In an exclusive interview conducted for the BMF’s membership magazine, Motorcycle Rider, Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, reveals himself as a motorcyclist keen to tackle the issues facing motorcycling today.

The wide-ranging interview, conducted by the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, covered rider testing, the red tape challenge, type approval regulations and Britain’s strength in Europe.

The Minister, having first started riding motorcycles as an Army despatch rider, currently owns a 900cc Ducati Monster and a Royal Enfield and despite his own riding being limited these days, said he saw motorcycles as “an enormous benefit for the environment because of their ability to keep moving, give off less emissions and cause fewer traffic problems than a car.” He was however concerned at the “number of riders inappropriately dressed for riding” and that was one of the reasons that he was passionate about training and educating riders.

Tackled over the thorny problem of rider testing and licensing, the Minister said that he fundamentally disagreed with the previous administration’s knee-jerk reaction to the European legislation on testing. “I keep referring to a single test and I still think that’s the best idea. We have to create a test that gives people the skills to enjoy their future riding and ensure that they are safe with other people on the road” he said.

On the test itself Mr Penning said that while he was frustrated at how long it has taken to get to the present revisions, “getting it wrong would be devastating to the industry, motorcyclists and, indeed, Britain. It’s not so much about getting people on to two wheels, but rather getting people to stay on two wheels – and stay safe,” he said. “In fact, one of the only television advertising campaigns I’m doing this year is focused on motorcyclists, because I’m committed to their safety” he added.

Tackling red tape had also been a priority he said and streamlining the SORN arrangements by removing annual renewals was just a start, adding that his red tape challenge (www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk) makes it easy for people to submit suggestions.

On European issues he said he had permission from the Prime Minister to “push back as strongly as possible” on anything he didn’t like and on the Commission’s latest Type Approval legislation he said he would do just that.

Questioned on our standing within Europe since the finance veto, the Minister said that all that will happen is that the European Parliament will realise that when we say no we mean no. “I get on very well with my European counterparts, but they know exactly where I stand” he said.

Note:  Mike Penning is the Member of Parliament for Hemel Hempstead. After the May 2010 election he was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport. He was born in North London in 1957 and educated in Essex at Appleton and King Edmund Comprehensive Schools.

Note 2: Motorcycle Rider is the BMF’s quarterly membership magazine sent to all Individual Members and officials of affiliated clubs.

After 2 years away the Japanese Bike Show is back at Donington!

The exhibition hall will be packed with trade and autojumble stands along with club displays and a concours area for private entries over 2 days. We have trophies and prize money available for completion winners along with expert commentary throughout the day. You can expect to see classic, modern classic and custom bikes on display representing all the major manufacturers such as Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha. As usual parking is free and there will be hot food and drinks available in the exhibition hall.

Dozens of trade and autojumble stalls form the leading suppliers in the Japanese market will be selling spares, new parts, accessories and services.

There will be displays from all the major clubs both local and national including VJMC, Kawasaki Z1 OC, Yamaha Classic Club, Vulcan Riders Association, The LC Club, Yamaha FS1E OC and many more.

There is a separate concours section for private entries where the public will be able to see an array of cherished machines on display which will be judged over the two days.

Bikes will be judged in the following categories with prizes available to winners and runner ups; Best Honda, Best Yamaha, Best Suzuki, Best Kawasaki, Best Custom Bike, Best Racing Bike, Best Club Display and Bike of the Show.

Donington Park is situated right at the heart of England, just minutes from M1 junction 23a and MOTO Donington Park Motorway Services and Travelodge, or junction 24 southbound.

We have an outdoor compound dedicated to bike parking which is within the show its self however only pre booked machines will be able to display in the exhibition hall.

Saturday & Sunday 4th/5th February 2012 @ Exhibition Hall, Donington Park, Derbs, DE74 2RP

Admission: £10.00 Adults, £5.00 Child (7-14yrs), under 7's free, free parking

www.classicshows.org

In a ceremony hosted at the Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan, home to the Italian stock market, Ducati has received the Brand Recognition Award from the UK Government during the UK-Italy Business awards, officially marking the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s outstanding business performance.
 
Presented by Mr.Vic Annels, Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Industry in Italy, the highly coveted Brand Recognition Award comes in the same week that Ducati UK announced a significant growth in business during 2011, recording sales levels unseen since 2003 and achieving a best-ever market share in the UK’s over 500cc market. While Ducati in Italy increased investment in research and development, Ducati UK invested in purpose-built headquarters at Silverstone circuit to become the fastest growing motorcycle brand in the UK.
 
Representing the famous Italian motorcycle brand, President and CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, Gabriele Del Torchio said: “I am very proud to collect this prestigious award on behalf of Ducati, an award that has clearly recognised the value of a brand which is as loved and respected in the UK as it is all around the world.”
 
