Dear reader,
There seems to be some confusion
regarding the legality of twin wheel drive (with the sidecar
on the right) Ural motorcycle combinations for use on the
public highway within the UK.
We have in our possession correspondence
from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the
Regions (DETR) which clearly state the position with regards
to the legality of Ural 2WD combinations, and listed below
are a few quotes from these letters:
“I think that your machine
would be viewed as a motorcycle with sidecar attached irrespective
of the fact that the sidecar wheel is driven. This argument
may be supported by the fact that the framework Directive
for European whole vehicle type approval of two and three-wheeled
vehicles refers to a motor tricycle as having three symmetrically
arranged wheels”. (Malcolm Fendick, DETR with direct
reference to the Uralmoto 2WD combination)
“We have considered carefully
the issues surrounding the use of a motorcycle combination
with the sidecar fitted to the right hand side. In view
of the implications for general road safety, I do not consider
that changes in UK legislation to permit such a configuration
can be justified.” (Lord Whitty, Parliamentary Under-Secretary
of State)
“I must make it clear that
the sale of these machines in the UK for use on the road
would be unlawful and if purchased for use off road, they
would not, subsequently, be able to be used legally on public
roads.” (Malcolm Fendick, DETR with direct reference
to the Uralmoto 2WD combination)
“As it has been explained to
Uralmoto, GB legislation requires that sidecars must be
fitted to the left-hand side of motorcycles and because
of the implications for road safety, the Department is not
minded to pursue changes in legislation to allow the use
of sidecars fitted to the right-hand side of motorcycles.
The legislation prohibiting the use of right-hand sidecars
was enacted in 1980.” (Malcolm Fendick, DETR)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Based on the information which we
have at present, we are of the opinion that registering
a 2WD outfit for use on the road, either as a motorcycle
combination or a tricycle, does not comply with the present
UK laws, and there are no ‘grey areas’. There
are also MOT implications - there are only a few trike MOT
stations in the UK and it will be very clear to them that
a Uralmoto 2WD is a motorcycle and sidecar, not a tricycle,
and will not be able to MOT the vehicle. Under the current
trike MOT legislation a Uralmoto 2WD will not pass as it
does not conform to tricycle specifications.
We are happy to supply 2WD outfits
for off road use, but we will not help nor encourage our
customers to register them for use on the road, until such
time that we are satisfied that UK law states it is legal.
If you are purchasing a 2WD combination
from F2 Motorcycles, please sign below to confirm that you
have read and understood the above.
SIGN .................................................
PRINT ........................................................
DATE ..../..../....
