Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. Triumph Brand Film - Casting request

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    The producer for this year's Triumph Brand Film and stills shoot, due to occur in and around Brighton and Milton Keynes from the 19th till the 23rd of July, is looking for real people that know how to ride these bikes!

    The shoot dates will involve a mixture of stills photography and film. You could be doing anything from sitting on a bike having a conversation to roaring round a race track.

    Men and women welcome.  Looking for both for riders and pillions that are comfortable in their leathers. Open to riders of all motorcycles - you don't have to own a Triumph!

    A casting session is to be held in the East End of London on Tuesday the 6th July between 11:00 and 14:00.

    93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU
    Please arrive in your riding finery.

    If you are chosen, an exact date will be confirmed. Fees are a total of £100 per day to include all travel costs, the rights to use the images and films across all markets and mediums in perpetuity. You will also be fed.

    If you are interested in signing up please e-mail with:
    • A picture of yourself
    • Your age
    • Your height
    • Waist
    • Jeans Size
    • Chest Size
    • your availability between the 19th and 23rd July and your experience on bikes.
     
    The categories are split into:
    • Cruisers
    • Classics
    • Supersport / Roadsters
    • Adventure / Touring
    Contact Georgina:
     
     
    tel: 0207 247 3878

  2. Ace Cafe London are hosting the launch of Sam Manicom's latest adventure motorcycle travel book, 'Tortillas to Totems'.

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    This enthralling tale, Sam's fourth book, takes you on a gripping rollercoaster of a two-wheeled journey across the dramatic landscapes of Mexico, the USA and Canada. Tortillas to Totems has more twists than a Rocky Mountain pass and more surprises than anyone would expect in a lifetime.

    There are canyons, cowboys, idyllic beaches, bears, mountains, Californian vineyards, gun-toting policemen with grudges, glaciers, exploding volcanoes, dodgy border crossings and some of the most stunning open roads that a traveller could ever wish to see.

    Sam will be book signing from 12pm until 4pm on Saturday 18th September.  There'll be rock music from the fabulous Steve McGill, celebs, t-shirts, and of course travel books!   Look out too for the raffle in aid of Motorcycle Outreach. Take to opportunity to check out Avon Tyres and Metal Mule gear. You'll also have the chance to talk to photography specialists from Robert White Photographic. Robert White is the sponsor of the launch and the team are hugely knowledgeable about your needs as motorcycling photographers.

  3. London Mayor Extends Motorcycle Access to Bus Lanes

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    Mayor Boris Johnson has today announced he will continue to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes, operated by Transport for London (TfL), for the time being. Johnson observed, ' The chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialized and, as I suspected would be the case, we have found substantial support for the measure."

    An 18-month experiment was carried out to see if a permanent arrangement would improve road safety and the various studies reveled:

    .       More than half (51 per cent) of motorcyclists switched from riding on the outside of the road to the bus lanes   

    .       Fears of an increase in cyclist collisions with motorcyclists were unfounded  

    .       Journeys made by motorcycles using bus lanes were, on average more than 10 per cent quicker than those not using bus lanes and 36 per cent quicker than cars

    Rides are Voters (RAV) welcomed the news but warned that riders, TfL and other road users must all play their part in making bus lanes safe for riders everyone

    The Mayor has done the right thing after taking this opportunity to look at the real causes of collisions. Once again it has been shown that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes has created no greater risk for riders and other vulnerable road users.

    "However, the findings seem to show that both motorcycle users and pedal-cyclists may be bearing the brunt of falling driving standards." said MAG General Secretary, Nich Brown

    RAV supports TfL advice that drivers need to be sure they are not putting anyone at risk, especially when turning across bus-lanes at junctions. However, the group warned that simply relying on an appeal for better driving and enforcement of motorcycle speeding offences will not address the fundamental problem of poor junction design where collisions have increased.

    Riders are Voters are calling on TfL to investigate low-cost improvements and new junction designs. Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry commented " This news of continued access to bus lanes is a positive step in the right direction.  Bus Lane access has worked well across the country and if TfL are willing to look at improving junction design on some of the busiest roads in the UK, then riders and other road users outside of the Capital will also benefit.."

    Chris Hodder of the British Motorcyclists Federation (bmf) said. "Continued access to bus lanes for riders in London is fantastic news.  The comprehensive refutation of many of the claims of those opposed shows that arguments against allowing motorcycles into bus lanes are rapidly evaporating under close scrutiny.  Obviously there is still a problem with driver awareness, but we are pleased to see that the Mayor has decided to? address this with better advertising as a first step."

    RAV has also called on the DfT to support the extension of motorcycle access to bus lanes everywhere. Nich Brown said:  "The efforts made by TfL to get things right should be supported by all local councils who operate bus lanes. In particular, those London boroughs who currently deny access for motorcycles should consider the adverse effect they are having on road safety by creating confusion and lack of consistency. Road safety will be maximised once all road users know to expect to see bikes legitimately using all bus lanes"

  4. Westminster Residents And Businesses Launch Petition Against Motorbike Parking Charges

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    Residents in Westminster have shown signs of losing patience with the Council over its insistence on retaining motorcycle parking charges in the face of massive opposition from the biking community.

    The petitioners say: “We are sure that very few have escaped having their daily commute in Westminster blighted by the recent series of demonstrations by angry motorcyclists campaigning against the introduction of parking charges for motorcycles. Whilst originally infuriated, and initially assessing their complaint to be selfish and inconsiderate, we took it on ourselves to look more closely at the basis of their complaint and, having seen irrefutable evidence of a total lack of genuine justification for the City Council to impose a levy where there has never historically been the need, we have compiled a petition on our website” 

    www.wccpetition.co.uk

    Warren Djanogly, Chairman of the No To Bike Parkign Tax Campaign, said: "It seems that residents are now more aware than ever of the way in which this Council has blatantly ignored thousands of bikers, and are continuing to line the pockets of the private companies contracted to enforce these charges, at a cost to the rate-payer of over £400,000." 

    Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said; “There is massive opposition to Westminster Council’s motorbike parking charges from residents, commuters and local businesses. There is no justification for charging motorbike owners to park on the street. No other Council charges. The Westminster motorbike parking tax is all about raising money for Westminster Conservatives so that they can plug a big hole in the Council’s finances.” 

    “This is a time for common sense to prevail. The motorbike parking charge is Westminster’ s ‘poll tax on two wheels’ and like the poll tax it is hated and should be scrapped”