The following has been written up on the Association of British Drivers action forum:-

"Scrap the New Off-Road Vehicles Registration Bill

A new bill put forward by MP Graham Stringer is intended to tackle un-registered, nuisance 'mini-motorcycles' used without an MOT, road tax, insurance or licence. Unfortunately it has been misinterpreted and is now too wide ranging, so that every kind of motorcycle will have to comply with the Road Traffic Act (RTA). All motorcycles, from a racing bike to a museum exhibit, would have to be registered and carry a registration plate. This has serious implications for British motorcycle racing bikes, as they are not RTA compliant, and could also apply to four-wheel motor sport.

The bill was passed at second reading, and is now entering the committee stage. The ABD believes that there are already ample laws covering the illegal use of any kind of vehicle, they just need to be enforced. The bill is therefore fatally flawed and should be scrapped."
----------------------------------------------------------

Seek out my post of "Exorcising the 'Off-Road' Spirit" Nov 18 2006, it's in >Discussion.

Here's an effort to enlighten one MP, more is needed:-

Dear Mrs. Main,

I write in email as there are links to articles too long to print and send by post. I refer to The Off-Road Vehicles Registration Bill in the main.

http://tinyurl.com/22ty3j
The Telegraph 17th March 2007

The Off-Road Vehicles Registration Bill proposed by MP Graham Stringer (Labour, Manchester Blackley) is proceeding through Parliament with little opposition. The reason may be that little is known about it in the general publics eye, and on face value it may be seen as an acceptable proposition. Mini-moto's are playthings turned curse, and in some areas have been a plague which, as the fad it has been, has faded. The so called 'off-road' activities so belligerently treated by all and sundry in an attempt to control allegedly 'illegal' use thereof, is a mis-represented use of both description and power.

The title 'off-road' implies use off tarmac, but in truth accurately relates to activity engaged beyond the bounds of the public highway. The latter, it must be remembered, may be of an 'unsurfaced' nature, and it is here the misnomer of 'off-road' is used by many when describing the use of motor powered vehicles on unsurfaced roads. With the term 'illegal', often being used in conjunction with 'off-road' we have a situation that turns truth into fallacy when it encompasses all users of multi terrain vehicles being used on legitimate highways. This harvest of ignorance reaches all corners of society. The upshot is propositions that create Bills placed before Parliament which have far reaching effects upon those whose activities are both legitimate and well controlled such as motor sport activities both on surfaced and unsurfaced private grounds.

I can do no better than refer you to Frank Mellor's article in the Telegraph linked above, for a more comprehensive overview of the effects of this Bill which simply should not have got as far as it has, and ask you support the denouncing of this Bill which will have little or no effect on those already using vehicles illegally which current laws control, and which if goes through will effect the entire motor sport community, bringing much of it to a grinding halt in the form it is now in.

In another, not wholly unconnected vein, is trouble at' mill. (Though I suspect it's presence long known).

http://tinyurl.com/3avudd
The Times Online - Politics
Labours Old Boys - business for lobbyists.
Even the Manchester Evening News has picked up on some detail:
http://tinyurl.com/2cmu5t

Sincerely - Derek Reynolds 2002 Discovery Adventurer LE
1998 Freelander xedi
Ertl limited edition RRS model number 817

Signed Like this site? Buy some RRSPORT goodies to show your support!