Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Using a bike or scooter to commute is a practical, cost-effective and congestion beating mode of transport according to the MCI's analysis of the most recent National Travel Survey.* 

    The survey reveals that the average motorcyclist relies on their bike for everyday transport, using it for over one-third (35%) of all journeys they make. The average rider makes 7 trips per week, covering 88 miles in a three-hour period.

    The survey shows that over half (51%) of all motorcycle trips in 2009 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (33%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (20 %) of car journeys.
    Congestion-beating - Cars used for commuting continue to have a low occupancy rate with 85% drivers using their car for commuting are single occupancy, so opting for a bike or scooter can help to reduce congestion and add to a quicker route to work.

    Cost-effective - Cheaper parking, lower tax and less fuel costs mean that using a bike or scooter is one-way people who are concerned about the cost of driving can get access to private transport. 

    Overall 30% of people surveyed have not learned to drive a car because of the cost of buying. Considering a motorcycle or scooter is a positive alternative. For younger people age 17 - 20 years this increases to 57% who gave the reason for not driving a car as cost. A motorcycle or scooter is a cheaper private transport alternative.

    Convenient  - Using a bike or scooter eliminates the need to rely on public transport timetables and can help to reduce travel times. Motorcycling is the SMART solution that provides a more Sustainable transport option, provides greater personal Mobility, is always more Accessible and provides a Realistic convenient form of Transport for many.

    Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented " The MCI is committed to ensuring motorcycles and scooters are represented in mainstream transport policy. The Government's own Travel Survey has shown that powered two-wheelers have an important role to play in providing a cost-effective mode of transport that can reduce congestion and help get people to work more efficiently and on time.

    "If employers can help with secure parking and locker facilities for example, this would go a long way to encouraging more people to use a bike or scooter for commuting and will help to ease congestion and ensure a less-stressed work force."
     
    1) National Travel Survey 2010 -Department for Transport
  2. The annual Stockport Bike Show, in aid of NABD, Rainbow Trust and Together Trust, is tTo be held in Stockport Market centre 12 noon until 12pm.  Live bands all day and evening, bike show, food & drink venues, raffles, tombola, trade stalls and much more!  Bikes, trikes & scooters welcome.
     
    venue: Stockport Market Place,  SK1 1ES
    price: free entry
    tel: 0161 221 9078
  3. Wings & Wheels are thrilled to announce that on Sunday 29th August the airshow will be paying tribute to the Harrier and celebrating 50 years since the first vertical take-off, which took place at the aerodrome in October 1960, with a very special flypast.

    Having taken a break from the airshow circuit for four years, the Harrier is back and joining the Show on both days and in a unique twist organisers have teamed up with the RAF Red Arrows to bring the crowds something a little bit different.

    Wings & Wheels are delighted to confirm that the Red Arrows and the Harrier will be marking the anniversary with a special tribute flypast formation.

    Gerry Forristal, Air Display Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “The aerodrome at one time was not only home to the Hawk aircraft flown by the Reds but played a key role in the development of the iconic Harrier. With 2010 being such an exceptional year for both us and the Harrier, we are delighted that the Red Arrows and the Harrier have agreed to team up and help us celebrate this landmark with a special tribute flypast formation.”

    Jamie McAllister, Event Director, Wings & Wheels comments: “We are extremely proud and very excited to welcome the Harrier back which we know is a firm favourite with our Wings & Wheels visitors. The formation flypast tribute is something not seen before at our airshow and we hope our visitors on Sunday enjoy watching and joining us in our celebrations.”

    Dunsfold Aerodrome has an illustrious aviation history and for many years was used as a flight test centre for Harriers and Hawks for the worldwide markets. The Hawk aircraft, flown by the Red Arrows, and most of its components are British made, built and, at one time, delivered from Dunsfold Aerodrome.

    Attracting phenomenal crowds of over 25,000 in 2009 with some of the finest aircraft and motoring displays in the UK, Wings & Wheels is not just an Airshow, it’s an exciting weekend of family entertainment.

    Tickets are still on sale for the advanced rate of £16 until 5pm on Saturday 28th and can be purchased from Dunsfold Park Estate Office, Guildford Tourist Office, Horsham Tourist Office, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Brooklands Museum.

