If you live in Northamptonshire there is good news, as bus lanes will be opened to motorcycle and scooter riders later this year as part of a county-wide initiative to convert car drivers to 2-wheeler use in a bid to cut congestion and emissions, and to ease parking problems.
The initiative will also include lobbying for radio air time in the county to spread the word about the benefits of bikes and scooters, a Facebook and poster campaign to drive home the message, and free test rides at training schools. Those of us who ride in Northants are also to be encouraged to tell friends and family about the benefits and joys of riding two wheels, which they are probably used to!
The push to promote motorcycling in the region came at a second meeting of the Motorcycle Northants campaign held at the Park Inn hotel in Northampton on Wednesday, 31st January. Attending the meeting were members of the Motor Cycle Industry Association headed by new CEO Tony Campbell, Northamptonshire County Council and its Highways Agency, bike training school owners, and local dealers.
The meeting was chaired by Ian Cooper of Cooperb Motorcycles of Easton Maudit, Northamptonshire, who last year founded Northants Motorcycle Trade to rally dealers and distributors in the county to the cause. His son Jack is collating the Facebook side of the campaign. Cooper commissioned motorcycle artist Stephen Hill to design a poster series to promote the campaign that is particularly aimed at reducing single-occupant car use.
The steps being taken to foster motorcycling in Northamptonshire are being monitored by other counties. Let’s hope they follow the enlightened lead being set by the Motorcycle Northants project.
Thanks to British Dealer News for this info.