Consider banning motorcycles, police tell MPs

The time has come to consider banning motorcycles from the roads, police chiefs have told MPs.

They are ‘motorised toys’ which may not belong on public highways, the Association of Chief Police Officers told the Commons Transport Committee.

The association based its call on the false claim that production motorcycles are ‘readily available’ with top speeds of over 200mph. In fact not a single production motorcycle has broken the 200mph barrier.

The association said: ‘Production machines are readily available for use on our roads with top speeds in excess of 200mph. Motorcycles are seen in the UK to be, in the majority of instances, vehicles of choice rather than necessity and one might consider if our congested roads are any longer fit for purpose for these motorised toys.’

The comments, which are policy recommendations, have been published in a report by the committee on road safety. They were made in response to the committee question: ‘What further policies, not already widely used, might be considered for adoption and what evidence is there for their success?’

The ACPO memo calls for the creation of no-motorcycle zones and points to power caps. It states: ‘There is a need for radical thinking in respect of motorcycles, including consideration of engine capability and the creation of protection zones where all motorcycles other than those specifically permitted would be prohibited.’

The association also calls for motorcycles to be fitted with chips to allow police to identify them from a distance, and tougher penalties for illegal number plates. It says: ‘The detection of motorcycling offences is problematic, encouraging non-compliance. This includes Vehicle Excise Duty evasion on a massive scale.

‘For this reason, stricter penalties should be introduced for non-compliant registration plates and further work should be done on the development of such products as number plates containing chips that will allow automated vehicle identification, even at high speeds.’

In fact official Government research shows just 6.5% of motorcycles are untaxed.
MCN asked ACPO to defend its claims. The association has yet to do so. 

Read the report, including ACPO’s comments, here: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmtran/460/460.pdf

Guess which chief constable is likely to have signed off the ACPO recommendations. Here’s a clue: Last year he was banned from driving for speeding. For more on this, get MCN, on sale November 12.