November 4th, 2020.


The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) continues to lobby the government in an endeavour to have motorcycle retail outlets included as an essential service alongside bicycle shops.

However, as England approaches its second lockdown at 12.01am on the 5th of November, the MCIA advises that it appears necessary for motorcycle retail to close those areas of business that are considered non-essential.

The MCIA has summarised the implications for the PTW retail industry as follows;

Showroom sales
Vehicle showrooms are regarded as non-essential businesses and therefore they must close until further notice. Customers are not allowed in showrooms or offices. The MCIA is lobbying government to reclassify PTW outlets as essential businesses and will update accordingly.

Online and distance selling
Retailers can make sales by non-physical means (phone, web, social media, email etc.) for subsequent home delivery, or for customer collection (click and collect).

When collecting a pre-purchased item, under no circumstances may customers enter your business premises, not even to use the toilet. Collections must take place in a non-enclosed area.

If retailers are delivering items to customers, social distancing and hygiene guidance must be observed. Furthermore, where customers are committing to the purchase of a product without physically seeing or testing it beforehand, the transaction comes under distance selling regulations, where a 14-day no quibble return option must be offered within your Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Service and MoT testing
PTW servicing is considered an essential business, so workshops can remain open, although social distance and hygiene guidance must be adhered to.

The Government webpage which covers the November lockdown in England can be found HERE.

Source: The Motorcycle Industry Association www.mcia.co.uk