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A consultation document launched by the Department for Transport is has been seeking views of UK motorcyclists on a raft of European proposals for bikes, including mandatory ABS and measures to preventtuning.The new EU regulations, setting out standards for bikes to be type approved for road use, are due to be introduced from 2014 starting with new emission standards that will gradually get tougher each year. All regulations will be gradually phased in until 2022 under the proposal.Tuning could become impossible and home-servicing severely hampered under the proposals. Such measures could include exhaust bolts that cannot be removed with normal tools, sealed engine control units and a possible ban on performance items, even to the extent of changing to softer tyre compounds for better grip if they are not listed by the manufacturer.Allnew bikes could get so-called on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems capable detecting non-standard parts and triggering a warning light until the 'fault' is rectified by a dealer. Riders groups are also expressing concerns that the compulsory fitment of ABS could also include mopeds that will significantly increase the prices for a market selling well. To show their displeasure 40,000 riders staged a 40mph go slow ride in September on the UK's motorways to protest against the above proposals.
 
The used LCV market could be thousands of vehicles short over the next four years, according to a report published by the BCA. The University of Buckingham's Professor Peter Cooke made the comments in the BCA's 2011 Used Car Market Report. New van sales reached a peak of 338,000 in 2007, followed by decline as the financial crisis took hold. Professor Cooke claimed that around 275,000 fewer vehicles will be available in the used LCV supply chain from now until 2015. Since many fleet operators have kept vehicles on fleet for longer, the average age and mileage of used stock is higher than before.Professor Cooke said that small businesses, as the biggest buyers of used LCVs, are likely to be affected most. Similarly auction houses, wholesale traders and dealers will find it more difficult to obtain good quality used LCVs.