| | Biker News - Regularly updated
-
The 2009 Rally of Great Britain, one of the UK's biggest motorsport events, popular for its high octane action set in the infamously unforgiving Welsh forests, has now been launched.
The event, which takes place from 22 - 25 October, is the final round of the World Rally Championship and could see the making of this year's Champion. This year, for the first time, the Service Park will be in the Welsh capital, in Cardiff Bay. Free of charge to enter, it will give everyone a chance to get up close to the action.
Tickets are now on sale, with last year's popular 'kids for a quid' offer extended to include more of the event than ever before, making it a perfect family activity. Once again, all ticket prices remain low, starting from just £1 for child day passes. A World Rally Pass (WRP) represents the best value for money, for adults wanting to soak up all the action. The pass will give access to all stages and car parks and shakedown. Organisers have worked hard to keep prices low and at £90 the WRP remains the same price it has been for the past five years - a rare phenomenon in the sporting world.
Also available is a huge range of hospitality packages at extremely competitive prices, designed to suit small or large businesses and rally fans alike. Each package is designed to bring guests closer to the action in exclusive surroundings. Bespoke packages can also be created to include almost anything from hotels to helicopter rides, making the Rally of Great Britain experience truly unique.
This year's event will have a new twist, with Rally HQ and the Service Park based entirely in Cardiff, making it extremely convenient for fans wanting to experience all the action. The Service Park, which will be based in Cardiff Bay, can be reached easily from the city centre by bus, foot or train. Entry to the Service Park is free and will give visitors the chance to meet the teams and experience the full rally atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy the entertainment and catering available at the Service Park, which is itself surrounded by some of Cardiff's best bars and restaurants.
An added bonus this year will be the return of the Remote Service Park in Builth Wells. Set in the midst of the Mid Wales stages, it will give fans the chance to experience a service park right at the heart of the rally and really see what goes on behind the scenes. It will be an absolute must see for serious rally fans and is an added bonus for World Rally Pass holders.
To take advantage of the best ticket prices advance booking is essential. Details of how to purchase tickets together with other important news is available by visiting www.rallygb.org
Tickets can also be booked by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 847 2251 or in person from Ticketline, 47 Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1TL, Monday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 9am -5.30pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.
-
The active UK rider population is 1.5 million and an estimated 3.8 million people in the UK have a driving licence with a moped/motorcycle entitlement.
Women accounted for 14% of the people who took their test in 2007/08.
Women - 12,061
Men - 75,884
17% more people passed their test in 2007/08 than in 2006/07.
20% more people passed their test in 2008/09 than in 2007/08.
London motorcycle commuters can reduce the duration of their journeys by up to 34% compared to car drivers . In the rest of the UK journeys can be reduced by 12% (Regional Transport Statistics 2008)
A typical scooter consumes between 55% and 81% less fuel than a car on the same journey
The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year.
Motorcyclists say that biking is about freedom, practicality, friendship and fun:
Freedom - 26%
Practical - 23%
Friendly - 18%
Fun - 11%
Economical - 9%
Adventurous - 4%
Thrill Seeking - 4%
Fast - 4%
(You Gov 09 *)
One-third of 24-34 year olds are jealous of motorcycles getting though traffic. (You Gov 09 *)
One -fifth of Southerners ( London and South regions) are jealous of motorcycles getting though traffic. (You Gov 09 *)
Car drivers and bus passenger are most jealous of motorcycles getting through traffic. (You Gov 09 *)
One-third of commuters are 'sometimes' late for work because of traffic and congestion. (You Gov 09 *) unless they're bikers, of whom 67% are "never" late for work.
The end
You Gov 09* FIGURES are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,136 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 11th June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
* London and South regions of the UK
-
•7,500 paying customers.
•900 back room people (Caterers, Traders, litter pickers, band members, bar staff... to name but a few).
•180 Marshals (who paid for their tickets by the way).
•300 staff cars hidden out of the way.
•20 tons of paper and plast
ic rubbish picked up and disposed of.
•120 tons of wood burned.
•9,500 gallon of poo taken away.
•11,000 gallons of Diesel burned in generators.
•90 first aid patients.
•And a lot of happy people
From 8am Friday morning of the Farmyard to 12 Noon on Sunday the volunteer marshals worked 532, Four-hour shifts, this equates to 2,128 hours work by volunteers (who like I say pay for a ticket, same as you)
The organizing committee from all the MAG groups in Yorkshire amounts to around 25 people met 6 times and that's 30 hours, totaling around 750 hours just in meetings never mind traveling to and from them.
