Whether you’re determined to get your moped licence or love nothing more than whizzing down the road on a strong, powerful and exhilarating £2,750 Kawasaki ER6, you’re not alone. The motorcycle industry is hugely popular across the globe with both men and women alike slipping into their leathers and riding off into the sunset – and those with a need for a speed are always looking for new and exciting models to take for a spin.

The good news is, the world of motorcycles is ever evolving with vehicle manufacturers constantly looking to develop new and exciting products. As the world becomes more environmentally aware, they’re not only trying to clean up their act by introducing energy-efficient alternatives they’re also trying to attract biking fanatics with exquisite designs and detailing.

Electric bikes, for instance, have been in the pipeline for numerous years with designers attempting to come up with two-wheel sensations that are powerful fun and thrilling to ride while not emitting a range of harsh or non-sustainable chemicals into the atmosphere. And they’ve really made headway. There are already a wide range of ready-to-ride electric motorcycles out there including the LS-218 which is the fastest production motorcycle in the world - gas or electric.

That said, many top models from well-known brands are not yet out on the roads, but are instead being tweaked to perfection meaning that when they are up for sale in their masses they won’t disappoint. Take Harley-Davidson’s Project LiveWire, for instance. It looks great and is virtually silent to ride but if President and COO Matt Levatich’s comments at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council's 2014 confab are anything to go by it seems the bike will not be ready for the roads until next-generation battery technologies are ready.

According to reports, the bike currently would only travel half the distance buyers want and cost $50,000, about 50 per cent more than customers would want to pay. This, of course, makes the bike less attractive to motorcycle fanatics which is why Harley-Davidson are prepared to wait for new technology and produce something that’s nothing but spectacular.

As the electric motorbike trend grows, other well-known companies such as Bultaco are rebranding themselves as electric motorbike manufacturers to ensure they have a more modern and up-to-date appeal. It’s been almost 13 years since a bike came out with the famous Bultaco logo on it, but that’s all about to change as two prototypes have already been revealed which point the way forward for the Spanish company – the Rapitan and Rapitan Sport. Both feature 53 horsepower, 92 lb.ft electric motors, Hossack-style front end suspension and enough battery storage to get over 200 km (125 miles) in town.

So, as you can see electric motorbikes are already on the roads. They’re making their mark within the motorcycle industry but with some manufacturers prepared to hold out for bigger and better things it looks like this is just the beginning of this exciting new craze.

Visitors of THE BIKER GUIDE have previously helped a research study (relating to motorcyclist stress) by TRL, with a good number of participants. They are recruiting for another study and are hoping that our visitors can help the research once again.

The purpose of the research is to assess the suitability of temporary portable rumble strips as part of temporary traffic management at road works, especially with regard to motorcyclist safety. 

They are looking to undertake trials (as a track session) and expert panel consultations with motorcycle examiners, trainers and riders in order to gain a better understanding of their experiences and opinions regarding the possible level of risk posed by Temporary Rumble Strips.

The trials will take about 3.5 hours and will take place on Membury Test Track (Hungerford, Berkshire) on April 1st 2015.

They are looking for a total of 40 motorcyclists across the following categories:

*Approved learner motorcyclist trainers

*Novice riders of any motorcycle type (less than 1 year experience since passing test)

*Experienced riders of a range of motorcycle types (at least 5 years’ experience since passing test):

- Small mopeds / scooters (of up to 125cc)

- ‘Standard’ motorcycles (between 125 - 600cc)

- ‘Sport’ motorcycles (between 600 – 1000cc)

- ‘Tourer/cruiser’ motorcycles (over 1000cc)

Participants will be provided with £35 to go toward travel expenses.

Motorcyclists who are interested in taking part can register by following the link below and answering a few short questions regarding their current riding experience and availability. TRL staff will be in contact with selected participants directly to provide further information about the trial.

