Riders, we’re rolling closer to International Ride To Work Day 2025—Tuesday, 10 June—and it’s time to talk tech. At the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), we see technology as a double-edged sword: it could turbocharge the ride to work, making mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles even more practical, or it could bog us down with red tape and bad ideas. The UK Government’s Integrated National Transport Strategy has our input from the call for ideas—closed back in February—and now we’re waiting to see if they’ll harness tech to boost two wheels or trip us up. On 10 June, we’ll show them how motorcycling fits into a smarter, seamless transport future. Let’s explore what’s possible—and what we need to watch out for.
The strategy bangs on about technology—think real-time traffic data, smart infrastructure, and integrated transport hubs. For riders, that could mean big wins. Imagine apps that ping you the fastest route around a snarl-up, syncing your motorcycle commute with live updates from buses or trains. Picture public transport hubs with dedicated bike parking, where you roll in, lock up, and hop on a train without missing a beat. MAG’s been pushing this vision: two wheels aren’t standalone—they’re part of the mix. A scooter rider in Bristol could zip to a station, stash their bike, and finish the trip by rail, all smooth as silk. That’s the “door-to-door” journey the Government’s chasing, and motorcycling makes it work.
Tech could juice up the bikes themselves, too. Cleaner fuels—like synthetic blends—could cut emissions without forcing us into one-size-fits-all fixes. Smarter engines might squeeze more miles from every drop, while connected helmets could flash hazard warnings right in your eyeline. These aren’t sci-fi dreams—they’re on the horizon, and they’d make riding to work slicker and safer. Other rider advocates see it too, urging a transport network where tech lifts all modes, not just the shiny new ones. On 10 June, every rider hitting the road can show how two wheels already outpace cars in agility—add the right tech, and we’re unstoppable.
But here’s the rub: technology’s got a dark side, and MAG’s not shy about calling it out. In our response to the strategy, we flagged the risks. Take data—those handy traffic apps could track your every move, feeding private info to who-knows-who. MAG’s clear: riders shouldn’t have to trade privacy for a quicker commute. Then there’s the push for “smart” roads—great if they prioritize bikes, but a nightmare if they’re rigged for cars and leave us dodging sensors or banned from lanes. And don’t get us started on heavy-handed tech mandates. Forcing every bike to be “connected” or electric could saddle us with costs and kit that doesn’t fit the real world—think rural riders miles from a signal or a charger. We need tech that works for us, not against us.
Seamless transitions at transport hubs sound brilliant, but they’ve got to be done right. MAG’s response hammered this home: hubs need motorcycle-friendly designs—secure parking, easy access, no daft fees. If the Government leans too hard on tech like e-hailing apps or autonomous zones, we could end up sidelined, stuck behind barriers while cars glide through. The strategy talks integration, but integration means bikes, not just buses. A rider in Manchester shouldn’t be faffing about with a clunky app to park at a station—they should roll in and go. Other voices in the rider community back this: tech should knit modes together, not freeze us out.
So, what’s the balance? Technology can make motorcycling a transport superstar—less congestion, lower emissions, faster trips—if it’s practical and rider-led. Real-time traffic tools could shave minutes off your ride, while hub parking could link your bike to the train network like never before. But MAG’s watching the unintended consequences. Over-regulate, and you choke the freedom that makes two wheels special. Harvest our data, and you erode trust. Push tech that only fits urban scooters, and you abandon the motorcyclists tearing up country roads. The Government’s got our ideas—now it’s about keeping them honest.
Ride To Work Day 2025 is our chance to test this future. On 10 June, picture thousands of riders—mopeds dodging city jams, motorcycles cruising past tailbacks, scooters slotting into hubs—showing how tech could amplify what we already do best. It’s not just a demo; it’s a demand. MAG’s been fighting for a transport system that sees motorcycling’s potential, and we’re not alone—riders across the UK share this vision. Whether it’s a cleaner-burning bike or a hub that actually works for us, we’ll prove two wheels belong in the tech revolution.
Here’s your part: ride on 10 June and show them. Test that route app, park at a station, share how tech helps—or hinders—with #RideToWork2025. The strategy’s in the works, and we’re hopeful it’ll echo what MAG’s been saying: motorcycling’s a solution, and the right tech can make it shine. But we’re not naive—bad tech could stall us, and we won’t let that slide. Snap a pic, post your story, and let’s flood the conversation with two-wheeled truth.
MAG’s leading this charge, with riders everywhere riding alongside us. International Ride To Work Day 2025 isn’t just about today’s commute—it’s about tomorrow’s possibilities. The Integrated National Transport Strategy has our blueprint—tech that boosts bikes, hubs that welcome us, freedom that lasts. On 10 June, let’s ride it out and make sure they get it right. See you on the road, loud and proud.
