Category: Random

1. TOP HONOURS FOR MOTORCYCLE ICONS AT SALON PRIVÉ

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 7th Sep 2021

   A fabulous Moto Guzzi owned by Sammy Miller was one of three bikes that scooped top honours at this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva. Recognised as the most prestigious such event in the UK, Salon Privé takes place in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace and is a partner concours of The Peninsula Classic Best of the Best Award. It’s renowned for featuring some of the most beautiful and coveted cars and motorcycles from around the world.
    
   This year’s two motorcycle classes spanned nearly 75 years, from a 1901 Triumph 3/4 hp Minerva to a 1975 MV Agusta 750 Sport. Each was assessed by a hugely knowledgeable judging panel comprising broadcaster Henry Cole, historians Dennis Frost and Mike Jackson, former racer Steve Parrish and Chief Judge Nigel Matthews. Judging took place on Wednesday 1 September, with all trophies being awarded on Thursday 2 September.
    
   It was championship-winning racer Sammy Miller who scooped top honours in the Competition Motorcycle Class with a 1951 Moto Guzzi Bicilindrica 500cc V Twin. Judge Steve Parrish said: “The Moto Guzzi Bicilindrica 500cc V Twin had the longest career of any motorcycle racing bike ever. Actually, Ducati in some ways copied the engine configuration to make the successful racing Ducatis that we see nowadays. It was way ahead of its time in terms of technology. The bike was raced by the great Bob Foster and Stanley Woods and put in some incredible performances both on road and track, claiming victories at the Isle of Man TT and Grand Prix. The judges all agreed that it’s a very special motorbike and a real beauty.”
    
   Second place in the Competition Motorcycle Class went to a 1973 Yamaha TZ 250 A, entered by the Sawford family, owners of St Neots Motorcycles. The family are experts in restoring two-stroke motorcycles from the 1970s and 1980s. Parrish continued: “The motorcycle is better than when it came out of the factory – absolutely original and exquisitely put together. It had to be in the top two, what with its authenticity and how it’s been built – stunning. We were also delighted to be joined by 1970 250cc World Champion Rodney Gould, who was instrumental in the production and development of the bike.”
    
   Topping the Exceptional Motorcycles class was a 1975 MV Agusta 750 Sport, often referred to as the most beautiful bike to come out of Italy and revered as an icon of the 1970s. An original and beautiful machine, the winning example is one of the last three to come out of the factory and features a rare left-hand gearchange.

   

    

   Second place was awarded to a 1973 Rickman-Metisse Cafe Racer. Judge Henry Cole said: “It’s wonderful to see several Metisses here paying homage to its founder Derek Rickman, a consummate biking enthusiast and a legend in my eyes who passed away recently. What a great way to celebrate his life. The Café Racer in this class is a beautifully customised, really genuine yet individual bike that has been put together with a huge amount of love and passion, and to the judges that’s what we’re after.”
    
   The Duke of Marlborough Award was presented to the 1901 Triumph ¾hp Minerva. Steve Parrish said: “This is the very first Triumph motor bicycle ever made – the forerunner of all subsequent Triumphs. As in everything Dick Shepherd does, it’s been lovingly restored, and he’s put together a motorcycle that would be befitting of it coming out of the factory in 1901. I suspect it’s even better!”

   Henry Cole added: “It’s quite a find for Triumph to have in their 125th anniversary year and one that we had to honour.”
   
   Alongside the concours entrants was multiple Salon Privé award winner and renowned motorcycle builder Allen Millyard displaying his beautifully engineered Kawasaki Z1 Super Six. Elsewhere on the lawns of Blenheim Palace, there was the debut of Thornton Hundred Motorcycles, one of the world’s fastest-growing custom motorcycle brands. The British company’s line-up included the ‘World’s Fastest Bobber’ – a 202bhp technological tour de force – and a 2021 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black, both were a Salon Privé debut.
   
