In this category you will find articles covering legal topics related to motorcycles and road traffic. This includes changes in legislation, court decisions, regulations, as well as developments concerning registration, licensing and road safety.
The list below brings together reports on national and international rules, judicial decisions and political initiatives that may affect motorcycle riders or the motorcycle market. Where possible, the background and practical implications of the respective regulations are explained.
This section provides an overview of the legal framework and current developments relevant to motorcycle riders.
The CDU in Wermelskirchen is calling for a trial motorcycle ban on the L 409. Residents in Dabringhausen and Dhünn have been complaining for years about noise and speeding. The question, however, is whether the motion is really about road safety or primarily about giving residents their peace and quiet.
The European Commission has published a draft that aims to bring the driving licence to the smartphone as a digital document. It regulates format, security and validity as well as sensitive practical questions such as the revocation of the driving entitlement across borders.
A casual remark by Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas on the ARD talk show “Caren Miosga” has reignited a long-standing controversy: Should motorcycles be allowed to filter through stationary traffic? While lane splitting remains illegal in Germany, a petition to the Bundestag is gathering signatures for legalization.
On July 1, 2026, an update to the Road Traffic Act takes effect that criminalizes trading driving penalty points and permits digital parking enforcement. For motorcycle and car drivers, several rules are changing at once.
The B 54 in the Aar Valley is once again at the center of a debate over motorcycle noise and road safety. Two village heads are now calling for the federal road to be closed on weekends, with local motorcyclists to be exempted.
Environmental groups are proposing a nationwide system of noise protection zones with a badge requirement for motorcycles, similar to the well-known environmental badge. At the center is a noise limit of 80 dB(A), whose actual significance depends heavily on how and where measurements are taken.
From 1 to 7 June 2026, police authorities from more than 30 European countries will specifically target motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles and e-scooters. Operation Two-Wheelers has become a permanent fixture in the ROADPOL calendar this year and goes well beyond simple speed checks.
Two days after the international investigation into allegedly illegal sport enduros, KTM AG has issued an official statement. The manufacturer firmly rejects the allegations and speaks of a fundamental misunderstanding.
An international investigation accuses KTM of systematically putting illegal sport enduros on the road. The allegations sound dramatic, but a closer look reveals a significantly more nuanced picture.
Using a phone while driving now costs your license in four French départements. What began as a local initiative in Landes is spreading and also affects motorcyclists.
Two speeding offences on his motorcycle cost former Isle of Man TT rider and TV presenter Guy Martin his driving licence. A court in Loughborough, England, imposed a six-month driving ban and a total fine of £1,329 (approximately €1,550 / $1,720).
A new study by the American College of Surgeons shows that hospital costs for motorcycle crash patients in Michigan increased drastically after the repeal of the universal helmet law. The financial burden falls not only on those affected but also on taxpayers and public insurance programs.
Governor Laura Kelly signed a law in Kansas that protects existing racetracks from noise lawsuits by residents who moved in after the tracks were built. Kansas is now the third US state with such legislation.
16,994 Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycles recalled: brake line can chafe against the BCM, NHTSA orders „Do Not Drive”. Dealers replace bracket free of charge.
Frances low-emission zones are on the way out. On 14 and 15 April 2026, the National Assembly and the Senate finally passed the law on economic simplification, which includes the abolition of the Zones à Faibles Émissions.
Two British motorcycle organisations have published a policy paper on the protection of historic motorcycles. The heritage motorcycling sector is said to contribute up to 1.84 billion euros annually to the economy.
Former Top Gear presenter James May had to appear at a London court over his 50-year-old Suzuki GT750. The charge: not riding without insurance, but simply owning an uninsured motorcycle.
Europas größte Motorrad-Interessenvertretungen haben ein gemeinsames Grundsatzpapier mit 17 Positionspapieren veröffentlicht. Darin fordern sie technologieneutrale Regulierung, bessere Infrastruktur und eine stärkere Berücksichtigung von Motorrädern in der europäischen Verkehrspolitik.
Fuel prices in Germany have reached levels last seen during the 2022 energy crisis. At the start of the 2026 motorcycle season, this hits particularly hard — and relief is not in sight.
The London borough of Hackney has drastically reduced its planned motorcycle parking fees after years of dispute. Instead of up to 12,500 pounds per year, residents now pay just 38 pounds for an annual permit.
