Spy chip proposals slammed

A rider’s rights group has slammed DVLA proposals for spy chips in motorcycle number plates first revealed in MCN in May.

The British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) said the move would be ‘akin to tagging the law abiding motorcyclists with an ankle tag’.

The microchips would enable police to identify motorcycles on the move, even when another vehicle is on the way. Details would be transmitted to handheld receivers, enabling police to instantly check whether the vehicle is registered as taxed and insured. 

A six-month DVLA study into the feasibility of making the chips compulsory for motorcycles are due to conclude in November.

The Agency has said the technology, called Electronic Vehicle Identification (EVI), could help police tackle high rates of motorcycle road tax evasion. 

Chris Hodder, the BMF’s government relations executive, said: “While the BMF understands the problem, EVI is not the solution. It would not only be expensive to introduce but would be largely ineffective in deterring the criminal and would only serve to monitor the honest and law abiding. We are fundamentally opposed to EVI and will vigorously resist any attempts to introduce such a scheme”.

MCN revealed last week that a report on the accounts of the DVLA had claimed 37% of us evade tax while a Department for Transport roadside survey found only 16% of motorcycles were untaxed.