From here you can access the Consultations that we were involved in.
For European Issues – consultations – campaigns – Click Here
We also monitored motorcycle issues and were involved at Government Departmental level and lobbying in the background, setting the ground work, for the future.
Responses should be received no later than Wednesday, 19th August 2015
We have received a DOE (Department Of The Environment) – Road Safety and Vehicle Regulation Division consultation for a – Proposal for the Mandatory Wearing of Helmets on Motor Tricycles – in Northern Ireland.
This would mean that the wearing of helmets for riders of, and passengers on, motor tricycles used on public roads in Northern Ireland would be a mandatory requirement.
Responses should be received no later than Wednesday, 19 August 2015
Although the Environment Committee’s public call for evidence closed on 21st August 2014 the bill is still going through parliamentary procedures at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Right To Ride has submitted written evidence to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Committee for the Environment regarding the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill. As proposed we would see a major change in road traffic legislation.
Basically this would see the introduction of a lower blood alcohol limit for drivers, with a more stringent limit for new drivers and professional drivers.
It also proposes changes for learner drivers through its reform of driver training and testing, a Graduated Learner Driving Scheme as well as restrictions on new drivers.
And a requirement for quad bike users to wear helmets while on a public road.
The response by Right To Ride to the Road Traffic (Amendment Bill) concerns itself mainly with the effect that the bill, if introduced in its present form, would have directly on motorcyclists and where we consider necessary, the impact to motorcyclists in relation to other vehicles or their drivers.
CLOSED: Consultation Closed on 29th December 2014
It would appear that there is no money left in the coffers of the DOE (Department of the Environment) for Road Safety or any money in fact for anything in Northern Ireland from Policing to Bus Services to Health because of the (without getting too involved), political impasse at Stormont!
The DOE has launched a “Department of the Environment Consultation on 2015-16 Draft Budget Proposals” which details the effects that are predicted on the money available for road safety and other drastic cuts to other service provisions that are the responsibility of the DOE.
So what are the “predictions” in the draft budget as regards Road Safety?
CLOSED: This discussion is now closed.
The DfT – Department for Transport in GB are asking people to discuss and make suggestions about changes to road-worthiness testing for classic vehicles.
While this is not strictly a run of the mill consultation there is no doubt that the outcome of this will have an effect on periodic testing – MoT – for these vehicles including motorcycles in Northern Ireland.
The proposed changes come via minimum requirements for periodic road-worthiness set out in a European Directive 2014/45/EU.
While previous changes in GB have followed suit in Northern Ireland and even with our own consultations by our own Government Departments by then it may be a little too late.
So at Right To Ride if this issue is something that you feel the need to submit a response to the DfT via a comments box and a short survey on a DfT website.
The DfT are now considering what you have told them and they will be using it as the basis for a formal consultation on possible changes to the law. They expect to launch the formal consultation on the GOV.UK website in 2015.
CLOSED – The consultation period began on 4th June 2014 – ended on 29th July 2014
A public consultation on proposals to reduce the number of uninsured motorists.
The proposal on Continuous Insurance Enforcement scheme, which was introduced into GB a few years back, would make it an offence to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured. The consultation also includes removal of (i) the vehicle insurance check when taxing a vehicle and (ii) the need to return motor insurance certificates if a policy is cancelled mid term.
At Right To Ride we decided not to respond. The reason behind this was that we regard the proposal for the introduction of the scheme more a fait accompli than an actual proposal.
Closing date for responses was 29th July 2014
CLOSED – Responses by 4th February 2014 – write to your MP with any concerns at any time!
A couple of weeks ago we published an article No More “Tax” Disc?, about the government’s plans, which at the moment is draft legislation regarding the withdrawal of the “Tax Disc” that we currently have to display on vehicles.
While this may seem to be delving into conspiracy theory, actually it refers more to a much boarder debate about the ownership of personal data, specifically in relation to your vehicle and how this data can be used either by government or even by the private sector to monitor your habits and movements.
If you don’t cash in any refund due you will lose it and you will lose as is the case now, so the government is giving you the responsibility to act.
CLOSED – An ongoing issue as the Minister and Unions Tackle the issue!
With less than a week in his new “job” the new Minister for the Department of the Environment (DOE) Mark Durkin is continuing his predecessor, Alex Atwood’s defence to keep the delivery of vehicle and registration services here in Northern Ireland.
