Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. Parents encouraged to take control of young moped and motorcycle riders

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    Many young students will return to their studies this year on mopeds and motorcycles and parents in Warwickshire are being urged to send them on a free, dedicated training course to help them stay safe on the roads. 

    Research has shown that 16 to 19 year old motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users and many still feel nervous and cautious when they first travel on two wheels; even though this heralds an exciting, new-found freedom.

    Warwickshire Road Safety Officer, Stephen Rumble explains;

    “A moped or motorcycle is a great way to get around because you no longer have to rely on parents for lifts or be constrained by public transport times. However, our behavioural studies suggest that many inexperienced riders quickly change from feeling nervous, cautious and vulnerable to being confident, cocky and believing themselves to be invincible. The casualty statistics for this age group would frighten any parent, but we are not trying to discourage the use of mopeds and motorcycles. The Take Control training course is designed to help young riders develop new skills, temper any over-enthusiasm and improve their road safety awareness“.

    A number of prominent local motorcycle dealerships are supporting and promoting the Take Control courses and the free half-day rider training would be an ideal follow up to CBT. The advanced instructors are available seven days a week and will usually take one or two motorcyclists per session, starting at a convenient location to suit everyone.                                                                                                    

    For more information, go to www.takecontroltraining.co.uk

    For bookings, call 90-ONE Rider Education on (0845) 370 91 91.

  2. ACE HARLEY NIGHTS

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    Continuing with Ace Cafe London's successful Harley Nights "Bike of the Night" competition, with this year's grand final to choose "Bike of the Year" taking place on Thursday 29th October, we are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with www.farorun.com who have generously offered a prize of free entry to attend the July 2010 Faro Festival in Portugal.

    Starting from Thursday 24th September 2009, and running through to Thursday 24th June 2010, each "Bike of the Night" winner will win a ticket for entry to the festival and will be invited back to attend the grand final in June to compete for the grand prize of a full camping package.

    www.ace-cafe-london.com

  3. Get Greener on Two Wheels in European Mobility Week 16th - 22nd September

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    Riders can do their bit for greener travel and healthier cities by getting their leg over daily, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association at the start of European Mobility Week. During the week, people across Europe come together to tackle the increase in pollution and related problems associated with transport in towns and cities. ' In Town Without My Car, ' taking place on the 22nd September, is the perfect opportunity for riders of bikes and scooters to demonstrate how powered two wheelers (PTWs) can help in the battle for less congested roads and reduced pollution.

    The green advantages of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are clear. On CO2 emissions, the PTW fleet as a whole (at 110g/km) has already bettered the new EU targets for cars. (120g/km, to be met by 2012)(1). PTWs don't get stuck in queues, and so don't stand in traffic jams with their engines idling, which means that total Co2 emitted will always be lower for any given journey. PTWs also take on average only half as long as a car to do a similar journey in town, and take up less space when parked.

    The MCI is calling for actions and events which promote sustainable transport to recognise that in reality, walking and cycling are not always the most practical alternative to a car journey, particularly for everyday commuting and business travel. The MCI's analysis of the National Travel Survey has shown that:-

    · the average commute is 8.7 miles/27 minutes
    · the average business trip is 19.4 miles/38 minutes
    · the average bicycle trip is 2.6 miles/20.3 minutes
    · the average motorcycle trip is 9.75 miles in 23 minutes

    An average commute of almost 9 miles is over three times as long as the average bicycle ride - but the same trip would be a comfortable journey by P2W.
    This campaign that encourages sustainable travel modes must also take a realistic view of people's travel habits. The NTS analysis also revealed that one quarter of participants said they never walked for 20 minutes, and that seventy percent of people surveyed rode a bicycle less than once a year. For these people, the PTW can be the perfect halfway house between car travel and bicycling, offering personal, flexible travel at a lower environmental cost than the car, while being a more achievable alternative than walking or cycling.

    MCI Spokesperson, Sheila Rainger commented, "Events like European Mobility Week must not let the best be the enemy of the good. PTWs are cleaner than cars, take up less space on our congestion urban roads, and can comfortably handle journeys that would be a daunting distance for novice bicyclists.

    "60% of cars on the road have only one occupant. Around 80% of car commuters are travelling solo. If even a small proportion of these switched to P2Ws, rush hours would be less congested, and no additional burden would be placed on public transport systems already bursting at the seams.

    "Motorbikes, mopeds and scooters offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to the car for those who can't or won't cycle or walk. Choosing a PTW won't add to the pressures onto the public transport system, will help to reduce congestion and also offers clear environmental benefits. Now's the time for everyone who is serious about promoting sustainable travel to recognise the PTW as part of the solution."

    For more information about the event go to www.mobilityweek.eu
    or to find out more about getting on two wheels check out www.geton.co.uk

     

  5. THE BIKER CALENDAR 2010

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    THE BIKER GUIDE g

    It struck me a while ago that my first childhood memory, was riding pillion on my fathers cycle, where on a bright summers day, I was laughing, with my arms outstretched and from that moment I was hooked on the feeling I experienced... From then it was inevitable that I would end up on a Motorbike. I thoroughly enjoy the freedom of the road, being exposed to the elements with the sun on your face, the wind on your back and even the feeling of surviving another English rain storm on 2 wheels.
    It still holds the same thrill now as it did when I started and to be honest, it just gets better with the more people you meet and the camaraderie that exists between Bikers. For example, after suffering a puncture on a motorway last year, we managed to get to the hard shoulder and whilst we waited for the AA to rescue us, Bikers were stopping to see if they could help. This genuine concern for your fellow human being is hard to find in this day and age, but it is very prevalent within this community.
     
    I was hooked...
     
    With brief moments on motorcycles over the years, it was not until I lived in Greece, that I became hooked. In fact one day as I lay on the beach, I heard the rumble of approaching motorcycles and as I looked toward the road saw a group of Bikers passing by, on what I now know to be Harleys. I made a decision: That I needed to ride myself!
     
    For eight years I rode around the island of Rhodes for enjoyment and also work, which was selling advertising for an English tourist newspaper and magazine. I even took part in one of the first reality programmes, named 'Brits abroad', which involved a BBC film crew following my day-to-day living and work, which of course included shots of me on my beloved Motorcycle.

    After five years of working for various media groups in the UK on magazines, newspapers and web-sites and dealing with the burocracy the corporate world brings, I decided to answer that niggling idea I had thought about years previously, which was to design a web-site for the Biker community which would include information such as Rallies, Shows, Ride-outs, Clubs, News, Biker Pubs, Clothing, Biker Friendly Accommodation, Camping, Custom & Parts and much, much more, all on one user friendly site.  

    Born to be wild... and naked!

    Launched in January 2009, thebikerguide.co.uk, has quickly become a trusted source of information, mainly as we strive to include updated information and businesses which are of interest to the Biker Community and promote direct to Bikers at Rallies, Shows and have just produced THE BIKER CALENDAR, which features clubs and Bikers from around the UK, in various states of undress - all artfully taken to avoid envy or embarrassment for those which have took part.   The Clubs who have dared to bare are:

    NABD, Northern Harley Club, Jesters MCC, FELP, The Wreckin Crew, Unwanted MCC, Salutation MCC, Bristol & Avon Roadrunners MCC, The Royal British Legion Riders Branch, Royal Oak Rejects and a few other 'lone' Bikers.

    The Biker Calendar is available through the website.
     
    THE BIKER CALENDAR 2010, NABD, Northern Harley Club, NHC, Jesters MCC, FELP
     
    Story by:
    Sharon Rollisson-Slaughter
     
    THE BIKER GUIDE
    Bringing the Biker Community Together