Category: Other

1. iBiker for NI?

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 24th May 2011

   An exciting new smartphone app designed to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on the UK’s roads is now available.

   The ‘iBiker app’, which has been funded by the DfT (Department for Transport in Great Britain), is available on the iPhone and Android mobile phones. In addition to featuring ‘myth busting’ equipment and maintenance videos with James Toseland, the former double World Superbike Champion, the app enables bikers to:

   ·         Plan, plot, and save their rides/routes.

   ·         Highlight points of interest including pubs, cafes, cash points, petrol stations and meeting points.

   ·         Rate routes.

   ·         Connect with the biking community by sharing information about their rides/routes via Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social networking sites.

   The ap also highlights ‘the most risky roads and routes in Britain’ and provides interactive information and advice on how to ride safely and responsibly.

   Similar to Ride It Right, iBiker is community driven and focused on the community it serves - riders can take ownership of the app and populate it with information that can be shared across the biker community. Users can get in touch with ibiker via www.twitter.com/ibikerapp. or visit www.facebook.com/facebook.

   Gurminder Marwaha, who manages the app, says, “In terms of our plans for the app, we are very open to suggestions on how the app can be improved and what new features users would like to see. This app is for bikers and to remain a biker app it's important that the community tells us how it wants the app to develop. We will listen to all ideas.”

   What About iBiker For Northern Ireland

   Ride It Right has been in touch with the iBiker developers to see if iBiker works in Northern Ireland and the answer is yes!

   So apart from on your travels outside Northern Ireland riders here can, add their own routes and places, plan, plot, and save their rides/routes and comments on others’ routes and places.

   You can also highlight points of interests, including pubs, cafes, cash points, speed cameras, petrol stations, meeting points and much more.

   However one application that is missing is the provision of video run-throughs of known collision hotspots, these provide commentary illustrating potential dangers, enabling riders to prepare for a ride on that route, and spot potential danger before actually riding it.

   Early days yet but Ride It Right is looking at bringing iBiker here, to add to the 90 different routes videoed in the rest of the UK. Our own routes on the Ride It Right website highlights, The Antrim Coast Road – The Ards Peninsula – Newcastle and the Mournes.

   To get iBiker here we are looking for sponsors/funding, a race “celebrity” to promote iBiker and for the support from Road Safety agencies.

   Information

   www.ibikerapp.com

   www.facebook.com/ibiker

   www.rideitright.org

2. BMF Warns On Future Bike Parking Charges

   Posted on 11:30am Wednesday 20th Apr 2011

   The British Motorcyclists Federation is warning of the possibility of countrywide parking charges being introduced for motorcycles following the failure in the Court of Appeal to overturn a High Court decision that backed the parking charges traffic order implemented by Westminster City Council in January 2010.

   The ‘No To Bike Parking Tax’ campaign (NTBPT), a campaign group supported by the 80,000 strong BMF, had brought the appeal but three senior judges today ruled there was "nothing in the grounds of appeal" and dismissed their case.

   Warren Djanogly, who led the NTBPT campaign, said: "We are hugely disappointed, but it is not over yet. We are now thinking of taking our case to the European courts where we expect to get a fairer hearing."

   The BMF, whose members helped in raising the money required for the bringing of the appeal, say that cash-strapped Local Authorities across the country have been watching the situation closely and with the loss of the appeal, motorcyclists could now be faced with the threat of a nationwide rollout of parking charges.

   A strong supporter of the ‘No To Bike Parking Tax’ (NTBPT) campaign from its inception in August 2008 the BMF say while the campaign gained massive rider support in London, many councils across the UK, possibly starting with Birmingham and Manchester, were also considering bringing in similar Pay by Phone charges for motorcycles and it was only the Westminster legal case that was preventing them doing so.

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

   BMF Chairman, Anna Zee, who has taken part in most of the big anti-tax demonstrations together with a number of other BMF members, said she was deeply disappointed at the verdict. “The use of motorcycles and scooters in urban environments can contribute greatly to easing congestion and anything which discourages such use is to be deplored.”

   Commenting on the ruling, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, said: “This is disappointing and is a blow to everyone involved in the campaign, but more than that, the ruling that Westminster’s parking charges for motorcycles are legal could well signal the end of free parking for motorcyclists across the UK.”

