sat Nav, the warning of fixed speed cameras must be disabled. If you're caught, you could face a fine of up to 1500 Euros.
7. On the spot fines are common, and unless you have the cash, the boys in blue will accept credit card payments, or escort you to the nearest cashpoint. Aren't they kind? And by the way, if you can't pay, they can confiscate your bike!
8. You are supposed to have four reflective stickers on your crash helmet-although at present, this is not rigidly enforced.
9. From January 1st. 2013, riders and passengers must wear a reflective clothing while riding or when broken down. This must have a minimum reflective area of 23 sq inches, and be worn on the upper body-between neck and waist.
The Irish are planning on introducing these laws in 2014-how long before we get them here? MAG are on the case, visit: www.mag-uk.org for details
So, if you are going abroad, take heed-and plenty of money if you plan on flouting these draconian laws.
Have a great holiday;)
Jez
Here are some of the things you have to comply with-the consequences of not doing so could ruin your trip!
1. A legal requirement to carry your driving licence, MOT, insurance, logbook (V5), and passport-at all times!
2. A GB sticker on the rear of your scoot (unless you have the EU style number plate)
3. Spare bulbs and a first aid kit are advisable.
4. From July 1st. it is compulsory to carry a DIY breathalyser-not one, but two! Drink drive limits are lower than the UK, so be warned! This even applies if you're teetotal!
5. Bikes over 125cc must drive on dipped lights at all times. And remember, speed limits are different on the motorways in wet weather.
6. If you're using Sat Nav, the warning of fixed speed cameras must be disabled. If you're caught, you could face a fine of up to 1500 Euros.
7. On the spot fines are common, and unless you have the cash, the boys in blue will accept credit card payments, or escort you to the nearest cashpoint. Aren't they kind? And by the way, if you can't pay, they can confiscate your bike!
8. You are supposed to have four reflective stickers on your crash helmet-although at present, this is not rigidly enforced.
9. From January 1st. 2013, riders and passengers must wear a reflective clothing while riding or when broken down. This must have a minimum reflective area of 23 sq inches, and be worn on the upper body-between neck and waist.
The Irish are planning on introducing these laws in 2014-how long before we get them here? MAG are on the case, visit: www.mag-uk.org for details
So, if you are going abroad, take heed-and plenty of money if you plan on flouting these draconian laws.
Have a great holiday;)
Jez
LCGB Affiliation
Our club is now officially affiliated to the Lambretta Club of Great Britain, so we can now partake in the 'Best Supporting Member' league table. To gain points, we need to ensure we all 'sign on' at rallies. You will notice that you do not have to be riding a Lambretta to gain points. Here are the rules:
Lambretta Club Great Britain - Best Supporting Member Rules 2012
The Lambretta Club of Great Britain will promote a championship for the road riding members in 2012. The championship controller will be CRAIG STANDEVEN, 16 St Nicholas Road, Thorne, Doncaster, DN8 5BT, email address craig@lcgb.co.uk. All correspondence regarding this championship should be sent to that address. The championship controllers decision is final in all matters regarding this championship, BUT the LCGB Committee reserve the right to overrule any decision if it is not in the interest of the club or its member(s).
The championship will be open to all paid up members of the LCGB. Should an individual's membership cease mid season, points will only be awarded up to the date the membership ends. If there is a gap between membership ending and membership being renewed, of more than one month, points will not be awarded for the period the individual was not a member. Please, therefore, renew your membership on time. For new members, points will be awarded from the date the membership secretary accepts their posted application, or receives their internet application, or the date the person makes themselves a member at the LCGB club shop stall.
Signing on rules.
Members must sign on BSM signing on sheets to be awarded points. The rules relating to signing on are as follows;
On the BSM signing on sheet the member must enter the details by themselves, in their own hand writing and with their usual signature. Checks will be made. The following details must be entered, FULL NAME, MEMBERSHIP NUMBER, SCOOTER CLUB, TRANSPORT, RIDER / DRIVER OR PILLION / PASSENGER, MILEAGE TO EVENT (ONE WAY) AND SIGNATURE.
The correct transport must be stated, lambretta model, other scooter manufacture, motorcycle, car, van, bus, train etc. Travelling by 2 types of transport to an event will result in the lower points being awarded, for example, part of the journey by van, part by lambretta, in this case the member must state van as transport and van points will be awarded. Missing information may result in lower or no points being awarded. All mileage should be one way to an event by the most direct route from the address held on the clubs database. If there is any variation from this the championship controller must be notified.
