The Weekly Gripe

Bikers forum, helmet law, tax and insurance
Motorcycles and the law

Bikers and the law

Why are motorcyclists treated so differently from cyclists when theoretically you can strap a motor on to an ordinary cycle and yet the same laws don't apply. You don't need insurance, MOT and road tax, yet it is still a motorcycle?



I have held a motorcycle licence for over twelve years and I’m just curious to understand something that doesn’t really make sense to me.  It’s regarding the law on vehicle tax, insurance and crash helmets.

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Posted Comment Visitor
02-5-2008There are significant differences, if you limit the power on your bike to 200W you might get on a cycle way =) I did use the argument once tho, filtered to the front of a queue and sat in the orange box, police bike pulled up and told me it was for bicycles only, I told him that's what my tax di...moreMotorolly
02-5-2008It is an offence not to have it properly secured. However writting you up for not having a helmet when you had one is also wrong! My guess is it makes the ticket invalid on a technicality. Good luck and don't forget next time!Motorolly
02-5-2008Is it an offence to wear a helmet without the chin strap being secured? The on the spot fine £30 was issued to me last week. On the ticket given to me it said "NO HELMET" I am left confused very confused.Doctor
20-3-2008I think you're being a bit of a dick ! riding a bicycle, or electric assisted bike is a little different to a proper motorbike. I cant even be bothered to go into what the differences are and the difference in power/injury factor etc, cos if you dont know , you shouldnt be riding a bike at all ...morejason
15-3-2008Just thought of another point, aren't Sikh's or whoever wears turbans, allowed to ride motorcycles whilst wearing there own headgear? If so could I wear a turban instead of a helmet? How on earth is a turban supposed to protect you from head injuries? Or is someone up above watching over the...moreJohny B Mod
15-3-2008I think it is wrong that the government / law should dictate to us about everything we do or try to do. Some things are a matter of sence or safety to others, but the Crash Helmet law is wrong. Do we live in a democracy or is it a dictatorship? I was riding scooters in the 60's without a skid l...moreJohn B Mod
14-3-2008What a con road tax up again my suzuki 1400 cc it pulls no weight along and is as clean running as any new small car SO WHY TAX US UP AGAIN ,if they are trying to get more of use to use motorcycles the road duty should be coming down not on the tread mill and on the way up ,the goverment are just a ...moreDicky Boy
05-3-2008Ive just spent £34 on a new IrIdIum visor and have been told by various people that I cant ware It on public roads Is thIs true?SUZUKI JIM
23-2-2008ok got one for you lot, the law says you must wear a helmet, however it's not as clear as it looks. heres what it says: By law you must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets SOLD in the UK must either: comply with British Standard Bs 6658:1985 and carry the...morebobbyboy75
23-2-2008ok got one for you lot, the law says you must wear a helmet, however it's not as clear as it looks. heres what it says: By law you must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets SOLD in the UK must either: comply with British Standard Bs 6658:1985 and carry the...morebobbyboy75
23-2-2008ok got one for you lot, the law says you must wear a helmet, however it's not as clear as it looks. heres what it says: By law you must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets SOLD in the UK must either: comply with British Standard Bs 6658:1985 and carry the...morebobbyboy75
23-2-2008ok got one for you lot, the law says you must wear a helmet, however it's not as clear as it looks. heres what it says: By law you must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets SOLD in the UK must either: comply with British Standard Bs 6658:1985 and carry the...morebobbyboy75



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