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 France: Bikers: 1 Government: 0

5
March
2009
  Author: Mike Werner
  Location: Normandy, France
Via: FFMC

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Remember the mass protest warning I gave you last month {link}? The French Angry Biker Association (FFMC Open link in a new window) was calling for an all-out motorcycle protest ride on 21 & 22 March, protesting against the French government's proposed on-the-spot technical inspections of motorcycles, towing to a (car) garage, and then further inspection by non-motorcycle trained mechanics.

The under-Minister of Transport, Mrs Michele Merli, received the representatives of the FFMC and several other organizations, including insurance companies, to discuss the new proposed law.

In the end, she agreed that it was not a good thing, and has stated she'll withdraw the application of the law for motorcycles. She, to her credit, even went further. From now on, any new law concerning motorcycles, will involve the social partners like the motorcycle associations, insurance companies and lobby groups. None of them had been consulted for the proposed law. That has now changed, and they will be involved.

To even further make things sweet, several working/study groups have been constituted to deal with a variety of new and old laws. Motorcycles in bus lanes, the 100 HP cap on French registered motorcycles, lane splitting, etc. Everything is up in the air.

All these issues will be studied, and recommendations made to the Ministry.

Isn't life great, when politicians start listening to the voters public?

On another note, the FFMC have not yet called off the motorcycle protest ride. They may plan to keep the ride, but now as a victory parade.

Opinion: First of all, it's great that the government is going to listen to us bikers, but they should have done that in the first place. Secondly, the FFMC should call off the protest/victory ride. Car owners support our cause when it's right, but will hate us if we stop all traffic just because we've won. Be noble & decent, thank the government and call off the protest. Do not antagonize our supports.


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