How passionate are you about riding?

[Autopilot]

A question.
What have you done to secure the future of motorcycling here in the UK?

 

[fatal]

Joined MAG. Voted Reform UK. Short of armed rebellion there's not much we can do, and then what use is an overweight 66 year old riddled with arthritis to an armed rebellion anyway

 

[smilespergallon]

Strategy and logistics?

It's what I hope to do should the day ever come. I wanna be the old guy in the shop telling stories to the youngsters out there making things happen.

 

[BSA Biker]

I'm still a member of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. But as an overweight old codger in my 70's all I can do from Spain is look on and cry with what successive stupid governments have done to my country.
Yes I did vote Reform last time but they are starting to turn out just like the rest by saying stupid things about Tommy Robinson. He at least is saying the truth.
But I've started my grandson's journey into bikes by showing him mine.
He maybe only 6 but you can see the look on his face that he's enjoying the experience, just hope his mother, my daughter, doesn't stop him later.

 

[Autopilot]

Great photos. And yes what a smile.
I wouldn't write off Reform just yet, they are after all the change that is needed. As for TR he has been vilified just like EP was when he spoke the truth, which at the time was indeed party policy.
I too dislike immensely the globalist agenda peddled by the blues and the reds.
I also dislike the forced EV agenda which has more holes than Swiss cheese.

 

[yorkie196]

Oooh a tough question....If I (we?) are honest - maybe not enough? How many times have I come away from shows and said to myself 'Must join MAG' and neglected to do so. I have, however, coaxed and mentored my ex wife, oldest son, one sister and two brothers onto two wheels - all still riding. My GF sat her CBT last month and is now wobbling around with me following and encouraging, and my youngest son is starting to look in my magazines (not that sort!) in prep for next year when he can also ride legally. My GF's two daughters are constantly fighting over the pillion seat, which is also encouraging. I hope bikes will still be 'a thing' when they are old enough to ride. I try attend events when possible and drag the family to them - if we don't go to shows and rallies they will no longer run - we have lost so many good ones already. I have no faith in any political support of biking - we are an unpopular minority that shrinks and morphs each year. I must remember to join MAG......

 

[OldSchoolGuy]

My Meteor is my primary mode of transportation. The only time I use my car is when I need something to large to safely haul on the bike (ie: 2x4x8 studs, 4x8 sheet materials, etc)
I promote motorcycling with everyone interested.

The day I stop riding is the day I start dying.

 

[Autopilot]

My Meteor is my primary mode of transportation. The only time I use my car is when I need something to large to safely haul on the bike (ie: 2x4x8 studs, 4x8 sheet materials, etc)
I promote motorcycling with everyone interested.

The day I stop riding is the day I start dying.

Same here with my 350 Classic. Hail rain or shine.
I feel the same sentiment as you.
Been riding over 40 years, had a devil's game to get my first bike. Parents objections.
So like you I would die inside if it were taken away.
And as for this rumoured pay per mile bollox.
Old Queer Starmer can shove it where Ali normally shoved it.

 

[Autopilot]

Same here with my 350 Classic. Hail rain or shine.
I feel the same sentiment as you.
Been riding over 40 years, had a devil's game to get my first bike. Parents objections.
So like you I would die inside if it were taken away.
And as for this rumoured pay per mile bollox.
Old Queer Starmer can shove it where Ali normally shoved it.

PS I forgot to check your location. You may be unaware of our politics in the UK?

 

[puttbutt]

what use is an overweight 66 year old riddled with arthritis to an armed rebellion anyway

this is my sentiment.

 

[Andyb]

Reform is a joke - but we should not be talking politics here.

 

[Bluestrom13]

" MPs pledge to consider changes to motorcycle licensing legislation inline with MCIA recommendations "
[MotorcycleNews, 5th Feb 2024]
Politicians from both the Conservative and Labour parties have come out in support of a reform to the UK motorcycle licensing structure – stating it needs to be more accessible and affordable in order to help more people onto two wheels.
“I support your call for a full scale review of the L-category [motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers, and quadricycles] licensing regime and I’m looking forward to helping you hold the Government to account on its action plan promises,”
“By emphasising the advantages in urban mobility, last-mile delivery efficiency, and the future of urban and suburban transport, you have transformed the conversation – making the sector more attractive and appealing for politicians to engage with.”
[Transport Committee Chair-(since lost his seat)]

“We need to make this industry as accessible as possible, and far easier for current and future users to choose the right vehicle for the right journey,”
[Fabian Hamilton, MP (still), who also sat on the Transport Committee at the time, (and rides a Honda CB1000R, Zero SR/F, and Triumph Street Triple).]

