Category: Organisations

1. bmf Show Wow!

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 18th May 2010

   The 50^th Anniversary bmf Show saw sun, smiles and bikers in their thousands turn out over the weekend for one of the best bmf shows of the century!

   As Europe’s largest outdoors motorcycle show, the bmf show is the traditional season-opener for thousands of motorcyclists and this year certainly did not disappoint.

   The bmf’s new event organisers the Mulberry group were determined to pull out all the stops to make this a show to remember and they succeeded big time. With an improved layout, more manufacturers and top-line traders plus fantastic sunny weather, it’s no wonder that over 60,000 people were smiling over the show weekend!

   Advance ticket sales had been down on last year, but with the forecast good weather people turned up on the day and formed massive queues, so much so that for the first time ever, tickets ran out and the bmf show found itself with ticket touts! However, the organisers soon resolved that and showgoers gained admission without paying a premium!

   With the official presence of BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, Norton, Victory, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, plus Ducati, there were plenty of new bikes to look at and test rides to be had on BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki.

   Norton were there for the first time and Norton Sales Manager and top BSB racer Chris Walker, having sold four of the stunning new Nortons over the weekend, was well pleased commenting that “the bmf show has everything going for it with good organisation, a good crowd and good security. It’s a great place to be and to be seen,” he said.

   On the other hand a regular exhibitor for the past seven years, Richard Spies of Victory Motorcycles, was also well pleased with the weekend. With a prime corner position in the newly defined manufacturer’s area Richard said it had been a “great show with a great crowd.”

   BMW, currently riding high in the sales charts was similarly pleased with the weekend. “The bmf show is good for us with plenty of serious enquiries from serious enthusiasts” said BMW Marketing Manager Tony Jakeman.

   On a completely different level, thousands come to the bmf show on a shopping expedition to buy their kit for the new season so smaller traders too reported brisk business. Chris Hawley of Baglux, a regular for the past 25 years and just one of the 300 traders on site, said that business had been good and that “there was a buzz about the place again that had been missing in recent years”  while Paul Burdass from Fat Skeleton said: “We’ve had our busiest Peterborough bmf ever in terms of revenue, reversing the general trend we've seen at both indoor & outdoor events over the past year.”

   Someone really happy was Norman Ford, the winner of the bmf’s Win-A-Bike/Choose-A-Bike prize draw. Stunned that he had won, Norman is yet to choose which bike he wants to take home from either a Yamaha XVS1300 ‘Midnight Star’, a Suzuki GSXR600 or a Honda CB1000R.

   Another winner on the day was David Light who having joined the bmf over the weekend, found that he was also the lucky winner of a Giacomo Agostini replica helmet in the bmf’s special membership promotion.

   The stunning weather also made the perfect back-drop to two action-packed days of arena activities featuring Jason Smyth – The Adrenalin Tour, The Stanage International stunt display team and of course, old favourites the madness that is Moped Enduro and the thrills of Short Track racing.

   Commenting, bmf spokesman Jeff Stone said, “This really was an excellent show. I’ve run the press office at most of the bmf shows since 1977 and this was one of the best. It wasn’t as packed as some, but in a way it was better for it and given the current economic climate, we did amazingly well. To be honest, the bmf show had lost its way over the last few years, but due credit to the Mulberry Group, their input means it’s now back on track!”

    

   Still to come for 2010:

   bmf  GEMS, the Garden of England Motorcycle Show at Detling, Kent 12^th-13^th June

   bmf Kelso Bikefest, Union Borders Showground, Kelso 10th - 11th July  

   bmf Tailend: NEW location, Lincoln Showground, Lincoln. 18th - 19th September

     On line booking via:  www.bmfevents.co.uk or ticket hot line:

2. Motorcycle Industry Optimistically Awaits Election Outcomes

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 17th May 2010

   Irrespective of the new politics that brings the motorcycle industry is optimistic that motorcycles and scooters will continue to play an important role on the transport agenda of the new Government
   
   Government will seek to continue to reduce transport's impact on the environment and the motorcycle industry is well -placed to contribute to this and will continue to be a solution provider with its congestion beating and Co2 reducing vehicles.
   