It is the members responsibility to ensure correct information is entered on the signing on sheet. A member signing on and supplying incorrect information, to dishonestly gain more points, will be awarded no points. Furthermore, and at the discretion of the championship controller and LCGB committee, the member may be disqualified from the full current championship year. If the member is found to have signed on with incorrect information on more than one occasion, the championship controller and LCGB committee reserve the right to issue a ban to the member competing in the championship for the current year and the following year. If a member who was not at an event is found to be signed on the signing on sheet, they may be disqualified from the full current championship year and may also be banned from competing the following year at the discretion of the championship controller and LCGB committee.
BSM Points System.
50 points for arriving on a LAMBRETTA. Genuine lambretta framed scooter with lambretta engine casings.
20 points for arriving on any other type of scooter. This also includes a lambretta with non genuine lambretta engine casings, eg lambretta with its frame modified to fit other manufacturers auto engine or motorbike engine.
10 points for arriving as rider / driver on other mode of transport (motorcycle / car / bus /train).
Passengers to get half these points. The onus is on you to state clearly RIDER / PILLION / DRIVER / PASSENGER on the signing on sheet or no points will be awarded.
Following a decision made by members at the 2004 AGM only the Euro Lambretta event will count as double points.
BSM Event Rules.
1. Only BSM events notified in Jet Set magazine will count towards the championship. A listing will also be found on the LCGB web site. Events may be added at any stage in the year but they must be notified to all members by Jetset magazine prior to the event.
2. All events included in the championship must incorporate an evening event, with camping or overnight facilities available. Daytime only events will not be included in the championship event list.
3. Only one event in a weekend to count with LCGB event dominating.
4. Signing on point will be LCGB Club Shop stall when possible. The following will also be used as a signing on point if the LCGB stall is not present - Lambretta Art Stall or a place that will be notified via the LCGB web site. LCGB committee members are also permitted to carry a signing on sheet. If all else fails please send details to Championship Controller by post or email craig@lcgb.co.uk, or contact controller by telephone.
5. No points will be awarded for anyone signing on at a later date for an earlier rally or event.
6. The last event in the championship for 2011 will be Bridlington Weekender.
7. No events to be added to the championship after July/August edition of Jet Set Magazine has been published.
LCGB INDIVIDUALS CHAMPIONSHP
1. Awards will be split between Male & Female in the solo section with the first (5) Males & first (5) Females. All awards will be presented at LCGB Presentation Dance at the end of the year at a venue to appear in Jet Set.
LCGB BEST SUPPORTING CLUB RULES
1. All clubs must be affiliated to LCGB. This costs just £10 per year and the closing date is MARCH 31st 2012. PLEASE SEND CLUB LOGO AS WE MAY USE THEM AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE YEAR.
2. Each person signing must be a member of LCGB, see rules relating to individual members signing on.
3. The members individual points gained throughout the year will be awarded to the affiliated club they are signing on for. Only affiliated clubs will receive points.
4. The club you sign on for at your first event will be taken as YOUR CLUB for the season. No other club will be accepted.
5. In the event of a club disbanding totally during the season, members of such a club will be allowed to sign for a new club. They would also take with them any points earned up until then.
6. Awards will be made to the clubs finishing in the top 10 positions. All awards will be presented at LCGB Presentation Dance at the end of the year at a venue to appear in Jet Set.
7. In the event of entries being found on signing on sheets for club members proven not to have been present at an event, the club will be disqualified from the full current championship year and may be banned from competing the following year at the discretion of the championship controller and LCGB committee.
LCGB BSM Event List 2012
17-18 March - VFM Pre season, Morecambe.
24-25 March - Modrapheniacs SC Rally, Sandford.
7-8 April - BSRA Whitby
21-22 April - LCGB South Downs Ride
5-6 May - BSRA Builth Wells
12-13 May - Essex Lambretta Club Rally, Southend on Sea.
19-20 May - Doncaster Hunters SC Rally
26-27 May - Hayling Island Event (SW scooter clubs)
2-3 June - BSRA Kelso
9-10 June - Euro Lambretta, Belgium
16-17 June - Warsop Sinners SC Rally, Nottinghamshire.
