The start of June has seen a few more reports on the Roadworthiness Testing (RWT) package, as proposed by the European Commission, added to the Right To Ride EU website.      

Reports by MAG Ireland and the Swedish Riders organisation SMC, led us to write articles on the need for a strong global lobby for motorcycling and to tie in comments to a recent press release from the European Commission.      

The press release was regarding a meeting with the Council of Ministers on Monday 10th June 2013, it would appear that Commissioner Kallas and the European Commission are in denial and are trying to defend a lost cause as regards the motorcycle part of RWT.      

The European Commission is out of step with European Member States, the TRAN committee of MEPs and motorcyclists.      

Also there are a couple of reports from ETRA (European Twowheel Retailers’ Association) who are raising the attention and profile for electric 2Wheels.  

Keep Up At The Back!   8th June 2013 

The Swedish rider organisation SMC (Sveriges MotorCyklister) has reported on the recent vote in the TRAN (Transport and Tourism) committee of MEPs regarding motorcycles and the deletion of motorcycles from the Road Worthiness Testing (RWT) package. A Europa press release from the EU Council of transport ministers reports that they will meet in Luxembourg on [read more here...]         

ETRA Sustainable2Wheels Event       7th June 2013

ETRA Sustainable2Wheels Event: register now for participation On Wednesday 18 September 2013, ETRA organises on the esplanade of the European Parliament in Brussels the fourth edition of Sustainable 2Wheels. As part of the European Commission’s Mobility week, this event is aimed at showing decision-makers and their staff in European Parliament, Commission, Council and other European [read more here...]       

Strong Global Lobby!   5th June 2013

Do you know that outside of Europe, motorcycle lobbying, along with Riders Rights, is alive and kicking and that there is a focus on global lobbying at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – UNECE? Motorcycle rider issues are dealt through representation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) WP29 Vehicle Regulations [read more here...]      

Attention For Electric 2Wheels   5th June 2013

ETRA (European Twowheel Retailers’ Association) raises attention for electric 2Wheels in the EU electric (car) mobility debate Original Source – ETRA – Click Here At the end of May 2013, the European Development Fund (EDF) organised a debate on electric mobility. The initiative was part of the European Green Week and was supported by the [read more here...]      

MAG Ireland on RWT   1st June 2013

The Irish Motorcyclists Action Group – MAG Ireland – has reported on the vote in the TRAN (Transport and Tourism) Committee of MEPs that saw a rejection of the European Commissions proposal to introduse mandatory Road Worthiness Testing (RWT) for motorcycles. MAG Ireland’s PRO Victor Donnelly said: “This is a victory for common sense. We’ve [read more here...]      

A JAM-PACKED WEEKEND of high-octane motoring action is heading for Kent this September.

Making its debut in 2013, The Carole Nash Big Kent Bike Show will be bringing straight-line sprint displays, wheelie machines, stunt extravaganzas and much, much more straight into the heart of the home counties.

A welcome new addition to the Classic Bike Shows line-up; the nationally-recognised organiser of already massive events at Stafford and Bristol is excited to be bringing its unique brand of motorcycling madness to the Kent Event Centre.

Show manager Nick Mowbray commented: “We have a weekend bursting with attractions, displays and activities that are designed to entertain showgoers of all ages, as well as die-hard bike aficionados.

“And, The Kent Event Centre is the perfect destination for us with the location having its own trials track already on-site.”

Among the highlights of the September 28-29 show will be live demonstrations from the Kent Youth Trials Club, Ken Fox’s famous Wall of Death and a gravity-defying performance from the Vertical Trix stunt team.

There are a host of interactive opportunities as well with visitors invited to have a go on the Repsol Honda Wheelie Machine or speed round the track with The South Coast Land Rover Experience.

Safety will also be on the agenda; the Kent Fire and Rescue Service will be at the show, informing the crowds about its ‘Biker Down’ scheme.

