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BMF
PUTTING PILLION PASSENGERS IN PERSPECTIVE
Recent calls by some campaigners to ban the carrying of child pillion passengers on motorcycles are an overreaction to a very sad event says the 140,000 strong British Motorcyclists Federation.
The calls were made following the recent tragic death of an eight year old while riding as a pillion passenger, but this is not a reason to ban what in effect would be all passengers under the age of 16 from motorcycles say the BMF.
“The introduction of any new legislation that would introduce a minimum age for pillion passengers is completely unnecessary” said BMF Government Relations Executive Richard Olliffe, adding: ”We have received a mass of correspondence on this issue, the majority of which supports our view that the current regulations for the carriage of passengers are sufficient to ensure safety.”
As if to prove the point, the most recent government statistics show that in 2002, there were no child pillion passengers killed, while conversely, in the same period, 79 child pedestrians, 69 child car passengers and 22 child cyclists were killed on our roads. Further to this, only 39 cases of ‘unlawful pillion riding’ were recorded in the same period.
The BMF are therefore concerned that over-regulation on this issue will unnecessarily deny parents and their children access to what is often a regular means of transport, either for leisure or for everyday activities.
Common sense and parental responsibility plays a significant role where children and transport are concerned say the BMF. Looking further afield, the BMF points out that there is no minimum age for children to ride bicycles or indeed cross the road, which are statistically far more dangerous activities than being a pillion passenger.
Carried properly with their feet firmly resting on the passenger footrests and wearing a helmet, being a pillion passenger brings enjoyment to thousands of youngsters and has done so for years.
The BMF’s view is that figures confirm that despite this tragedy, the vast majority of journeys involving the carriage of pillion passengers on motorcycles are not only completed safely and legally, but that motorcyclists are behaving responsibly too.
Click here to go to www.bmf.co.uk
t: +44 (0)121 709 1040
f: +44 (0)121 705 8784
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