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- More than 450,000 rides have taken on Spin e-scooters across Essex since launching in December 2020
- Operations have been extended in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester. The Clacton-on-Sea trial will conclude by end of October
- Accessibility schemes that offer free 30-minute rides for eligible NHS workers and subsidised rates for unemployed and low-income riders continue in areas we operate in
Thursday 14th October 2021 — Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company and Essex County Council today announce the extension of its e-scooter hire schemes in Essex to March 2022, aligned with the updated Department for Transport (DfT) legislation. In agreement with the local authority districts, Spin will continue to offer short term hire to riders in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester and it will conclude the trial in Clacton-on-Sea by the end of this month. Spin’s long-term e-scooter rental scheme in Brentwood and Braintree will also carry on.
Spin first launched its public hire e-scooter scheme in Essex in December 2020 and since then riders have taken more than 450,000 e-scooter rides. Chelmsford has seen the most rides (146,000), followed by Colchester (143,000), Basildon (124,000) and Clacton-on-Sea, which was launched in March 2021 (37,500).
The extension also includes the Spin Access and Spin Everyday Heroes schemes to support NHS workers and low-income riders with free and subsidised rides in Essex, to make essential journeys affordable. Since launch, Spin’s Everyday Heroes programme had 947 NHS workers signing up while nearly 100 riders are taking advantage of Spin Access.
In Clacton-on-Sea, the eight-month trial will conclude and operations will cease by the end of October. During this period nearly 6,000 riders opted for Spin’s greener transport option, clocking 37,500 journeys. Out of these riders, 40 work for the NHS, who were able to take advantage of Spin Everyday Heroes’ free rides and 20 riders on low income benefited from Spin Access’ subsidised rates.
Rider data reveals Spin e-scooters are most often used for short journeys, on average 3 km in distance and 23 minutes in length, with 82% of riders stating they have used a Spin e-scooter to replace a solo drive car journey at least once already. This is aiding Essex County Council (ECC) in its goal to lower carbon emissions across the region as part of its Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign.
As part of Spin’s commitment to safe riding, it helped convene the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group, which represents various disability interest groups across the county. They work in partnership with Spin to ensure that those with eyesight, hearing impairments or other disabilities can voice their concerns through a single organisation.
Peter Blackman, Chair, Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group said: “The extension of the trial is sensible and welcome as it will provide more time to implement and examine the efficacy of ongoing improvements arising from the constructive dialogue our Group is having with Spin and Essex County Council. Plus the Essex experiences are influencing the national framework. By the end of the extended trial we trust legislation will be forthcoming to provide a smooth transfer from trial to the permanent, but continually improving, safe use of legitimate e-scooters and eradication of the dangerous illegal private ones. In accordance with the recently revised Highway Code, users of all e-vehicles must assume all pedestrians they see may be visually impaired, deaf, frail or have a disability.”
Commenting on the trial extension, Steve Pyer, UK&I Country Manager at Spin said, “The success of our e-scooter trials in Essex represents an exciting shift to a more sustainable transport solution aligned with Essex County Council’s Safer Green Healthier campaign. Our community-centred, consultative approach with local authorities and collaboration with the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder group demonstrates that micromobility solutions can provide a safe, sustainable, and reliable service that meet the needs of all residents.”
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This charming book, packed with unique artwork and engaging photographs, celebrates scooter mania. In a feast of nostalgia, it takes us through the evolution of the scooter, focusing naturally on all things Lambretta and Vespa, but also covering plenty of obscure and eccentric machinery along the way. Scooter enthusiasm in all its forms receives generous attention, whether as fashion accessory for fifties movie stars, style-conscious transport choice for the Mod generation, or object of worship for today’s retro-loving adherents. Quotes in the book such as “The scooters, clothes and music — an unforgettable time of my life” and “Exciting, fun and carefree days when anything seemed possible” sum up the enduring appeal of classic scooters. Anyone afflicted with the obsession will adore this book. 
Key content
• Scooters take off: rising from the rubble of post-war Italy, Piaggio emerged first with its Vespa (meaning ‘wasp’), soon followed by Innocenti and its Lambretta (named after a Milan suburb).
• Evolution: numerous Lambretta and Vespa models over the years are illustrated and explained, accompanied by a look at the myriad accessories available for them.
• Not just in Italy: a survey of classic-era scooters from Britain (such as Brockhouse Corgi, Sun Wasp and Triumph Tigress), Germany (such as Glas Goggo, Zündapp Bella and Heinkel Tourist), Japan (such as Fuji Rabbit, Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon and Honda Juno) and elsewhere.
• Mod culture: emerging in the sixties and entwined with music and fashion, it made a unique contribution to scooter fandom that has since embraced the globe.
• Scooters as classics: the resurgence of interest since the late seventies and all that has come with it, from restoration and racing to customising and clubs.
• Scooter tales worldwide: Cesare Bataglini’s round-the-world Lambretta odyssey; Mod revivalists in Tokyo; elderly scooters soldiering on in Africa; Indonesia’s Rebel Riders and their crazy Vespa-derived creations; scaling Ben Nevis on a Lambretta; and much more.
