Speed limiters 'could be fitted' to motorbikes

Posted : 29-03-2007

A committee of MPs are calling for speed limiters to be fitted to some motorbikes in an effort to reduce accident rates.

The latest report from the House of Commons Transport Committee proposes to make limiters – already fitted to some mopeds and high-performance bikes – a legal requirement, something which could have a dramatic effect on motorcycle insurance premiums.

The committee's report said: "We recommend that the government commission ... research on the viability of introducing speed limiters on motorcycles in order to stimulate a sensible debate of the options."

In 2005, 569 motorcyclists were killed on the UK's roads, and a further 6,000 were injured, according to government figures.

The committee also suggested that cutting engine power could help to reduce road fuel pollution.

However, the benefits of such a move have been questioned, even by safety campaigners.

Head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Kevin Clinton told Reuters: "When the EC ... proposed a 100 brake-horsepower limit on motorcycles, they were not able to get it through because they could not show any real reduction in risk from that."


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