    The Red Arrows will be headlining this year’s airshow and performing on both days, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August. Also confirmed in the spectacular 4 hour flying displays are the RAF Typhoon, RAF Hawk (Solo Hawk Jet), RAF Tutor (Solo Training Aircraft), Lynx Helicopter, Blades Aerobatic Display Team, Breitling Wingwalkers, Hawker Hunter (Jet), Hawker Hurricane (WW2), Red Bull Matadors, Aerobatic Glider Display,  Tigers Parachute Team and Vulcan Bomber.

    The ‘Wheels’ of the show is masterminded by Brooklands Museum who have lined-up an assortment of motoring icons, including Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, AC Cobras, Lotuses, Porsches, TVRs and the McLaren Mercedes SLR, to entertain the crowds as they demonstrate their speed and power up and down the runway made famous by BBC’s Top Gear.

    The two day show is being held over the August Bank Holiday, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey and is open to spectators from 9.00 to 18.00.

    Tickets prices remain the same as 2009 and start from: £16 for adults, £5 for under 15’s and £36 for a family. Hospitality packages start at £120 per person. For more information or to book a ticket visit www.wingsandwheels.net

    Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited to help raise monies for nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust and Help for Heroes.

  4. Fastest ever road racing lap helped by HEL Performance at Ulster GP
     
    HEL Performance braided brake lines helped Bruce Anstey make the fastest ever road racing lap at the 2010 Ulster GP.

    The Relentless Suzuki rider piloted his GSX-R1000 to an average speed of 133.977mph around the 7.4 mile Dundrod circuit in Northern Ireland. The New Zealand rider clocked the outright fastest lap in the second Superbike race on his way to victory on August 14 in County Antrim.

    Anstey’s record-breaking result was the icing on the cake at the Ulster GP for HEL Performance. In the six races held at the historic meeting, riders using HEL braided brake lines also took victory in 250 and Supersport classes with Ian Lougher and Keith Amor, respectively, and filled all three podium places in the hotly contested Supertwins race, won by Ryan Farquhar. The final Superbike race alone saw 14 of the top 15 runners using its extensive range of braided brake lines to great effect.

    Simon Lane of HEL Performance commented: “Another great set of results on the back of the success at this year’s Isle Of Man and the Northwest 200. HEL Performance are now ‘the’ racing brake line of choice by riders throughout the race paddock and it is testament to all the hard work we have put into supporting riders this year.

    “Our Northern Ireland distributor attended this event with their race support vehicle, which allows them to make hoses at the circuit. This effort, once again, reiterates the amount we support the sport – and it is being noticed. Thanks again to all the teams and riders that run HEL Performance – you are awesome.”

    HEL Performance has also recently become an official supplier to the British Superbike championship and attends every round with its custom-built, 40-foot race support unit to support the legion of race teams that demand the very best performance products. 

    For more information visit www.helperformance.com or call 01392 811681.

    Ulster Grand Prix results:

    Race 1 Superstock (12 of top 15, including 2nd to 10th, used HEL)

    1st Ian Hutchinson

    2nd Keith Amor (HEL)

    3rd Ryan Farquhar (HEL)

    Race 2 Supersport 1 (11 of top 15, including 2nd to 6th, used HEL)

    1st Ian Hutchinson

    2nd Keith Amor (HEL)

    3rd Michael Dunlop (HEL)

     

    Race 3 250cc

    1st Ian Lougher (HEL)

    2nd William Dunlop (HEL)

    3rd Paul Robinson

     Race 4 Superbike Race 1 (12 of top 15, including 2nd to 13th, used HEL)

    1st Ian Hutchinson

    2nd Bruce Anstey (HEL)

    3rd Keith Amor (HEL)

     

    Race 5 Supersport 2 (six of the top ten used HEL)

    1st Keith Amor (HEL)

    2nd Ian Hutchinson

    3rd William Dunlop (HEL)

     

    Race 6 Superbike 2 (14 of top 15 used HEL)

    1st Bruce Anstey (HEL)

    2nd Ian Hutchinson

    3rd Keith Amor (HEL)