Author
Like every boy in the 1950s, Barry John knew the names of John Cobb and Malcolm Campbell and possessed battered Dinky toys of their cars. His fascination with record-breaking has persisted to this day and led to his first book, Quest for Speed (Evro, 2020), which he wrote, illustrated and designed himself. Riding various scooters in the 1960s sparked another lifelong interest and now he has applied his professional skills — he studied at Harrow School of Art and worked as a graphic designer — to his love of scooter culture. He lives in Kent.
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- First of its kind study finds a broad range of benefits when riding e-scooters on one’s mental wellbeing
- Riders de-stressed (74%) and relaxed (85%), with two-thirds (67%) agreeing that riding an e-scooter helps clear their mind of negative thoughts and feelings
- Two-thirds (67%) feel more socially connected as it allows them to make personal relations and socialise with friends and family
London, October 8, 2021 – This World Mental Health Day (10th October), new survey data* released by Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company, reveals how e-scooter hire schemes have a wide range of benefits on one’s mental wellbeing. The majority (70%) of respondents believe riding an e-scooter rented via a hire scheme helps improve their mental health.
The first of its kind study explored how nearly 1,000 users felt better as a direct result of riding an e-scooter that’s part of the UK Department for Transport’s public hire trials. The results show that e-scooters help provoke positive moods and alleviate negative feelings such stress. Key findings revealed that when riding a hired e-scooter:
- 87% feel an increased sense of freedom
- 85% feel relaxed
- 78% feel mindful as they are able to focus on their immediate surroundings
- 74% feel less stressed after riding than before their trip
- 67% agree that it helps clear their mind of negative thoughts and feelings
- 63% agree that it feels like a digital detox as they are unable to look at their device
People have highly positive associations with how they feel when they ride a hired e-scooter. Almost half (46%) feel adventurous and four out of ten feel joyful (41%), free (41%) and positive (40%). “Exhilarated and like a soaring eagle” and “back to my childhood” were just some of the emotions spontaneously mentioned by riders when asked how they feel while riding an e-scooter.
The research underpins how riders experience “flow[1]”, a concept in positive psychology that refers to the state of mind in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity and which consequently contributes to a better mental wellbeing. This is aligned with riders feeling joyfulness, an emotion triggered by a chemical reaction in the brain and endorphin[2] release. Renowned media psychologist Emma Kenny supports these results, agreeing that using a public hire e-scooter is a fantastic way for people to not only reduce their carbon footprint but also feel free and embrace a nostalgic, childlike experience in the fresh air:
“It’s fantastic to see research that gives insight into how small pleasures can make a big difference in our everyday lives,'' comments Emma. “Positively managing our mental health is key to living a happier and healthier life and that’s why it’s so important to take part in activities that are fun and thrilling, and that benefit our lives in a multitude of ways. E-scooters, that are part of the public hire schemes offer the perfect medium to be more environmentally friendly, whilst letting our inner child run free. Whether you’re dashing to a board meeting, or heading for a University lecture, e-scooters offer a great alternative solution to your travel needs. Aside from the accessibility and ease of this kind of transport, you’ll also benefit from the feeling of freedom that comes when travelling from A to B this way. The benefits you receive from fresh air and the great outdoors is a form of informal mindful practice, meaning that you fully appreciate the here and now and experience the present as a gift.”
Steve Pyer, UK & Ireland Country Manager at Spin said, “At a time when mental wellbeing is in the spotlight more than ever, it is incredibly rewarding to see that e-scooters that are part of the national trials are not only beneficial for the environment but for our rider’s mental health too. E-scooter hire schemes provide the freedom and flexibility for exploration and fresh air does wonders to relieve stress and anxiety, leaving you happier and more relaxed at the end of your journey or commute!”
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Go back a few decades and many towns up and down the UK had thriving speedway teams. Sadly though, over the years, those teams have slowly folded for one reason or another. The Bradford Dukes, the Crew Kings, the Ellesmere Port Gunners, the Hull Vikings, and the Newport Wasps are just some of the dozens of names that have been lost in the last few decades. 
Speedway has excited fans of everything two wheels for around 100 years, with the first races taking place in Australia before spreading to the UK in early 1928. Throughout the 20th century, especially during its second half, interest in the sport grew and grew.
It is believed that around 30,000 people turned up to watch the first British speedway meeting at High Beech, a figure that would put it on par with a lower-table Premier League football club today.
Through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, people would cram into local stadiums to watch their team battle it out on track against a visiting opponent. Today, however, many fans have to travel long distances just to go and watch a match. For example, fans of the former Ellesmere Port Gunners team now have to choose between the Belle Vue Aces in Manchester or the Stoke Potters as their home team, both of which are an hour’s drive away.
But as the general populace lost interest in motorcycles, speedway fell into decline.
What Makes Speedway Different?
Any lover of bikes will know there are plenty of two-wheeled motorsports in the world. Here on the British Isles, we’re treated to the Isle of Man TT each year, as well as a round of MotoGP, and our own domestic circuit and dirt racing competitions.
