Protest rider injured in collision with car

Motorcyclist was taking part in slow protest when accident happened

A BIKER participating in a protest against proposed new safety measures was injured yesterday (Sunday).

The incident happened just after 1.30pm on the A34 near the junction with the M4 motorway at Chieveley.

Police confirmed the rider of a Yamaha motorbike was in collision with a Hyundai Santa Fe.

He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and discharged.

About 110 motorcyclists took part in the slow protest ride on the A34 from Didcot to Tothill Services, south of Newbury.

The ride was one of many taking place around the country, organised by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) as part of its ‘EU Hands off Biking' campaign.

MAG is angry at EU proposals which, it says, would prevent motorcyclists from modifying or servicing their own machines, would make them subject to more roadside checks than other road users, and would impose unnecessary technology on new small machines, making them prohibitively expensive.

MAG also fears that riders could be forced to wear high-viz clothing, as is being considered by France and Ireland.

The riders occupied the inside lane of the A34 and rode at 45mph for the duration of the ride. MAG estimates that 40,000 motorcyclists and scooter riders took part on motorways and dual carriageways across the UK.