Cheers for confirming what I thought Cagey. Seems a bit ridiculous really, but then let's face it, the people who make the laws up never actually think them through, and they won't put it out to consultation because they're paranoid that it'll get watered down, or that they'll be found out to be incompetent. It's a case of them just not understanding the needs of people who do something a little bit different. Either that or they just rush things through with catch-all wording, and just don't care who suffers, as long as they're seen to be doing something. Sledgehammer to crack a nut. I'd like to crack their nuts! As for the police using intercoms, well, I think most people accept that the police use radios whilst riding or driving. The Autocom is merely the bit that helps it to work on bikes. But of course, as usual it's deemed ok for them but not for us, despite the obvious safety benefits that accrue from being able to share information whilst riding. Also, if learners can be instructed and examined whilst using radios, why can't experienced riders use them? Next the Nanny State will ban people from carrying passengers, in case they talk to the driver! Sounds silly, but really, what's the difference? (FWIW, I don't really like talking to a passenger when I'm driving a car: I do agree that it can be distracting, but they can't ban talking altogether!)

Kosmic is also right. Time was when criminals would be tagged by the Home Office. Now, anyone who has a mobile phone in their pocket is also effectively tagged. Every time you pay with a card, you are logged as having been somewhere and they know what you buy. That's what the Tesco Clubcard (and other similar things) are all about. For that reason I just draw cash. Not that I'm up to no good, it's just an old habit from when cards weren't so prevalent, and then I decided that I didn't like the idea of Big Brother knowing everything I do. That is why the Guvverment were looking into putting RFID tags into banknotes. Free country? My ar5e. In the Cold War, the East German Stasi used to track people by irradiating money, clothes etc with radioactive stuff. Now, our own 'public servants' are doing it to us. It's not quite so hazardous to health, but it's just as much an infringement of our liberties. They use the terrorist threat as an excuse to create a Mugabe-esque stranglehold on their own electorate, whilst sitting there trying to look righteous and innocent and complaining about the likes of Mugabe, but basically they're just as bad, only more subtle. Maximum technology, minimum bloodshed, same oppression.

Blimey! I never realised how much this had got under my skin! I never used to worry, and used to think it was all in our interest, but over the last few years I've watched it get more and more out of hand. Now you just have to hope that they've got bigger fish to fry. At least having a bike creates the illusion of freedom…

Sorry to be such a cynical depressing B'stard. Maybe I should do wot Mike says: Ride More Worry Less!

Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly.