Top biking bosses call for greater certainty on decarbonisation as factories urged to embrace change

Representatives from the UK motorcycle industry are once again urging ministers to deliver a clearer roadmap to decarbonisation, as well as consider an open-source approach to the future of two-wheels.

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UK representatives from a number of leading manufacturers met alongside politicians and key industry experts at the annual MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) Industry Conference on February 18, held at Euston Square in London.

The day-long event, which featured speakers from both sides of the House of Commons, covered a number of topics – including the need for more details on plans for decarbonisation in order to allow brands to prepare for life after conventional combustion.

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“After years of discussion, and formal consultations with government, it looked like 2024 would be the year where we would get commitments we needed to plan further ahead and play our part in 2030 and beyond,” MCIA Chair, Neil Fletcher said during an introduction.

“It is really important that the inertia and uncertainty that’s regarding our role in transport across policy currently is ended, before our member companies are forced to make their own decisions about what happens next in the UK and those opportunities are missed.”

According to the MCIA, the UK motorcycle industry currently contributes around £7 billion to the economy every year and employs approximately 50,000 people. On top of this, 216,996 people passed a motorcycle licence between 2019 and 2024 – with the sector contributing around 0.4% of total UK domestic transport emissions.

The sector is yet to have an official end date for current combustion-engined machinery, with proposals laid out under Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government suggesting some smaller petrol machines could disappear from 2030 with a complete ban five years later.

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This is yet to be confirmed though, with many larger manufacturers stating both technology and customer appetite is not yet ready for a full-scale switch to electric.

“We are entering a critical point of change for the sector,” MCIA Chief Executive, Tony Campbell added. “Our influence over Government thinking and policy outcomes will be fundamental to our future.

“With this in mind, there is no place for dreams of the past, old ideas, and tired thinking. Looking back over the last 30 years, it has delivered little or no positive outcomes.”

According to the MCIA, this future-facing mindset needs to include a move away from a focus on leisure motorcycling into a wider embrace of all L-Category vehicle platforms.

This covers traditional motorcycles and scooters, plus sidecar outfits, three-wheeled mopeds, trikes, and quadricycles such as the Citroën Ami electric city car.

By making use of them all, it’s believed the sector can solidify itself within the Government’s ongoing Integrated National Transport Strategy plan – set to outline how personal mobility will look in England over the next 10 years.

“While transition to electric cars is well underway, it’s quite right for your sector to say that one size does not fit all across transport,” Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP said – appearing via a pre-recorded video.

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“When it comes to the powered light vehicle sector, we know there are complex challenges when it comes to decarbonisation and we recognise your calls for technology neutrality when it comes to the two-, three-, and four-wheeled light vehicles.

“But the transition to zero emission also provides opportunities for UK companies, like Maeving, who are leading the way,” the Minister continued. “For the UK to remain competitive, we have to stay ahead of the curve. I’m pleased the industry understands the future is net zero.”

Exactly what will happen remains up for discussion, however Triumph’s Chief Product Officer, Steve Sargent was quick to remind the room that large-scale changes to development and production need to be considered over a lengthy time frame.

“It can take up to five years to get a product to market,” Sargent explained. “However, we then need the certainty that you’re going to be able to sell that product for an eight-to-10-year period to justify that investment involved.

“We are talking about having to make a multimillion-pound decision today on what we are going to sell up until the year 2040. You can then, therefore, understand why changes in Government – bringing with it significant changes in policy direction – makes us very nervous.”