23-24 June - BSRA Cleethorpes
30 June-1st July - Dick Turpin SC Rally, South Cave, East Yorkshire.
7-8 July - Flying 8 Balls SC Rally - Norfolk.
14-15 July - BSRA LCGB Lincoln Rally.
21-22 July - Blackpool Lambretta Owners Club Rally, Blackpool.
28-29 July - BSRA Weston Super Mare
4-5 August - Darlington SC Rally
11-12 August - York Inset SC Rally
25-26 August - BSRA Isle of Wight
1-2 September - BSRA Mersea Island
8-9 September - LCGB Coast to Coast, Redcar to St Bees
15-16 September - New Forest SC Rally
22-23 September - BSRA Woolacombe
29-30 September - 4 Nations Rally Southern Ireland.
13-14 October - Scootermaniacs SC 30th Anniversary Rally, Minehead.
26-28 October - BSRA Bridlington
Lambretta Club Great Britain - Best Supporting Member Rules 2012
The Lambretta Club of Great Britain will promote a championship for the road riding members in 2012. The championship controller will be CRAIG STANDEVEN, 16 St Nicholas Road, Thorne, Doncaster, DN8 5BT, email address craig@lcgb.co.uk. All correspondence regarding this championship should be sent to that address. The championship controllers decision is final in all matters regarding this championship, BUT the LCGB Committee reserve the right to overrule any decision if it is not in the interest of the club or its member(s).
The championship will be open to all paid up members of the LCGB. Should an individual's membership cease mid season, points will only be awarded up to the date the membership ends. If there is a gap between membership ending and membership being renewed, of more than one month, points will not be awarded for the period the individual was not a member. Please, therefore, renew your membership on time. For new members, points will be awarded from the date the membership secretary accepts their posted application, or receives their internet application, or the date the person makes themselves a member at the LCGB club shop stall.
Signing on rules.
Members must sign on BSM signing on sheets to be awarded points. The rules relating to signing on are as follows;
On the BSM signing on sheet the member must enter the details by themselves, in their own hand writing and with their usual signature. Checks will be made. The following details must be entered, FULL NAME, MEMBERSHIP NUMBER, SCOOTER CLUB, TRANSPORT, RIDER / DRIVER OR PILLION / PASSENGER, MILEAGE TO EVENT (ONE WAY) AND SIGNATURE.
The correct transport must be stated, lambretta model, other scooter manufacture, motorcycle, car, van, bus, train etc. Travelling by 2 types of transport to an event will result in the lower points being awarded, for example, part of the journey by van, part by lambretta, in this case the member must state van as transport and van points will be awarded. Missing information may result in lower or no points being awarded. All mileage should be one way to an event by the most direct route from the address held on the clubs database. If there is any variation from this the championship controller must be notified.
It is the members responsibility to ensure correct information is entered on the signing on sheet. A member signing on and supplying incorrect information, to dishonestly gain more points, will be awarded no points. Furthermore, and at the discretion of the championship controller and LCGB committee, the member may be disqualified from the full current championship year. If the member is found to have signed on with incorrect information on more than one occasion, the championship controller and LCGB committee reserve the right to issue a ban to the member competing in the championship for the current year and the following year. If a member who was not at an event is found to be signed on the signing on sheet, they may be disqualified from the full current championship year and may also be banned from competing the following year at the discretion of the championship controller and LCGB committee.
BSM Points System.
50 points for arriving on a LAMBRETTA. Genuine lambretta framed scooter with lambretta engine casings.
20 points for arriving on any other type of scooter. This also includes a lambretta with non genuine lambretta engine casings, eg lambretta with its frame modified to fit other manufacturers auto engine or motorbike engine.
10 points for arriving as rider / driver on other mode of transport (motorcycle / car / bus /train).
Passengers to get half these points. The onus is on you to state clearly RIDER / PILLION / DRIVER / PASSENGER on the signing on sheet or no points will be awarded.
Following a decision made by members at the 2004 AGM only the Euro Lambretta event will count as double points.
BSM Event Rules.
1. Only BSM events notified in Jet Set magazine will count towards the championship. A listing will also be found on the LCGB web site. Events may be added at any stage in the year but they must be notified to all members by Jetset magazine prior to the event.
2. All events included in the championship must incorporate an evening event, with camping or overnight facilities available. Daytime only events will not be included in the championship event list.
