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The Motor Cycle Industry (MCI) has welcomed the withdrawal of the Off Road (Vehicles) Registration Bill. This was a Private Members Bill, proposed by Graham Stringer MP, which although designed to tackle illegal and nuisance motorcycling in public places, would have forced all off road vehicles, including track racing bikes, karts and several types of agricultural vehicle to be registered and carry a number plate.

The Bill was vigorously opposed by the MCI and a coalition of organisations, including the Auto Cycle Union, the Motorcycle Action Group and the National Farmers Union. These organisations feel that existing powers are enough to tackle illegal and nuisance motorcycle use and that the Bill would have had unintended impacts that could have seriously damaged a large number of legitimate off road vehicle activities.

Both the Government and Opposition shared this view and have vigorously opposed the Bill as it passed through its Parliamentary stages. A Parliamentary Standing Committee was due to consider 30 amendments to the Bill from both Government and Opposition, with many others due to be tabled in further Committee sessions.

An extended number of Standing Committee hearings would have been followed by Report and Third Reading stages in the Commons, where Government and Opposition were expected to attempt to 'Talk Out' the Bill. The House of Lords would have also been required to have considered the Bill, where further amendments were contemplated.

Given the level of public and Parliamentary opposition and no guarantee of success, Graham Stringer has decided not to continue with his Bill and has instead accepted an offer to look at a different approach to the problem of illegal motorcycling, which has been made by new Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

This offer involves the establishment of an Interdepartmental Task Force which will include the DfT, Home Office, Business Enterprise Department, DEFRA and the DCMS to consider the current and future options available for tackling illegal motorcycling. These include:

Enforcement What diversionary schemes can be put in place The mechanisms for these schemes The role of sporting facilities and Arrangements relating to the effective enforcement of current laws, including those relating to construction standards

Further legislation may, if there is any at all, only be contemplated against a backdrop of creating a more effective strategy for tackling illegal and anti social behaviour.

The MCI’s Craig Carey-Clinch said, “We are delighted with today’s outcome. However, although the MCI has worked to successfully defeat the Bill, it must be remembered that Mr Stringer's Bill was motivated by rising public concern about illegal off road motorcycling – concern which the industry shares. The Bill may not have been the appropriate mechanism for dealing with the issue, but the issue still remains and MPs quite rightly expect action to be taken to reduce the problem.

“Therefore MCI welcomes the announcement of the Task Force and looks forward to assisting its work in creating a proper framework for tackling illegal off road motorcycling on private land and in public places.”

MAG’s David Short said: "MAG very much welcomes Mr Stringer's move to withdraw the Bill. This shows commons sense has prevailed and demonstrates the importance of an effective motorcycle riders lobby which in the case of this Bill has secured a reasoned response to legislation which could have had far reaching effects on motorcycling."

The ACU’s Dave Luscombe added: “The ACU is proud to have been part of the effective lobby that has prevented this Bills passage through to becoming law. The coalition of Organisations who have rallied under the banner of common sense to fight the Bill have demonstrated what we can achieve if we create a focussed and intelligent political lobby.

“Whilst we may have been successful against this Bill, the work is far from over and we can expect motorcycle sport in general to come under increased scrutiny in the future. In the wake of growing public concern about illegal riding, made more high profile by this Bill, it is vital that the focussed and unified coalition which has proved so influential and powerful remains intact for the work to come.”