MPs to consider anti-motorcycle road safety policy

MPs are set to discuss whether a controversial Swedish road safety policy linked to calls to ban bikes should be brought to the UK.

Vision Zero sets the goal of eliminating road deaths altogether. It has already been adopted as official policy in Sweden and Norway and is “gathering a head of steam in the UK” according to the Motorcycle Action Group.

None of its backers can explain how its goal can be achieved while motorcycling is permitted. Claes Tingvall, the Swedish architect of Vision Zero, has said there is “no place for motorcycles” in it. He recently said motorcycles presented a “challenge”.

The Commons Transport Committee will discuss whether it should be adopted by the UK from 2010, when current road casualty targets expire.

MAG campaigns manager David Short said: “Vision Zero and other wacky road safety measures will be given an airing at the forthcoming Parliamentary Transport Select Committee hearing which will be looking at casualty reduction targets beyond 2010.

“MAG have submitted a comprehensive document to the committee and look forward to being ‘summonsed’ to give verbal evidence at the hearing.

“We will be vigorously challenging those road safety zealots who will be calling for speed limiters, power limits and engine size limits in their blinkered efforts to curb bike casualties.”

The hearing is expected to take place in March or April.

Stephen Plowden, advisor to influential road safety group the Slower Speeds Initiative, has written to the committee stating bikes over 600cc should be banned.