Take the survey to register your interest

How the data will be used - Information from TRL

This study was commissioned by the Highways Agency and is being led by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The work we are undertaking is to assess the suitability of temporary portable rumble strips as part of temporary traffic management at road works, especially with regard to motorcyclist safety. This work is part of an ongoing HA programme to significantly reduce risk to road workers across the whole of the HA network.

As we are looking for a good representation across bike types/ level of experience, the data we collect through the online form will be used to ensure this representation is achieved in the final sample. It also gives respondents the opportunity to provide us with details about their availability, etc.

Data collected (i.e. contact details) is required in order to allow us to contact respondents. The details provided will only be used for the purpose of this research, and will not be viewed or shared with anyone outside of this specific TRL project team, this includes not sharing with any third parties.

Data protection

Any data provided by respondents for this research will be fully protected under TRL’s Data Protection and Information Security Policies which covers our obligations under the Data Protection Act, and Environmental Information Regulations. Data will be retained during the research phase and any personal details held will be deleted after approximately 1 year.

The search is on for the country’s best young driver – but the catch is they have to be aged under 17.

The Young Driver Challenge 2015 launches this week and is backed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). It offers 11-16 year olds the chance to show their skills behind the wheel of a car.

The challenge took place for the first time in 2014, with hundreds of entries from around the country. Accelerating to the top, the eventual winners were named as Hannah Tripp, aged 13 from Cheddar in Somerset, and Troy Hickling, aged 16, from Leicester.

Run by Young Driver, the UK’s largest provider of under-17 driving lessons, the challenge aims to encourage youngsters to consider responsible and safe driving, with top marks given to those who show the best levels of control and awareness. It is backed by the IAM and motoring expert and presenter Quentin Willson.

Entries can be made until the end of July and the 40 top scorers will be invited to a final event to be held in the Midlands in September. Drivers are assessed during a lesson at any of Young Driver’s 28 venues, and marked according to strict criteria on their driving skills and manoeuvres, including parallel parking, figures of eight, turn in the road, steering, judgement and positioning.

Participants complete the second part of the test after their lesson via the Goodyear Driving Academy, an online driving simulator which tests a youngsters’ knowledge of the Highway Code.

The top prizes on offer include 20 Young Driver lessons, 20 ‘on the road’ post-17 driving lessons courtesy of Goodyear, a Young Driver at School session for the winner and their classmates and £500 off a car insurance premium courtesy of Young Driver sponsor Admiral. There will also be a special Admiral Award for the young driver who shows the best attitude, with a £200 cash prize.

The Young Driver scheme was set up in 2009 with the aim of creating safer newly qualified drivers. Currently in the UK, one in five new drivers has an accident within six months of passing their test and road traffic accidents account for 25 per cent of all the deaths of 15-19 year olds. Every year 400 people are killed in accidents involving young drivers. Yet, independent research shows that Young Driver past-pupils have 50 per cent less accidents than other novice drivers.

Kim Stanton, who runs the Young Driver scheme, said: “The Young Driver Challenge was a huge success last year. The final event included 40 youngsters who all demonstrated a driving ability well beyond their years, and I think people would be stunned to see how good they are.

“The aim of Young Driver has always been to create a safer next generation of drivers. We need to teach youngsters over a longer period of time, to give them a more thorough understanding and ample experience. Research actually shows that road safety messages are better absorbed by children in their early teens rather than at driving age. So the Young Driver Challenge gives us a great opportunity to talk to more youngsters about safe driving, and to show the general public just how good these young drivers can be, given the proper tuition. We look forward to seeing this year’s entries!”

Mark Lewis, director of standards at the IAM, said: “I was very impressed with the standard of driving displayed by the young drivers last year and the final went to a tense tie-breaker. All who attended had a good day and I heard lots of stories from proud parents and grandparents about how the young drivers have made them change their driving habits for the better. Every young person who undertakes this training is potentially setting themselves up for a lifetime of safe driving. I’m looking forward to seeing the standard being maintained this year and a sunny final event like last year will be the icing on the cake!”

