Farndon girl plans to write to Prime Minister as part of campaign to improve motorcyclists' safety

An 11-year-old is campaigning for protective clothing to be compulsory for motorcyclists.

Faith Tacey of Marsh Lane, Farndon, has written to Newark MP Robert Jenrick and plans to take her campaign right to the top, by writing to the Prime Minister.

Faith’s father, Mr Steven Tacey, has been riding motorcycles for 20 years, and Faith regularly rides pillion on the back of his Yamaha. They often ride out at the weekend for breakfast.

“I really like it. We go out into the country lanes and you can see far more when you’re on a motorbike,” she said.

Faith has a complete set of safety gear, including helmet, full leathers, gloves, boots and a rider grip strap.

Earlier this year she saw the aftermath of a motorcycle accident on London Road in Balderton, and it prompted her to take action.

“This man had come off his motorbike and he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I see a lot of people riding dressed like that.”

“Legally you only need to wear a helmet. Why can’t it be that you have to wear a jacket and boots as well?

“When I go out with my dad, even if we’re just going down the road, we always put on all our safety stuff.”

Faith’s mother, Mrs Rachel Tacey, said that during the long warm summer Faith had seen many people riding in unsuitable clothing.

“She notices it all the time and she says they should know better.”

Faith decided to raise her concerns with Robert Jenrick, who replied saying: “This is an incredibly important topic…you are right to say it would be great to see more advertising about this issue.”

Mr Jenrick sent Faith’s letter to the Department for Transport, and forwarded a reply to Faith.

In it, the parliamentary under secretary of state, Jesse Norman, thanked Faith for her interest and for raising the issue.

The letter said the department’s Think campaign encouraged motorcyclists to wear the correct clothing, but it also said: “The department has no plans currently to mandate the wearing of protective clothing for motorcyclists.”

Faith said she was pleased to have received replies to her letters but admitted: “I was a bit disappointed, because I still want to change it.”

She is now thinking of writing to Theresa May and to motorcycle racer and television presenter Guy Martin to see if they will support her campaign.

Mrs Tacey said: “This has all been her idea. She is quite determined.”

Faith Tacey of Marsh Lane, Farndon, has written to Newark MP Robert Jenrick and plans to take her campaign right to the top, by writing to the Prime Minister.

Faith’s father, Mr Steven Tacey, has been riding motorcycles for 20 years, and Faith regularly rides pillion on the back of his Yamaha. They often ride out at the weekend for breakfast.

“I really like it. We go out into the country lanes and you can see far more when you’re on a motorbike,” she said.

Faith has a complete set of safety gear, including helmet, full leathers, gloves, boots and a rider grip strap.

Earlier this year she saw the aftermath of a motorcycle accident on London Road in Balderton, and it prompted her to take action.

“This man had come off his motorbike and he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I see a lot of people riding dressed like that.”

“Legally you only need to wear a helmet. Why can’t it be that you have to wear a jacket and boots as well?

“When I go out with my dad, even if we’re just going down the road, we always put on all our safety stuff.”

Faith’s mother, Mrs Rachel Tacey, said that during the long warm summer Faith had seen many people riding in unsuitable clothing.

“She notices it all the time and she says they should know better.”

Faith decided to raise her concerns with Robert Jenrick, who replied saying: “This is an incredibly important topic…you are right to say it would be great to see more advertising about this issue.”

Mr Jenrick sent Faith’s letter to the Department for Transport, and forwarded a reply to Faith.

In it, the parliamentary under secretary of state, Jesse Norman, thanked Faith for her interest and for raising the issue.

The letter said the department’s Think campaign encouraged motorcyclists to wear the correct clothing, but it also said: “The department has no plans currently to mandate the wearing of protective clothing for motorcyclists.”

Faith said she was pleased to have received replies to her letters but admitted: “I was a bit disappointed, because I still want to change it.”

She is now thinking of writing to Theresa May and to motorcycle racer and television presenter Guy Martin to see if they will support her campaign.

Mrs Tacey said: “This has all been her idea. She is quite determined.”