3. Only one event in a weekend to count with LCGB event dominating.
4. Signing on point will be LCGB Club Shop stall when possible. The following will also be used as a signing on point if the LCGB stall is not present - Lambretta Art Stall or a place that will be notified via the LCGB web site. LCGB committee members are also permitted to carry a signing on sheet. If all else fails please send details to Championship Controller by post or email craig@lcgb.co.uk, or contact controller by telephone.
5. No points will be awarded for anyone signing on at a later date for an earlier rally or event.
6. The last event in the championship for 2011 will be Bridlington Weekender.
7. No events to be added to the championship after July/August edition of Jet Set Magazine has been published.
LCGB INDIVIDUALS CHAMPIONSHP
1. Awards will be split between Male & Female in the solo section with the first (5) Males & first (5) Females. All awards will be presented at LCGB Presentation Dance at the end of the year at a venue to appear in Jet Set.
LCGB BEST SUPPORTING CLUB RULES
1. All clubs must be affiliated to LCGB. This costs just £10 per year and the closing date is MARCH 31st 2012. PLEASE SEND CLUB LOGO AS WE MAY USE THEM AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE YEAR.
2. Each person signing must be a member of LCGB, see rules relating to individual members signing on.
3. The members individual points gained throughout the year will be awarded to the affiliated club they are signing on for. Only affiliated clubs will receive points.
4. The club you sign on for at your first event will be taken as YOUR CLUB for the season. No other club will be accepted.
5. In the event of a club disbanding totally during the season, members of such a club will be allowed to sign for a new club. They would also take with them any points earned up until then.
6. Awards will be made to the clubs finishing in the top 10 positions. All awards will be presented at LCGB Presentation Dance at the end of the year at a venue to appear in Jet Set.
7. In the event of entries being found on signing on sheets for club members proven not to have been present at an event, the club will be disqualified from the full current championship year and may be banned from competing the following year at the discretion of the championship controller and LCGB committee.
LCGB BSM Event List 2012
17-18 March - VFM Pre season, Morecambe.
24-25 March - Modrapheniacs SC Rally, Sandford.
7-8 April - BSRA Whitby
21-22 April - LCGB South Downs Ride
5-6 May - BSRA Builth Wells
12-13 May - Essex Lambretta Club Rally, Southend on Sea.
19-20 May - Doncaster Hunters SC Rally
26-27 May - Hayling Island Event (SW scooter clubs)
2-3 June - BSRA Kelso
9-10 June - Euro Lambretta, Belgium
16-17 June - Warsop Sinners SC Rally, Nottinghamshire.
23-24 June - BSRA Cleethorpes
30 June-1st July - Dick Turpin SC Rally, South Cave, East Yorkshire.
7-8 July - Flying 8 Balls SC Rally - Norfolk.
14-15 July - BSRA LCGB Lincoln Rally.
21-22 July - Blackpool Lambretta Owners Club Rally, Blackpool.
28-29 July - BSRA Weston Super Mare
4-5 August - Darlington SC Rally
11-12 August - York Inset SC Rally
25-26 August - BSRA Isle of Wight
1-2 September - BSRA Mersea Island
8-9 September - LCGB Coast to Coast, Redcar to St Bees
15-16 September - New Forest SC Rally
22-23 September - BSRA Woolacombe
29-30 September - 4 Nations Rally Southern Ireland.
13-14 October - Scootermaniacs SC 30th Anniversary Rally, Minehead.
26-28 October - BSRA Bridlington
Salvaging your dreams!
Spotted this article on page 18 of issue 84 of Classic Scooterist Scene (April/May 2012) which may be of interest. Classic vehicle insurers RH Specialist Insurance are offering policies on bikes registered prior to 1991. As part of their standard policy, they are offering automatic and free cherished salvage-so, if your bike is written off, you get your pay-out, and get to keep the bike! They also include UK and European cover, dismantled parts, rally cover, personal accident, belongings, and medical expenses. Tailored policies are also available for things like agreed value, multi bike etc.
For further information, give them a call on: 01277 206991, or visit www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk
For further information, give them a call on: 01277 206991, or visit www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk
Our very own Simon Richards now has a bona fide MOT testing station within WR Motors. As a gesture, Si is willing to MOT scooters belonging to club members at a special rate of £20. If you would like to book your pride and joy in for it's annual health check, give Si a call on the above number. He even says he'll do it while you wait-top man!
Press release for Scootering, Admag, and Shropshire Star
Lions roar to success-yet again!
