Jake
May 20th, 2004, 07:02 AM
BMF members will know that the BMF has expressed a real concern that reckless riding by a significant if small minority of riders does irreparable damage to motorcycling. Over the past two years it has warned of the consequences and raised these concerns both with the industry and with the motorcycle press with some success, but not obviously not sufficiently to reach those riders who will always ignore such advice.
Now a high profile campaign has been launched by a Yorkshire group called BAND (Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger), a group of residents and concerned individuals including actor Brian Blessed and Lord (Brian) Rix, cricketers Geoffrey Boycott and Fred Trueman, political figures William Hague and Bernard Ingham, TV personality Alan Titchmarsh, journalist Janet Street-Porter, actress Zoë Wanamaker and numerous MP’s and Lords.
Their campaign has featured in ‘The Independent’ and on the Radio 2 Jeremy Vine programme today 7th May.
Quotes from BAND are lurid e.g. “… anyone who knows the area cannot fail to be horrified by the sheer noise and frightening carnage inflicted on its roads every summer by the madness of literally hundreds of speeding bikers.”
“This is the route known as the ‘Yorkshire TT’. It is the route where speed records are set, to be recorded and boasted about on biker web-sites. And these are the same biker web sites that reassure their readers about the minimal police presence on the road. We want a 50 mph limit set, and we want it enforced.”
While the BMF in no way supports talk of bans and unnecessary speed limits, it does not deny that there is a problem and that there is a case to answer both in North Yorkshire and elsewhere. The BMF’s role is to ‘promote and protect the interests of road riders’, not those who don’t care for themselves, the law of the land or other road-users and therefore the BMF supports North Yorkshire’s Police response e.g.:
From North York’s Police statement 28th April:
"We share BAND's view of the minority who tarnish the image of the majority by anti-social behaviour such as stunt riding or using illegally noisy race exhausts. These activities belong on the race track not on public roads, and we act firmly against those whose activities impinge on the quality of life of other people.
"The force's Bike Safe education strategy will continue, but the policing emphasis has shifted towards enforcement. Our view is that there is space enough for road users, residents and visitors to enjoy the beauties of North Yorkshire together, and there is no reason why we should tolerate the small, selfish minority who spoil the county for others, as well as risking their own lives for nothing better than a brief burst of speed."
The full text of the BAND press release, signatories’ letter and the Police response is copied below.
PRESS RELEASE Issued on behalf of BAND 28th April 2004
FAMOUS NAMES CALL FOR ACTION OVER NATIONAL PARK THREAT
The menace to one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks from speeding bikers and heavy goods vehicles is highlighted today in a public call for action by a group of high profile individuals drawn from sport, churches, theatre, literature, film and television, sport, politics and society.
The area under threat is the North York Moors National Park, and many of the celebrities and public figures calling for action have Yorkshire roots or strong emotional links to the region. Today the group has issued an open letter to editors, supporting the demands of local pressure group BAND (Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger) for urgent action by police and Highway authorities to counter the dangers and environmental damage posed by speeding bikers and heavy commercial vehicles on the main road through the National Park.
Among the signatories are actors Patrick Stewart, Brian Blessed and Lord (Brian) Rix, cricketers Geoffrey Boycott and Fred Trueman, political figures William Hague and Bernard Ingham, TV personality Alan Titchmarsh, writer Dame Antonia (A.S.) Byatt and local public figures Lord Feversham as well as the acting Dean of York Minster, Reverend Canon Glyn Webster, the recently retired Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle and the Rt Reverend Ambrose Griffiths.
Their complaints concentrate on a 15-mile stretch of the B1257 between Helmsley, about an hour (at the speed limit), north of York, and Stokesley near Middlesbrough. BAND's five principal demands are: S To reduce the speed limit to a maximum of 50 mph on all roads within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park
· To seek a significant enhancement of traffic police presence and road safety enforcement on the B1257
· To seek the introduction of speed cameras on the B1257
· To seek police action against illegal noise pollution by motorbikes within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park
· To reduce the volume of heavy commercial vehicles transiting the Park
Chairman of BAND, Ken Braithwaite said:
“We are delighted that this campaign has attracted such powerful and wide ranging support. It reflects the fact that this Park is one of Britain’s most precious natural treasures. But anyone who knows the area cannot fail to be horrified by the sheer noise and frightening carnage inflicted on its roads every summer by the madness of literally hundreds of speeding bikers.”
Mr Braithwaite said that the road menace in the Park had real economic costs, with tourists to the area often left shaken and frightened by their experience. Farmers, too, who have to drive livestock along these routes also fear for their own safety, and the safety of their animals, he said.
With regard to HGVs, he said that BAND had been in touch with a number of fleet operators seeking a reduction in unnecessary transiting of the Park, and this had received a positive response. “In this case, we are seeking persuasion rather than enforcement. But the lethal fools who use these roads as a racetrack are beyond simple persuasion.”
He added that the Campaign recognised that a blanket 50 mph speed restriction across the Park was not an immediate likelihood, though it was a long-term goal. More immediately, BAND is pressing for specific speed restrictions on the B1257, where it crosses the Park. “This is the route known as the ‘Yorkshire TT’. It is the route where speed records are set, to be recorded and boasted about on biker web-sites. And these are the same biker web sites that reassure their readers about the minimal police presence on the road. We want a 50 mph limit set, and we want it enforced.”