The Department for Transport (DfT) in London has announced a consultation which will look at centralising the delivery of vehicle and registration services at the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea.
The consultation on moving DVA services finished on the 11th September 2013 – however you can read ongoing reporting around the issue in the comments on the issue!
CLOSED – Updated 5th January 2014 – DfT postpone E10 Introduction Until 2016! – See comments in article – DfT Consultation – Closed 27th September 2013
Since we originally reported on this campaign by the Yorkshire Region of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK), we have had some background conversations to clarify some of the finer details.
In addition to this the campaign is lobbying that all fuel pumps should be clearly labelled with the bio-ethanol content of the fuel, giving the consumer a clear and informed choice.
Specific guidance and recommendations should also be made widely available, as the majority of owners are unaware of these potential issues with their older vehicles.
Closing date for responses was 27th September 2013
CLOSED – The Road Race Bill was passed in the Assembly on 10th December 2013
On Wednesday 10th July 2013 Roads Minister Danny Kennedy launched a public consultation on proposals to amend Road Racing legislation in Northern Ireland.
While the Department for Regional Development has no responsibility for sporting policy or funding, it does facilitates road racing events by making road closing orders.
Following the cancellation due to severe weather conditions of this year’s Saturday Programme at the ‘International North West 200’ motor cycling race event, the second cancellation in three consecutive years, the Minister pledged to explore measures that would provide all road race event organisers with greater flexibility around road closures.
Closing date for responses was 7th October 2013.
CLOSED
The DOE (Department of the Environment) has issued a consultation paper which is seeking views on proposals to introduce mutual recognition of penalty points between Northern Ireland and Ireland for the offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving.
Currently, vehicle drivers including motorcyclists from Northern Ireland detected committing a motoring offence while driving in Ireland escape the consequences of this when they return home, as it is not possible under existing legislation to endorse their driving licence with any resulting penalty points.
Closing date for responses was Tuesday 14th May 2013.
CLOSED
At Right To Ride we can report that we attended on Tuesday 6th December, the first meeting of a stakeholder’s group which will not only advise members of the group of the implementation aspects of the Directive prior to 19th January 2013, but will be a two way communication on the issues.
This directive voted on and passed in the European Parliament in 2006 must enter into force as of 19th January 2013. We welcome your views, questions and queries, you can also leave your comments and read about the ongoing stakeholders group meetings and issues.
Consultation Closed
CLOSED
P
ublic Consultation on proposed changes to driver licensing fees announced. The Department of the Environment has announced the launch of public consultation on proposed changes to driver licensing fees in Northern Ireland.
The public consultation will run from 14 May 2012.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Assembly approval, the new fees will become effective in October 2012.
Consultation Closed
CLOSED
Right To Ride welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department’s consultation on the, “Proposed Changes to the Learner and Restricted Driver Schemes and on Graduated Driver Licensing.”
Learner divers should be instructed and taught how to interact not only with the road but with other road users, in our specific case motorcycles (Motorcycles – Scooters – Mopeds), which then asks the question of what is actually being taught to Learner drivers?
Consultation Closed
CLOSED
The Road Safety Strategy to 2020 – Vision: Driving Road Safety Forward was publish on 15th March 2011.
Read the document, comment on the aims to improve not only motorcycle safety but safety for all road users. We generally agreed with the positive spirit of the consultation paper, but we had concerns about some of the action measures.
Consultation Closed
Click Here
CLOSED
Prompted by two motorcycle fatalities in the Moyle area in April, one on the A2 “Coast Road” Right to Ride was invited to attend meetings with the Moyle District Policing Partnership (DPP).
The outcome of this consultation was the setting up of the Motorcycle Initiative Ride It Right.
Consultation Closed
CLOSED
Right To Ride has replied to a consultation on Daytime Running Lights (DRL) from Ireland’s Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The consultation sought the views and advice of interested parties on introducing DRL measures earlier than an EC (European Commission) Directive. The directive aimed to make dedicated DRL mandatory for all new cars and light vans from 2011.
Consultation Closed
CLOSED
Right To Ride has submitted a response to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) consultation which seeks to obtain the input and views of a broad range of stake holders on the enhancement of motorcycle safety on Irish roads through the development of a fully integrated Motorcycle Safety Action Plan.
Consultation Closed
