Around 1,000 bikers join protest ride against EU rules around Norwich

35 comments

• Fantastic protest, well done MAG. How about the EU legislating that all tractors, four trac and others, be forced to use their flashing beacon lights when on any road, and at whatever speed they are capable of.. Lets go one thing further, restrict the time periods that tractors are allowed on any highway, and ban them from highways over any weekend.

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  Harry Brown

  Sunday, October 2, 2011

• I saw the bikes going along the A47 and the first wave of riders were being sensible, keeping to the inside lane and out of the other road users way, but it wasn't long before bikes were weaving everywhere with cars trying to squeeze through gaps between the bikers (some purposefully trying to block the cars), that wasn't what was wanted from the protest: show you're feelingsconcerns and make people aware of the situation, but don't annoy fellow road users. But, all arguments aside, the fact is the EU would like to dictate what we can do with something we own. I drive a car and ride a bike (for fun), my car has alloy wheels and my bike has a slightly noisey (but legal) exhaust - these are my choices and I don't want the EU telling me I can't do either to my own property with my own money. Anyway, it's good to see that the protest did at least create some attention, which was the whole point I guess. On another note: If the EU want to regulate anything it should be horse riders who let their horses poo on the roads (not fun for motorcyclists) and footpaths - I'd back them on that one ;-)

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  Cringleford-Phil

  Sunday, October 2, 2011

• Albert Cooper, what a ridiculous comment – “Illegal exhaust systems should be banned”. Perhaps you should look up the word ‘illegal’ in a dictionary! The EU is always coming up with new ideas which are poorly researched and ill-conceived and the above are just further examples. Well done to MAG.

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  EdChed

  Friday, September 30, 2011

• To all you who drive cars and think this really has nothing to do with you and the bikers are getting what the deserve, legislation against bikes and heavy vehicles are coming in all the time. tougher tests, emission zones etc. Eventually that legislation will move to cars and then it will be you finding that your car is to old to go into a city. It's already happening in Germany and the London LEZ will include Vans next year. Or you find out can't fit a patten part exhaust system, brake pads or discs, (probably just as good, but without the manufacturers mark up) but will have to fit a manufacturers one at twice the cost, even more if they know you can't fit anything else. I don't want noisey bikes or smelly trucks or cars in my neighbourhood, but we already have legislation to deal with this, it just needs to be enforced. Those who ride bikes illegally are regularly targeted by the Police and rightly so, but resources are limited and there are also the many drivers who drive illegally, (How many drivers do you see on their mobile phone each day?) They still do it because the chance of being caught is so low. There is a need to reduce bike rider casualties in the EU, but to me this legislation seems particularly vindictive, but then there is a large anti bike (probably anti personal freedom) lobby in the EU and a very small bike industry to lobby against it, unlike the massive car industry in the EU, but then it's in their favour to lobby for a maximum age of vehicles and the banning of fitting pattern parts, all in the cause of road safety you understand.

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  Jas

  Friday, September 30, 2011

• Albert Cooper, it is illegal for a motorcycle exhaust to exceed 80dB sound level, and all exhaust systems must be stamped with an EC approval mark. These laws have been in force for aroud 20 years. I think your complaint should be that the police are not enforcing the law. That may be because measuring the sound level needs expensive equipment that is difficult to operate and very time consuming.

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  Derek Colman

  Thursday, September 29, 2011

• Excellent points Jazzbabe, I think next time this will get more support from other road users when people begin to realise the impacts upon them. Woudl also be good to see some support from the motor trade like Halfords, and from the Green Party and other politicians in view of the major sustainability issues around these new regulations. Perhaps groups like CPRE could get on board too as this issue impacts so many rural people who run older cars and bikes too.

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  john smith

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• I wish the EU would make football illegal.