   “All of our motorcycles exude individuality and exclusivity,” said Jody Millhouse, the man behind Thornton Hundred and part of a new wave of engineers who are at the cutting edge of the custom scene. “We want to give owners a unique modification experience, and those values align perfectly with Salon Privé. It’s great to be here showing off our latest designs against the amazing backdrop of Blenheim Palace.”
   
   Italian exotica brand Bimota made its UK public debut with the Tesi H2. The limited-production, supercharged Bimota Tesi H2 is built around a Kawasaki Ninja H2 powerplant and features the famous Bimota hub-centre steering system, while the chassis is covered with carbon fibre bodywork. Power output is a staggering 242hp (178kW).
   
   Crazy Horse made a welcome return to Salon Privé showcasing a superb collection of its customised Indian Motorcycles, including the KH Street Hooligan. The Hooligan shares the great styling of its racing relative, but is fitted with all the relevant components to make it a fully functional street machine without losing any of its iconic flat-track racing looks.

2. The BMW Group emphasizes its consistent focus on sustainability at the 2021 IAA Mobility

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 6th Sep 2021

   More stringent CO2 targets go hand in hand with concrete measures and concepts for implementation
   
   The BMW Group is putting circular economy and sustainable urban mobility at the centre of its presence at the 2021 IAA Mobility. At the motor show, the company is consistently demonstrating its sustainability and CO2 targets as well as its concrete measures and concepts to achieve these goals.

3. Bike Riding Safety: All You Need to Know

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 27th Aug 2021

   Bicycling is a great way to get some workouts, enjoy the views, and lower your carbon impact. Bike riders, on the other hand, confront a slew of dangers. Even on a designated path, they still frequently share space with automobiles, and accidents can occur anytime. So, you need to be careful and follow basic bike riding safety tips for your benefit and overall wellness.

   What Are the Topmost Bike Riding Safety Tips?

   Bicycling is a fantastic way to be autonomous while having fun. It's vital to keep in mind, though, that a bike is not a joke. It's a vehicle, after all. So, when you're riding, keep your calm and observe some simple safety precautions. Being safe is of the utmost importance in every walk of life. 

   Wear A Helmet

   Putting on a helmet is the first step in each bike trip. Nevertheless, it's also critical that you get the right fit. This is the greatest way for your headgear to cover you. Everybody, particularly adults and children, should wear a bicycle helmet on every bicycle ride, irrespective of the duration of the journey. You must ensure that the helmet is approved and capable of protecting you in the event of an accident. As a result, avoid low-cost alternatives and go for approved helmets. They may be more expensive, but they will save your life.

   Dress in Bright Colors

   You need to be noticed by other drivers even if it's afternoon, dawn, twilight, adverse weather, or nighttime. It has not been proven that wearing white makes you more noticeable. Instead, while biking at night or during the day, constantly wear vibrant, fluorescent, or other bold colors. Use reflective material or symbols, as well as blinking lights or something that emits light. It's important to remember that just because you can see a motorist doesn't indicate that the driver can see you too. So, try to wear brighter colors to be seen and avoid accidents.

   Watch Out for Hazards

   You need to constantly watch out for road hazards. Speed bumps, glass shards, pebbles, pools, twigs, and dogs are all potential risks. All of these dangers have the potential to cause a collision. If you're biking with pals, scream out and point to the danger to notify the bikers behind you. This way, you can easily shield yourself and others from road hazards.

   Stay Focused

   Keep your eyes on the road and all other vehicles around you. You must foresee what others will do before they even do it. This is proactive riding, and the sooner you detect a particular risk, the sooner you can take action to avoid a collision. You must follow the flow of traffic and move in the same way as it does. Follow the same rules as an automobile when it comes to road markings, indicators, and speed limits. You must also presume that the other party is not aware of your presence. So, keep an eye out for risks or scenarios to avoid, such as objects, stones, potholes, grates and railroad tracks.

