1971.    All motorcycle riders required to have passenger insurance
1971.    Motorcycle minimum age raised to 17. Moped age left at 16
1973.    Wearing of crash helmets made compulsory for all motorcycle riders
1973.    MAG formed by riders protesting against the unjust introduction of compulsory helmet legislation.
1975.    Requirement for motorcycles to carry a front number plate abolished.
1976.    Government exempts followers of Sikh religion when wearing turbans from helmet law.
1977.    Mopeds first used after 1/8/77 not permitted to have maximum design speed greater than 30 mph.
1980.    77 decibel limit on Mopeds first used after 1/10/80.
1980.    Right hand sidecars banned on motorcycles registered after 1/8/81
1980.    Highest ever new registrations at 315,641.
1982.    EEC 86 decibel noise limit implemented.
1982.    Two part motorcycle test introduced (1981 act)
1982.    One year ban introduced (1981 act)
1983.    Learner riders restricted to 125cc motorcycles (1981 act)
1983.    Motorcycles required to have main beam headlights.
1984.    Ban on motorcycle trailers repealed.
1985.    Repeal of the offence of rider aiding and abetting passenger who fails to wear a helmet.

1986.    Motorcycles first used after 1/4/86 required to have direction indicators.
1987.    EC 87/56 stage one (82 decibel) noise limit becomes Euro law. Stage 2 (80 decibels) planned for 1993.
1987.    Motorcycles first used after 1/4/87 to have brake system approved by UN/ECE regulation 13.05
1987.    BSI stamped aftermarket exhausts made compulsory.
1987.    Crash helmet visors required to comply with BSI standards.
1987.    Government proposes that new motorcycles be fitted with leg protectors. 
1987.    Annual new registrations fall below 100,000 - lowest level since 1949.
1988.    Leg protector proposal withdrawn.
1988.    EC makes draft proposal for separate licence for motorcycles over 400cc
1988.    Euro Demo Strasbourg, France.
1990.    CBT introduced, part one test abolished
1990.    EC Type Approval directive proposed.
1990.    Euro Demo II, London England.
1991.    EC licence directive becomes EC law without 400cc limit.
1991.    EC proposes 100 bhp maximum power output from motorcycles.
1992.    EC Type Approval directive becomes EU law.
1991.    TRRL accused of scientific fraud over its handling of LP research. They are largely exonerated in Glaister & Cesari report 
1992.    Hinkley Triumphs Launched.
1992.    Euro Demo III, Brussels, Belgium.
1992.    EU proposes Anti Tampering regulations (French). These are later included in the Multi Directive.
1993.    EU proposes 'Multi Directive'. Contains 80 decibel upper noise limit, anti tampering and emission limits.
1994.    EU publishes White Paper calling for leg protector legislation
1994.    100th Gatso Camera installed.
1994.    Euro Demo IV, Paris, France.

1995.    New ISO standard for leg protector crash test dummy introduced.
1995.    Postponement of EU power limit until new research is conducted.
1995.    UK implements stage one of EU directive 87/56 and reduces maximum noise limit to 82 decibels
1995.    EU proposes Design Protection regulations.
1996.    TRL promote motorcycle air bags and 'leg bolsters' at ESV conference, Australia.
1996.    Euro Demo V, Brussels, Belgium.
1996.    Draft plans for EU roadworthiness testing (MOT) discussed.
1996.    Draft EU 'End Of Life Vehicles' directive published.
1996.    UK implements EU licence directive in July. 2 year 33 bhp restriction for newly qualified riders. Direct access test & Theory Test.
1997.    Photo ID required for practical & theory tests from March.
1997.    EU Multi Directive becomes European law. Maximum noise limit set at 80 decibels. Europe wide implementation July 1999.
1997.    All main UK political parties publish 'motorcycling manifestos'
1997.    Honda Belgium attempts to restrict parallel motorcycle market. They win a court case against a parallel importer.
1997.    Labour wins the General Election by a landslide. The DoT becomes the DETR and consults on an integrated transport policy.
1997.    Europe starts to look at End of Life Vehicles (ELV) and Roadworthiness testing regulations.
1997.    Disagreements between EP and Council on Design Protection regulations. The issue moves into conciliation.
1997.    Honda UK issue legal ultimatum against parallel importers.
1997.    First MEP Ride.
1997.    Meeting between Government and motorcycle groups to discuss transport policy.