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  Elizabeth Adkins

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• Thinking about the not allowing vehicles over 6 years old into cities, how many people would lose their jobs? I'm talking if this became law for all vehicles. We have no bus service and both our cars and our bikes are over 6 years old, how do we go into town do shopping, visit the cinema or theatre? I'm sure we aren't the only people in this situation, I'm guessing at least 60% of staff in shops, pubs, clubs cinemas and theatres and hospitals have vehicles which would be banned. Some will suggest park and ride which is an option during the day but no good if you leave work after 7pm. Try using taxi if you live out in the sticks, you almost have to remortgage your house to afford it! How many would lose their jobs if the likes of Halfords, Demon Tweeks, Busters and all the other customisers et al were unable to trade and how many more would also lose their jobs if you could only use main dealers for maintenance. All vehicle users need to wake up to this and start taking action. Hope to see more support next time! If car drivers don't support us you will be next so don't sit there and whinge when it does happen.

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  jazzbabe

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• As an ex biker I fully support the action take. The EU has no right to interfere and impose. The EU has introduced various directives over the years. They had planned on one that effectively meant the larger vehicle in an accident was to blame. So for example, if hit by a cyclist it was automatically your fault. Fortunately it was seen for how stupid it was and rejected. There are some stupid bikers around, but car drivers need to be more aware of bikes. eg avoid tailgating in the rain when the roads are slippery and bikes have to go slower. It may slow cars down in bad weather. If the driver experiences what it feels like to lose grip in the wet or on diesel.

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  Andy T

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• As an ex biker I fully support the action take. The EU has no right to interfere and impose. The EU has introduced various directives over the years. They had planned on one that effectively meant the larger vehicle in an accident was to blame. So for example, if hit by a cyclist it was automatically your fault. Fortunately it was seen for how stupid it was and rejected. There are some stupid bikers around, but car drivers need to be more aware of bikes. eg avoid tailgating in the rain when the roads are slippery and bikes have to go slower. It may slow cars down in bad weather. If the driver experiences what it feels like to lose grip in the wet or on diesel.

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  Andy T

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• @ Albert Cooper and Andre Smith. I was at that protest, it was fantastic, my thanks also go out to the people of the EDP24 gang who were able to take the picture of which I was on with my group of friends who all think this new EU Legislation is a joke. So Albert, you believe that noisy Exhaust Systems should be banned? Could you give us 5 reasons as to why they should be? Because I cant think of any... I understand that not all people who drive cars hate bikes, but it just seems to me that you do. Do you see the same legislation being carried out on cars? I believe the answer to that question is no. I am obsessed with bike modificating, if this new law comes into action I'm going to have to stop something I love and I'm very sure that it will stop thousands of other keen mechanics as well, this is a breech of our human rights, which is disgusting. Now, Andre Smith, this protest was cleverly done, not only where we noticed for what we done but you, a car van driver now know of it, the WHOLE point of the protest, to highlight and show that bikers wont stand for it. To all you haters out there, back off, I'd like to see what you guys do when theres a breech of your human rights. Ben Mitchell.

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  Mi7chell

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• I would suggest that people who think that this applies to bikers only have a look at page 8 of http:www.dft.gov.ukvosarepositoryMoT%20-%20Issue%2048%20-%20Oct%202010.pdf For those who gave their support - thank you. For those who are not sure about why we are objecting to these new changes, research it - and please do ask your MPs and euro MPs to get involved

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  Pete Dean

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• We should not be mobbing the bikers but applauding them for highlighting the absurdity of the constant stream of new rules and laws dreamt up by EU bureaucrats to keep themselves in a job.

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  Daisy Roots

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• Cut the funding to the EU bureacrats that dream up these stupid ideas. It must cost hundreds of thousands of Euros in staff time to dream these things up. Alternatively, do what most people do on the continent, either just embrace their spirit of the law or ignore them enitrely.

