The BMF has set up a new charity, ‘The British Motorcyclists Federation Foundation’, to specifically fund research and other non-political work involving motorcycling.

Announcing The BMF Foundation’s charity registration, Mike Williamson, the BMF’s Finance Director and Foundation trustee said: “There are already many charities involved in road safety and related motoring matters, but this will be a first in the UK; a charity designed to fund research and sponsor work that will improve the life of the everyday motorcyclist”.

The BMF Foundation’s remit will cover the advancement of education into road safety; the design, development and maintenance of roads; motorcycle design safety; the design of protective clothing; the causes and prevention of road accidents involving motorcyclists; the treatment of injuries typically suffered in such accidents; the reduction of crime involving motorcycles, especially motorcycle theft; the protection of the environment; and the sociological aspects of motorcycle use and transportation generally.

These will be addressed mainly through making grants to organisations such as academic institutions to carry out research, a recent example being that made by a government funded organisation who asked if the BMF could support the production of guidelines for road designers.

Where injuries are concerned, particular those to the head and spine, support of these victims is a matter with which the BMF has been involved and the Foundation, through its charitable status, could now support them still further.

Some of these activities are currently funded from within the BMF, but by separating out this altruistic type of work from commercial and political lobbying, motorcycling will get better value from limited funds say the BMF. As the BMF Foundation will have its own board of Trustees, it will also be devoid of any commercial or governmental interests of its own.

The BMF have had a long association with charitable fund raising from pet food runs to larger involvements with the likes of the ‘Make A Wish’ charity (the Great Northern Bike Run); with Mencap (the National Rally) and latterly with the Spinal Research Spine Ride to BMF events, but as good as these causes are, until now, there hasn’t been a broad-based charity working within motorcycling itself.

Fund raising is key to the success of any charity and there will be a multitude of opportunities for riders to donate, from straight forward collections at motorcycling events to sponsored rides, special fund raising events, bequests, and donations through Gift Aid arrangements.

Donations and applications for grants can be made by post, ‘phone or on line to: The BMF Foundation, 14-16 Briton Street, Leicester LE3 0AA. Tel: 0116 254 8818 or email: foundation@bmf.co.uk or website www.bmf.co.uk/foundation. More

The BMF Foundation is a registered charity, No 1097835