   The MCI's role will be to ensure that the incoming Government are fully aware of the benefits and importance of the motorcycle industry and its products. Powered Two-Wheelers offer a practical and cost-effective transport solution that supports 62,000 jobs in UK plc and accounts for over £7bn of sales and added value.
   
   The Industry's 'Get On' campaign designed to introduce new people to two wheels has been proving a success. In the last 10 months in excess of 100,000 people have expressed an interest in motorcycling, as witnessed by the number of unique visitors to the "Get On" website. www.geton.co.uk
   
   The industry confidently expects that that this interest will translate to sales as people encouraged by Get On progress from; trying out a bike, to learning to ride, and then purchasing one.
   
   Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented, "The public are expressing their opinions and as more people opt for an alternative form of transport in the form of bikes and scooters the industry's sales figures are set to rise in the months ahead. Government and its agencies must work with the MCI to ensure access to motorcycling if the personal mobility and environment benefits of motorcycles and scooters are to harnessed."

3. Charging for Motorcycle Parking - All Eyes on Westminster

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 12th May 2010

   With Westminster City Council’s controversial scheme for motorcycle parking charges now going before the High Court on 24^th June, the 80,000 strong British Motorcyclists Federation is warning that failure to halt the scheme could result in the end of free motorcycle parking across the UK.

    

   Although currently only affecting Westminster, the bmf say that with other Local Authorities across the country watching the situation closely, motorcyclists could soon be faced with the nationwide rollout of parking charges.

   A strong supporter of the ‘No To Bike Parking Tax’ (NTBPT) campaign from its inception, the bmf is now calling on motorcyclists nationally to support the NTBPT legal challenge fighting-fund. Currently standing at some £30,000, the fund needs at least another £20,000 to meet the expected minimum legal costs of £50,000 (see www.notobikeparkingfees.com/fighting-fund/

   to donate.)

   The legal action, brought by NTBPF, has gained massive rider support in London but if NTBPT lose, the bmf say that many councils across the UK, possibly starting with Birmingham and Manchester, will bring in similar Pay by Phone charges for motorcycles.

   If this were to happen, the Tax Payers Alliance have calculated that annually, it would cost the UK’s motorcycling community a staggering £93,000,000 in parking charges.

   Commenting Chris Hodder, the bmf’s Government Relations Executive said: “Let’s be clear, the stakes are high. It’s not an understatement to say that the only reason other Local Authorities haven’t followed suit yet is that they are waiting to see what the outcome of this case is.  If we don’t overturn the scheme in the courts, this could spell the end of nationwide free parking for motorcycles. We need motorcyclists to donate now or we could all lose out.”

4. Big Names @ the Big bmf Show!

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 4th May 2010

   East of England Showground, Peterborough, 15 -16 May 2010

   With less than two weeks to go until the 50th bmf show, major bike manufacturers are back at the bmf show in a big way!  

   As Europe’s largest outdoor motorcycle show, the bmf show is the traditional season-opener for thousands of motorcyclists and with the official presence of BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, Norton, Victory, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, plus Ducati now on board, it’s a virtual who’s who of motorcycles!

   Test Rides

   But that’s not all, BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki will all have their demo test fleets on site keen to let potential customers try what they have to offer. (Customers are reminded that they must produce both parts of their driving licence to meet manufacturers terms and conditions).

   Win-A-Bike

   There is a Win-A-Bike/Choose-A-Bike prize draw too! In a unique move, the winner can choose their bike from either a Yamaha XVS1300 ‘Midnight Star’ – Suzuki GSXR600 or a Honda CB1000R.  Tickets will be sold at just £1 each with proceeds going in aid of the bmf Foundation charity. The bikes will be on display at the show and the winner will be announced at 4 pm on the Sunday.

