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SAFE OR A NUISANCE? ‘MINI-MOTOS’ – MAJOR NUISANCE SAY BMF Faced with the latest Government initiative* to clamp down on the illegal use of ‘mini–motos’, the BMF say that this is more of a social problem than a motorcycling one.
Responding to the Government’s plans, the British Motorcyclists Federation say that it should first be made clear that there are legitimate ''mini-motos'' i.e. mini race bikes made for race use, as against ''mini-motorcycles'' made for leisure use. (The current Moto GP World Champion Valentino Rossi learnt his craft on mini-motos, but that was on purpose-designed racetracks, not public roads and pavements).
Neither of these types of machine is however road-legal because they are not designed for road use. They are meant for use on private land or circuits - it is the owners who have abused their use. Further, many of these machines, especially the mini-motorcycles, are cheap and poorly constructed and the BMF have consistently suggested that the importation of this category of non-type approved machine should be banned.
“The motorcycle community is now suffering the consequences of the ''tarred with the same brush effect'' because many members of the public associate a mini-motorcycle with motorcyclists and motorcycling” said BMF spokesman, Jeff Stone.
The BMF also say that expending police resources on mini-motorcycle enforcement diverts precious resources from road policing and while the BMF supports initiatives for creating special off-road areas for a range of motor sport activities, it considers that providing such areas should be made a higher priority for Local Authorities and Council Tax payers. The pay back benefits of providing such areas, in community safety terms, seem to be currently ignored say the BMF.
The BMF sees the use of mini-motorcycles as a social problem which has been exacerbated by Government inaction and lack of affirmative action from the associations representing the UK motorcycle trade. Suggesting the introduction of unenforceable guidelines while sales have rocketed was simply storing up trouble say the BMF.
Commenting, Richard Olliffe, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive said: “The Government’s proposals are disingenuous to say the least. The Government have allowed the sales of a device which is illegal to use in all places that are designated as a public place and can therefore only be used on private property with the landowner’s permission. The Minister is living in cloud cuckoo land if he actually believes the averaged purchasers have access to a suitable operating site. With an estimated 400,000 mini-motorcycles sold in the past six years, the situation is out of control. A ban on import and sales now would indeed be shutting the stable door after the mini-moto had left, but it may be the only way forward in controlling an escalating situation.”
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