Category: Other

1. Motorcyclists will face stiffer penalties

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 14th Dec 2009

   Motorcyclists at the head of a group of riders will face stiffer penalties for speeding under a crown court ruling.

   Being the lead rider in a group is an aggravating factor making you partly responsible for speeding offences of those behind you according to the decision.

   The ruling can be applied in any future cases where two or more motorcyclists riding together are accused of speeding. The head rider might be only a few mph over the limit, but could be given the same penalty as the worst offender behind.

   Road traffic solicitor Robert Dobson said: "Any crown court decision can be stated in future cases. This is potentially a very dangerous judgement for motorcyclists. Riders in a group change position frequently. If you are riding at the front any group at excess speed, then the very fact you're at the front is an aggravating factor."

   Ken Clark, 49, reached 85mph on his Yamaha R1 while leading a group of three riders on the 60mph A272 near Rogate, Sussex, last June. The speed is within the usual threshold for a fixed penalty of three points and a £60 fine. But Chichester Crown Court ruled he should receive the same penalty as a following rider accused of going 103mph.

   Barrister notes on the ruling given to Clark after the hearing state: `Although his was the lesser speed, [the bench] found it an aggravating feature that he was the lead motorcyclist, was setting the pace and he knew that the other two motorcyclists would want to catch him up and would be speeding to do so.'

2. Soldier, Soldier, Soldier - 'Lest We Forget'

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 24th Nov 2009

   Soldier, Soldier, Soldier

   You off to war did go,

   A brave and much loved person,

   Of whom I did not know,

   You fought a foe you could not see,

   Although beside you he may be, but to you he wouldn't show.

   --------------------------

   Soldier, Soldier, Soldier

   You fought, with your head held high,

   In heat and cold you fought so hard, your valour ever bold,

   Fighting on with a will, that you knew would never die,

   But for what cause is this you risked your life,

   What are the reasons never told.

   --------------------------

   
   Soldier, Soldier, Soldier

   We may never know my friend, the reason for you not growing old,

   The reason for your Mother, Father, sister, brother,

   No longer, having you to hold,

   The reason for your children, to lie awake at night,

   Crying after losing Dad, because of someone else's fight.

   --------------------------

    

   Soldier, Soldier, Soldier

    

   Sadly now the time has come, you no longer have to fight, for you it is all over,

    

   The enemy sought you out, albeit by bullet or by bomb,

    

   Yet another damned statistic on the press front cover,

    

   And back to this country you will come,

    

   Just like so many, who before you may have done!

   --------------------------

   Soldier, Soldier, Soldier

   You have given your all, to protect others like me,

   You have now returned at last, your fighting there is done,

   Your final journey is now ahead of you, although it may be a lonely one,

   Your work there will carry us forward, and from you, we will learn,

   That with strength of character such as yours, we can travel on.

   --------------------------

   Soldier, Soldier, Soldier

   'Lest We Forget' what you have done,

   We will remember you, each and everyone,

   Past and present you have all fought for us, to make our life ahead a better one,

   God Bless you in your after life, may you be free of all pain and anguish,

   For us our memories of you will never die, and we all will surely cherish.

   Spider!

   Spider!

   (In the Phrase 'Lest We Forget' ¨C the word 'Lest' means 'For Fear That' ¨C We Forget) ¡¡

   I have written this to mark the 100th repatriation of our fallen service personnel through Wootton Bassett on the 20th November 2009.

   But also to remind us of the millions of people who have died or been injured in conflicts around the world.

   Hopefully one day it is the world itself that will Rest in Peace

   *** 

   I have written this to mark the 100th repatriation of our fallen service personnel through Wootton Bassett on the 20th November 2009.

   But also to remind us of the millions of people who have died or been injured in conflicts around the world.

   Hopefully one day it is the world itself that will Rest in Peace

3. Parents encouraged to take control of young moped and motorcycle riders

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 1st Oct 2009

   Many young students will return to their studies this year on mopeds and motorcycles and parents in Warwickshire are being urged to send them on a free, dedicated training course to help them stay safe on the roads. 

   Research has shown that 16 to 19 year old motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users and many still feel nervous and cautious when they first travel on two wheels; even though this heralds an exciting, new-found freedom.

   Warwickshire Road Safety Officer, Stephen Rumble explains;

   “A moped or motorcycle is a great way to get around because you no longer have to rely on parents for lifts or be constrained by public transport times. However, our behavioural studies suggest that many inexperienced riders quickly change from feeling nervous, cautious and vulnerable to being confident, cocky and believing themselves to be invincible. The casualty statistics for this age group would frighten any parent, but we are not trying to discourage the use of mopeds and motorcycles. The Take Control training course is designed to help young riders develop new skills, temper any over-enthusiasm and improve their road safety awareness“.

