A survey carried out for the Motorcycle industry* researched the impact of bikers on the tourist industry and found that Motorcycle-related tourism spending in the UK is over £565 million each year, supporting over 13, 000 tourism jobs.

In recent years the most significant growth in motorcyclists has been in female riders and with this the rise in longer stays under bricks & mortar such as B&B's, hotels, cottages, etc, rather than just for one night... Many riders know there is nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long ride, unpacking, showering, eating, drinking, sleeping and then up the next day to pack up and move on. With this there is a significant rise in finding a great Biker Friendly place to stay as a base for a few days and then to go out each day to tour and explore the area.

Hoteliers, cafes, pubs, event organisers and other tourist related organisations could be getting more money from the biker pound, by choosing the correct medium to promote themselves within, especially as many Bikers travel in the UK for their holidays, along with overseas motorcycling tourists spending over £17 million on trips here.

The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research** the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40+-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man, who almost certainly owns a car. Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage 25% higher than the national average.

By simply advertising your business as 'Biker friendly' here on THE BIKER GUIDE is letting this niche audience know that you welcome them, which many times is enough in itself... by also offering drying facilities, garaged and/or secure parking is a bonus and not a necessary, for you to capitalise on this growing market.

Other interesting facts:

More than half of all motorcyclists are over 40, with the vast majority of motorcycle tourists being in this age category.

“The lack of interest in the motorcycle tourism sector may be due to a perceived image of rebellious youthful bikers which is at odds with their current demographic," (Dr Cater, lecturer at Aberystwyth University).

* by GHK on behalf of the MCI ** by Bennetts

A survey carried out for the Motorcycle industry* researched the impact of bikers on the tourist industry and found that Motorcycle-related tourism spending in the UK is over £565 million each year, supporting over 13, 000 tourism jobs.

In recent years the most significant growth in motorcyclists has been in female riders and with this the rise in longer stays under bricks & mortar such as B&B's, hotels, cottages, etc, rather than just for one night... Many riders know there is nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long ride, unpacking, showering, eating, drinking, sleeping and then up the next day to pack up and move on. With this there is a significant rise in finding a great Biker Friendly place to stay as a base for a few days and then to go out each day to tour and explore the area.

Hoteliers, cafes, pubs, event organisers and other tourist related organisations could be getting more money from the biker pound, by choosing the correct medium to promote themselves within, especially as many Bikers travel in the UK for their holidays, along with overseas motorcycling tourists spending over £17 million on trips here.

The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research** the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40+-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man, who almost certainly owns a car. Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage 25% higher than the national average.

By simply advertising your business as 'Biker friendly' here on THE BIKER GUIDE is letting this niche audience know that you welcome them, which many times is enough in itself... by also offering drying facilities, garaged and/or secure parking is a bonus and not a necessary, for you to capitalise on this growing market.

Other interesting facts:

More than half of all motorcyclists are over 40, with the vast majority of motorcycle tourists being in this age category.

“The lack of interest in the motorcycle tourism sector may be due to a perceived image of rebellious youthful bikers which is at odds with their current demographic," (Dr Cater, lecturer at Aberystwyth University).

* by GHK on behalf of the MCI
** by Bennetts

An unrivalled helping of motorcycling goodness will be served up at one of the biggest bike shows in the World!

Dozens of clubs and hundreds of traders have already signed up to attend the 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show which takes place at Stafford County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD on Saturday, October 20, and Sunday, October 21.

More than 1000 traders showcased their wares at last year’s event and this year it looks certain to be larger still – offering an even greater selection of bikes, parts, tools, leathers, maintenance services, insurance, workshop manuals, books, magazines, memorabilia, transfers and even gifts.

Club stands are being booked up fast too, more than 60 at the last count, so you can see a bevy of beautiful 1960s, 70s and 80s machines looking their very best.

Mortons show organizer Nick Mowbray said: “We love classic motorcycles and we’re going to deliver the sort of show we’d like to visit ourselves. Our line-up brings together everything and everyone you need to help you own, restore, ride and maintain the finest machines of yesteryear.

“With hundreds of stalls to explore and dozens of club stands to admire, it’s going to be a very good weekend indeed.”

Free parking will be plentiful on both days and dogs are welcome as long as they're on a lead.

Gates are open 9am to 6pm on the Saturday and 9am to 5pm on the Sunday.

Book now to avoid disappointment and take advantage of discounted prices. Pre-booked one-day tickets cost £10 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens and £3 for under 15s. Two-day tickets cost £20 for adults, £17 for senior citizens and £6 for under 15s. Camping costs £40 for the weekend.

You can even arrive on Friday and get a three-day ticket. These cost £30 for adults, £25.50 for senior citizens and £9 for under 15s.

If you choose to pay on the day tickets will cost £12 for adults, £10.50 for senior citizens and £4 for under 15s.

Call our pre-booked discount ticket hotline today on 01507 529529. To book a stand, call 01507 529430.

www.mortons.co.uk

The average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is just four years – 62 per cent shorter than for manslaughter, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)1.
 
