EU driving licence reform, French speed limit crackdowns, US legislation and international court rulings: All legal and political developments that affect motorcyclists worldwide.
Browsing: from-the-street
From the Street
In this category you will find articles related to everyday riding and real-world road situations involving motorcycles. This includes traffic-related topics, enforcement measures, accidents, infrastructure changes and other developments affecting motorcycle use in public traffic.
The list below brings together reports that focus less on racing or new models and more on real-life situations and experiences on the road.
This section provides an overview of topics that may directly impact motorcycle riders in daily traffic.
The Federal Association of Motorcyclists wanted to finance a speed warning display at a noise hotspot in Oberursel at its own expense. After months of back and forth, the city broke off contact.
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.
A major fire during the night almost completely destroyed the traditional biker hotel Zur Schanze in Ammerland. Around 180 emergency personnel fought the flames for hours, but no one was injured.
Copenhagen has submitted a new proposal to introduce zero-emission zones for public consultation. The motorcycle organization Danske MotorCyklister is analyzing the plans in detail, as they could have a significant impact on motorcycle access to the capital.
After reviewing the previously withheld administrative files, the lawsuit against the partial motorcycle ban on the Sudelfeld route was significantly expanded. The documents now available cast a critical light on the actions of the Rosenheim district and raise doubts about transparency, proportionality, and proper administrative work.
France has classified excessive speeding as a criminal offense since the end of 2025. Anyone driving more than 50 km/h over the speed limit faces imprisonment, heavy fines, and other consequences.
Comments made by ADAC traffic president Gerhard Hillebrand on rising fuel prices sparked intense debate at the beginning of the year. Numerous members are venting their anger on social media and reporting that they are canceling their memberships.
The number of compensation claims for pothole damage has risen sharply in the UK. While car drivers are usually faced with repair costs, the consequences for motorcyclists can be life-changing.
In the district of Sonneberg, a temporary ban on motorcycles on the L1152 country road continues to cause legal disputes. Two affected parties have filed a lawsuit, supported by the Federal Association of Motorcyclists, to prevent a renewed ban from 2026.
Starting in May 2026, numerous Austrian cities plan to introduce new access restrictions that will be monitored by cameras. The measures also apply to foreign vehicles and could prove costly for tourists.
Tesla wants to introduce its Full Self-Driving system in Europe as quickly as possible, but serious accidents involving motorcycles are raising questions about safety. The Dutch registration authority RDW is demanding that the protection of motorcyclists be a priority—only then can approval be granted.
The German motorcycle market will experience a significant decline in 2025, while Switzerland will remain virtually stable. At the same time, Chinese manufacturers are gaining in importance and shifting the balance of power in the market.
The Administrative Court of Hanover has provisionally confirmed the temporary driving ban for motorcycles on the K74 between Westendorf and Bernsen. The decision is based on a series of accidents which, according to the court, constitute a qualified hazard.
The MC Hermsdorf clubhouse was completely destroyed by fire in mid-November. The club, which has been socially engaged for decades, now faces major challenges itself and is appealing for donations.
The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is using the National Road Safety Conference in the United Kingdom to call for a fundamental change in transport policy. Instead of continuing to treat motorcycles as a nuisance, the NMC is campaigning for them to be accepted as an equal and sustainable part of the transport system.
A round table was set up in the district of Aschaffenburg to discuss road safety for motorcyclists and how to deal with noise caused by motorcycles. The initiative came from the district municipalities, in particular from Laufach’s mayor Friedrich Fleckenstein. The focus is on the circuit between Laufach, Heigenbrücken, Jakobsthal, and Sailauf, as well as the access roads from Wiesen and Vormwald. This route is apparently used regularly for time trials and filming unauthorized “competitions,” which repeatedly causes considerable noise pollution for residents.