Category: Other

1. Bennetts reveal Britain’s ‘average biker’

   Posted on 12:01am Sunday 13th May 2012

   Typical motorcyclist is middle-class, rides to work and prefers a Honda!

    

   The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research by Bennetts. The UK’s number one for bike insurance* has revealed the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man.

    

   The study reveals the average motorcyclist in the UK is a world away from common perceptions, with him being a six-foot tall, brown haired biker who almost certainly owns a car and rides no more than twice a week. Although seemingly conventional, the average biker does seem to have a wild side too, with 50% of the British bikers questioned having a tattoo and a third sporting a beard.

    

   Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage of £30,000 a year, up 25% on the national average (£24,000)**

    

   Despite an immediate association with Harley Davidson’s and other such loud bikes, the average biker actually prefers to ride on a Honda and manages just 7,500 miles a year, with 80% of bikers surveyed owning a car as well as a motorbike. Biking seems to still be very much associated with a mid-life crisis as the average biker has only been riding for two years, despite his age.

    

   Questionnaire Results

   
   Name: Ben
   Sex: Male (96.8%)
   Age: 41- 50 (31.6%)
   Hair Colour: Brown (66.2%)
   Glasses: No (62.3%)
   Additional features: Tattoos (53.3%) and Beard (32.6%)
   Height: 6ft (33.3%)
   Occupation: Professional (29.0%)
   Motorbike: Honda (30.1%)
   How often do you ride: Twice a week (42.8%)
   Do you use the bike to commute to work: Yes (54.9%)
   Average annual mileage: 5,001 – 10,000 (43.0%)
   Favourite genre of music: Rock/Heavy Metal (48.8%)
   How long have you been riding: 1-3 years (22.9%)
   How many motorbikes have you owned: 6 (47.9%)
   Do you own a car: Yes (80.0%)
   Favourite sport: Superbikes (52.8%)
   Annual income: £20,000 – 39,999 (44.4%)

    

    

    

   *Based on brand tracking research in April 2008
   **Based on National Online Statistics (statistics.gov.uk)

2. New Vehicle Tax Rates

   Posted on 12:01am Sunday 25th Mar 2012

   “In his Budget speech the Chancellor announced some changes to the rates of vehicle tax for cars, motorcycles, light goods and trade licences. These will apply to tax discs taken out from 1 April 2012. He also announced there will be no changes to vehicle tax rates for all vehicles over 3500kg and buses.”
    
   The new rate is to introduced from 1st April 2012 for Motorcycles and Tricycles.
    
   Vehicle tax rates for motorcycles not over 150cc remain unchanged at £16 a year, with the no option to tax for six month remaining.
    
   Motorcycles from 151cc to 400cc the new vehicle tax rates will be £36 a year, up from £35 a whole increase of £1, with the no option to tax for six month remaining.
    
   Motorcycles from 401cc to 600cc the new vehicle tax rates for one year is an increase from £53 a year to £55 and for six months an increase of £1.10 to £30.25 .
    
   For motorcycles over 600cc the new vehicle tax rates for one year will cost £76 instead of £74 and for six months £41.80, an increase of £1.10.
    
   Tricycles (not over 450kg unladen) over 150cc see an increase for one year of £2.00 to £76.00 and up £1.10 to 41.80 for six months. Those not over 150cc see no change.
    
   Read this article and links to NI Direct Government Services at Right To Ride

3. Swedish Medical Cards

   Posted on 12:01am Saturday 17th Mar 2012

   According to the Swedish Riders Organisation (SMC) information in motorcycle helmets can save four lives per year!
    
   This week, 65 000 members of the Swedish Motorcyclist Association, SMC, get a Medical Card kit. The Swedish medical card follows the UKs Ambulance Motorcycle Club Crash Card, the Rider Alert scheme in the US with a CRASH card scheme to be launched in Northern Ireland.
    
   The Swedish Medical Card kit includes four stickers to add on the helmet/s and a card for medical information to put between the shell and padding of the helmet. With this effort, SMC hope to save a few lives per year through fast and adequate rescue in case of an accident.
    
   Motorcyclists are killed and injured in accidents on Swedish Roads every year. The Swedish riders are getting older. Many persons have some kind of allergy or chronic disease. It doesn’t matter if you are going on a ride on your own or with a group – you can’t rely on anyone else to describe your personal medical status. It is much safer if you fill it out on a Medical Card and put it in your helmet.
    
   It is well established that the victim’s chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within a short period of time after a severe injury. Since Sweden is a big country where huge areas is sparsely populated there isn’t always an ambulance in the neighbourhood.
    