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  MartinK

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• I joined the protest because I feel it is ridiculous to stop bikes going into cities, surely they are a great way to bust congestion? I don't agree with the anti tamper part, for one my bike would be illegal having been modified so I am able to ride it and two I have friends in the customisation trade who would lose their livelihood as would many others, I don't agree with the dayglow vest idea as I have been pulled out on when wearing one on a lesson. The idea that you can't change tyres to something that could be safer because they aren't what the manufacturer put on the bike originally is stupid, tyre technology is moving fast so a better tyre could be available that suits your riding. Car drivers don't think it will stop with us, you will be next! If you'd like a different exhaust system forget it, if you'd like to change your wiper blades forget it, if you'd like to really trick up your car forget it, and don't forget if they can stop us going into town they can do the same to you and you can be chipped too so that sneaky whizz down the A47 at one in the morning will be logged and you'll get your fine through the door. It would be nice to have some solidarity please, all road users pay through the nose for appalling roads, sky high fuel, and get ripped off one way or another constantly. We are all going to suffer if this goes through, so next time could we please have some more support? A big thank you to those who did turn out to support us it was lovely to see people waving from bridges and laybys. Lets hope we are listened to but I'm not holding my breath!

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  jazzbabe

  Tuesday, September 27, 2011

• I wish all the bikers success with stopping this EU rubbish. To all the motorists who malign bikers.... have any of you ever ridden a bike? Think - If everyone rode bikes there would be no traffic jams! Also I'll ad a plea - please don't use your phone whilst driving - I see this happening every day; no call is too important that it can't be left until the end of your journey.

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  Martin Scott

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• NorthCity. . You should try riding a bike to experience the prejudices that we bikersmotorcyclists have to endure. When was the last time you were stopped in your car by the police?? It's a regular occurrence on a bike, even when the bike is 100% legal. Bikers get stopped regularly, just because they are riding bikes. It's time training for CAR DRIVERS was increased dramatically. Over 50% of all bike accidents are caused by CAR DRIVERS. When was the last time you had any training?? . . . . Bikers know they are vulnerable. You should see the price of decent leathers, boots, gloves and helmets. . . YES, young riders can be bad on the roads, but no worse than the chavs in their loud cars. In fact, at 16, you can only ride a moped that is capable of a MAXIMUM speed of 30mph. Even with a lot of decent tuning, this could only ever reach 55mph. The slowest of cars can easily exceed these speeds. At 17, you can ride a 125cc bike, that is restricted to 15bhp. This is a top speed of approx 70mph. The slowest of cars can still exceed this. When you've passed your test, you are restricted to 33bhp for 2 years. There are no such restrictions on car drivers. . . . I see a LOT more bad driving than bad riding. Diesel spills, gravel, horse poo, manhole covers, water etc can all cause a biker to crash. They rarely cause any problems for car drivers.

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  tim stubbs

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• You antis are missing the point. The EU will impose this on us and our parliament will be no more than a rubber stamp. As for "irritating the locals", these would these be the same locals who stared in amazement at a blimp, wondering what on earth it was in the sky, thinking we were being invaded by aliens! ("People in Norwich were left looking to the skies and scratching their heads this evening as a mysterious object flew over Norwich" EDP 24911)

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  marty r

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• Albert misses the point the reason we have loud pipes is to ensure that motorists and pedestrians can hear us coming. This is a very important safety feature.

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  Fengibbon

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I too had the unfortunate chance of being by that mercs! Luckily I was at the side of it but saw just how close it was to other fellow bikers. There really waas no need to get that close, even if they had got a clear way ahead for a few yards they were not going anywhere...what was the point?

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  Mo Blogg

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I'd like to repost this from a motorcyclist who was on one of the demo's yesterday: To all the irate car drivers abusing bikers and scooterists nationwide today, may I paint you a picture? Imagine being told that you had to use OE parts every time your car needed attention. Bye bye Halfords, Kwik Fit, etc. Imagine being regularly stopped by the police when you were out driving perfectly legally, for them to check you hadn't tampered with your vehicle or fitted any non-standard parts. Imagine being told that you were forbidden to drive unless you were wearing a certain colour clothing. ... Imagine having the control of your vehicle taken out of your hands and trusted to a computer. Imagine being told that your 7 year old car, your pride and joy, was now forbidden from entering towns and cities. This is the reason you were held up for 20 minutes on sunday afternoon. Be under no misunderstanding, the bikers are the first in line for draconian EU interference. If we fall, it will be a domino effect. Support us now, Bikers are fighting so that you wont have to. If our own Government does nothing about it then we have to!! Oh, and by the way, I have to sit in queues of buses lorries cars vans breathing all their stinking exhaust fumes every day, why so upset at being held up once!!

