MEP backs motorcyclists

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Apr 2002

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands region and a motorbike owner herself, today gave her support to motorcycling groups across Europe in their efforts to not be overlooked when transport policy is formed.

Speaking in Brussels today, Liz said "More than 20 million people in Europe choose motorcycles as a regular means of getting about, and these vehicles have a key role to play in urban areas. It is important that we take motorcyclists' views into account when formulating transport policy."

Liz's comments follow revelations from the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations that they were not offered any input into the drafting of the European Commission's "White Paper on European Transport Policy for 2010".

The White Paper aims at recommending to national and local authorities, for the next 8 years, good practices to tackle problems with urban congestion and road safety.

Liz Lynne added "It is crucial that motorcyclists are properly considered in the document so that they are not overlooked when measures to improve the weaknesses of today's transport systems are implemented."