Speedway is different. A speedway bike has no brakes and no gears. A meeting is made up of a couple of dozen four-lap heats that are quick sprints around an oval where riders get within millimetres of each other as they slide their machines through shale-covered corners.
Anyone that’s been to a speedway meeting will know the unique smell that comes from the methanol-fueled engines. For fans, that smell brings back memories of exciting races that only speedway can offer.
Unlike categories like MotoGP, speedway (at least at a domestic level) is a team sport. Each heat is all about getting the most points possible for your team, with different riders coming out each time to make their contribution to the tally. 
Speedway in the UK vs Abroad
While speedway still chugs along in the UK, it is a million miles from the sport in continental Europe. Eastern and northern European countries like Poland, Czechia, and Sweden have well-funded leagues and teams, bigger audiences, and larger stadiums to accommodate them.
In fact, in Poland, speedway is often in the top-three national sports, whereas it is very much an “also-ran” in the UK’s list.
What Holds Speedway Back in Britain?
There is no single reason why speedway doesn’t have the same following that it does elsewhere. Interest in bikes is relatively low among the general population in the UK. In fact, money spent on motorcycles declined sharply between 2011 and 2016, with purchases by the booming motorcycle courier sector responsible for the rise in the years since.
The cost of partaking in any motorsport is incredibly high, and it can become prohibitively expensive if you’re funding it yourself. Stories of talented riders like Lukas Hlavac that are unable to compete due to financial issues are common. The former motocross rider ran out of cash to fund his championship campaign during his first season, forcing him to drop out while leading his division, though he has since gone on to enjoy success in the world of professional poker instead. It’s the same in car racing, the Formula 2 driver David Beckmann had to bow before the end of the 2021 season due to financial pressures.
Speedway is not immune to these pressures, but the sport doesn’t have the huge crowds delivering millions in revenue from ticket sales or the huge sponsorship deals that can be seen in other competitions. It’s also why talented speedway riders like Craig Cook have to find innovative ways to raise the funds they need to compete at the levels their skills allow.
There is a chicken and egg problem here. The funds won’t come without the crowds, but the crowds can’t be attracted without marketing and promotion, and that costs money.
Sadly, this means potentially millions of Brits are missing out on the unrivalled excitement that comes from watching speedway, and could, ultimately, lead to its extinction in the UK.
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White Motorcycle Concepts, the British company aiming to set a raft of new world land speed records with its revolutionary electric-powered motorcycle at Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat next summer, has successfully completed the initial trials of its ground-breaking WMC250EV high-speed demonstrator.
British Engineering company completes initial trials of WMC250EV
Focus switches to high-speed running as bike development ramps up
WMC continues to engage with potential partners ahead of record attempt
17th September 2021, Northampton: White Motorcycle Concepts, the British company aiming to set a raft of new world land speed records with its revolutionary electric-powered motorcycle at Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat next summer, has successfully completed the initial trials of its ground-breaking WMC250EV high-speed demonstrator.
Ridden by company founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob White, the carbon-fibre prototype ran without fault during its shakedown test at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and has now completed a comprehensive full system pass off. The programme now moves on to the next phase of its multi-stage testing schedule including runs at a higher-speed range.
The WMC250EV, which is capable of reaching speeds of more than 250mph in final trim, featuring market-disruptive technologies including WMC’s ultra-low drag system V-Air. This innovative system uses a large duct at the centre of the bike which forces air through the vehicle, reducing aerodynamic resistance by 70% compared to a conventional motorcycle. The positive implications for this technology across the automotive industry are wide-ranging and extensive.
The bike also features a D-Drive motor unit that powers the front wheel, which in turn makes it possible to harness regenerative braking energy. In its final powertrain configuration the WMC250EV will feature an 800v high voltage system, but for the early testing phase it is using a low voltage (60v) system that produces 100kw. It is anticipated that in world land speed specification the bike will be two and a half times more powerful.
A key element of WMC’s initial phase of its process-driven programme, supported by multiple world leading motorsport businesses, was to successfully correlate the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) data of the 300kg vehicle with the results of a real-world test. With this box ticked and various other avenues of development uncovered, the team will continue its methodical testing programme ahead of next year’s world land speed record which will include a British record attempt in early 2022.
WMC continues to engage with potential partners ahead of its ground-breaking record attempt. If successful, the WMC250EV could change the way motorcycle manufacturers approach vehicle design through the next decade because of its vastly reduced CO2 emissions and the possibilities it offers for accelerating the essential decarbonisation of the motorcycle industry globally. Indeed, the Northampton-based company is working on road-going projects and its patented technologies are already being incorporated into road-going variants. An announcement with further details on this is due in October.
“We are delighted with the progress made so far with the WMC250EV,” said White. “We were encouraged by the great reception the launch of the bike received in June, and the high level of interest that the project has gained subsequently. This is a completely bespoke motorcycle, so for it to run cleanly straight out of the box is fantastic.
“We are taking a measured and controlled approach to our testing programme to ensure no stone is left unturned and given the results we have gained to date my confidence is building all the time that we will be successful.”
WMC testing will continue through the rest of 2021, with regular updates posted on its social channels, before embarking on its world land speed record build-up programme early next year.
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