   The BMF will now be asking members of its regional network to carefully monitor Local Authorities for any signs of plans to implement motorcycle parking charges.

   www.bmf.co.uk.

3. Belfast Bikers Bike Forum

   Posted on 12:00am Saturday 12th Mar 2011

    

   Probably the second most important thing for a motorcyclist these days after their bike is, their computer!

    

   For those who disagree, form a disorderly queue and start typing on your keyboard in response.

    

   For those that agree and cannot do with a daily fixed of motorcycling internet surfing, head over to www.belfastbikers.co.uk. and register and introduce yourself to the recently launched local “Belfast Bikers” forum dedicated to local bikers in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

    

   Already with a core of dedicated posters, Belfast Bikers aim is to provide a platform for bike enthusiasts to talk about bikes, share advice on buying, selling or fixing bikes.

    

   Belfast bikers has also teamed up with a number of sponsors allowing you to get special discounts on a range of bike products as well as all the latest news about upcoming bike events.

    

   The original concept behind the site was to create a central point in order to produce a simple yet effective link between all bikers and bike services in the area.

    

   The "bolted on" forum is the backbone of the site enabling the area’s two-wheeled community to share experiences and make friends with people who share the same passion.

    

   The forum has a dedicated section aptly named "Biker Watchdog" which Belfast Bikers says, “Is there to identify just who is giving great service and of course, who isn't!”

    

   Apart from General Bike Talk and Chit Chat topics there are, real write ups by Belfast’s own riders, tips on servicing and repairs, Ride Outs, Events, Meets dates and information and a whole lot more.

    

   Belfast Bikers are always looking for new members, so hopefully this point in their direction will see the forum grow and we wish Belfast Bikers all the success for the future.

    

   www.belfastbikers.co.uk

    

4. Manor Motorcycle Cafe - New Motorcycle Cafe in North Yorkshire

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 11th Mar 2011

   At the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this is North Yorkshire’s 1st purpose built Motorcycle Cafe. Located in the converted Manor Farm Courtyard in Bellerby, near Leyburn.

   Surrounded by beautiful unspoilt scenery, on what are also some of the best roads in the UK. With ample off street parking in our converted farm courtyard, comfortable warm indoor seating and plenty of outdoor seating, the Manor is the ideal place for bikers to ‘meet and eat’. The menu will be a good mix of traditional British and Continental food, all cooked fresh on the premises with locally sourced ingredients.
    
   The Manor Motorcycle Cafe will be opening Easter 2011. Owned and operated by motorcycle owners and enthusiasts.

   www.manor-cafe.co.uk

5. Oz on a Triumph Book Launch

   Posted on 10:52am Monday 22nd Nov 2010

   Geoff Hill and Collin O'Carroll are celebrating the publication of their inspiring and hilarious travelogue, Oz: Around Australia on a Triumph.

   The celebration takes place on Wednesday 24 November, during an Oz themed launch at Adelaide Insurance Services, 4-6 Boucher Road, Belfast. The pair circumnavigated Australia on Tiger 1050s, taking 10-12 weeks to cover the 15,000 miles of the legendary Highway One before the road is decommissioned in 2010.

   Geoff, who's already ridden from Delhi to Belfast on an Enfield and Chile to Alaska on a Triumph for the best-selling books Way to Go and The Road to Gobblers Knob, faced his mightiest challenge: the wombats of Oz. To give you a flavour of their adventure we have lifted this from their website blog, The Adelaide To Adelaide Adventure:

   “Since Geoff has only been to Perth before, and since Colin was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in Australia wrestling sharks, snogging kangaroos and riding dirt bikes, the series and book will be written from two contrasting and equally entertaining viewpoints: Geoff as a relative first-timer and Colin revisiting the land of his lost youth, which is the subject of his own book, Belfast Boomerang, to be published by Blackstaff Press in 2011. It’s the wombats that worry me most,” said Geoff. “Apparently they go to sleep in the middle of the road because it’s nice and warm, so if you’re stupid enough to ride at night, you hit this furry speed bump. They’re saved by a layer of cartilage on their back which protects them from dingo attacks, but you end up down the road in a heap of wreckage.”

   Come along from 4.30 pm and crack open a tinny with Geoff and Colin as they discuss their adventure around Oz on a Triumph.

   Exclusive film footage recorded during their trip will be shown, a live band will play and, refreshments will be available.

   www.blackstaffpress.com

   www.adelaideadventures.com