   Top Buys

   Amongst hundreds of trade stalls covering all aspects of motorcycling will be big names such as Hein Gericke, Frank Thomas, Oxford Products, George White and Biker’s World as well as the likes of M&P Direct, Powerbronze, Scott Leathers and a whole host of smaller traders offering virtually anything and everything for the keen rider.

   A first at any bike show, an on-site ‘Wrap it and Despatch it’ service, run by national courier company APC, means that no longer will riders have to laden their bikes (or even take a car) because now APC can wrap and despatch goods and guarantee to deliver to home addresses within 48 hours of the show finishing!

   Entertainment

   Meanwhile daily arena entertainment over the weekend features a stunning line up of performances from Jason Smyth – The Adrenalin Tour, The Stanage International stunt display team and of course, old favourites the madness that is Moped Enduro and the thrills of Short Track racing.

   Camping it Up

   For those camping, evening entertainment gets a new twist with live acts and league speedway both on offer! The ‘Smacked Arse Comedy Club’, featuring adult comedy from a range of stand-up comedians, appears for the first time plus there will be live music from Stingray, Trash Monkey, Hooker and headline acts, Boot Led-Zeppelin and Killer Queen. By special arrangement, those camping at the show will also have FREE entry to the grandstand for an Elite Speedway league race between Peterborough and Wolverhampton. The racing will run from 19.30 – 21.00.

   While the bmf show and camping is open to everyone, bmf members get special VIP treatment with reduced admission, a new ‘Fast Track’ entrance, a ‘members only’ area with its own refreshment facilities and discount vouchers for use at the show.

   Join and Win!

   In a special membership promotion, anyone joining at the show has the chance to win a Giacomo Agostini replica helmet! Their names will be entered into a FREE prize draw and one lucky person will win a signed X-Lite replica of the fifteen times world champion’s helmet.

    

   Whe re, when, how much:

    

   The bmf show, 15 –16th May, East of England Showground, Peterborough, open from 9.0 –5.0 both days, camping available from 14.00 Friday until 09.00 Monday.

   Advance:

   Public £14 (members £12); Family £30 (members £25); Seniors £10, Child £5.

   Camping:  £30 (members £22); Family £65 (members £50)

   On the day: £16 (£14 members); Family £35 (members £30)   Seniors £14 (£12 members)

   On the day Camping:   £35 (members £30)   Family: £75 (members £65)

    

   www.bmf.co.uk

   Advance:

   Public £14 (members £12); Family £30 (members £25); Seniors £10, Child £5.

   Camping:  £30 (members £22); Family £65 (members £50)

   On the day: £16 (£14 members); Family £35 (members £30)   Seniors £14 (£12 members)

   On the day Camping:   £35 (members £30)   Family: £75 (members £65)

    

   www.bmf.co.uk

     0844 884 5151

5. NO TO BIKE PARKING TAX CAMPAIGN

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 28th Apr 2010

   Ace Cafe London is delighted once again to play host to the No To Bike Parking Tax Campaign on Saturday 1st May 2010 (departs at 10.30am so come early to eat beforehand) as it continues to pile the pressure on Westminster City Council (WCC) to scrap its 'Tax' attack on motorcycles by charging them to park.  Having successfully stopped the spread of this 'Tax' to other Councils, they now seek to finish the job by removing it from WCC as well.
   
   The Campaign's Chairman, Warren Djanogly, has, with donations from bikers all over the country, filed a High Court Action against this tax.
   
   Ace Cafe London invites all riders to join in this campaign and will be serving breakfast from 7am before the procession moves off from the cafe at 10.30am.

    

   For more info about the campaign, route etc. check out: www.notobikeparkingtax.com

    

   NB: The NTBPT Campaign is fully supported by both the BMF and the MAG