MCIA mayor

 

Representatives from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) met with London Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier this week (just hours after a Twitter gaff backfired on the Mayor – see below) to discuss how to tackle the theft of powered two-wheelers in the capital. They were also joined by senior leaders from major motorcycle and scooter manufacturers to explain what has been done so far and what plans are in development. 

 

MCIA CEO Tony Campbell explained “This was a good opportunity to demonstrate how seriously manufacturers are taking this problem and to update the Mayor on some of the initiatives he may not have been fully aware of.

 

“We know the Mayor would like to hear there is a ‘magic bullet’ which can be fitted to all bikes to stop them from being stolen, but unfortunately there isn’t. If there was, we would be fitting it, as theft is particularly damaging to business and to our customers.

 

“For many hard-working Londoners, motorcycles and scooters are the only realistic form of commuter transport, in terms of affordability, reliability and ease of movement.  We will do whatever we can to help make sure that riders can go about their business safely on the streets of London and are working closely with both the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office to play our part in achieving this.”

 

What works? “We have explained to the Mayor that a ‘layered’ approach to security is proving to be the most effective and realistic way of making theft more difficult. This uses a combination of new technologies like ‘tagging’ and ‘tracking’ and riders are encouraged to always supplement this with physical security in the form of locks and chains. But they need something to lock their bikes to, which is where City Hall can make a difference, in providing more secure parking across London.

 

“Powered two-wheelers are a solution in reducing congestion in the capital, improve air quality and relieve the pressure on parking, as they do in other European cities. They need to be properly factored into London’s transport planning over the long term and secure parking is one of the elements to ensure this is successful.”

 

The final solution

 

Hopefully, Transport for London and the Mayor won’t decide to try and solve the problem by pricing riders off the road using the ULEZ scheme, the consultation period ends in February, you can read about it and have your say here. If ULEZ comes in for bikes most riders will be forced to pay £12.50 per day to ride in the capital, other cities will follow…

 

Is enough being done to tackle bike crime?

 

Hours before the meeting, the mayor took to Twitter with the following Tweet “I’m working with @metpoliceuk to tackle moped crime – but it’s time for manufacturers to step up and design anti-theft measures into their vehicles to help keep Londoners safe.”

 

Angry bikers quickly hit back at Mr Khan, you can read his Tweet and backlash here.

 

Have you been the victim of bike crime either in the capital or around the country? If so what do you think would help to reduce the problem? Would additional ‘layered’ security have helped save your bike?

 

Is enough being done to deter crime as a career choice for inner-city wannabe gangsters? Should the source of the problem be tackled first?

 

Should powers of stop and search with high minimum jail sentences if caught in possession with an offensive weapon (knife/acid/hammer/gun etc.) be used? Let us know your thoughts…

 

Have you seen our latest SLUK Merchandise?

Mayor’s Twitter gaff as Motorcycle Industry and London Mayor meet to fight bike crime | NEWS

 

Representatives from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) met with London Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier this week (just hours after a Twitter gaff backfired on the Mayor – see below) to discuss how to tackle the theft of powered two-wheelers in the capital. They were also joined by senior leaders from major motorcycle and scooter manufacturers to explain what has been done so far and what plans are in development. 

 

MCIA CEO Tony Campbell explained “This was a good opportunity to demonstrate how seriously manufacturers are taking this problem and to update the Mayor on some of the initiatives he may not have been fully aware of.

 

“We know the Mayor would like to hear there is a ‘magic bullet’ which can be fitted to all bikes to stop them from being stolen, but unfortunately there isn’t. If there was, we would be fitting it, as theft is particularly damaging to business and to our customers.

 

“For many hard-working Londoners, motorcycles and scooters are the only realistic form of commuter transport, in terms of affordability, reliability and ease of movement.  We will do whatever we can to help make sure that riders can go about their business safely on the streets of London and are working closely with both the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office to play our part in achieving this.”

 

What works? “We have explained to the Mayor that a ‘layered’ approach to security is proving to be the most effective and realistic way of making theft more difficult. This uses a combination of new technologies like ‘tagging’ and ‘tracking’ and riders are encouraged to always supplement this with physical security in the form of locks and chains. But they need something to lock their bikes to, which is where City Hall can make a difference, in providing more secure parking across London.

 

“Powered two-wheelers are a solution in reducing congestion in the capital, improve air quality and relieve the pressure on parking, as they do in other European cities. They need to be properly factored into London’s transport planning over the long term and secure parking is one of the elements to ensure this is successful.”

 

The final solution

 

Hopefully, Transport for London and the Mayor won’t decide to try and solve the problem by pricing riders off the road using the ULEZ scheme, the consultation period ends in February, you can read about it and have your say here. If ULEZ comes in for bikes most riders will be forced to pay £12.50 per day to ride in the capital, other cities will follow…

 

Is enough being done to tackle bike crime?

 

Hours before the meeting, the mayor took to Twitter with the following Tweet “I’m working with @metpoliceuk to tackle moped crime – but it’s time for manufacturers to step up and design anti-theft measures into their vehicles to help keep Londoners safe.”

 

Angry bikers quickly hit back at Mr Khan, you can read his Tweet and backlash here.

 

Have you been the victim of bike crime either in the capital or around the country? If so what do you think would help to reduce the problem? Would additional ‘layered’ security have helped save your bike?

 

Is enough being done to deter crime as a career choice for inner-city wannabe gangsters? Should the source of the problem be tackled first?

 

Should powers of stop and search with high minimum jail sentences if caught in possession with an offensive weapon (knife/acid/hammer/gun etc.) be used? Let us know your thoughts…

 

Have you seen our latest SLUK Merchandise?