    

    

    

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4. ULEZ 2021: Londoners to favour travel on two wheels following expansion of the ultra low emission zone

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th Aug 2021

   72.2% of drivers consider changing their vehicle as ULEZ expansion looms
   
   Bikesure; the specialist motorbike insurance broker’s recent survey of Londoners found that a majority will change the way they travel when the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion takes place later this year. With motorbike sales recovering in the UK, (in May 2021 sales are up 40.3% vs the 2020*) it is no surprise that 84% of people will continue to ride in the ULEZ following its expansion in October 2021.
   
   Bikesure have published their ULEZ 2021 Report tracking opinion change over three consecutive years towards the ULEZ and the alternative modes of transport favoured by commuters. This year 18.6% are set to choose two wheels over four with 9.3% of them favouring an eclectic or low-emission motorbike, moped or scooter over any other vehicle type.
   
   Londoners to go green on two wheels
   
   Although a majority of Londoners will continue to ride in the ULEZ following its expansion, commuters are giving new consideration to the benefits of switching to EVs. The ULEZ expansion has accelerated a majority of Londoners' intentions to buy an EV (73.4%) as those who join the green transport revolution can anticipate lower running costs as well as making a positive impact on the environment. Encouragingly, only 13.5% of people are planning to stick with petrol vehicles.
   
   Those set to switch to greener alternatives such as an EV or an electric scooter or motorbike can anticipate saving on the £12.50 daily charge for older and more polluting vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) that continue to drive within the newly expanded ultra low emission zone.
   
   ULEZ vs. CAZ’s

   While sentiments remain positive about the impact of the ULEZ, with its expansion looming, commuter approvals have slightly decreased as almost 4 million people are set to be impacted. This year, 40.3% of respondents felt it was a good idea, compared to 44.9% in 2020.

   There has also been a decrease in the amount of people who understood the reasons behind the ULEZ expansion, but couldn’t help but feel frustrated by it. This year, 37.5% approve of the ULEZ expansion but are frustrated by its impact on their lives, down on 43.2% surveyed in 2020.
   
   Encouragingly, 37.4% feel the introduction of Clean Air Zones across several major UK cities is a positive thing for the country. While some scepticism remains, the verdicts are very similar, with again the vast majority (66.1%) hold positive sentiment for the introduction of CAZs.
   
   “After a tough start to the year for the motorcycle industry, it is encouraging to see a positive increase in those not just considering switching their form of transport to motorbikes, but also considering electric alternatives” says Rob Balls, Underwriting Manager at Bikesure.
   
   Read Bikesure’s ULEZ 2021 report here

   These findings were sourced from a survey of 1,000 nat rep from 14 - 21 June 2021.

    

    

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5. Silence helps drive UK electric revolution from West Midlands

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 18th Aug 2021

   • Spanish ecomobility business invests in West Midlands, for UK headquarters and first UK flagship retail store
   • Silence brand brings all-electric, two-wheel vehicles to UK
   • Solihull HQ site also houses training centre and warehousing, bolstering region as hub for UK electrification
   • Regional launch to precede national roll-out of stores and sales hubs
   • Latest MCIA statistics show almost 300% growth year on year in registrations of electrified mopeds and scooters

   The West Midlands took another leadership step in the electric vehicle revolution – as leading Spanish electric vehicle brand, Silence, opened its ‘urban ecomobility’ headquarters in May 2021, training centre and first UK retail store in Solihull.   

   The targeted investment in the region is no accident: it is fast becoming a hub for UK electrification and green travel initiatives.

   As well as being a centre for electric vehicle development and production, the West Midlands will also pioneer a UK Clean Air Zone this summer, when Birmingham launches its charging scheme aimed at reducing emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles in the city centre.

