Riders, we’re gearing up for International Ride To Work Day 2025—Tuesday, 10 June—and this time, it’s about bringing motorcycling home to your community. At the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), we’ve long said two wheels aren’t just a way to get around—they’re a way to connect people and places. The UK Government’s Integrated National Transport Strategy has our ideas, submitted before the February deadline, and now we’re waiting to see if they’ll empower local leaders to put mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles front and centre. On 10 June, we’ll ride to show how local solutions can make the strategy work—though we’ve got a sharp eye on the pitfalls.
The strategy’s big on giving local authorities the reins to shape transport that fits their patch. For riders, that’s a golden opportunity. Imagine your town council rolling out motorcycle parking near shops, or your county carving out routes that link rural villages to urban hubs. A scooter in Southampton could dodge city jams, while a moped in the Midlands keeps a worker mobile where buses barely run. MAG’s been pushing this in our response: local leaders know their roads—let them back two wheels to cut congestion and boost choice. Other rider voices agree—transport’s better when it’s built from the ground up, not dictated from above.
But it’s not all rosy. Local control sounds great, until you hit inconsistent approaches that muck it up. Take bus lanes—MAG’s been crystal clear: motorcycles should have default access. It’s common sense—bikes ease traffic, not clog it. Yet some councils still say no, locking us out of lanes we could share with buses to everyone’s benefit. That flies in the face of the integrated vision the strategy’s supposed to deliver. If one town welcomes riders while the next slams the door, we’re not weaving a network—we’re stitching a patchwork. On 10 June, we’ll ride to remind them: local empowerment works only if it’s fair and joined-up.
When it clicks, though, the potential’s massive. Picture a community where your ride to work isn’t a slog but a lifeline. In cities, motorcycle-friendly policies—like free parking or filter lanes—could slash commute times. In rural spots, councils could back bikes as the affordable, nimble fix for spotty public transport. MAG’s response to the strategy laid this out: two wheels thrive when locals tailor the rules to fit. A rider in Cornwall shouldn’t face the same hurdles as one in Cardiff—empowerment means flexibility, not one-size-fits-all. Other advocates see it too: give communities the tools, and motorcycling shines.
It’s about people, not just plans. The strategy wants transport that puts us first—riders included. A motorcycle isn’t just metal—it’s independence for the mechanic clocking in early, or the parent nipping to the office between school runs. Local leaders can make that real, with policies that see us as solutions, not side notes. But they’ve got to dodge the traps. Inconsistent rules—like that bus lane nonsense—risk fragmenting the very system the Government’s trying to build. MAG’s watching, and we’re not afraid to call it out: integration means all modes, all places, no exceptions.
Ride To Work Day 2025 is our shot to show this in action. On 10 June, every rider—urban or rural, moped or motorcycle—can prove how two wheels fit your community. A scooter buzzing through a market town or a bike linking village to city is the strategy’s “people-first” promise made real. MAG’s been fighting for this forever: local transport that works for riders, not against them. Whether it’s smoother roads or fairer access, we’ll demonstrate what local empowerment could—and should—look like. And we’ll nudge those councils still dragging their feet.
Here’s how you roll: ride on 10 June and make it local. Hit your usual route, or rally a group to ride through town—show your council what’s possible. Snap a shot, tag it #RideToWork2025, and tell them why motorcycling matters where you live. Maybe it’s the traffic you dodge, or the miles you cover that buses can’t. The strategy’s in play, and we’re hopeful it’ll reflect MAG’s push: empower locals to back bikes, but keep it consistent. No rider left behind by daft rules or petty bans. Share your story, and let’s light up social media with two-wheeled proof.
MAG’s leading this fight, with riders across the UK riding with us. International Ride To Work Day 2025 isn’t just a commute—it’s a call to your community. The Integrated National Transport Strategy has our blueprint—local power that lifts mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles, not locks them out. On 10 June, let’s ride to show every town, every county, what we bring to the table. Bus lanes and all, we’re here to stay—loud, proud, and local as it gets.
