While many riders believe police are the enemy, discriminate against them and harass them, it seems British police actually encourage motorcycling.
The UK Council of Police Chiefs website includes a motorcycle framework section that features six sections with positive headings: Road user awareness; Educate to deliver; Motorcycles as a practical solution; Unlocking the benefits of motorcycling; Better motorcycle industry engagement in society; and Partnership with cycling.
In fact, under the fourth heading “Unlocking the benefits of motorcycling”, one of the objectives is to “Increase uptake of motorcycles as lower congesting and polluting vehicles“.
The website mirrors the UK Council of Police Chiefs 2014 report to the UK government.
Rather than deterring riders, as most authorities seem to do, or legislating for learner riders to first hold a car licence for a year (as in Queensland), the joint report with the Motorcycle Industry Association suggests the reverse is true.
“There is a growing body of evidence which shows that if more people started their road careers on a motorcycle, scooter or moped, this would lead to improvements in driver behaviour towards all vulnerable road users,” says an MIA statement released with the report. “‘It is also acknowledged that motorcyclists make better road users when driving cars.”
No doubt there are some British police who are tough on riders, but this video shows one who delivers a warning and lets the rider off for popping as wheelie. Would that happen here?