THE BIKER GUIDE are pleased to be associated with a new forum for the Biker Community - www.biker-forum.co.uk

The IAM is calling the government to redesign crash barriers to make them more motorcycle-friendly. While crash barriers have saved the lives of thousands of drivers, hitting a crash barrier is a factor in eight to sixteen per cent of rider deaths.
 
When they hit a crash barrier, riders are 15 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. In a crash, barrier support posts can worsen injuries by five times.1
 
Most UK crash barriers are designed to protect car drivers and passengers when a car hits a barrier; it will redirect a car away from a hazard and slow it down over a short distance. The car, seat belts and air bags help to minimise injury. For motorcyclists, hitting a crash barrier can mean serious injury or even death as the rider’s body takes the full impact.
 
Writing in the summer issue of the IAM members’ magazine Advanced Driving, IAM chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE said: “Roads in general and crash barriers in particular are largely designed with four or more wheels in mind. The needs of more vulnerable motorcyclists must become a priority.
 
“Britain leads the world on road safety, but lags behind on this issue. Existing standards and guidelines for road infrastructure – and barriers in particular – must be changed so they take proper account of motorcyclists.”

www.iam.org.uk

Saturday 11th August, 9pm - 2am, Ace Cafe London

Make a date in your diary for our annual Elvis Tribute Party Night with multi-award winning tribute artist Ben Thompson with TCE (Taking Care of Elvis Band), plus Rockin' DJ Bill Guntrip.
 
Free prize draw raffle, just keep hold of your entry ticket to be in with a chance of winning a selection of Elvis CDs courtesy of Vee-Tone Records - Volumes 1,2 & 3 "The Memphis Jukebox", together with pairs of tickets to attend three great events:
 
Outlaws Picnic, Twinwood Festival, Kustom Kulture Blast Off

Entry £10. Sorry no under 18's.

Midlands-based RMT Motorcycle Training is organising a continental trip this September that offers the perfect blend of riding, socialising, advanced training and sight-seeing.

The five-day excursion to Normandy is a package deal that includes ferry crossings, meals and accommodation for up to 25 people, together with as much or as little continental training as riders want from a small team of highly qualified instructors.

RMT Director, Simon Hayes, explains; “We take on overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, head for an English-owned rustic chateau in Brix, Normandy and ride some of the best roads in lovely countryside for three days. Our five instructors are all DSA-approved, fully qualified as Senior IAM Observers and RoSPA Gold holders - and passionate bikers. Each individual rider decides day-by-day how much he or she takes advantage of their knowledge, but we like to incorporate advanced riding techniques, tips on group riding dynamics and of course, how to ride on the ‘wrong side’ of the road! Individuals can take time out to do their own thing, but we aim to offer a nice balance of touring, learning and socialising“. 

The trip runs from Thursday 6th until Monday 10th September and costs £650 per person, pillions are also very welcome. Routes and radios are provided, but guests cover their own fuel, lunch stops and souvenirs. RMT can also help with a comprehensive checklist to highlight the useful kit and necessary requirements for riding in France.

Every rider gets a Development Report when they return home and may even have the bonus of being awarded the DSA Enhanced Rider Scheme Certificate of Achievement if there riding is to a high enough standard.

A second, 9-day tour to Portugal has been organised for mid October at a cost of £990 per person.

For more information, go to www.rmtnet.co.uk and click on Training Holidays. You can call Simon and his team on (01527) 500 333 or email [email protected] 

It's no secret that motorbikes are officially the coolest mode of transport, however, did you know that many of the safety measures we now take for granted were not introduced for many years after motorcycling became so popular?

With motorcycle fatalities are at their lowest level ever, this infographic has been created by UK's bike insurer Bennetts to show how motorcycle safety has evolved over the years and what a huge impact the work of bikers, campaigners and legislators has had to make motorcycling safer for everyone.