Anti Bike MP

Local MP has decided it's near enough to a general election to start hopping
on a few bandwagons. When local sprog got killed whilst pillion (allegedly
not wearing a properly fitting helmet) he's now given full backing to a
local campaign that's already with HMGov ministers to ban under 16s from
going pillion. At all.

Apart from the abuse that the MP deserves generally, any interesting stats
(preferably with refs to gov stats or whatever) or other info, contacts
greatly received.

Cheers,

Jon H.

 

Thats one of those: "That;'s appalling, we must do something"; "This
is something"; "We must do that then" scenarios.

 

Point out U16s riding push bikes with no protective gear.
Point out no laws governing tandem usage.
Point out push bikes easily go over 30mph, why not restrict them.


Ah fookit, just kill him

 

OTOH, looking on the bright side, taken to its logical conclusion, it
would lead to a ban on U16's in cars which would mean kids-free out of
town shopping centres.

 

Thanks for that perhaps tied up with most bike accidents are no blame and
under 30mph. Per mile bike are 30 times more vunerable than cars, but only
twice as bad as walking or cycling to work etc

The fact that the MP is calling for an early day motion to outlaw kids on
motorcycles because of safety fears yet failed to even attend a second
reading of an private members bill calling for compulsory cycle helmets for
youngsters says it all...

Fascinating fact No.2357 Horse riders have to wear hats if under 14...

Cheers,

Jon.

 

You know the MP involved (obviously); for those that don't:

Nigel Waterson MP (Eastbourne - Conservative)
http://www.tory.org/home/eastbourne/pressrelease10.htm

 

Wasn't the motorcycle hit from behind, so the pillion
would have died if they had been 6, 16 or 60?

Maybe they should outlaw shit drivers instead.

 

<Blaney>

He has an electoral mandate to do so

</Blaney>

 

Jon Harris wrote:

Where did you get this from, out of interest?

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My NEW bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
My old Bike 2000 Honda CB500 (for sale)
M'boy's current bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Heavily fortified)
M'boys NEW bike 2003 Honda NSR125R
BOTAFOT #140, DIAABTCOD #26

 

Very helpful, I thank you. Please let me know if you receive a reply...;-)

JH

 

http://www.mag-uk.org/content/pr/2004/august/06.htm

5th August 2004

A campaign for the introduction of an age limit of 16 years for
pillion riders, which would essentially ban
children from riding pillion on motorcycles, has been initiated after
the recent death of an eight year old pillion
rider in East Sussex.

The child's mother and campaign organisers have visited the Department
for Transport to hand in a 3000 signature petition which has the
initial support of their local MP.

The Motorcycle Action Group, Director Of Public Affairs, says, "As
tragic as the death of any child is for a
parent, the issue of whether the government should ban children from
riding on motorcycles needs to be
weighted against the background of the facts and with cool heads."

MAG has therefore looked closely at this sensitive issue as well as
conducting a members' survey in order to
understand views on young pillion riders. The result has been the
publication of MAG's document,"Young Pillion Riders: Should they be
banned?"

The young pillion issue has been raised on a number of occasions in
Parliament by MPs, the answers by
respective ministers set out clearly the legislation and regulations
that covers the physical size and strength of pillion riders and who
is responsible for pillion riders' safety. Enabling the police to
apply the law through the Road Traffic Act, Regulations for
Construction and Use and the Highway Code.

If we look at the risk factor relating to young pillion riders, in
2003 two pillion passengers under the age of 16 were killed in
motorcycle accidents. MAG regards the existing legislation to be
adequate.

The death of a child is indescribably sad and MAG offers its deepest
sympathy to the parents of the young pillion rider who lost his life,
but unreasonably restricting the mobility of families is not justified
by the scale of the problem.

Notes:

1 Local newspaper reported that the eight year old (Sean) was a
pillion passenger on a 750cc Honda which was in a collision with a
car, the rider of the motorcycle was a friend of his father. The
child's parents did not know that he was on the motorbike or that he
was wearing an ill-fitting adult's helmet.

2. The Department of Transport in its response has stated that "It's a
tragic occurrence that Sean was killed, but a, very rare one. We have
no plans to change the law".

3. Young Pillion Riders: Should they be banned? Is available Here


Issued by
Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs
The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation
www.mag-uk.org

 

Well spotted that man. Needless to say the local rag is lapping it up. You
can email your POV to
. They want your name and address but won't
print it if you ask them not to etc etc

JH

 

If you can find that anywhere, I'd be eternally greatful. Local rag just
says "was in collision with a car" It also says he was wearing an ill
fitting adult helmet and his parents didn't know he was on the bike.
Perfectly understandable that thy want u16s banned then...

and shit parents/friends/relatives imho.

JH

 

Speech by Tory MP Sir George Young on his support for the private members
bill that would've made it compulsory for child cyclists to wear helmets.

http://www.sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk/searchitem.cfm?newsid=1732
Extract:

"Moving from the general to the specific, road accidents are an obvious
target for any Government who have an interest in reducing burdens on the
NHS and reducing avoidable deaths and injury. So far as transport accidents
are concerned, this House has decided to compel the individual to wear a
seat belt, first as a driver and later as a rear seat passenger, to wear a
crash helmet as a motor cyclist and, for those under 14, to wear a helmet if
they ride a horse. Many of those measures were introduced under a
Conservative Government, so Conservative Members have embraced the principle
of legitimate state intervention."

JH

 

Brilliant, i shouldn't gone to them first, cheers.

JH

 

Cheers for that Jon, most interesting. I am inclined to support this, with
the exception of removing the age limit.
IME, horses are bloody dangerous, even when not being ridden.
My daughter always wears helmet and body armour, even when doing horsey
maintenance tasks.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My NEW bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
My old Bike 2000 Honda CB500 (for sale)
M'boy's current bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Heavily fortified)
M'boys NEW bike 2003 Honda NSR125R
BOTAFOT #140, DIAABTCOD #26

 

Agreed. There was one of those Wickham monsters in the park when I was
young - and it had a bump in the middle.

The 'other' boys used to slide down on bread papers which made it extra
fast. My mum made her own bread or bought from the bakers as she said
buying factory made in a wrapper was "a waste of money".

 

Quite, vishus stuff is tack

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My NEW bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
My old Bike 2000 Honda CB500 (for sale)
M'boy's current bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Heavily fortified)
M'boys NEW bike 2003 Honda NSR125R
BOTAFOT #140, DIAABTCOD #26

 

Will find out for you - was mentioned in a post on
a message board in another place.

 

Here you go...

http://www.eastbournetoday.co.uk/vi...&DateTo=082004&Page=1&ReturnPage=Results.aspx

or

http://tinyurl.com/49tbj