Comments on: With 40,000 bikers blocking the roads, the French authorities are now starting to back off

By: rob

rob — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:39:42 +0000

100% behind the french bikers on this. mcn in the uk had some success with draconic policing in wales – its amazing what huge groups of angry bikers can do.

By: Carmen A

Carmen A — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:04:06 +0000

Greetings from Singapore.

It’s great to see yet more Nazi discrimination against motorcyclists thwarted in good ‘ol vigilante fashion

Biking is always about freedom. Those who seek to take it away from us should be punished accordingly and without hesitation :3

By: UK France Bikers

UK France Bikers — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:43:13 +0000

That’s right Phil, while it may too late for car drivers to protest at stupid charges imposed on them, it is definitely not too late to protest at charges imposed on motorcyclists who use a less pollutant and non-congestant mode of transport, simply because they are keen to protect the environment we all live in. We already pay road tax in the UK, why do we have to pay additional charges every time we take a tunnel, a bridge or whatever. What is the road tax for if not to fund the cost of using/maintaining these facilities? All these charges are just pure robery.

By: Phil Randome

Phil Randome — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:18:55 +0000

I didn’t know that about the Dartford crossing; just goes to show you live & learn. Thanks UK France Bikers for that piece of info. I well remember that the northbound/southbound tunnels were never toll roads but when the bridge was completed we were told by government that the tolls were payable until the bridge construction costs were paid off. That bill’s final payment happened some years ago but we’re still paying to use the bridge/tunnels. Why ? When the vat rate went down to 15% last year the Dartford crossing fee went up & what did the great british public do/say about it ? Nothing or as Dylan Thomas would have said “llareggub” !!
Politicians love the titles they give themselves – “Honourable” or “Right Honourable” if they are a minister, but in reality they are just a bunch of corrupt, self seeking, disreputable chiselers who will only amend their ways if the public take to the streets. Can you imagine what 40,000 bikers could do to the M25 or central London. I think the Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club is an inspired idea & I’m impatient to attend the Wednesday Evening Supper Club both of which are organised by the NoToBikeParkingTax campaign in London. My congratulations to Warren Djanogly the chairman.

Sorry too tired to try & translate into french. My apologies.

By: UK France Bikers

UK France Bikers — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:15:39 +0000

Hello Ian, thank you for your comment. Your story about paying tolls in Gauteng makes me think of something similar that happened in England a few years ago. The authorities wanted bikes to pay to use the Dartford tunnel in south-east London, like cars do. Hundreds of bikers protested by each paying the small fee with high value notes such as £10 or £20, thus obliging the toll staff to keep an enormous amount of change in their tills. Within days, the charge for bikes was scrapped. What a surprise! Inconveniencing the authorities who inconvenience us is the way forward to get whatever stupid piece of legislation they implement scrapped.

By: Ian Ketterer

Ian Ketterer — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:53:40 +0000

Hey fellow bikers. Congrats on the progress so far. These are the type of victories that every biker dreams about witnessing.
Bikers in the north of South Africa arranged a similar protest, blocking and congesting toll stations in Gauteng against paying tolls as our bikes cause no damage to road surfaces as cars and trucks do so why must we pay the same toll. Did it help, NO. The authorities are too greedy and corrupt to take note or do anything.

Pease visit http://www.thinkbike.co.za/ This is where I picked up your story. Feel free to join in on our forum. Think bike is an awareness campaign that is growing in leaps and bounds. “Creating awareness, saving lives”

Peace.

By: g

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:48:03 +0000

“Filtering [...] might now become legal in France, subject to the introduction of a more robust motorcycle training course, designed to make new motorcyclists aware of the dangers they may face on the roads, including those associated to traffic filtering”

Ah, so once again it’s the *bikers* who have to watch out for the cars because it’s the bikers who are at risk.

The fact that the car driver should be trained watch out for the motorbikes before they make a manoeuvre doesn’t seem to have occurred to the French Government (who probably all drive cars…)

SMIDSY really means “Sorry, Mate, I Didn’t Bother Looking Properly”

By: Erik

Erik — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:23:20 +0000

Even though I am neither French nor British I can only say: THUMBS UP!

Phil, the protest against new rules from the EEC can not wait till next year! They are already now talking about a limit of 100 HP for motorcycles (which is already the fact in France) all over the EEC.

My motorcycle has only 98 HP and right now I have no intention of buying a new one, but I want to keep the freedom to buy a 200 HP cycle.

Every newbee can by a 1000 HP car, so why are they only interested in limiting motorcycles?

If a protest is arranged in Brussels, I shall certainly join you and am convinced, that many other danes will.

By: Phil Randome

Phil Randome — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:55:40 +0000

S’ il vous plait excuser ma grammaire français pauvres.
Je pense que ce ‘manif’ devrait être un opportunité de l’essai protestation pour l’année prochaine lorsque la CEE apporte des nouveaux permis moto en fonction d’age (A1) et une épreuve supplementaire pour les motos plus puissantes. Apparement cela c’est pour notre sécurité ???
Quand la CEE reconnait que huitante percent des accidents impliquant 2RM sont pas la faute du motard pourquoi sommes-nous face à celle plus de réglementation ? Pourquoi est-il que les jeunes conducteurs ne sont pas limités à 500cc ou 1000 limites du moteur. Pourquoi ils ne sont pas obligés de prendre un autre test de conduire des voitures plus grand ? Seuls des permis 2 RM sera changé et je pense que c’est une discrimination injuste.

I apologise for my ‘dodgy’ french grammar.
I think that this demonstration should be a trial run for a protest next year when the EEC brings in new, age related motorcycle licences (A1) and an additional test for more powerful bikes. Apparently this is for for OUR safety ??? When even the EEC recognises that eighty percent of accidents involving P2W’s are NOT the motorcyclist’s fault why are we the ones facing more regulation ? Why is it that young/inexperienced car drivers are not restricted to 500cc or 1000cc engine limits ? Why aren’t they obliged to take another test for bigger engined cars ? Only P2W licences will be changed and I think this unfair discrimation.

By: Jerry Julian

Jerry Julian — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:52:55 +0000

Viva La french bikers!! The new revolution is here………

By: UK France Bikers

UK France Bikers — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:23:31 +0000

Welcome back 1frog, good to see you around again!

By: 1frog

1frog — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:46:40 +0000

What the french can do, the British could do as well or even better. It just takes a lot longer…..

By: edenphil

edenphil — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:59:33 +0000

I agree with Phil Randome. We Brits always do what we are told then moan about it afterwards when it’s too late. Hats off to our biking brethren in France, you really do know how to protest and we should be taking notes over here. Sadly I think the British disease of apathy is still strong so it will take a while, although recent events (the retaking of Wales protest, and Wootton Bassett) gives me hope that we can develop the spirit of togetherness that I know the vast majority of UK bikers have, it just needs un-locking.

By: Phil Randome

Phil Randome — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:15:29 +0000

C’ette article de nouvelles montre la différence entre les Brittaniques et les Français. Les Brittaniques acceptent avec quelques gémissements des règles stupides imaginée par le gouvernement alors que les Français allaient descendre dans la rue en colère et pied ferme. Ceci est le gouvernement du peuple par le peuple. Ils défendent ses biftecks ! J’admire ce dans le caractère francais.

This news article shows the difference between the british & the french. The british moaningly accept any stupid rules dreamt up by government whereas the french take to the streets with angry determination. This is government of the people by the people. They stand up for their interests. I admire this in the french character.