Lesley Russell receives the cheque from James Motley (Director, Lord Hill Hotel) and our own Ali Lee
Shrewsbury’s Severnside Lions Scooter Club is renowned for putting on a good do-and this year was no exception!
In a slight departure from the normal format, the club decided that this year they should give their supporters a real night to remember by engaging a live band. This was (of course) in addition to their ever popular own DJ Russ Reeves, who has provided excellent tunes over the years. DC Fontana were approached, and booked for the event which took place at The Lord Hill Hotel in Shrewsbury on 25th. February. Due to the popularity of the band (and going on previous attendance numbers at these events) the decision was taken to make the event all ticket. Due to fire restrictions at the venue, numbers had to be restricted to a maximum of 320. Before the advertisement had appeared in Scootering, the majority of tickets had already been sold! This was an unprecedented response, but not totally unexpected.
In common with previous years, the club has always supported a local good cause-and this year was no exception. Little Ben, a local 5 year old, is suffering from Retinitus Pigmentosa-a painless eye condition which gradually leads to the loss of vision. Due to his illness, Ben has to frequently travel to London for appointments. As a small boy, there are many things he would rather be doing, so any money raised would go some way to helping Ben complete his ‘to do’ list. When we explained to the venue what we were planning to do, The Lord Hill agreed to donate the equivalent to the hire fee to the cause-well done them! Graham Fairhurst, well known for his Mod, scooter, and retro car art, kindly donated one of his prints to the cause. In addition, the good folk in attendance stumped up another £209! The club have matched the donation from the venue from their own funds, making a grand total of £600.
A total of 312 people attended, and reports via the usual social media networks suggest everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event. A big thank you goes to representatives from clubs in Manchester, Wigan, Wrexham, Chester, North Shropshire, Telford, Wisbech, Southern Templars Plymouth, Troglodytes SC Cornwall, and everyone else who made the effort, near or far, to make for a cracking do!
All credit to DC Fontana for an excellent set and, as always, a top quality job by Russ spinning the discs. Those of you who organise such ‘do’s’ will be all too aware of the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes-so a big thank you to all who were involved in making for yet another successful do.
From mongrel to pedigree?
Marie and Chris purchased this specimen a little while ago, and have transformed it into another beauty! Yet another one for the Lions fleet methinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scooter News
The first of its kind - a free digital scooter magazine for the UK! Make sure you sign up to receive the first issue of the Scooter News Magazine.
The magazine will cover a round up of the latest product releases, news updates, featured scooter projects and Rally reviews and previews.
It can be found at:www.scooternews.co.uk/ScooterNews/News.html
The magazine will cover a round up of the latest product releases, news updates, featured scooter projects and Rally reviews and previews.
It can be found at:www.scooternews.co.uk/ScooterNews/News.html
The EU are at it again!
Further to ourn last meeting, I checked 'Scootering', and it referred me to this website:
www.mag-uk.org/en/campaignsdetail/a6883
It belongs to the 'Motorcycle Action Group, who campaign for riders rights. Just take a look below at the sort of changes the EU are planning!
There's a raft of issues emanating from Europe that will have a profound effect on riders and the motorcycle industry generally and we must stand up. Some of them are driven by the EU Commission, like the new Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation that will see the introduction of compulsory ABS, the sealing of powertrains from the airbox, through the engine to the final drive (including the diameter and aspect ratio of the rear tyre), restrictions on the aftermarket industry, possible roadside checks by police or other government agencies to inspect emissions, detect owner 'tuning' and more.
There's EU-funded development of electronics to control and govern speeds through warning systems or, ultimately, actual throttle control.
Ireland plans compulsory, full sleeve day-glo jackets for riders and pillions, France is debating compulsory reflective/day-glo clothing. Will UK insurance companies start saying that because we weren't dressed in day-glo it's our own fault that an inattentive driver drove into us? MAG says the onus should not be on the victim.
France also wants to ban bikes over 7 years old from urban areas for environmental reasons! Their congestion is already terrible and putting more riders into cars that pollute terribly when they are stationary, is bonkers.
Bikes are part of the urban transport solution, not problem.
Enough! There will be a vote by the MEP committee discussing the above Regulation in the autumn. We need them to listen. They're meant to represent us. MAG and many others in the motorcycle community are negotiating hard with our own Government and our European representatives, but in the meantime;
Join us to keep EU Hands Off Biking, it's time for Action now!