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1998.    FEM and EMA merge to become the FEMA.
1998.    MAG holds mass lobby of Parliament to argue for inclusion into transport policy.
1998.    MAG Scotland and MAG Cymru re-launched to focus lobbying on forthcoming devolved Parliament and assembly.
1998.    Work continues in Europe on ELV and Design protection. Motorcycle Telematics appear on the agenda.
1998.    Statutory Off-Road Notification introduced to combat VED evasion and improved quality of DVLA data (January).
1998.    Successful lobby by FEMA leads to plans for European design protection are shelved for at least four years.
1998.    Second MEP ride from Strasbourg Parliament.
1998.    Compulsory daytime headlights proposed by PACTS. MAG campaign leads DETR to distance itself from the proposal.
1998.    Commission Fuel tank Directive attempts to reduce diesel spills from trucks.
1998.    Publication of Integrated Transport White Paper. Motorcycles recognised as alternative mode for the first time.
1998.    Government Advisory Group on Motorcycling announced. First meeting discusses road safety strategies.
1998.    Commissioner Martin Bangemann refuses to acknowledge the end of the BHP issue in a letter to FEMA.
1998.    Euro Demo VI in Bonn. Germany highlights ELV directive and other German and European anti motorcycle legislation.
1998.    Large percentage  rise in motorcycle casualties Inclusive meetings at invitation of DETR to discuss road safety strategies. DETR acknowledges that rider-led  initiatives are more likely to be successful than blanket safety legislation. MAG promotes Bikesafe 2000.
1998.    One Year Ban consultation published. Government finally agrees to change legislation.
1998.    First 'contact' meeting of the Advisory Group at DETR.
1998.    Highest motorcycle & moped sales since 1970's.

1999.    New legislation reverts new drivers to learner status if 6 penalty points accumulated within 2 years.
1999.    Local Authorities to produce local transport plans with community input.
1999.    Treasury consults on VED banding. MAG forces #5 refund after budgetary mistake.
1999.    Commission fund crash barrier project.
1999.    Honda UK drops legal action in out of court settlement with parallel importers.
1999.    First full meeting of Advisory Group. 5 task forces charged with statistics & data, areas of research, environment & fiscal measures, integration & traffic management and safety & security.
1999.    DETR consults on road and congestion charging.
1999.    DETR consults on speed & safety.
1999.     Ad-hoc motorcycling forum established by the Scottish Office. Scottish guidance recognises the motorcycling option.
1999.     Draft transport plans show that over 100 local authorities are considering options for positive motorcycling policies.
1999.    New Highway Code published - suggests daytime lights and 'dayglow' clothing.
1999.    DSA consultation proposes removal of car license - moped entitlement, motorcycle license - light car entitlement, lengthier CBT & dropping the one-year ban.
1999.    Euro Parliament Elections lose several prominent motorcycling MEPs including Roger Barton.
1999.    Rights of Way consultation.
1999.    European Young Rider of the Year funded by Commission.
1999.    Third MEP Ride from Strasbourg Parliament.
1999.    Speed review approaches conclusion, Commissioner Manning's Zero Tolerance call invokes fury.

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2000.    Leaded petrol finally withdrawn.
2000.    Drink Drivers rehabilitation scheme introduced.
2000.    Touch Screen Theory Test Introduced January.
2000.    Third European Driving License Directive proposed by Commission.
2000.    London Assembly & Mayoral Elections.
2000.    Pro-motorcycle policies introduced by UK Government.
2000.     Full DETR guidance on local transport plans considers a positive approach to motorcycles in local transport planning.
2000.     The Government’s road safety review proposes an action plan, which receives cross-motorcycle community support. Car drivers to continue to have the right to ride a moped with a full car licence once ‘familiarisation’ training has been taken.
2001.     National Motorcycle Strategy Promised is for 2003.
2001.     Motorcycles are excluded from London congestion charging.
2001.     Motorcycles registered after 1.9.2001 are not allowed to have a front number plate.
2001.    Motorcycles allowed access to bus lanes / secure parking provision. (Only in a few towns/cities like Bristol and Reading and a few others and not across the whole UK.
2002.     Motorcycle Vehicle Excise Duty categories are expanded.
2002.     DTLR publishes its motorcycle parking advisory leaflet.
2003.     Home Office publishes its first motorcycle theft index.
2004.     Introduction of Continuous Licensing and Harmonised Registration Certificates to combat VED evasion, vehicle fraud and improve quality of DVLA data.
2008.    Motorcycles exempt road fund licenses.  Not really, but one can only hope!