ITS - Taking Away Control says Lembit

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Eamonn Townsend

ITS - Taking Away Control says Lembit

Post by Eamonn Townsend »

Lembit Opik MP, Chairman of the All Party Group on Motorcycling and himself a keen motorcycle enthusiast, has come out in support of the British Motorcyclists Federation's concerns over Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Launching their 'ITS - Taking Away Control' awareness campaign at London's 020 Motorcycle and Scooter Show, the BMF say they are not against Intelligent Transport Systems in the development of traffic management schemes, but they could prove to be dangerous if they take too much control away from the motorcycle rider.

Likening the external intervention of electronic speed control systems to those of a puppeteer, the campaign publicity depicts a toy motorcycle controlled via strings from an authoritive hand. This image will feature in adverts in the specialist transport press, supported by illustrated postcards accompanying a replica of the toy motorcycle being sent to government specialists, transport planners, scientists and researchers.

Recognising that ITS measures can help in the reduction of traffic congestion, the enforcement of road traffic laws and the provision of driver information, the BMF is nevertheless concerned that the effects on PTWs are not being addressed. In particular:

· The effects of external interventions on a single track vehicle.
· The positive contribution of the PTW in traffic management schemes.
· Inclusion of the PTW rider when formulating driver information systems
· That automated road traffic enforcement is only a supplement to traffic policing and not a substitute for it.

Supporting the campaign, Lembit Opik said: "We're surrounded by so much technology that anything seems possible, but external forces can have a dramatic effect on the stability of a powered two wheeler. This is why I'm pleased to be able to support the BMF's call for Intelligent Transport applications specialists to consider that what's right for the car, is not necessarily right for the powered two wheeler.
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