On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm, use the inside lanes and vanish 20 minutes later. This is the first time. Let's show what we could be capable of.
The following I have taken from ther MAG website. It's a bit complex, bur worth a read to see the detail of what the EU are planning. At the end of this section is the consultation document. I have read it, but it's a bit heavy going! There's also a response at the end of the document if yoy want to have your say. There will be a ride out from Telford Services Sunday 25th. at 12 noon for those of you who want to add your weight to the campaign.
Guidance for the Department for Transport Consultation
I said I'd forward some guidance on the consultation paper on the proposed EU Anti-Tampering and Market Surveillance Regulation that the Dept for Transport released on the 5th September, so here it is.
If you want to stop reading now, or realise you needed to do the hoovering (and that's possible) I'll understand. First, please note it is NOT a public consultation into the Regulation itself, rather the Impact Assessment (IA) that the DfT have just completed into the Regulation, because they, like us, had little faith in the EU Commission's IA. As such, question I (which is in 13 parts) is something that you will only be able to answer if you have read the UK Impact Assessment thoroughly, or are financially or statistically minded. It's 86 pages of stats and analysis.
Responses to Questions ii, iii and iv however, are still welcomed by the DfT and my advice and explanation on answering these, is as follows.
Question ii Whether the proposed vehicle categories are appropriate. Proposed categories for motorcycles are L3 (sub group A1, A2, A3) These A categories appear designed to link to rider licensing changes due to take effect in Jan 2013 under the 3rd Driving Licence Directive. 3DLD. This would make policing easy, as REGISTERING bikes in those categories would easily tally with licence ENTITLEMENT and ensure easy assessment, by police, of entitlement to ride. We have so far failed to ascertain whether Anti-Tampering will vary by Type Approval category. Currently mopeds have full AT. The TRL report which may be released in the next 2 weeks may clarify whether different levels of AT will be employed for different subsets of L3 classification. The reason I mention the British TRL (Transport Research Laboratory), is because they won the EU contract to look at Anti Tampering methodology. You may remember the competition they launched a few months ago, offering a £500 reward for anyone who could think of anything.. If there is a desire to link vehicle registration to new licensing categories, riders will not be able to de-restrict a bike they bought for one licence category when they graduate to another, even though their experience has increased and they may prefer to stick to a lighter bike they already own. Also riders who choose smaller capacity machines may be unjustly penalised if Anti-Tampering measures are more restrictive on ‘lower’ categories of machine.
Question iii Whether you foresee any unintended consequences of adopting this Regulation. If this question continued ... ‘in it’s present form’ it would be easier to answer, since the 305 amendments currently under discussion introduce quite a lot of variables. In essence however, I would say some unintended consequences are: -Article 17 which discusses the prohibition of defeat devices would outlaw and criminalise any number of personal alterations, for example a dirt bike rider who wished to isolate his ABS temporarily -Severe limit on consumer choice, through categorisation (as outlined above) through expense incurred by smaller volume component manufacturers achieving product TA (or acceptance under Delegated acts registration) and through mandatory ABS without a switch option. -Extra financial burdens on consumers, especially through ABS replacement components, but also genuine equip exhausts etc. The DfT Impact Assessment puts ABS costings at up to £345 onto the RRP of a new machine, but ACEM, the manufacturers assoc are using figures 3 times that. -There will be, as there currently is, the increased possibility of scrapping a perfectly good machine that suffers from an expensive auxiliary component failure. Ahh, I remember by K1100 BMW, £1000 for a new ABS unit.... Sorry where was I? -The safety concerns of OBD-2 where on-board diagnostics can cut engine power if a failed emissions sensor is identified. -The extremely undemocratic ‘Delegated Acts’ element of the Regulation, where specific technical requirements of as yet unidentified components, will be established by un-elected, unaccountable bureaucrats. -The transfer of liability from driver to rider in SMIDSY accidents. Headlight compulsion will shift onus to unconfirmed conspicuity arguments and away from driver responsibility to look for bikes and other road users. This will be especially poignant for classic bike users whose power generation may not be capable. Please note, this is not retrospective legislation, but drivers may feel they only have to look for lights however. -Stopping the creation of one-offs and home-builds. As things stand the UK Government is now backing MAG’s position on this and is aiming to retain the system of Single Vehicle Approval as currently established in the UK.
