§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor cycle accidents there have been in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyToo many. The trend is downwards.
The table attached shows the number of motor cycles involved in accidents in Great Britain between 1977 and 1987. The total number of motor cycle accidents is lower, since some accidents involve more than one motor cycle.
161W
Motor cylce involved in accidents: Great Britain: 1977–1987 Year All Severities 1977 73,676 1978 71,382 1979 69,173 1980 73,054 1981 70,949
Year All Severities 1982 73,033 1983 65,962 1984 65,340 1985 57,822 1986 53,562 1987 47,024 Motor cycles include all two-wheeled motor vehicles.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is considering restricting the power of motor cycles bought for road use in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere are existing and proposed limitations on the size of motor cycles that some riders may use. Motor cycle importers follow a voluntary maximum limit of 125 bhp for motor cycles brought into this country for use on the road.
The 1981 Transport Act restricted learner riders to machines of 125cc. Research indicates that this has reduced learner rider casualties by one quarter. The move up from a 125cc motor cycle to a large high performance machine can be too big a step for newly qualified riders. I therefore announced in February that we propose to introduce a new licence category for motor cycles in excess of 400cc. Progress to these larger machines will be linked to two years riding experience on a full licence. This will bring us into line with the relevant European proposals for harmonisation of driving licences. We have no plans to restrict the power of motor cycles sold in this country.