Quentin Willson, Transport Campaigner, added: “The Young Driver Challenge recognises and celebrates how early tuition can make a generation of novice drivers safer on our roads. I'm extremely proud to support these awards.”

For more information about the challenge, or to book a Young Driver lesson, please log on to www.youngdriver.eu or call 0844 371 9010.

More than 13,500 motorcycles are booked to travel to the 2015 Isle of Man TT with the Steam Packet Company.

The figure represents an increase of more than 10% in the number of bookings compared with this time last year.

The increase has been made possible by the Steam Packet Company's investment in a removable mezzanine deck on fast craft Manannan. This has created additional space for motorcycles during the TT and Festival of Motorcycling periods, allowing fans who have previously travelled as foot passengers the chance to bring their bikes.

Crucially, MV Arrow providing freight services during the TT has allowed more space on Ben-my-Chree for vehicles. The charter of P&O Express has also once again added additional passenger capacity for the event.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said, "The fact that bookings for the TT are up on this time last year shows the ongoing popularity of the event and the demand from visitors to experience it for themselves. We constantly review our services and identified there was a clear demand for extra space for motorcycles. We have invested heavily in the removable mezzanine deck to create this space, and that has allowed us to ensure more people can bring their bikes this year. In addition, there has been significant investment in the charter of P&O Express, to supplement our passenger services, and MV Arrow, which will take over the Ben-my-Chree's freight duties during the TT so there is more room for fans."

He added: "Our team works around the clock during the TT bringing fans to the event, and based on the current bookings we're looking forward to another really busy year." 

This year's Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy sees the introduction of the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar team to the Sure sidecar class.

One of the world's most recognised DJ's, Carl Cox is also a complete motorsport fan, an avid collector of iconic motorcycles, and actively participates in track days, ride schools, motorcycle tours and even jumps behind the wheel of his V8 drag cars when he can!

Carl has also become a regular fixture at the MotoGP and WSB meetings and based on his ever-growing involvement within the motorsport community he formed Carl Cox Motorsport with good friend Gavin Sokolich from New Zealand, in order to take on an active role in the race circles with his own teams.

The brand has quickly grown to include an F1/F2 Sidecar team, 2 bikes in the Ducati TriOptions cup (BSB support class), 2 bikes in the post-classic series in Australia, and several drag race cars.

In 2013 experienced NZ Passenger Robbie Shorter and his rider Barry Smith (ex UK GP rider from the 80's) put together a home-built F1 chassis with a K4 Suzuki gsxr1000 engine and proceeded to win multiple short circuit and road races throughout NZ, when 2014 rolled around they decided to purchase an F1 Windle to see if they could contest the New Zealand Championship.

It was around this time the team was noticed by the newly formed motorsport franchise of Carl Cox Motorsport- Carl was on a motorcycle tour in NZ and had no hesitation in signing them as the first formal team for the brand. The team went on to finish #2 for their first full season racing for the brand.

Plans for the TT were made, and they purchased a 2010 BLR/Suzuki chassis that was in the UK- their first time riding the bike was when they picked it up from the old owner, put it in the back of the van, drove to Oschersleben in Germany, and raced in the inaugural F2 World Trophy! The pair had an 8th place finish and then put the bike into a container headed for New Zealand for the team to begin preparation.

Jan 2015 saw the start of the NZ national series, and in a spectacular incident in the very first race of the season, the F1 Windle flipped, resulting in a substantial shoulder injury to rider Barry Smith- unfortunately this meant he would be unable to ride this year's TT as planned.

A call was made to a retired Kiwi sidecar legend, and rider Colin Buckley agreed to hop on a sidecar after a 12 year break to finish the NZ series with Carl Cox Motorsport, and also return to the Island for his fourth time at the TT, having previously raced in 1996, '97 and '98, gaining several bronze replicas.