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		New EU threat to local bikers Friday, 23rd June 2006 Motorcyclists in the East Midlands are threatened by new EU rules currently being considered in Brussels, one of the region’s MEPs heard today. The new licensing rules for motorcyclists are supposed to cut EU road fatalities in half by the year 2010. However according to FEMA, the European Motorcyclists' Federation, the rules proposed in an EU Directive will do nothing to improve the safety for existing motorcyclists or those new riders who will have to face a licence regime of hoops and hurdles to gain a full licence under the proposed legislation. They argue that emphasis needs to be targeted on more road awareness training and testing for car drivers to look and see motorcycles, not draconian legislation that simply targets motorcycling testing while defying reasonable logic for improved real world training. At a time when environmental concerns favour a move away from cars, they say it is insanity to be discouraging a more sustainable transport option that offers savings in congestion and emissions. Local MEP Roger Helmer was briefed on these issues by FEMA, UK rider’s representatives from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) and British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) at the 10th Anniversary MEP Ride at the prestigious Autoworld Museum in the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels on June 19th. The event also raised awareness regarding the needs of riders in areas related to mobility, safety, and road infrastructure and provided a "hands on" experience of motorcycling for MEPs. Of special interest was a display by qualified instructors of the Motorcycle Council Belgium who perform the new driving licence practical test manoeuvres contained in the Second Driving Licence Directive giving MEPs the opportunity to see how legislation that is decided in Europe is finally implemented in their own countries. Promising to stand up for bikers and oppose these new EU proposals, Mr Helmer said "This is typical of the EU's regulatory approach - heavy-handed, ill-considered, over-the-top proposals which will do more harm than good. I will be working with Conservative colleagues in the parliament to stop these proposals entirely, or failing that to limit the damage".