   A number of prominent local motorcycle dealerships are supporting and promoting the Take Control courses and the free half-day rider training would be an ideal follow up to CBT. The advanced instructors are available seven days a week and will usually take one or two motorcyclists per session, starting at a convenient location to suit everyone.                                                                                                    

   For more information, go to www.takecontroltraining.co.uk

   For bookings, call 90-ONE Rider Education on (0845) 370 91 91.

4. Get Greener on Two Wheels in European Mobility Week 16th - 22nd September

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 15th Sep 2009

   Riders can do their bit for greener travel and healthier cities by getting their leg over daily, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association at the start of European Mobility Week. During the week, people across Europe come together to tackle the increase in pollution and related problems associated with transport in towns and cities. ' In Town Without My Car, ' taking place on the 22nd September, is the perfect opportunity for riders of bikes and scooters to demonstrate how powered two wheelers (PTWs) can help in the battle for less congested roads and reduced pollution.

   The green advantages of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are clear. On CO2 emissions, the PTW fleet as a whole (at 110g/km) has already bettered the new EU targets for cars. (120g/km, to be met by 2012)(1). PTWs don't get stuck in queues, and so don't stand in traffic jams with their engines idling, which means that total Co2 emitted will always be lower for any given journey. PTWs also take on average only half as long as a car to do a similar journey in town, and take up less space when parked.

   The MCI is calling for actions and events which promote sustainable transport to recognise that in reality, walking and cycling are not always the most practical alternative to a car journey, particularly for everyday commuting and business travel. The MCI's analysis of the National Travel Survey has shown that:-

   · the average commute is 8.7 miles/27 minutes
   · the average business trip is 19.4 miles/38 minutes
   · the average bicycle trip is 2.6 miles/20.3 minutes
   · the average motorcycle trip is 9.75 miles in 23 minutes

   An average commute of almost 9 miles is over three times as long as the average bicycle ride - but the same trip would be a comfortable journey by P2W.
   This campaign that encourages sustainable travel modes must also take a realistic view of people's travel habits. The NTS analysis also revealed that one quarter of participants said they never walked for 20 minutes, and that seventy percent of people surveyed rode a bicycle less than once a year. For these people, the PTW can be the perfect halfway house between car travel and bicycling, offering personal, flexible travel at a lower environmental cost than the car, while being a more achievable alternative than walking or cycling.
   
   MCI Spokesperson, Sheila Rainger commented, "Events like European Mobility Week must not let the best be the enemy of the good. PTWs are cleaner than cars, take up less space on our congestion urban roads, and can comfortably handle journeys that would be a daunting distance for novice bicyclists.
   
   "60% of cars on the road have only one occupant. Around 80% of car commuters are travelling solo. If even a small proportion of these switched to P2Ws, rush hours would be less congested, and no additional burden would be placed on public transport systems already bursting at the seams.

   "Motorbikes, mopeds and scooters offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to the car for those who can't or won't cycle or walk. Choosing a PTW won't add to the pressures onto the public transport system, will help to reduce congestion and also offers clear environmental benefits. Now's the time for everyone who is serious about promoting sustainable travel to recognise the PTW as part of the solution."

   For more information about the event go to www.mobilityweek.eu
   or to find out more about getting on two wheels check out www.geton.co.uk

    

5. MOTORCYCLE MARKET SHRINKS IN AUGUST

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 8th Sep 2009

   7,020 new powered two wheelers (PTWs) were registered in August 2009, bringing the total for the first eight months of the year to 79,897. This is an 18.2 per cent fall on 2008 according to the latest figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), and a fall of 30.5 per cent on August 2008.

   The Touring, Sport Tour and Naked styles recorded the strongest performances this month, suggesting continued demand for everyday, practical bikes.

   August Supersports registrations fell 37.8 per cent, to 990 registrations. However, the stronger year-to-date performance of a 14.3 per cent fall suggests that this month's change may be attributable to buyers waiting until 1 September for the most up-to-date registration plates.

   Larger capacity bikes are continuing to show more resilience than smaller machines. Registrations of mopeds fell by 39.8 per cent in August 2009 compared to August 2008, while registrations of bikes with engine sizes greater than 1000cc fell by only 13 per cent.

   The performance of learner-friendly machines remains strong. In five of the eight style categories - custom, naked, scooter, supersport and trail/enduro - the best-selling bike was a 125cc model. The best selling bike in August out of all styles was Yamaha's YZF R125.

   This evidence for the continued importance of practical motorcycling is also supported by the latest figures from the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, which show that over half (52%) of all motorcycle trips in 2008 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (34%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (22 %) of car journeys. The National Travel Survey also found that the average motorcyclist uses their bike as their main mode of transport for over one-third of all trips, making 8 motorcycle trips a week, and travelling 80 miles.

   "While it's clear that people are being very cautious about their spending, interest in riding remains strong," commented MCIA's Sheila Rainger. "Demand for motorcycle tests is quietly rising, while five per cent of all visitors to the Get On website have booked themselves onto a taster session."