Nick added: “Our portfolio of superb bike shows has grown significantly in recent years and we are delighted to be bringing the Big Kent Bike Show into that group.

“We are looking forward to the coming months as we complete preparations for the event and build up to revealing our special guest attendees.”

"We really enjoyed our stay at The Silver Jubilee and would recommend it to other bikers...

They were really welcoming and friendly and the rooms were clean and had everything we needed from en suite shower and loo to kettle and fridge. It is only a stones throw from the beach which holds a bike night on Fridays." 

Kaz Brunsdon

MIchael Dunlop will be awarded the Joey Dunlop TT Championship Trophy thanks to his four incredible wins so far at the 2013 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

With wins in the Dainese Superbike, both Monster Energy Supersport races and the Royal London 360 Superstock race, the 24 year old Dunlop has an unassailable lead in the 2013 TT Championshiop. The Ballymoney man has achieved all this before the blue riband race, the PokerStars Senior TT, which is due to take place on Friday 7th June.

The Joey Dunlop Trophy is awarded to the overall champion, based on a World Championship points system, across the Solo classes, excluding the SES TT Zero and Bikesocial.co.uk Lightweight races. Having already accumulated the maximum possible 100 points after only four of the five races, Michael Dunlop will receive the trophy and £10,000 prize money. However, second and third positions are still to be decided and with a wide range of other riders sharing the podium with Dunlop, a number of the leading riders are still in the running to finish runner-up.

John McGuinness tops the chasing pack with a total of 61 points after achieving his 40th podium position in Wednesday's Monster Energy Supersport Race 2. His grand total of podiums equals that of the TT wins record-holder and McGuinness' hero, Joey Dunlop. Bruce Anstey is only 2 points behind the Morecambe rider in the Championship points with 59 points after top ten finishes in all four races to date including two podiums. William Dunlop, James Hillier, Cameron Donald and Dean Harrison also still have a mathematical chance of finishing second.

The Privateers Championship on the other hand is still very much up for grabs. Steve Mercer is the current leader with 50 points but is closely followed in the table by Lee Johnston with 49 points and Dan Kneen and Ben Wylie, who are both on 44 points. Dan Cooper, Robert Wilson, Rob Barber and Davy Morgan all still have a chance of finishing top in the battle to be top privateer.

England cricket legend Darren Gough completed a key chapter in his summer of Bennetts Biking Dream Challenges yesterday after fulfilling a lifetime dream to experience the thrill of the Isle of Man TT.

Gough was given the ultimate ‘access all areas’ TT experience, the highlight being to ride a lap of the famous 37 ¾ mile Mountain Course under the guidance of TT star ‘Milky’ Quayle. To cap it off, Gough got up close to the Superbike TT race with a grid walk, a place at the very best race vantage point at the bottom of Bray Hill, and a ‘closed lap’ of the Mountain Course in the official course inspection car.

Gough’s weekend was organised by Bennetts, the UK’s No.1 Bike Insurance Specialist, who are also an official sponsor of the Isle of Man TT. His TT experience is part of a series of Biking Dream Challenges which have been set up for him by Bennetts this summer after discovering that Gough harboured a dream to learn to ride different types of motorcycle.

Having undertaken further bike training with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and out on the TT track on a sports bike, Gough will soon take on his next challenge on an altogether different type of motorcycle.

Reflecting on his TT experience, Gough, said: “I’ve always been a fan of watching sports bikes but it’s always been BSB, WSB and MotoGP. To come here and take in the TT has been amazing. I take my hat off to these guys. You can imagine that’s what motorcycle racing was like 100 years ago - just pure skill and guts.”

Hannah Squirrell, Bennetts Marketing & Ecommerce Director said, “The Isle of Man TT is a completely unique event and we are extremely proud to support it, so when we heard of Darren’s Biking Dream, we knew we could help him fulfil it.  He is an excellent ambassador for motorcycling and we’re glad he is able to spread a positive message.”