The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) has teamed up with the Metropolitan Police to talk to riders about their riding habits and approach to security.
On 19 July, MCIA members were joined by officers, targeting selected motorcycle and scooter parking bays in central London.
The team spoke to riders parking their machines about their habits and approach to security, as well as issuing complimentary bike covers.
The event formed part of a new MCIA initiative – designed to recognise and highlight manufacturers who fit or supply anti-theft devices as standard on new motorcycles and scooters.
The ‘MCIA Secured’ rating programme has been developed in response to the rise in motorcycle and scooter theft and the significant increase in scooters being used to commit other crimes, which has been a particular problem in London.
The scheme scores each model from all participating manufacturers against the programme criteria and award a star for each layer of security fitted as standard, to a maximum of five stars.
Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA, said: “The MCIA has been working closely with the Met Police, the mayor’s office and other London authorities, to help tackle motorcycle and scooter theft in the Capital.
“In addition to the newly announced ‘MCIA Secured’ rating scheme, we thought it would be a great idea to meet some of London’s regular riders face to face and offer them a free motorcycle and scooter cover.
“We need the riders’ help to tackle this problem and only by working together with the mayor and the police can this be achieved; we are counting on your support.”
In March, the Metropolitan Police launched a new campaign calling on riders to join the fight against scooter related crime by reducing the risk of their bike being stolen.
The ‘Be Safe’ campaign urges powered two wheeler (PTW) riders to use extra security – including locks, chains and covers – to make their vehicles ‘less visible to thieves’.
Detective superintendent Lee Hill, Met Police, said: “The police are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who steal scooters, mopeds, motorbikes and bicycles and then use them for other offences.
“I urge all vehicle owners to lock, chain and cover their scooters, mopeds and motorcycles to make them less visible to thieves. By having extra security on your vehicle, it makes it harder for thieves to steal them and use them for committing other crimes.”
19 July 2018
