Regulatory Advisory Group (RAG)

Through RAG (see current membership below) the VMCC continues to monitor legislative and other developments which might threaten the ability of riders to go on using and enjoying older machines, working together with other rider and heritage organisations to secure a safe and sustainable future for vintage and classic motorcycling.

The VMCC advocates that restoring, riding and maintaining vintage and classic motorcycles:

  • provides a worthwhile hobby and enjoyment for tens of thousands of people;
  • facilitates a thriving local social scene that promotes self-help and the development and maintenance of numerous practical skills;
  • helps preserve an important element in Britain’s engineering heritage and supports the handing on of knowledge and enthusiasm to subsequent generations;
  • supports a conservation industry worth millions of pounds to the economy;
  • provides a source of interest and fascination for the wider public, through participation in events, helping to support museums and tourism as part of Britain’s rich heritage industry;
  • has a good safety record (particularly when compared with other classes of vehicle);
  • has a tiny environmental impact, particularly given the limited overall mileage ridden and when compared with the far greater contribution to emissions made by other classes of vehicle; and
  • is ‘green’ by definition, in the preservation and recycling of machines and materials.
RAG continues to scan the horizon for any policy developments that could possibly concern our members: recent priorities include: levy charging of ‘classic' motorcycles for access to Low Emission Zones; licensing issues; access to unsurfaced roads; and fuel issues. Another new issue being explored is preventing mud being left on roads by agricultural vehicles. Over the last nine months the Group have been focused on how Club members can continue to function safely within Government COVID 19 guidelines and they are keeping this challenge under review as official rules and advice change. This includes thinking about how Sections might work within the regulations to enable the resumption of more major events like long distance trials and riding challenges so that riders either individually, or in small groups, can create their own routes between given locations and in effect participate safely in an ‘event’. News of such COVID safe innovations by Sections would be much appreciated for the benefit of all.


The COMORG ‘Riding Covid Safe’ guidelines (https://www.mag-uk.org/covid-19-motorcycle-riding-... ), adopted jointly with other motorcycling groups such as MAG, the BMF, ACU, IAMRoadsmart, TOMCC and the TRF, and which the VMCC helped to initiate, are an example of sensible collaborative work which has now gained police endorsement and is likely to lead to greater cooperation in future between all major motorcycling organisations.

More volunteers to help with RAG's work are always welcome.
RAG members' areas of expertise:

  • Roger Bibbings MBE (Convenor) - Safety and risk management, regulation, lobbying
  • Graham Leake- Debris and highways issues
  • Bernard Kuropka - Engineering
  • Jacqueline Bickerstaff - Legislation Committee FBHVC
  • Dennis Beale - Flat tankers, DVLA, C&U issues, licensing, testing
  • David Giles - Mino Roads & Unsurfaced Byways
  • Peter Henshaw (Records/documents keeper) - Motorcycling journalism and deep marque knowledge

Contact: RAG@vmcc.net

LARA

The next LARA Steering Committee Meeting will be held, via Zoom, at 11:00 on Tuesday 10 September.

Here is a copy of the draft agenda.

It would be particularly helpful if delegates could come to the meeting with a view about the questions set out in the LARA structure & funding paper (agenda item 5). In case it helps, here in the form of an editable questionnaire is a list of the questions posed by the paper.

If you have any suggestions for additional agenda items, could you please submit them, along with any related papers, no later than Friday 23 August, by replying to this email.

The finalised agenda, including joining details will be circulated no later than two weeks before the date of the meeting, i.e. 27 August

Members may wish to see the latest press release from the National Motorcyclists Council.

Election Manifestos: ‘Cut Through’ on Potholes, but More Commitment to Motorcycling Needed

Please follow this link to see the minutes of the LARA Steering Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 10 September.

In the context of minute 3.3 (proposed car cruise PSPO in South Gloucestershire) you might be interested to see this news item on the BBC website.

Notes on meetings


Bonhams


Contact Us

Opening Hours:

VMCC Allen House

The Vintage Motor Cycle Club

Allen House
Wetmore Road
Burton Upon Trent
Staffordshire DE14 1TR, UK


Phone: +44 (0)1283 495100

Membership +44 (0) 1283 495100

Shop Phone: +44 (0)1283 495101

Library Phone: +44 (0)1283 495111

VMCC Motorcycle Insurance: +44(0)121 274 5355

Email: general@vmcc.net

Monday - 9:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday - 9:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday - 11:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday - 9:00am - 5:00pm

Friday - 9:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday & Sunday - CLOSED
Membership: membership@vmcc.net

Library: Maddie Matei library@vmcc.net

DVLA: Peter Bennett dvlaliaison@vmcc.net

Editor/Small Ads/Advertising: Peter Henshaw editor@vmcc.net

Accounts/Direct Debits: Beverley Rushworth accounts@vmcc.net

Retail/Transfers: Terry Wood shop@vmcc.net

Marketing: marketing@vmcc.net