Europe – Recently we ran an article regarding the launch of the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Europe platform for professionals interested in public policy and road safety for motorcyclists.
The platform provides professional bodies a dedicated site for the publication of targeted content: news and analysis of current issues facing the motorcycling world at – www.fim-publicaffairs.com
Motorcycle Minds Elaine Hardy has analysed recent motorcycle theft and motorcycle enable crime for FIM Public Affairs, using her background knowledge of vehicle data analysis. Elaine has worked for many years with government agencies, especially in the area of vehicle crime research.
This analysis is somewhat London centric although not just a London phenomenon and came about as representatives from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, BMW, Piaggio, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and Secure by Design attended a summit In January (2018) with the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).
From this meeting the Mayor was reported to have tasked manufacturers with improving the design of new motorcycles to make them more difficult to steal.
The response from the Motorcycle Industry (MCIA) to Mayor Khan’s appeal was that while major manufacturers were able to explain what has and is being done and to discuss how City Hall can support this, the industry representatives emphasised that there is no ‘silver bullet’ fix.
Motorcycles, Crime and Silver Bullets
In the FIM Public Affairs analysis Elaine goes through European Union Directive requirements for immobilisers and alarms, were L category vehicles – i.e. mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quads are absent from this legislation and other EU legislation regarding anti-theft devices for mopeds, motorcycles and tricycles refers to steering locks only.
She looks at immobilisers and alarms, the importance of locks, tracking systems, tagging and DNA markings, then asking does security work?
Another question she asks is “What’s the solution?”
Looking at a layered approach of lock, chains ground anchors but stating that if the first layer – the steering lock – is weak, then it stands to reason that the sequential layers would be vulnerable too.
Elaine’s analysis comes to the conclusion that, “Unfortunately there is no definitive answer. Silver bullets and scare tactics aren’t much help and retributive justice makes no difference. Rider organisations, the motorcycle industry with its Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group, the police and governments have all looked for solutions, but ultimately, talking shops don’t seem to resolve matters.”
Finally saying, “What may be of consolation is that U.K. riders are not alone and motorcycle enabled crime is not just a London phenomenon. It is not the case that the U.K. has a bigger problem than other countries. Indeed, motorcycle theft is a worldwide problem so perhaps the answer for resolving motorcycle theft and motorcycle enabled crime, lies in looking at a global solution.”
Read the full article on FIM Public Affairs – Motorcycles, Crime and Silver Bullets
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