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.
Browsing: Law
Law
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.
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.
The Swiss parliament has approved a new fee targeting foreign vehicles that merely pass through the country. Motorcyclists traveling to Italy would also be affected, whether taking the motorway or an alpine pass.
OLG Schleswig-Holstein confirms 95,000 euros in compensation for a motorcyclist after a crash with a left-turning driver. Inherent operational risk fully superseded by gross negligence.
EU driving licence reform, French speed limit crackdowns, US legislation and international court rulings: All legal and political developments that affect motorcyclists worldwide.
The US trade commission has issued its final decision in the patent dispute between GoPro and Insta360, ongoing since 2024. Both companies claim victory, but the reality is far more nuanced.
Speeding results in fines and penalty points. But can police directly seize a motorcycle? The Administrative Court of Appeal in Rhineland-Palatinate has set clear limits to this practice.
Since February 14, 2026, French speed cameras have been automatically checking whether vehicles caught speeding are insured. The measure also applies to motorcycles and is set to be extended to all speeding offenses in the long term.
At the beginning of 2026, Iceland fundamentally changed its road transport financing system. The new mileage-based toll also affects tourists and has a particular impact on rental cars and longer journeys.
In the state of Washington, there are renewed discussions about changing the traffic rules for motorcycles. A draft bill proposes allowing motorcycles to temporarily use the right-hand shoulder in traffic jams.
The European Union is once again discussing mandatory periodic technical inspections for all motorcycles. Representatives of motorcyclist organizations point to accident statistics that call into question the safety benefits of such inspections.