Absence of motorcycles in Highway Code review ‘unforgivable’

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has expressed outrage at the ‘lack of consideration’ for motorcyclists in the latest review of the Highway Code.

Announced by the Government earlier this week, the review is designed to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

Among the alterations is a new hierarchy of road users to ensure those who can do the ‘greatest harm’ have the ‘greatest responsibility’ to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.

However, it makes no reference to motorcyclists – who statistics show are the most at-risk road user group.

Newly-published casualty figures for 2019 highlight that in terms of fatality rate per billion passenger miles, motorcycles were the most vulnerable (113.3), followed by pedestrians (34.1) and cyclists (29.4).

MAG says the review is a shocking demonstration of the lack of care for motorcyclists.

Colin Brown, MAG’s director of campaigns and political engagement, said: “As motorcyclists, we have to face the accusations and vilification of our legitimate choice of transport mode, whilst simultaneously suffering a near complete lack of interest in making the roads safer for us.

“We take no issue with moves to improve safety for other road users, but this systemic and sustained process of turning a blind eye to the needs of motorcyclists is unforgivable.

“It is little wonder that motorcyclists get angry about this kind of thing, and we fully share their outrage.

“We consistently campaign for improved motorcycle safety and bend over backwards to support the limited number of initiatives designed to reduce motorcycle casualties, but the mere title of this consultation reveals the depth of the problem we face.

“How can it be that the most vulnerable road user group is the one road user group that is ignored?

“We are calling on the DfT to immediately revise the wording of the announcement to include motorcyclists, and then to develop meaningful discourse on what amendments can be made to the Highway Code to help improve the safety of riders.”


31 July 2020

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