Question iv Other Comments and information I would recommend mentioning some or all of the issues below: We support the Government’s position on SVA and the maintenance of the current UK system. The whole issue of delegated acts and their democratic deficit; we need to see what components will be affected by Anti Tampering and who exactly is deciding/accountable. The very worrying Annex 2 (item 12) : List of requirements for purposes of TA, within which is a list of ‘functional safety requirements’. The one of concern is the attempt to measure/control ‘steerability, cornering properties and turn ability’. The Commission wish to define what these are, but I think we all realise that a Harley and a Gixser don’t have quite the same handling characteristics, so to try and measure/ define these within the Delegated Acts is insane.
There are of course many more issues with various levels of confusion, but the DfT do want to start hearing from you, as they have meetings scheduled with their opposite numbers in Europe and want to know, for example, that their ideas on Single Vehicle Approval have your support. Closing date for the consultation is 28th October and you can find it here- but remember, it's not 'live' online, you have to download it. http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-26 I hope that some of the above will be of some use.
It should also be noted that MAG (through member Jon Strong) has taken the Commission to task over various issues, not least the quality of their IA and a Case is being answered currently (case number 0875/2011/jf). Annex 18 of the Type Approval Regulation even states that they haven’t actually got the research/data to back up what they are proposing and under EU law they are not permitted to present the Regulation until they have evidence to justify what they are proposing, but they hope they'll find some soon.
Paddy Tyson
Campaigns Co-ordinator MAG UK
www.mag-uk.org/en/campaignsdetail/a6883
It belongs to the 'Motorcycle Action Group, who campaign for riders rights. Just take a look below at the sort of changes the EU are planning!
There's a raft of issues emanating from Europe that will have a profound effect on riders and the motorcycle industry generally and we must stand up. Some of them are driven by the EU Commission, like the new Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation that will see the introduction of compulsory ABS, the sealing of powertrains from the airbox, through the engine to the final drive (including the diameter and aspect ratio of the rear tyre), restrictions on the aftermarket industry, possible roadside checks by police or other government agencies to inspect emissions, detect owner 'tuning' and more.
There's EU-funded development of electronics to control and govern speeds through warning systems or, ultimately, actual throttle control.
Ireland plans compulsory, full sleeve day-glo jackets for riders and pillions, France is debating compulsory reflective/day-glo clothing. Will UK insurance companies start saying that because we weren't dressed in day-glo it's our own fault that an inattentive driver drove into us? MAG says the onus should not be on the victim.
France also wants to ban bikes over 7 years old from urban areas for environmental reasons! Their congestion is already terrible and putting more riders into cars that pollute terribly when they are stationary, is bonkers.
Bikes are part of the urban transport solution, not problem.
Enough! There will be a vote by the MEP committee discussing the above Regulation in the autumn. We need them to listen. They're meant to represent us. MAG and many others in the motorcycle community are negotiating hard with our own Government and our European representatives, but in the meantime;
Join us to keep EU Hands Off Biking, it's time for Action now!
On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm, use the inside lanes and vanish 20 minutes later. This is the first time. Let's show what we could be capable of.
The following I have taken from ther MAG website. It's a bit complex, bur worth a read to see the detail of what the EU are planning. At the end of this section is the consultation document. I have read it, but it's a bit heavy going! There's also a response at the end of the document if yoy want to have your say. There will be a ride out from Telford Services Sunday 25th. at 12 noon for those of you who want to add your weight to the campaign.
Guidance for the Department for Transport Consultation
I said I'd forward some guidance on the consultation paper on the proposed EU Anti-Tampering and Market Surveillance Regulation that the Dept for Transport released on the 5th September, so here it is.
If you want to stop reading now, or realise you needed to do the hoovering (and that's possible) I'll understand. First, please note it is NOT a public consultation into the Regulation itself, rather the Impact Assessment (IA) that the DfT have just completed into the Regulation, because they, like us, had little faith in the EU Commission's IA. As such, question I (which is in 13 parts) is something that you will only be able to answer if you have read the UK Impact Assessment thoroughly, or are financially or statistically minded. It's 86 pages of stats and analysis.
Responses to Questions ii, iii and iv however, are still welcomed by the DfT and my advice and explanation on answering these, is as follows.