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  Zillah

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I'd like to repost this from a motorcyclist who was on one of the demo's yesterday: To all the irate car drivers abusing bikers and scooterists nationwide today, may I paint you a picture? Imagine being told that you had to use OE parts every time your car needed attention. Bye bye Halfords, Kwik Fit, etc. Imagine being regularly stopped by the police when you were out driving perfectly legally, for them to check you hadn't tampered with your vehicle or fitted any non-standard parts. Imagine being told that you were forbidden to drive unless you were wearing a certain colour clothing. ... Imagine having the control of your vehicle taken out of your hands and trusted to a computer. Imagine being told that your 7 year old car, your pride and joy, was now forbidden from entering towns and cities. This is the reason you were held up for 20 minutes on sunday afternoon. Be under no misunderstanding, the bikers are the first in line for draconian EU interference. If we fall, it will be a domino effect. Support us now, Bikers are fighting so that you wont have to. If our own Government does nothing about it then we have to!! Oh, and by the way, I have to sit in queues of buses lorries cars vans breathing all their stinking exhaust fumes every day, why so upset at being held up once!!

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  Zillah

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• Thin edge of the wedge is this. Eurocrats have nothing else to do than to dream up ways to make member states toe the line. I find it curious though, how so many posters on this thread seem to think that's okay as long as they can express their pet peeves against motor cyclists. Before long expressing any opinion contrary to Euro policy could also become a chargeable offence. Watch it! You could be next.

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  kenneth jessett

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• OK, thanks for your reply, i can`t comment on Yarmouth seafront and won`t because i do not have any knowledge of this. Point 1 you state that "taking the idiot who decided overtaking a car when they were signalling and about to turn right the other night" i agree , stupid and dangerous, but you surely cannot suggest that this does not happen the other way round. There has been no research to suggest that the wearing of dayglo makes any difference, point being when a friend was taking his test he was nearly taken out at a junction whilst wearing hi-vis. Some look but don`t see. Yes i can say bikes are targeted by the side of the road for speeding. are you seriously trying to tell me that the Police spot a speeding bike and take no action, my motorcycle has a reg plate, which can be traced later if it doesn`t then it is an illegal vehicle, which probably isn`t taxed or insured and the user has no licence, you can`t blame the motorcycling public for the fact that somebody does that. Rider training improvement, what training did you have about motorcycles when you took your car test, the motorcycle test is the toughest in the EU. CBT Theory and practical. You may decline to comment but have you any points for speeding, i have had a clean licence for 30 odd years, i drive for a living, ride motorbikes, drive a car, if i speed i expect to be punished, hence i don`t do it.

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  Paul Russell

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I rode in the group that left from Barton Mills yesterday all very calm and very peacfull. . Along the ride at least 6 of us, including myself, were nearly wiped out by a Merc that pushed it's way through the group of riders.The passenger in the Merc was laughning i did'nt find a car 6" away from my foot funny at all. This is the sort of mentality that bikers have to deal with nearly every day, You may not like or understand bikers but we still have human rights, and we have the right to demonstrate against what we belive to be unfair to a minority of people by the EU....One example of how stupid this EU ruling will be is my Harley is over 7 years old and I live in an urban area so how do I get my bike out of my garage on to a "none urban "road without riding through an urban area which will be against the law ?

