June 18, 2026
As part of the implementation of the 2024 Autonomous Vehicles Act, the Government has launched a consultation on the ‘Statement of Safety Principles’ (SoSP) which will underpin the development of AVs and will guide the Secretary of State for Transport’s decisions on whether an automated vehicle can be deployed on Great Britain’s roads. It will also inform ongoing monitoring of authorised vehicles.
The draft Principles are framed around the AV Act 2024 safety standard, which the Government describes as 'a level of safety equivalent to at least that of careful and competent human drivers. The principles cover five broad themes: vehicle control; hazard anticipation, perception and reaction; obeying traffic rules; interaction with other road users; and adaptability to road conditions.'
This follows significant work by the NMC and its members, alongside road safety interests and other transport organisations, since the AV act was first mooted under the previous administration. Activities included discussions with DfT officials and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, plus meeting the then Secretary of State and the ministerial team, alongside several road safety focussed organisations, during the Act’s passage through Parliament, to discuss vulnerable user safety and the significant risk to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users if they are not specifically included in the SoSP. Additionally, the NMC liaised with its international partners, the FEMA and FIM to understand wider developments in AVs and their impact on motorcyclists in other jurisdictions. The work of the Connected Motorcycle Consortium was also followed closely so that the NMC was able to understand the full picture of developments in an area which seems set to underpin the future of transport. The Council also took part in discussions on the issue as part of its membership of PACTS and responded to previous consultations.
The new consultation is the next step in the process towards the finalisation of the SoSP and the NMC strongly welcomes the inclusion and consideration of motorcycles within it. The consultation on the draft SoSP will be open until 9 September 2026. Depending on the outcome of this, the Government currently plans to lay a statutory SoSP before Parliament next year for approval by MPs.
NMC Executive Director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “We are very pleased that work on the SoSP is progressing with motorcycling in mind. Getting to this point has involved considerable background work on a topic which is very technical in nature. Getting the SoSP right is absolutely crucial for motorcyclists and other vulnerable road user safety and the consultation is an opportunity to ensure that motorcycle awareness and safety is fully embedded in the thinking of those involved in the development of AVs and the technology that sits behind these vehicles.
“This is also another example of how partnership both in the UK and Internationally can bring positive results, particularly in areas such as this, where policy surrounding the future of transport has such a significant impact on those who ride.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. For further information, please contact Craig Carey-Clinch on 07979 757484 | craig@uknmc.org
2. The Government’s consultation can be found here.
3. A paper outlining recommendations for the SoSP, prepared by the British Motorcyclists Federation for the NMC can be found here.
The NMC also publishes comment and shares relevant partner news and announcements on social media. You can follow the NMC on X: @OfficialUKNMC | Facebook: OfficialUKNC | LinkedIn national-motorcyclists-council
(Photo: iStock, gorodenkoff)