When presenting the award, Mr.Vic Annels, Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Industry in Italy, said: “We are delighted to present Ducati with the Brand Recognition Award and equally delighted that such an exciting and innovative brand has chosen to invest further in its UK operation. Ducati has a rich history of success on the track in the UK and we are now pleased to see that reflected in their business also.”
 
UK Trade & Investment
UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. It helps overseas companies bring high-quality investment to the UK’s dynamic economy acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business.
 
UK Trade & Investment offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world, providing companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
 
Ducati
Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. Their motorcycles are characterised by “Desmodromic” performance engines, innovative design and avant-garde technology. Covering several market segments, Ducati's range of motorcycles are divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike.
 
These authentic icons of “made in Italy” are sold in over 80 countries around the world, with concentration on the European, North-American and Asia Pacific markets. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike Championship and, with an official team, the World MotoGP Championship. In Superbike Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers' titles and 14 Riders' titles and in 2011 passed the historic milestone of 300 race victories. Ducati have participated in MotoGP since 2003, and took both the Manufacturers' and Riders' titles in 2007.

Following its success through 2011 and noting that 2013 is the 75th, Diamond Anniversary of the cafe's opening in 1938, the evocative and popular exhibition "Coming of Age at the Ace Cafe", by Coventry Transport Museum and Ace Cafe London, is available for worldwide hire.

Innovative and immersive, this major, new, seminal exhibition is of modular design and is therefore scaleable and available in full or in part thereof, and items sourced elsewhere may be readily and easily accommodated within this unique exhibition.

For more information, check out the link: 

Contact Gary Hall @ CEO Coventry Transport Museum

www.transport-museum.com

The IAM warns motorcyclists and cyclists to take extra care when Transport for London’s (TfL) decision to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes on a permanent basis comes into force on Monday 23rd January 2012. This decision will see London joining cities such as Birmingham and Bristol who already allow it. 

While motorcyclists’ use of bus lanes will help to ease congestion and reduce CO2 emissions in the city, studies by Ealing Council* and TfL*1 have shown a significant increase in motorcycle collision rates and severity. TfL’s review also found that there was an increase in pedal cycle accidents of 173 per cent*, even when the increase in the number of people cycling was taken into account.
 
The TfL trial of 418 sections of road in London that contain a bus lane, showed direct collisions between motorcycles and pedal cycles. Although there were no direct collisions between motorcycles and pedal cycles in Ealing, the council was concerned that pedal cycles are reacting to the presence of motorcycles in bus lanes by travelling nearer to the kerb than before, making them less visible to vehicles turning across their path*.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “This change will improve congestion and journey times for motorcyclists, and responsible bikers should find it safer being in a bus lane. Safer motorcycling in busy cities will encourage more moped and motorcycle use which can only be a good thing for traffic flow. But the evidence does show two of the most vulnerable road user groups – motorcyclists and cyclists – will be at more risk.

“This decision doesn’t just affect Londoners. With thousands more people visiting London for the Olympics this summer, everybody needs to be aware of the risks. Bus drivers and cyclists need to be vigilant and get used to sharing the space with motorcyclists, but there is a lot motorcyclists and cyclists can do to protect themselves.”
 
Motorcyclists:
 • Always assume that other road users may not have seen you
• When travelling in a straight line position yourself where you can be easily seen – don’t sit out next to the traffic beside you, or hug the kerb. You get lost to sight
• Be seen. Big blocks of bright colour are better than broken up or patterned clothing, which effectively camouflages you, and always have your headlight on
• Give other lane users time to realise you are there. Give cyclists space and time to avoid startling them
• Don’t use the extra space in the bus lane to unnecessarily increase your speed
• Be careful of traffic crossing the bus lane at junctions, both from side roads, and out of the queue on your right. They aren’t looking for you – they’re looking for a big bus
• Look well ahead to avoid needing to make sudden changes in direction for potholes etc – bus lanes tend to have uneven surfaces
 
Cyclists:
 • Always assume that other road users may not have seen you
• Claim the lane. Ride in the middle of the lane, moving to allow others past as needed, but never ‘hug’ the kerb
• Make eye contact with drivers emerging from junctions, particularly if they are turning right
• Be seen. Check your lights, and wear high visibility clothes.  Put your front light on.
• Be aware of the other people who can use the bus lane.  Don’t let them force you into things that are unsafe – but do try to make their lives easier by letting them past where its sensible
• Don’t position yourself on the left of lorries and buses at junctions or undertake them on the left. The bus or lorry driver can’t see you, and if they turn left will cut across your path. They also have a different turning circle to a car – you risk getting trapped between the vehicle and roadside barriers