Motorcycles recognised in Government’s autonomous vehicle safety consultation

The Government has launched a consultation on the Statement of Safety Principles that will guide decisions on the deployment of autonomous vehicles on UK roads, with motorcycles now explicitly recognised following engagement from the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC).

The consultation forms part of the implementation of the Autonomous Vehicles Act 2024 and sets out the principles that will underpin the approval and ongoing monitoring of autonomous vehicles. The draft framework covers vehicle control, hazard perception and reaction, compliance with traffic rules, interaction with other road users and adaptability to road conditions.

The NMC said the inclusion of motorcycles follows extensive engagement with the Department for Transport, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, parliamentarians, road safety organisations and international partners. The organisation has consistently argued that motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users must be considered throughout the development of autonomous vehicle technology.

The consultation will remain open until 9th September 2026, after which the Government intends to lay the final Statement of Safety Principles before Parliament next year for approval.

Craig Carey-Clinch, executive director at the National Motorcyclists Council, said: “We are very pleased that work on the SoSP is progressing with motorcycling in mind. Getting to this point has involved considerable background work on a topic which is very technical in nature. Getting the SoSP right is absolutely crucial for motorcyclists and other vulnerable road user safety and the consultation is an opportunity to ensure that motorcycle awareness and safety is fully embedded in the thinking of those involved in the development of AVs and the technology that sits behind these vehicles.

“This is also another example of how partnership both in the UK and Internationally can bring positive results, particularly in areas such as this, where policy surrounding the future of transport has such a significant impact on those who ride.”