Whilst the rest of the European bike industry misfires, Ducati is running on all cylinders and returning muscular financial results.

Ducati's sales revenue for the first nine months of 2008 grew by 25 per cent year-on-year to £346m and net profit shot up by a stunning 84 per cent to £27.7m. Motorcycle shipments from the factory to dealers increased by 19.1 per cent to 36,979 units and worldwide retail sales were up by 8.3 per cent to 37,572 bikes, compared to a reference market (ie directly competing products from other manufacturers) decline of 6.8 per cent during the period.

The boys from Bologna say they are still on track to achieve a forecast 20 per cent growth in sales for their full financial year - a target increased from 15 per cent at the announcement of half-yearly performance data in August.

KTM, meanwhile, has admitted to a dramatic fall of almost 50 per cent in operating profit for the full 12 months of its financial year to 30 September to just £16.8m, blaming this on the plunging dollar-euro exchange rate and that it will cut motorcycle production for the 2009 season by ten per cent.

Piaggio is also cutting back on production across all its motorcycle and scooter brands after depressing results for the first nine months of 2008. Overall sales were down by 5.9 per cent and fell by ten per cent across Europe - which accounts for about 80 per cent of its two-wheeler market - while net profit dropped by 6.8 per cent.

BMW is feeling the pain too, with global motorcycle sales down by 2.5 per cent in the same period, and profit from bikes falling by 15.8 per cent.

Motorcycles will be allowed to use the majority of the capital's bus lanes, London Mayor Boris Johnson told the BBC - 'I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely'

From 5 January, motorcyclists will able to ride in the lanes for an 18-month trial period. Transport for London (TfL) said it hoped the measure would cut accident rates and traffic in the capital. Pedal cyclists, who already use the lanes, have been against the proposals claiming it would not improve safety or reduce congestion. The change will only apply to TfL bus lanes. Motorcyclists have been advised to make sure they know which lanes are open to them.

Mr Johnson, said: "I have long been staggered that while motorcyclists can use bus lanes in many other cities and some of our boroughs they were not allowed to use the TfL routes that criss-cross the capital. One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging more people to get on their bike, whether pedal or powered, and I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely. "

The idea was one of Mr Johnson's manifesto pledges, and in June this year the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) presented the mayor with a 3,000-name petition asking him to reconsider the plans.

In a letter to the mayor, LCC's chief executive Koy Thomson said: "While we would support measures to make motorcycling safer, such as a 20mph speed limit, there is no clear environmental, safety or congestion reason for allowing motorcycles into bus lanes."

The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is giving its full backing to a new Europe-wide road safety campaign developed by the Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles (ACEM).

The campaign will last 13 months and uses a cartoon format to highlight everyday risks to riders of powered two wheelers (PTWs).

The objective of the safety campaign is to raise riders’ awareness of the potential risks posed by road layouts and traffic situations encountered throughout Europe. Developed with motorcycle trainers and instructors, the cartoon format is designed to help riders avoid these risks, by being eye-catching and entertaining.

Cartoons covering 13 topics will be released on a monthly basis, each focusing on a specific issue or risk. As well as drawing attention to the risk, riders will be given tips and recommendations on how best to tackle various situations. The first cartoon covering road junctions can be downloaded from www.acem.eu/cartoon.

Accidents caused by ‘road infrastructure’ account for 8 per cent of total accidents according to MAIDS.* The poor condition of many European roads and the fact that the specific needs of PTWs are still often neglected in road engineering, are the main reasons for this. Rider behaviour in addressing each situation plays a major role in PTW safety. By providing more information on the road environment, this safety campaign will help riders in making better choices and contribute to improving their own safety.

The campaign is also supported by the recently formed Motor Cycle Industry Trainers’ Association. The MCI’s Craig Carey-Clinch said: “Road safety is a priority for the motorcycle industry and the British government, so we welcome this European-wide campaign and urge riders to make full use of the tips and information in each of the cartoons.

“We also hope that road engineers, planners and policy makers will take note, and make better provision for the increasing numbers of PTW riders in the future.”

The comic strip medium was chosen as a user-friendly format, with subsequent monthly releases featuring roadside hazards, dangerous road surfaces, diesel and liquid spills, damaged and badly repaired surfaces, poorly designed traffic calming devices, night time hazards, winter and ice treatments, surface debris, badly designed central islands, metal fixtures and paint markings and badly designed curves.

In 2006, ACEM released the Guidelines for PTW-Safer Road Design in Europe as part of the integrated approach of its Safety Plan for Action. This technical manual, developed together with road engineers and mainly aimed at policy makers, urban planners and contractors, includes information which could also have safety benefits for PTW users.

ACEM, which represents the motorcycle Industry in Europe, is a signatory of the European Road Safety Charter aimed at reducing road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2010.