The average sentence length of manslaughter is 6.6 years. Those sentenced to prison for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving are given an average sentence of 1.3 years. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has an average sentence of 4.35 years.
 
Fifty-three per cent of those convicted of causing death or bodily harm through driving offences were sentenced to immediate custody (260 people) in 20112. This has dropped from the 83 per cent sentenced to immediate custody in 2001.
 
Fines for drink driving are also lower in real terms than they were ten years ago. In 2001 the average fine for drink driving was £203 – the average £240 fine in 2011 was equivalent to just £178 in 2001 prices – a 12.3 per cent decrease3.
 
The average fine for careless driving is £138, 27 per cent less in real terms than it was in 2001. Dangerous driving is the only area with tougher fines. The average fine is £518 – 30 per cent more in real terms than in 2001.
 
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “We recently discovered that the number of prosecutions for motoring offences have fallen. Now it is clear that drivers are also receiving short sentences for some of the most serious driving offences.
 
“Magistrates are handing out fines for drink driving that are less than five per cent of the maximum amount possible, giving the message that drink driving only warrants a slap on the wrist. Only sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crime will act as a proper deterrent.”

1. These figures are the result of a freedom of information request made by the IAM to the Ministry of Justice, figures received July 2012.
2. Ministry of Justice, ‘Criminal Justice Statistics 2011’ Motoring tables published July 2012 http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/criminal-justice-statistics
3. As above
4. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

www.iam.org.uk

Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket special exhibit showcases history of iconic piece of clothing

The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, USA chronicles the fascinating story and evolution of what is arguably one of the most iconic pieces of clothing of the 20th century with the exhibition Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket. The Museum’s special event space, the Garage, has been transformed to house nearly 60 leather jackets once worn by World War II fighter pilots, film stars, rock legends, rebel youth and runway models, to include from the USA’s SchottNYC and the UK’s legendary Lewis Leathers.

The masterfully designed exhibit takes visitors through five areas where the leather jacket has played a major role – History, Music, Fashion, Hollywood and Collectors. In addition to the jackets, Worn to be Wild uses artifacts such as motorcycles, riding gear and photographs, to include images from the Ace Cafe London Archive, to help tell the black leather jacket’s story.

Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket runs through Sept. 3 and is presented in partnership with the EMP Museum in Seattle. This is the first major traveling exhibit created by the curatorial staff at the Harley-Davidson Museum, and it’s the first time the complete history of the black leather jacket is being showcased, giving visitors a glimpse into all facets of how the jacket has become a main staple in popular culture. 

The impressive collection reflects months of assembly, years of coordination and nearly a century of history. This exhibit traces the black leather jacket from its utilitarian roots in the 1920s, protecting motorcyclists and pilots from the elements; to its adoption by celebrities, rock stars and counterculture youth as a symbol of rebellion and cool; to its modern day designs seen on runways and in stores around the world.

“Worn to be Wild uses an amazing array of garments with unique stories to depict the role the black leather jacket has played in popular culture,” said Jim Fricke, Curatorial Director at the Harley-Davidson Museum. “With materials on loan from around the world – including key pieces from EMP, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and Jean Paul Gaultier – the exhibit is the first comprehensive look at the impact of this iconic jacket. The combination of motorcycling, pop culture and fashion will appeal to a wide audience”

The jackets featured in Worn to be Wild range from the first leather jacket made by Harley-Davidson in 1929 and other early riding jackets to artfully adorned punk jackets. Hollywood plays a big role in the collection, featuring jackets worn on the screen and stage by stars like Elvis, Fergie, Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator 2), Gene Vincent, Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap), Hugh Laurie (House) to name but a few. High fashion stakes its claim in the exhibit with five outfits and leather jackets on loan from French designer Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as jackets by Gianni Versace, Jeremy Scott and several other designers.

Worn to be Wild will be showcased at the EMP Museum, Seattle, October 2012 through February 2013 as well as at several other venues through the end of 2014.

Special Events

Untold Stories: “Rockers, Rebels and Runways: The Black Leather Jacket”
Thursday, July 19, 7 pm.

Museum Curatorial Director Jim Fricke will host a lively discussion of the influence of the motorcycle jacket and the rebel image on popular culture. Panelists include Oscar-nominated costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Curatorial Director Howard Kramer, and Harley-Davidson General Merchandise Creative Director Karen Davidson. Cost is $15 for Museum members and $20 for non-members, and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.h-dmuseum.com

About the Harley-Davidson Museum

The Harley-Davidson Museum is located at 400 West Canal Street in Milwaukee and provides a glimpse of American history and culture like you’ve never seen it before – through the lens of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The Museum, a top destination in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin, is open year-round and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year. The 20-acre campus offers abundant and free parking, and includes Motor® Bar & Restaurant and The Shop. 

For more information on the Museum’s galleries, exhibits, special events, tickets, and more, visit the new and improved www.h-dmuseum.com