This is much more important than majoring on motor- cycles."Brigitte Chaudhry, secretary of RoadPeace, the national charity for road- crash victims, whose son Mansoor was killed in a motorcycle accident six years ago, said that many parents found it hard enough already to stop their children riding motorcycles: "If I had known that my son was was going to die riding a motorbike, I would have discouraged him from doing it," she said.Most young British drivers are encouraged to drive fast and take risks by the presence of passengers, loud music or high spirits, a survey has revealed.Although drivers under 25 were aware of what influenced their driving, 65 per cent said they did not care about traffic regulations or being fined.The Europe-wide survey showed that 1,300 young people were killed and 125,000 injured on Britain's roads last year - three-quarters of all road victims, even though young drivers represent only 10 per cent of licence holders. Figures issued by the Department of Transport show that for every mile travelled, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than car drivers. Roger Vincent, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said that this figure, coupled with the fact that motorcyclists were three times more likely to hit pedestrians than car drivers, should be addressed."Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users and anyone contemplating one surely needs to weigh that fact against the environmental and traffic benefits," he said.Lynn Soloman from the environmental lobby group Transport 2000 called the proposals "oddball" and "unrealistic":"We can't see how they can see motorcycles as a solution to traffic problems," she said. Pressure groups across the country last night rallied against the Liberal Democrat's proposals, saying that the consultation document failed to address the long-term issues of pollution and disregarded road safety. Leg protectors, air bags and protective clothing should be "an optional choice for the rider", the document said.Bikers of the world, predictably, united. Neil Liversidge, national chairman of the Motorcycle Action Group, said: "MAG is delighted that a major political party has recognised the essential part which motorcycles have to play in future transport policy."A spokesman for the RAC said: "The safety and environmental improvements Mr Chidgey argues for will help confirm the motorcycle's role in an integrated transport policy."Or, as David Steel never said, "Go back to your constituencies and put on your leathers"..

The document saw "little point" in further legislation "while existing laws are ineffective", and called for stronger measures to enforce the present limit.Mr Chidgey, attempting a Marlon Brando sneer, dismissed Brussels officialdom: "The European Commission seems obsessed with issuing directives which curtail choice and are potentially harmful to local economies. Their draft directives on motorcycles are a major threat to the UK motorcycle industry and should be sent back to the drawing board. They should stick to the priorities of their core objectives - the freedom of movement of people, goods and services."The Liberal Democrats failed to back the full "ride free" manifesto by supporting the law on the compulsory wearing of helmets but adopted a libertarian stance on other middle-aged concerns. The proposals included "considering the removal of VAT from items such as leather jackets and gloves if they meet rigorous safety standards", Mr Chidgey said.He took up a cause close to the heart of better-informed bikers by opposing European Commission plans to reduce the noise limit for motorcycle exhausts from 82 to 80 decibels. They also want the courts given powers to force convicted drivers to attend rehabilitation classes before their licences are returned.. The Liberal Democrats yesterday made a bold pitch for the Hell's Angel vote with plans to encourage the use of motorcycles, and a call to abolish VAT on tough leather jackets.

Champion rally driver Gwyndaf Evans and Labour's road safety spokeswoman, Glenda Jackson, are lending their support.The campaign also hopes to put pressure on the authorities to improve driver education in schools and to give more powers to the courts to fine or imprison people convicted of aggressive driving. David "Easy Rider" Chidgey, previously regarded as one of Westminster's less charismatic politicians, revealed himself as a rebel without a cause in a photocall with bikers and their bikes outside party HQ. The Liberal Democrat transport spokesman and MP for Eastleigh had to admit he did not own a bike himself, but praised the "positive contribution motorcycles can offer in reducing pollution and congestion".He said the party's plans to cut vehicle excise duty and raise tax on petrol would encourage more people to use "low-polluting, fuel-efficient" motorcycles (and mopeds) as an alternative to cars, especially for commuting.A consultation paper published yesterday also called for British Standards for the safety of protective clothing. Individual motorists may not be able to change another driver's behaviour but they can certainly change their own."Campaigners hope they can encourage people, particularly the young, to steer clear of aggression when driving and opt for old-fashioned courtesy.The RAC has also joined forces with Ford and the European Road Safety Federation in the Say Yes to Safer Driving Campaign. A total of 83 per cent drive fast because of loud music or high spirits.To combat the problem, the RAC and Auto Express have announced a joint Campaign Against Rage.RAC campaigns manager, Richard Woods, said: "The aim of this joint campaign is to help drive confrontation off Britain's roads."The law can be improved to prevent re-offence but motorists must play their own part in rejecting rage in the first place.

As he was led away, a swaggering McConnell smiled at the public gallery.Their victim, who had been reduced to a "zombie-like state" during his ordeal last November, had given evidence along with his parents at the trial in July, but none of the family were in court for the sentencing.Recorder Sells said the public "rightly" expected such offences to be punished with a custodial sentence.The pair made Mr Birkert buy them designer clothes, cigarettes and bottles of champagne and ordered him to drive them five times along the M3 to Portsmouth so McConnell could see a girlfriend.Mr Birkert was intimidated with an air rifle and iron and battered round the head repeatedly while at the mercy of his tormentors.He was only rescued after he was made to call his mother to ask her to bring more money to a rendezvous to meet their further demands.Mrs Amanda Birkert immediately alerted police. Most young British drivers are encouraged to drive fast and take risks by the presence of passengers, loud music or high spirits, a survey has revealed. Although drivers under 25 were aware of the situations influencing their driving, 65 per cent said they did not care about traffic regulations or being fined. The Europe-wide survey, which was released yesterday, showed that 1,300 young people were killed and 125,000 injured on Britain's roads last year - three-quarters of all road accidents, even though young drivers represent only 10 per cent of licence holders. If the Conservatives do hold on to power, he is at least destined for a top job and is expected to become a minister..