Ducati UK today launched a new interactive website dedicated to providing the latest news, events and product information from the UK subsidiary of Ducati Motor Holdings.

The new website has been designed to provide an easy to use platform for customers to source and view the latest Ducati information.  The website has a clear and flexible homepage that allows visitors to easily navigate to the area of their interest.

The website has clearly defined headings that include bikes, racing, equipment, experience, dealers and services, company and news.

Bikes – This section covers the full current range of motorcycles and is divided into the six model range families. By clicking on each individual model, users can view the full technical specification of the bike, galleries, bike history, pricing, maintenance and servicing information and also compare with other bikes back to 2001. PDF’s can be downloaded for brochures of the bikes and their accessories.

Racing – A full and up to date news section for the Ducati MotoGP and Superbike teams including news and results, rider profiles and sponsor information. A domestic racing area will be included at a later date that will accommodate news and reviews from Ducati’s involvement in BSB, British Superstock and the 848 Challenge.

Equipment – This heading provides information on accessories, apparel and special licenced products. The accessory page includes an interactive configurator section which enables the viewer to personalise each model with accessories to see how the bike will look with a new set of exhausts, wheels or some form of carbon fibre before they purchase the accessories from their local dealer. A full listing of prices is included for both accessories and clothing.

Experience – Discover the experience of owning a Ducati with listings of events going on in the UK including the Ducati Roadshow and track days. You can also find information on Ducati Owners Club and how to locate them. There are social networking sites such as the Ducati UK Facebook and Twitter and  youtube. The site also sees the launch of Ducati TV in conjunction with bikechannel.com. This is a dedicated website TV channel  of all things Ducati including  promo videos and video of Ducati UK racing and events.

Dealers and Services – This includes a new, improved and flexible dealer locator enabling visitors  to find their nearest dealer quickly and efficiently. There is also a pre-owned locator for customers to find used bikes throughout the Ducati UK dealer network.
In the Maintenance sub heading, there is information regarding warranty and maintenance and owners can download parts catalogues and also PDF’s of manuals for their bikes.

Company – This is split into two areas which covers; ‘who we are’ including information about visiting the Ducati factory and Museum, heritage, customer service and a link to the press area and  ‘Partners’ relating to Partners and suppliers to the factory and MotoGP and Superbike teams.

News - All the latest news from Ducati UK can be found in this section as well as archive news and events.

To view this fantastic new site visit www.ducatiuk.com

New statistics released by the Government show that as the number of motorcycle miles travelled has increased the number of casualties and fatalities has actually fallen, indicating that more miles travelled does not mean more accidents. (1)

This has been the ongoing trend since around 2002, when the link was broken between the year on year number of motorcycles in use compared to the number of casualties per annum. The figures show that motorcycle traffic rose by 2 per cent but the number of motorcycle casualties was 4 percent lower than in 2008. The number reported as seriously injured fell by 4 per cent to 5,350 and there were 472 motorcycle user fatalities in 2009, which was also 4 per cent lower than during 2008.

Improving motorcycle safety has always been an important part of the industry's agenda and the MCI works closely with the Government and other relevant bodies in the motorcycle community to find ways to improve safety in a number of ways.

The Police BikeSafe scheme; intelligent enforcement, engineering improvements and the commitment from trainers to improving standards, have all contributed to a safer motorcycling environment. 

 

Steve Kenward, CEO of the MCI, said, "Although there is still a strong concern about the number of motorcycle casualties, the fact remains that year after year motorcycling continues to get safer in terms of the likelihood of having an accident. The reported fall in motorcycle fatalities during 2009 is welcome, but we can not be complacent about this - there are simply far too many people dying in accidents -  and we still have much more work to do. The MCI and the rest of the motorcycle community will continue to work hard to improve safety and ensure that we get full Government support for a more rounded approach to road-user safety. The full integration of motorcycles into mainstream transport policy and local transport plans, which the Government is now backing, can only help maintain and improve on this reduction in casualties and needs to be a key priority along with improvements to rider training delivery and participation."

 

1) Transport Statistics Bulletin - Reported Road Casualties Great Britain Main Results: 2009  - Department of Transport

UK based motorcycle manufacturers and component manufacturers are investing heavily in Research & Development (R&D) and innovation driving the future of the industry. 

The UK motorcycle industry already generates significant revenue from exports at £370 million per annum.

An economic survey conducted on behalf of the Motorcycle Industry Association highlights that the British motorcycle industry includes many high-value, innovative businesses that together make an important contribution to economic development of UK PLC with products that are exported around the world. 

The British companies, among others, at the forefront of innovation and export are Triumph, Motorcycle Management Ltd, Davida, Forcefield Body Armour and Scion Sprays with others involved in a range of diverse and interesting projects. Manufacturers - Triumph has increased its turnover by almost 300% over the last ten years and exports more than 80% of its finished motorcycles.

Norton, with a long history of producing hand-built quality motorcycles continues to produce bespoke orders of high value, high performance motorcycles, for both road and racing. Motorcycle Technology - Harris Performance Products are involved with the major Japanese manufacturers and race teams designing, developing and manufacturing new products that will deliver results on the track or in off-road sport disciplines.

Alternative Powered Motorcycles - Intelligent Energy of Loughborough University is working with Suzuki to develop hydrogen powered motorcycles, while the UK is also driving the development of electric race bikes and has established the eGrandPrix championship.

Motorcycle Safety - The industry is working to improve the safety of motorcyclists and other road users, through the delivery of training (e.g. California Superbike School) and safety developments relating to helmets (e.g. Davida) and motorcycle clothing (e.g. Forcefield Body Armour and Frank Thomas)

Advance Engineering - Companies are developing advanced engineering capabilities and expertise in the UK. e.g. Scion Sprays' fuel injection and engine management technologies to improve performance and deliver economic and environmental benefits.

Steve Kenward CEO of the MCI commented, " British companies have a integral role in the motorcycle industry. Along with the overseas manufacturers who sell their products to UK customers, the UK industry provides a valuable economic contribution to UK PLC. British companies are providing a comprehensive and important range of products and services including motorcycles, safety products, technological advancements motorcycle events, touring and adventure holidays and training and safety developments. It is vital the government and the British people recognise the importance of the UK motorcycle industry to the UK economy and provide the necessary support to ensure that all these businesses continue to flourish."

 

1) GHK survey  - The Economic Significance of the UK Motor Cycle Industry - The Motor Cycle Industry Association - Published 2010