Bike on kopioinut jutun MCN-lehdesta (More Crap than News, kuten taalla sita kutsutaan, suurin osa 'uutisista' kun on tosiaan ankkoja).
ACPO julkaisi memon helmikuussa; tassa siita mp'ia kasittelevat kohdat:
7.2 The UK casualty figures for motorcycle collisions are very poor, with riders being 42 times more likely to be killed than car users, compared to a European average of 18 times. Rider improvement schemes such as BikeSafe are shown to be successful and should be statutorily incorporated. 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.
7.3 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.
7.4 Production machines are readily available for use on our roads with top speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour. 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.
Eli ei ihan tasmaa MCNn ja Biken raportin kanssa...
ACPOn memoa ei ole kukaan kommentoinut, vaikka kuukauden kuluttua olikin parlamentin tieliikennekomitean kokous, jossa ACPO oli kutsuttuna vieraana. ACPO siella sanoi, etta 5% 'ride stupidly'. Lisaksi he sanoivat, etta "there is growing public opinion concerning adverse environmental impact through anti-social behaviour and perceived danger eg racing bikes on mountains and in national parks, leading to others choosing not to visit." Huomauttivat viela, etta "It was much more effective to work with motorcycling groups to address safety concerns rather than treat them as a problem to be removed."
Komitean suositus oli "We recommend that the Government redoubles its efforts to improve the safety of motorcyclists and to ensure that their safety is seen as central to its road safety strategy. This needs to be communicated effectively to all parties involved with road safety."
Hieman ihmettelemme tata "one might consider if our congested roads are any longer fit for purpose for these motorised toys" kommenttia; jos tiet ovat jo kerran ruuhkaisia, eiko silloin pitaisi jatkaa kehottamista kaksipyoraisiin nelipyoraisista. Itse, jos pyora kiellettaisiin, menisin duuniin yms autolla, eli olisi taas yksi autoilija lisaa Lontoon ruuhkateilla, ja naisautoilija viela...
Tuosta "Vehicle Excise Duty evasion on a massive scale" ACPO joutui median hampaisiin; he vaittivat sen olevan jopa 40%. Journalistit sitten menivat mp-kokouspaikoille omilla alueillaan laskemaan naita verolappuja (periaatteessa joka ajoneuvossa pitaisi olla verolappu nakyvilla, autoissa tuulilasissa ja pyorissa takapyorassa), ja huomasivat, etta lahes 100% oli lappunen. Itsellani ei ole, koska Lontoossa ne varastetaan, mutta poliisi nakee tiekkarista rekkarin perusteella kuitenkin, onko vero maksettu. Se on vain noin £70 per vuosi, joten ei suuri summa. Siksi toiseksi, veroa ei makseta, jos pyora on (a) ratakaytossa eli ei rekkareissa ja (b) seisomassa; nama pyorat oli sisalletty tuohon 40%iin. Eras kaverini omistaa 8 pyoraa (kisatalli), joista vain 2 on tiella, eli ACPOn mielesta heilla olisi mukamas 75% pyorista ilman veroa.
