Hundreds of bikers from across Oxfordshire are planning to take part in a convoy to protest against European Union proposals they claim will harm their favourite hobby.

The bikers will gather at the service station at Milton interchange near Didcot at 1pm on Sunday and then ride about 20 miles north along the A34, using the inside lane at 45 miles an hour before dispersing at junction nine of the M40.

At the same time, at Oxford Services at junction 8a of the M40, a group of riders, including High Wycombe MP Steven Baker, will travel about 20 miles south towards High Wycombe.

The rides through Oxfordshire mirror more than 100 others taking place across the UK at the same time in an event organised by Warwickshire-based Motorcycle Action Groups (MAG).

General secretary Nick Brown said: “About 10,000 motorcyclists across the UK are due to take part in what could be one of the biggest protests to date by a road users group.”

Mr Brown, who rides a 660cc Yamaha Tenere, said bikers were protesting over an EU proposal which would threaten the right of motorbike owners to modify their machines.

It means riders could be forced to stop servicing their own bikes, even down to issues such as adjusting the suspension.

MAG said the EU was also proposing to increase the number of roadside checks on motorcyclists, while the number of checks on cars would not change.

Mr Brown added France was also proposing legislation to make all bikers wear high-visibility clothing and to prohibit bikes more than seven years old from entering urban areas. This will apply to riders visiting from abroad.

The Irish government is also demanding that bikers wear full-sleeved high-visibility jackets, according to the MAG.

Mr Brown added: “Once these countries introduce these new regulations they could then be backed by the EU.

“Motorcyclists are facing a whole raft of new measures which could make life a lot more difficult for them.Some of the measures are designed to cut fuel pollution, but motorbikes don’t usually get held up in traffic jams, so emissions from older motorcycles should not be a major problem.”

MAG campaigns manager Paddy Tyson, who rides an MZ 1000, added: “Both French and Irish governments have failed to provide research to support their ideas and the MAG is concerned that the insurance industry in the UK may start to insist on these measures before they become a legal requirement.

“The Department for Transport released research on August 24 which suggested a small amount of hazard avoidance training could dramatically reduce the number of casualties of all vulnerable road users.

“Approximately a third of all motorcyclist casualties in the UK during the past year have been wearing high- visibility clothing when a car has turned across their path.

“As a third of all motorcyclists wear high-visibility clothing, there is clearly no reduction in cars turning across motorcyclists’ paths because of what they are wearing.

“The key to reducing these kind of accidents is educating all road users to take care and share the road.

“With all this new legislation coming out, many motorcyclists feel that they are being unfairly targeted.”

The MAG has 10,000 individual members and 50,000 other riders are affiliated through clubs and organisations.

Throughout the day the Highways Agency’s motorway signs will display the reminder ‘Think bike’.

For further information, including a map showing all 106 UK convoy start-points, visit mag-uk.org

CONSULTATION PERIOD The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on the proposed new European Union regulation on the type approval process for motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles. The consultation runs until October 28. Roads Minister Mike Penning said: “This is a chance for both motorcycle manufacturers and riders to have their say on this new proposed EU regulation. “I hope as many people as possible will respond to the consultation and give us the benefit of their knowledge and experience as we progress towards the negotiating stage on these new rules.”