   If you suffer from a disease like for example diabetes, there can be a solution to the crash and the rescue team will know what kind of emergency care the victim needs.
    
   According to the Swedish Transport Administration four lives can be saved with fast and adequate rescue. This is the reason for SMC to send out stickers and Medical Cards to 65, 000 members.
    
   The Medical Card Sticker is added on the bottom on the back of the helmet and indicates that the rider has a Medical Card in the helmet, between the shell and padding, with medical information.
    
   Every helmet owner adds information on the medical card. On one side the owner writes: medical history, medical treatment and allergies. On the other side the owner will write name, personal ID number and ICEnumber. All information is translated to English.
    
   ”It’s a simple but genius idea that started among ambulance drivers in England. It’s now spreading all over the world”, says Jesper Chrisensen, general secretary of SMC. Both motorcycle riders and ambulance staff in other countries have already testified that the Medical Cards saved lives. If we can save the life of only one rider, SMC has succeeded with this initiative”, continues Christensen.
    
   The initiative from SMC was on Swedish National TV: 
    
   Ambulance Motorcycle Club Crash Cards 
    
   Crash Cards For Northern Ireland

4. Mans campaign to help stop VAT on Air Ambulance Fuel bills... Can he get 100,000 signatures?

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 29th Feb 2012

   Ken Sharpe, of York has started an e-petition to help stop VAT on Air Ambulance Fuel bills

   When attending a fund raiser in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity last summer, it was brought to his attention that all 18 air ambulances in the UK have to pay VAT on their fuel bills unlike the RNLI who get an exemption. Here is a charity that is giving an essential free service and they have to pay vat on their fuel bills - the biggest cost to them after buying the helicopter!

   Amazed that this was the case, he started to research the issue and found that it would require a change in the VAT rules as these are governed by the EU. His local MEP, suggested that as finance budgets were being debated in Brussels he should try and get the government to request the exemption for Air Ambulance charities. His letter to the treasury fell on deaf ears.
    
   However Ken persevered and once again contacted his MP and asked him to table an Early Day Motion EDM 2709, which happened on the 9th February, 2012. By the 10th February this had been signed by 14 MP's from across all parties.

   An e-petition went live on the 10th of February, 2012 and in that time has had over 13,000 signatures, however for the government to make time for a full debate on the issue, it needs 100,000 signatures... As Ken says "Then hopefully common sense will prevail and something will be done to change this ridiculous situation".
    
   See and sign the e-petition here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29349

   For more details on the campaign or to talk to Ken Sharpe please contact him - [email protected]

5. Compulsory Basic Training

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 23rd Feb 2012

   The nidirect Government Services website has published a reminder and information:  As of yesterday, 21st February 2012, “all learner moped and motorcycle riders must complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before they can ride unaccompanied on public roads.”
    
   CBT was introduced last year on 21st February 2011 and riders with a motorcycle provisional licence entitlement were allowed a year to take a motorcycle practical test without having to take CBT.
    
   As this deadline has now passed, you will have to take CBT before you can do your practical test, which consists of two parts, a manoeuvres test which will last approximately 30 minute, (at present this is only available from certain test centres) and an on-road motorcycle riding test which lasts about 40 minutes.
    
   There are five elements in the syllabus that covers CBT training. Elements A to D are not time bound – the duration will depend on your ability. However, element E will be a minimum of four hours. The overall length of the course will vary depending on your ability, knowledge, understanding and skills.
    
   The nidirect Government Services website comments, “Biking can be a great experience but ridden inappropriately, a motorcycle becomes a lethal weapon. CBT will improve learners’ riding skills because they will receive training in a safe environment before being allowed to ride on public roads.”
    
   Adding that, “Drivers should look out for motorcyclists -  Half of all motorcyclist casualties are caused by other drivers. Motorists should give extra consideration to motorcyclists and look out for bikes:
    •when overtaking
   •at junctions
   •when turning right
   •when emerging onto main roads
    
   Only registered Approved Motorcycle Instructors (AMI) will be allowed to conduct these training courses. It is intended that this new training scheme will improve safety for all road users.”
    
   Module 1
    
   Element A Introduction – theoretical training
   Element B Practical training (touch, balance etc)
    
   Module 2
    
   Element C Practical riding skills
   Element D Pre road-ride briefing
    
   Module 3
    
   Element E Practical on-road riding (compulsory 4 hours duration)
    
   More Changes
    
   If you are not already aware, in January 2013, the motorcycle test and licence categories will change through the implementation of the EU Third Licence Directive.
    
   Yesterday (21st February) Right To Ride along with other stakeholders attended the second meeting to discuss this implementation.
    
   To read this article and for further information and links on CBT in Northern Ireland go to Right To Ride