And then there is the work of the lady called Clare Shaw who puts this information together, who's hours cant be counted because she donates her time and company QT Creative to the riders rights cause.
However all our hard working volunteers, both seen and unseen are actually priceless, so if you see someone in a Farmyard Party crew T-shirt, don't whine at them because the grass was to long or to green around your tent, give them a pat on the back because without them there would be no Farmyard Party.
BY BIKERS, FOR BIKERS, IN AID OF BIKING. So all in all a great event and we are so pleased so many have taken the time to tell us so.
For more details on MAG:
www.mag-uk.org
-
Adventure
Adventure motorcycling is a popular hobby, that can take you all round the world. The famous trips by Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman have inspired many more people to enjoy the adventure opportunities that are open to them. And it's not just for the boys - Lois Pryce writes about her ride from Alaska to Argentina at www.loisontheloose.com
BikeSafe An unique assessment carried out by highly qualified police riders. Expect a reasonably priced day of riding, where you will be observed by experts and given top tips on what you can do to improve your skills. A highly recommended experience. For more information go to www.bikesafe.co.uk
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)A one day training course with two-hours on road riding. On successful completion you will be entitled to ride a bike or scooter up to a 125cc capacity for two years. For more info go to www.mcita.co.uk
Driving LicenceEssential to getting on the road. If you are 16 and want to ride a moped on the road, you will need to apply for a provisional moped licence and take a CBT. If you are over 17 and already have a full car license, this acts as a provisional licence for mopeds and learner-legal motorcycles. Unless you passed your car test before 1 February 2001, you'll need a CBT too, but it's a good idea to take the CBT course before taking to the road even if you aren't legally required to. For more information about routes to your licence, visit here
Economic
Riding a bike, scooter or moped is a cost -effective way of commuting. A You Gov Survey carried out for National Motorcycle Week ( 2009) found that one- quarter of bikers said they chose to ride to work because it is the cheaper option, compared to only 2% of car drivers.
Freedom
In surveys carried out by the Motor Cycle Industry Association, one of the key words associated with motorcycling is 'freedom'.
Green
Powered Two-wheelers are recognised as a green form of transport with lower emissions than some other modes of transport. On average, new P2Ws emit 110g/CO2 per km, already a better performance than the targets given to the car industry. On average, Mopeds emit about 70g/km. The average for cars is 158g/km.
Helmets Sometimes called 'lids'. Getting a properly fitted and safe helmet is an essential part of a riders kit. To get independent test results on a whole range of lids from the cheapest to most expensive check out this website. www.sharp.direct.gov.uk
Independence
A bike or scooter can provide young people with their first taste of independence. Young people between 17 and 25 made up 32% of all new riders in the past 12 months.*
Age number percentage 17 - 20: 7,543 11% 21 - 25: 14,441 21% 26-30: 12,582 18% 31-35: 9,426 13% 36-40: 9,531 14% 41-45: 7,838 11% 46-50: 4,801 7% 51-55: 2,324 3% 56-60: 1,095 2% 61 +: 462 1%
*figures from DSA
Industry
The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year.
Jam busters
If you want to avoid the crowds and get around the capital as a passenger why not enjoy the thrill of a pillion taxi ride with the professional services of a Virgin limobike.