   John Edwards, one of founding partners of Silence UK, commented: “Solihull makes the perfect location for investment, in the first phase of our launch and establishment of our UK headquarters.  Not only is the West Midlands already a hub for electric vehicle businesses and research, but its leaders are focused on ecomobility and infrastructure.”

   Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, said:

   “We’re delighted that Silence have chosen to base their UK headquarters here in Solihull. Their investment reflects the confidence in the region as we position ourselves to be at the forefront of low-carbon future mobility.

   “Transport currently accounts for 39% of Co2 emissions across the borough. Tackling this area is going to be key to unlocking our low carbon future and achieving our net zero carbon aspirations for the region by 2041.”

   The regenerated site on Haslucks Green Road includes Silence’s first UK flagship retail store and service centre, covering over 700 square metres.  It serves both retail and business customers, with the full UK range of Silence ‘e-moto’ all-electric motorcycles and scooters available for test rides.

   Dan Storer, Chief Investment Officer at the West Midlands Growth Company – the region’s official investment promotion agency – added: “Silence joins the West Midlands’ leading automotive cluster at a strategic moment in its evolution. Building on a robust legacy of spearheading transport innovations, our region has a rigorous proposition to supercharge the future mobility ambitions of industry and Government.

   “The decision for Silence to base its UK headquarters in Solihull is affirmation of the region’s potential to accelerate innovation in the sector and drive interest from foreign companies with aspirations to be part of a world-class automotive ecosystem.”

   The timing of Silence’s UK debut is also no coincidence. 

   Big changes are taking place nationally in electrified two-wheel travel, which is growing in popularity, as an easy and cost-effective way to cut costs and emissions. The electric 50cc and 125cc market grew +50% in 2020 and is up almost 300% in the first four months of 2021, growing by over 550% in April alone.

   These changes are being driven across both the business and consumer sectors.

   Last mile delivery and food delivery services have soared during the pandemic resulting in a boom in sales of light weight, smaller and sustainable modes of transport, particularly in urban areas.

   COVID has also had a significant impact on the individual commuter too with people turning to independent, private, and green transportation. The experience of improved air quality and quieter streets during the pandemic has heightened awareness of the need to choose zero emission mobility to make cities healthier and more liveable.       

   And new research shows the impact of choosing two wheels over four: travelling by micromobility instead of a car just once a day reduces an average citizen’s carbon emissions from transport by 67%, according to the University of Oxford.  
   

   Lightweight two-wheelers are ideal for smart all-electric power, giving low maintenance, quick and convenient charging, and avoiding urban emissions charges.   The 100% electric Silence ‘e-motos’ are equivalent to 50cc and 125cc mopeds and scooters, travelling up to 91 miles on a single charge while eliminating emissions, noise and vibrations and reducing running costs to around one pence per mile – a massive 80% less than conventional alternatives.

   John Edwards explained: “The combined issues of urban air quality, congestion and cost are accelerating demand for smaller, affordable electric vehicles.  Silence meets that demand head-on, with the latest in EV design and technology, backed by a European manufacturer with over a decade of market-leading knowledge. We are bringing something new and needed to the market.  This is the right idea, at the right time – and the West Midlands is the right place to start.”

   Edwards went on to state: “We look forward to helping larger West Midlands businesses transform their fleet operations as well as supporting local independent operators such as restaurants and delivery riders to go electric.”     

   The Silence DNA of reliable, zero-emission battery power, sharp Barcelona style and smart tech has already captured over 66% of the Spanish and 30% of the European electric scooter market, attracting over 21,000 customers across 25 countries.

   Silence’s flagship retail store in Solihull will be one of several flagship stores opening across the UK, with the next sites planned for London and Manchester.  A partnership model will also allow entrepreneurial businesses who want to join the EV revolution to retail Silence scooters. 10 jobs will be initially created in Solihull with an estimated 200 jobs to be supported across the UK as the company expands.

   The Solihull flagship store is now open to the public with test rides available to be booked on-site or requested online via www.silenceuk.com.

    

    

    

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