Now a high profile campaign has been launched by a Yorkshire group called BAND (Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger), a group of residents and concerned individuals including actor Brian Blessed and Lord (Brian) Rix, cricketers Geoffrey Boycott and Fred Trueman, political figures William Hague and Bernard Ingham, TV personality Alan Titchmarsh, journalist Janet Street-Porter, actress Zoë Wanamaker and numerous MP’s and Lords.
Their campaign has featured in ‘The Independent’ and on the Radio 2 Jeremy Vine programme today 7th May.
Quotes from BAND are lurid e.g. “… anyone who knows the area cannot fail to be horrified by the sheer noise and frightening carnage inflicted on its roads every summer by the madness of literally hundreds of speeding bikers.”
“This is the route known as the ‘Yorkshire TT’. It is the route where speed records are set, to be recorded and boasted about on biker web-sites. And these are the same biker web sites that reassure their readers about the minimal police presence on the road. We want a 50 mph limit set, and we want it enforced.”
While the BMF in no way supports talk of bans and unnecessary speed limits, it does not deny that there is a problem and that there is a case to answer both in North Yorkshire and elsewhere. The BMF’s role is to ‘promote and protect the interests of road riders’, not those who don’t care for themselves, the law of the land or other road-users and therefore the BMF supports North Yorkshire’s Police response e.g.:
From North York’s Police statement 28th April:
"We share BAND's view of the minority who tarnish the image of the majority by anti-social behaviour such as stunt riding or using illegally noisy race exhausts. These activities belong on the race track not on public roads, and we act firmly against those whose activities impinge on the quality of life of other people.
"The force's Bike Safe education strategy will continue, but the policing emphasis has shifted towards enforcement. Our view is that there is space enough for road users, residents and visitors to enjoy the beauties of North Yorkshire together, and there is no reason why we should tolerate the small, selfish minority who spoil the county for others, as well as risking their own lives for nothing better than a brief burst of speed."
The full text of the BAND press release, signatories’ letter and the Police response is copied below.
PRESS RELEASE Issued on behalf of BAND 28th April 2004
FAMOUS NAMES CALL FOR ACTION OVER NATIONAL PARK THREAT
The menace to one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks from speeding bikers and heavy goods vehicles is highlighted today in a public call for action by a group of high profile individuals drawn from sport, churches, theatre, literature, film and television, sport, politics and society.
The area under threat is the North York Moors National Park, and many of the celebrities and public figures calling for action have Yorkshire roots or strong emotional links to the region. Today the group has issued an open letter to editors, supporting the demands of local pressure group BAND (Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger) for urgent action by police and Highway authorities to counter the dangers and environmental damage posed by speeding bikers and heavy commercial vehicles on the main road through the National Park.
Among the signatories are actors Patrick Stewart, Brian Blessed and Lord (Brian) Rix, cricketers Geoffrey Boycott and Fred Trueman, political figures William Hague and Bernard Ingham, TV personality Alan Titchmarsh, writer Dame Antonia (A.S.) Byatt and local public figures Lord Feversham as well as the acting Dean of York Minster, Reverend Canon Glyn Webster, the recently retired Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle and the Rt Reverend Ambrose Griffiths.
Their complaints concentrate on a 15-mile stretch of the B1257 between Helmsley, about an hour (at the speed limit), north of York, and Stokesley near Middlesbrough. BAND's five principal demands are: S To reduce the speed limit to a maximum of 50 mph on all roads within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park
· To seek a significant enhancement of traffic police presence and road safety enforcement on the B1257
· To seek the introduction of speed cameras on the B1257
· To seek police action against illegal noise pollution by motorbikes within the North Yorkshire Moors National Park
· To reduce the volume of heavy commercial vehicles transiting the Park
Chairman of BAND, Ken Braithwaite said:
“We are delighted that this campaign has attracted such powerful and wide ranging support. It reflects the fact that this Park is one of Britain’s most precious natural treasures. But anyone who knows the area cannot fail to be horrified by the sheer noise and frightening carnage inflicted on its roads every summer by the madness of literally hundreds of speeding bikers.”
Mr Braithwaite said that the road menace in the Park had real economic costs, with tourists to the area often left shaken and frightened by their experience. Farmers, too, who have to drive livestock along these routes also fear for their own safety, and the safety of their animals, he said.
With regard to HGVs, he said that BAND had been in touch with a number of fleet operators seeking a reduction in unnecessary transiting of the Park, and this had received a positive response. “In this case, we are seeking persuasion rather than enforcement. But the lethal fools who use these roads as a racetrack are beyond simple persuasion.”
He added that the Campaign recognised that a blanket 50 mph speed restriction across the Park was not an immediate likelihood, though it was a long-term goal. More immediately, BAND is pressing for specific speed restrictions on the B1257, where it crosses the Park. “This is the route known as the ‘Yorkshire TT’. It is the route where speed records are set, to be recorded and boasted about on biker web-sites. And these are the same biker web sites that reassure their readers about the minimal police presence on the road. We want a 50 mph limit set, and we want it enforced.”