Craig Carey-Clinch added: “PTW use is increasing – especially as everyday transport for commuters and young people. This initiative sees motorcycle manufacturers willingly taking their share of collective responsibility with a pledge to obtaining the European Road Safety Charter goal. However, in order to be effective, safety policies need to be based on an integrated approach, combining actions from the authorities and PTW users.”

After nearly fifteen years of US ownership, Norton, the quintessential and most famous of British motorcycle brands returns home.

As a result of prolonged negotiations and a multi-million pound deal we can announce that the Norton motorcycle brand is, at last, back in caring British hands.

Stuart Garner a UK based businessman and owner of Norton Racing Ltd has bought back all the trademarks and development work relating to the Norton, Manx, Atlas, Commando and Dominator brands.

Norton Racing Ltd is already in development of a new rotary engined race bike and now with the ownership of the brand itself plans are being developed to introduce a new road bike for 2009.

‘This has been a challenging and exciting period for us’ Commented Garner ‘We are proud to have brought the brands back home and we now intend to focus on re-establishing Norton as a premier motorcycling brand across the World’ he added.

In the early nineties the brands were bought by Norton Motorcycles Inc in the USA with the view of developing a new Commando road bike for the US market. Nearly $10 million was spent on IP, design and development, and this development work has formed part of the new deal. The investment can now be brought to bear on the new global project for the Norton Commando 961.

Norton intend to develop a strong presence on the track and on the road during 2009 with a new 15000 sq foot factory and office complex based at Donnington Park - Norton are at the heart of motorcycle racing once again and committed to investment to make the initiative work. As well as creating a new ‘state of the art’ road bike the Norton brands will see a vigourous licensing programme through Norton Global Brands to safeguard and develop licensing of all kinds from spare parts to clothing.

Commenting on the programme Garner said ‘Our trade marks and brand have incredible strength and value, we will strongly enforce our position as the new owners of these world famous brands and ensure our new partners benefit from a robust protection programme going forward’.

‘This is the beginning of a new and exciting era in a brand that was started over 100 years ago by James Lansdowne Norton. It has sustained ups and downs over the years but still stands for performance and excellence. These will be the standards we live by from now on’ stated Garner.

DebRA fundraiser and avid Harley Davidson motorbike enthusiast Ross Jamieson and nine members of the Dunedin HOG (Harley Owners Group) are completing a 2,000 mile road trip around Britain and Ireland on Harley Davidson motorbikes to raise £20,000 for the national charity DebRA.

The charitable bikers stopped off en route at DebRA’s UK head office on Tuesday 17th June to the sound of Scottish pipes and were greeted by staff at the Crowthorne based charity.

DebRA supports families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) - a rare genetic condition which causes the skin to blister and shear at the slightest friction, or even spontaneously. There are at least 5,000 people living with this devastating condition in the UK and 500,000 worldwide.

Some of the Harley Davidson bikers pictured with Dawn Jarvis, Head of Fundraising and Research Administration at DebRA45 year-old Ross and his fellow HOG enthusiasts from the Dunedin chapter in Edinburghset off from Edinburgh on Friday 13th June and are taking 8 days to visit every single Harley Chapter and dealership in the UK and Ireland. The group will also collect Chapter pins from the various Chapter across the country which will later be auctioned as a “Collectors Set” to add to the funds raised.

Ross’ wife Alyson, 42, and 16 year-old twin daughters, Heather and Sarah, all have Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex (EBS). Alyson said: “Fortunately we all have the simplex version of EB, which is the mildest. But shoes cause our feet to blister and any clothing that rubs against our skin will also leave blisters that need to be surgically burst and dressed.”

Those with the more severe dystrophic form of EB have skin so fragile that the lining of the mouth is affected, making it almost impossible to eat.

Ross of Linlithgow, West Lothian, said: “Heather and Sarah have tried not to let it curtail their childhood, although it has prevented them from doing certain things, like sports. The twins have to be careful breaking in new shoes and ensure seams and labels on their clothes don’t rub. But most of the time they just grin and bear it.”

Dawn Jarvis, Head of Fundraising & Research Administration at DebRA, added: ““We’re so grateful to Ross, his family and members of the Dunedin HOG for organising and taking part in this wonderful fundraising trip for DebRA. DebRA relies on the generosity of the public and fundraising initiatives like this to carry out its vital work, funding research and in providing specialist support services such as travelling nurses, clinics and equipment for families under severe pressure. In addition to hopefully raising £20,000 for DebRA, the riders are also increasing EB awareness en route which is fantastic and we wish them every success with the remaining leg of the tour.

To sponsor Ross and help him reach his £20,000 fundraising target for DebRA, please visit www.dunedinfordebra.co.ukFor more information about DebRA and to view a short video clip showing the reality of living with EB please visit www.debra.org.uk.