Kill Spills A campaign to help reduce the number of diesel spills on UK roads. These spills contribute to many bike accidents , that could easily be reduced . For more information go to www.killspills.org.uk
Leathers An important part of the riders safety kit. Traditionally bike riders wore leathers for protection. There are many styles available including one piece suits, essential if you plan to do any track riding, and more traditional two piece designs. There are also now a number of alternatives to leathers, such as hi-tech textile clothing which offers protection and comes in a variety of fashionable styles. Don't forget when buying kit you also need a protective pair of boots - and never ride without gloves.Moto GP The motorcycle equivalent of Formula One - The German Moto GP takes place on Sunday 19th July at the Sachsenring, but if you can't make it don't forget you can watch the drama unfold on TV.NEC show - Although it doesn't take place until later in the year, you can think about getting your tickets for the biggest UK motorcycle show. Find out more on www.motorcycleshow.co.ukOff-Road There are lots of ways for people to enjoy two-wheels without even riding on the road, Popular forms of off-road activity include ; moto-cross (scrambling), Trials, Enduro and Supermoto - which is one of the newest and fastest forms and is a mix between road racing and motocross. For more information check out the website
Parking Motorcycles take up much less space than cars. In a typical car park you can get around 5 motorcycles per car in each space.Queues You are less likely to sit in queues if you ride a bike, scooter or moped. The You Gov survey found that almost one in five people are jealous of bikers getting through traffic more quickly.Ride to Work
Riding on a powered - two wheeler can help you win bonus points with the boss. The You Gov survey found over two-thirds ( 67% of motorcycle commuters said they were never late for work. Ride to Work Day is 15th July 2009.Scooters These practical urban machines range from 50cc to 400cc. A stylish and affordable mode of transport, they were made popular by the MODs in the 1960's.Track Day One of the most exciting ways to hone your skills in a safe environment is at a track day. You can find out how to improve your cornering and get experienced at the hands of the experts with www.thesuperbikeschool.comUrban Mobility The number of people riding a powered -two wheeler in London has increased since the introduction of the congestion charge. This has also led to a reduction in casualties. An increase of +20% in motorcycle and scooter mileage in London corresponded to a reduction of 13% in fatalities. Volunteers Powered Two Wheelers are used for a variety of life-saving activities. Blood and organ deliveries are often carried out on bikes and scooters. The fire service and police also have fleets
Women Female riders account for around 15% of the 1.5 million active riders. Famous women riders include: MP Hazel Blears, TV presenters Vicky Butler-Henderson and Suzi Perry, and Patsy Quick, Paris Dakar rider. The MOTO GP is the bike equivalent of Formula 1 car racing. It is one of the most exciting spectator sports that generates millions of pounds for the industry. Some famous winners include the legendary Barry Sheene, and other UK champions Mike Hailwood and John Surtees and more recently the young Italian Valentino Rossi who has won a staggering eight times.Your turn
Last year the number of people who took their test increased by 18 per cent. More people are opting for two wheels or considering it as a viable option for their commute. In a recent YouGov survey, Bicycle commuters and tube travellers were the most willing to switch to two wheels. Eighteen per cent of pedal cyclists and 20 per cent of underground users said that they would consider commuting by motorcycle or scooter to avoid traffic and delays.
Zero Emissions
The motorcycle industry already has good green credentials and the manufacturers are doing a lot of research into alternative fuels. For the eco-minded commuter there are even electric motorbikes which have zero emissions.
-
Aspiring motorcyclists are more likely to be interested in getting to work more easily than getting their knee down, according to a You Gov survey** carried out for National Motorcycle Week.
In two years the number of commuters who said they would like to ride to work on a bike has doubled. The survey revealed that 16 per cent of the public said they would like to be a 'commuter biker' when asked what sort of motorcyclist they would like to be, compared to 8 per cent who chose this option in 2007.
The desire to enjoy the leisure aspect of riding is now less important to people. People want a cost-effective and practical mode of transport to get them to work. This was underpinned in the survey findings that showed the number of people of who aspired to be 'leisure riders' has notably fallen from 31 per cent in 2007 to 19 per cent in 2009.
One in eight commuters in Great Britain would consider switching to two wheels in order to avoid traffic. Bicycle commuters and tube travellers were the most willing to switch. Eighteen per cent of pedal cyclists and 20 per cent of underground users said that they would consider commuting by motorcycle or scooter to avoid traffic and delays.
Other benefits of riding to work highlighted by the survey included:-
* Punctuality: over two-thirds of motorcycle and scooter commuters (67 per cent) said they were never late for work. The only commuters with a better punctuality performance were those who walked to work, 68 per cent of whom said they were never late.
* Quicker commute: one quarter of motorcyclists said the reason they rode to work was because it was quicker than other options. For commuters as a whole, only one tenth said their usual means of transport was the quickest available.
* Financial savings: Sixty per cent of motorcycle commuters spent less than £10 a week on their commute
The general public, especially people who have to travel during the rush hour are starting to recognise the many practical benefits for riding to work on either a bike, scooter or moped. Ride to Work Day was created to highlight the fact that riding has benefits for the individual and society.
Riding a bike to work can
. Cut costs
. Cut journey times
. Cut pollution
. Cut congestion
Sheila Rainger MCI Spokesperson said, ""Motorcycling isn't just about having fun on Sundays. Many new riders have taken their tests so that they can spend less time travelling to work and more time with their families.
"Experience in London has shown that as the number of two-wheel commuters rises, the risk of being injured in an accident falls. More people riding to work is good news for individuals, the economy and for road safety.
"Ride to Work Day 2009 is the ideal opportunity to Get More Out of Life by switching to two wheels."
**All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,136 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 11th June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
|
