This is an important issue that can affect a claim brought by a motorcyclist.

In laymen’s terms it means that you have gone some way to contribute to your own injuries. For example, motorcycle contributory negligence can arise if you are riding without a helmet and without protective clothing and you are knocked from your motorcycle and injured, you will claim against the offending motorist.  

You have fractured your skull and fractured your leg. The damages for the skull are say £10,000 and the leg £5,000. But whilst the broken leg is unavoidable in any instance, the judge will find that because of your failure to wear a helmet, that motorcycle contributory negligence was the reason why you broke your skull and it is therefore in the Judges’ eyes that you were responsible for your own demise. In this case he will award you for the broken leg but not the fractured skull.  

Similarly even if you aren’t at fault when someone pulls out of a side road into your path, if it is proven that you were speeding at the time, the Judge will contribute some motorcycle contributory negligence to you. They usually do this in percentages, and in this instance he may award a reduction in your damages of fifty or more percent. So it is very important that you understand how this system works.

Improved pedestrian safety design will help high risk children on the roads, says IAM 

Today's report by AXA puts pedestrian safety under the spotlight, the IAM is asking the UK government and car makers to make pedestrian-friendly car fronts a top priority.  The government should be taking the lead in lobbying the European Commission and car manufacturers to make radical changes so that vulnerable road users can get the same five star protection as those sitting in the vehicle. 

The number of deaths and serious injuries to car occupants fell by 524 in 2011 but amongst vulnerable road users they increased: 

•           Pedestrians - 48 more killed, 254 more seriously injured  
•           Cyclists - four fewer killed, 425 more seriously injured   Since 2006, car occupants' deaths and serious injuries have fallen by 35% but for pedestrians the fall is just 16 per cent, while cyclist deaths and serious injuries have increased by 31 per cent. 

Car occupants benefit increasingly from the high standards of crash protection brought about by the Euro NCAP crash testing programme, ensuring more four and five-star cars than ever are on the market. Improvements to the front of cars that would benefit pedestrians and cyclists in a collision have simply not kept pace. 

Research by IAM shows that the average Euro NCAP rating for car occupants in super minis in the last three years is eighty-two per cent while for pedestrians it is much lower, at 53 per cent. There needs to be a new focus on bringing pedestrian safety up to the level now enjoyed by car occupants. 

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “While the people in the car are much safer, in the case of a crash with a child pedestrian or cyclist, the front of the car is not as forgiving. Much more can and should be done through car design to minimise the damage caused by hard metal on soft tissue.”

The cool, retro design of the Tucano Urbano El’met has been recognised by none other than high-end British fashion house, Paul Smith.

Choosing the El’met for its stylish design and range of colours, Paul Smith is now selling the open-faced helmets in both the Covent Garden and Marylebone London stores. 

Tucano Urbano specialises in Italian-designed, stylish, urban commuter wear for scooter and motorcycle riders. The El’met fuses modern technical features with a classic open-face design. The twist is that Tucano Urbano offers this helmet in no less than 19 different colours from classic navy, green and black, to fluorescent yellow, blue, pink and orange! With a clear full-face visor, the helmet allows riders to look cool, be seen and stay protected.

Available in 9 different sizes from XS to XXL, the El’met is also on sale at Tucano Urbano dealers across the country and prices start from £169.99.

Check out the full Tucano Urbano range and find your nearest stockist at www.tucanourbano.co.uk

Tucano Urbano UK is on facebook and twitter

...July 5th - 7th Borders Union Showground, Kelso.

Also a special guest appearance by Don Powell – original and founding member of 70’s Super Group SLADE.

Don will be at the event over the entire weekend and will also be ‘jamming’ with the bands on Friday & Saturday.

Show organiser Martin Chick said “We are really excited about having Don with us as a result of a collaboration with Sue Wilson, who raises awareness and funds for the National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland”. “Sue is holding a series of events under the umbrella heading of Re-wind to the 70’s featuring: SLADE, Alvin Stardust, and The Rubettes (featuring Alan Williams) further details can be found at www.rewindtothe70s.co.uk”

“Don has kindly agreed to spend the weekend with us and to ‘jam’ with the bands that are playing so it’s a great chance for show-goers to meet one of pop music’s true legends”

In addition to the main stage music at Kelso, the bikefest will also feature Inch Perfect display team, Stannage International Stunt Team, an awesome Best in Show display in association with Principal Insurance and House of Custom, the BMF Club Games and the Cavalcade of Clubs.

For those attending the show and not from the Kelso area, an organised ride-out on some of the best biking roads available will also be organised on Saturday morning (subject to the weather!!!)

The BMF Kelso Bikefest is a fantastic event, smaller than the other two shows but with a real sense of community and bikers love it.

Entries are invited for the inaugural Ace Cafe London Drivers Challenge, a Clubman Production Car Autotest 'Taster Event'  to be held on Sunday 14th July and which is organised by Middlesex County Automobile Club on behalf of the Ace to celebrate the cafe's 75th anniversary of having originally opened in 1938.    

Conceived primarily to provide an introduction to motor sport, the entry is limited to just 75 vehicles across six different classes each with a crew of two, driver and navigator.    

The meeting, governed by the General Regulations of the Motor Sport Association (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA) includes driving around cones "against the clock" and several other timed tests, and with at least two runs at each test (on private ground) the best times count!  If there are more than two runs at a particular test, the slowest time is disregarded.    

Awards up for grabs for "Fastest Time of the Day" and, subject to there being sufficient entries in each vehicle class, there will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award in each of the classes.    

Vehicle Classes:    Front-wheel drive saloons up to 1600cc  Front-wheel drive saloons over 1600cc  Rear-wheel drive saloons up to 2000cc  Rear-wheel drive saloons over 2000cc  Open/Sports cars up to 1600cc  Open/Sports cars over 1600cc    

Closing date for entries is Saturday 29th June, with ceremonial start at the Ace from 9am Sunday 14th July.     

Entry, £75 includes breakfast at the Ace, from 7am, a packed lunch and food & beverage at the cafe from 6pm, together with presentation of awards.    

For more information or to enter check out: www.mcac.co.uk

www.ace-cafe-london.com