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  Sparrow

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I think we are missing a big point here - The bikers have the right to protest against the EU sticking there nose into the bikers hobbies and interest let alone another ruling another industry where jobs and livelyhoods are at stake - No other country should be telling us British people what to do - Did the bikers actually cause distruption no not really but they are proving they do count would love to have seen it myself bet it was really impressive. Should we not all be working together to ensure Brussel's stop imposing silly rules and law across our country and in our industries. Can you see the Italian's being told how to build and run their cars and bikes I don't think so. Does a noisy exhaust really cause that much concern? If it does you really need to get out more but watch the planes and trains they are noisy too!! There are bigger issues in this country and quite frankly the world.

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  Lisa Johnstone

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I'll qualify it by saying It's certainly not all bikers-rides, there is a significant minority especially young and some newly qualified that believe they are above the law and are gods gift when it comes to riding, taking the idiot who decided overtaking a car when they were signalling and about to turn right the other night, not wearing day-glo fluorescent strips was a sensible manoeuvre. Re. noise and driving, the crackdown on the seafront at Yarmouth over the last few years on car drivers...however day and night time in the city and suburbs you hear motorbikes with their exhaust systems demuffled, riders caning it through the city to the next set of lights etc etc...Yet no police action?! Can you say the police actively target speeding riders by the side of the road? Police rarely chase after riders as it's 'too dangerous', yet car driver mainly get the blues & twos after them. Some better driver & rider standard improvement is an initial starting point

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  NorthCity

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• NorthCity i guess that you have the facts and figures for this statement, i am fascinated by this, i await your evidence for this with some curiosity

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  Paul Russell

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• It's about time the police started enforcing the law against motorcyclists too, not just car drivers. I don't hear about many motorcycle riders gaining speeding fines for going 6 mph over the speed limit, having their machinery seized for creating noise pollution with their oversized exhaust systems or being arrested for dangerous riding, yet when it comes to car drivers........

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  NorthCity

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• Andre Smith, What has the price of beer got to do with this. Your analogy seems to have passed me by. I assume that you have read the proposals. I would like to see the Police arrest the muppets that pull out in front of me whilst not bothering to look properly, use their mobile phones for calling and texting while driving, but as we both know that isn`t going happen. The point here is that it is ( i agree) EU legislation, but it impacts on the law over here. Am i correct in assuming (if not i apologise ) that you own and drive a car, if so don`t you think that if there was a situation arising where you could only have main dealer parts, fitted by a main dealer, at main dealer prices and no you can`t have those tyres, you have to have these ones, even though you know they are inferior, but cost £10 more each. Will you will just sit and tut tut the EU ! I PERSONALLY HOPE NOT. I have also included below a link to the EU document in question should you require further information http:www.scribd.comdoc63665705Untitled

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  Paul Russell

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• Well done to all those that took part, it's so important to ensure that us people are made aware of what Brussels is planning for everyone and protests like this do bring it to our attention. I hope some of our MPs and councillors are going to wake up to the changes as a result.

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  john smith

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• @ Sue ... your protests were meant to stay in the slow lane. A wide load has to give plenty of notice and pulls over at every chance. The actions of the bikers had ZERO effect on the muppets in brussels just irritasted the locals ... Well done

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  andre smith

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• Directed to Andre Smith ...... everyone of those motorcycles had a right to ride on the road , they did nothing illegal. I am a biker but wasn't able to join in the event however I did join the carriageway easily and travel along with the bikers to my destination without a problem, yes maybe just a little slower than I normally would have done.. Would you winge about a large wide load travelling at a slow speed on the A47 and say they had no right to be there. You are obviously a car driver , how about we let Brussels bring in the same rules and regs for car drivers ..... would you be happy then ?

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  Sue Hope

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I would like to see the police arrest the muppets for obstructing the highway as they are clearly doing in the top picture. i dont agree with the government putting beer up but i dont smash beer bottles all over the road and block them do i? its stupid if you have an issue with EU rules clear off to brussels andd protest.

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  andre smith

  Monday, September 26, 2011

• I would like to see Illegal and noisy Exhaust Systems Banned

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  Albert Cooper

  Monday, September 26, 2011