MCIA CEO Tony Campbell added that if Government is not able to untangle the testing system then barriers to helping more people get onto two wheels will be far more of a threat to biking than any phase-out of petrol powered machines.

This, of course was pre-election, and as is to be expected, other "more pressing matters" are now grabbing media attention.

And as for this rumoured pay per mile bollox.
Old Queer Starmer can shove it where Ali normally shoved it.

But (IMHO) grown-up arguments like this one will surely encourage what little support we may have already to have a change of heart.

After all, as I see it, motorcyclists can come with any, or sometimes no, political persuasions.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

In my humble opinion and observations folks on my side of the pond who ride early on their motoring life tend to be better drivers than those who start out cars only.

The UK being more moto centric and more moto aware than the USA I can't help but think that bringing the barriers to riding back down to earth will yield big returns for you all in the years to come after.

 

[Autopilot]

Reform is a joke - but we should not be talking politics here.

It's unavoidable I'm afraid. It affects us whether we like it or not

 

[Kevin349]

I don't support Reform or any of the extreme political parties that are currently promising everything with the ability to deliver nothing, and therefore I'm making sure we don't descend into the chaos that would ensue if any of them got anywhere near to power. That way I can keep on biking in peace.

 

[Autopilot]

What could be more extreme than the globalist agenda followed by the main stream?
Red or blue, they are two cheeks of the same arse.

 

[Bluestrom13]

What could be more extreme than the globalist agenda followed by the main stream?
Red or blue, they are two cheeks of the same arse.

And "your" Reform UK?.....
I thought this was interesting, if a little off topic.

Nigel Farage’s Nationalism Exposed: Champion of ‘Little England’ Courts Global Elites at Nomad Capitalist Event

While the Reform leader portrays himself as a champion of England’s white working class, his personal actions align far more with the interests of the ultra-wealthy and global elites

bylinetimes.com

I know of no Reform UK policy on motorcycles and motorcyclists, either for or against. But be pleased if that's not correct.
So why being a voter, (or not), for that party (are they yet a party?.[See here]...or still a registered company?), affects anyone's efforts to save motorcycling is questionable.

 

[Autopilot]

I recall it was BSA biker that first mentioned Reform as an alternate vote to the mainstream.
My response was not to write them off too quickly.
And in response to Kevin349s claim to avoid extreme politics, I tried to offer a counter argument that the extremes came not from Reform but we're indeed well entrenched in the established parties, of whom with the current voting system we end up with one or the other in power.
As such no change in anything is experienced by us the little people.
They are both puppet governments controlled remotely by the rich and powerful.
Reform is the only alternative at present that represents a fundamental threat to the status quo.
And if nurtured correctly will grow offering a real alternative politically to global elitism in West minster.

Anyhow.
How has my original post was and still is.
What have you done to secure the future of motorcycling here in the UK?
I had no intention of generating a political debate but some how it has been side tracked into one.
Please stop.

 

[Kevin349]

Sorry, but how are Reform a challenge to the status-quo? Their executive leader is a hedge fund manager and member of the British establishment - that's a global capitalist and guardian of the status-quo in real terms.

Anyway, that's it for this kind of thing on here. I'll stick to bike stuff only from here on in.

 

[Autopilot]

Sorry, but how are Reform a challenge to the status-quo? Their executive leader is a hedge fund manager and member of the British establishment - that's a global capitalist and guardian of the status-quo in real terms.

Anyway, that's it for this kind of thing on here. I'll stick to bike stuff only from here on in.

So, as I asked in my last post for the political debate to cease it would appear that you seem intent on continuing with political questions, but then contradict yourself by stating and I quote "I'll stick to bike stuff only from here on in"
So back to my original question?
What have you done to secure the future of motorcycling in the UK?