Question ii Whether the proposed vehicle categories are appropriate. Proposed categories for motorcycles are L3 (sub group A1, A2, A3) These A categories appear designed to link to rider licensing changes due to take effect in Jan 2013 under the 3rd Driving Licence Directive. 3DLD. This would make policing easy, as REGISTERING bikes in those categories would easily tally with licence ENTITLEMENT and ensure easy assessment, by police, of entitlement to ride. We have so far failed to ascertain whether Anti-Tampering will vary by Type Approval category. Currently mopeds have full AT. The TRL report which may be released in the next 2 weeks may clarify whether different levels of AT will be employed for different subsets of L3 classification. The reason I mention the British TRL (Transport Research Laboratory), is because they won the EU contract to look at Anti Tampering methodology. You may remember the competition they launched a few months ago, offering a £500 reward for anyone who could think of anything.. If there is a desire to link vehicle registration to new licensing categories, riders will not be able to de-restrict a bike they bought for one licence category when they graduate to another, even though their experience has increased and they may prefer to stick to a lighter bike they already own. Also riders who choose smaller capacity machines may be unjustly penalised if Anti-Tampering measures are more restrictive on ‘lower’ categories of machine.
Question iii Whether you foresee any unintended consequences of adopting this Regulation. If this question continued ... ‘in it’s present form’ it would be easier to answer, since the 305 amendments currently under discussion introduce quite a lot of variables. In essence however, I would say some unintended consequences are: -Article 17 which discusses the prohibition of defeat devices would outlaw and criminalise any number of personal alterations, for example a dirt bike rider who wished to isolate his ABS temporarily -Severe limit on consumer choice, through categorisation (as outlined above) through expense incurred by smaller volume component manufacturers achieving product TA (or acceptance under Delegated acts registration) and through mandatory ABS without a switch option. -Extra financial burdens on consumers, especially through ABS replacement components, but also genuine equip exhausts etc. The DfT Impact Assessment puts ABS costings at up to £345 onto the RRP of a new machine, but ACEM, the manufacturers assoc are using figures 3 times that. -There will be, as there currently is, the increased possibility of scrapping a perfectly good machine that suffers from an expensive auxiliary component failure. Ahh, I remember by K1100 BMW, £1000 for a new ABS unit.... Sorry where was I? -The safety concerns of OBD-2 where on-board diagnostics can cut engine power if a failed emissions sensor is identified. -The extremely undemocratic ‘Delegated Acts’ element of the Regulation, where specific technical requirements of as yet unidentified components, will be established by un-elected, unaccountable bureaucrats. -The transfer of liability from driver to rider in SMIDSY accidents. Headlight compulsion will shift onus to unconfirmed conspicuity arguments and away from driver responsibility to look for bikes and other road users. This will be especially poignant for classic bike users whose power generation may not be capable. Please note, this is not retrospective legislation, but drivers may feel they only have to look for lights however. -Stopping the creation of one-offs and home-builds. As things stand the UK Government is now backing MAG’s position on this and is aiming to retain the system of Single Vehicle Approval as currently established in the UK.
Question iv Other Comments and information I would recommend mentioning some or all of the issues below: We support the Government’s position on SVA and the maintenance of the current UK system. The whole issue of delegated acts and their democratic deficit; we need to see what components will be affected by Anti Tampering and who exactly is deciding/accountable. The very worrying Annex 2 (item 12) : List of requirements for purposes of TA, within which is a list of ‘functional safety requirements’. The one of concern is the attempt to measure/control ‘steerability, cornering properties and turn ability’. The Commission wish to define what these are, but I think we all realise that a Harley and a Gixser don’t have quite the same handling characteristics, so to try and measure/ define these within the Delegated Acts is insane.
There are of course many more issues with various levels of confusion, but the DfT do want to start hearing from you, as they have meetings scheduled with their opposite numbers in Europe and want to know, for example, that their ideas on Single Vehicle Approval have your support. Closing date for the consultation is 28th October and you can find it here- but remember, it's not 'live' online, you have to download it. http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-26 I hope that some of the above will be of some use.
It should also be noted that MAG (through member Jon Strong) has taken the Commission to task over various issues, not least the quality of their IA and a Case is being answered currently (case number 0875/2011/jf). Annex 18 of the Type Approval Regulation even states that they haven’t actually got the research/data to back up what they are proposing and under EU law they are not permitted to present the Regulation until they have evidence to justify what they are proposing, but they hope they'll find some soon.
Paddy Tyson
Campaigns Co-ordinator MAG UK
| dft-2011-26-consultation.pdf |
