Bosch has thrown its weight behind the use of hydrogen in place of fossil fuels, renewing hopes that hydrogen could replace petrol power in the future. However, getting to the hydrogen economy isn’t quite as simple as it seems. On paper, it looks beguiling, and several motorcycle manufacturers have been working on hydrogen power. Yamaha is helping Toyota develop a hydrogen car engine while Kawasaki is working on a hydrogen version of its existing H2 piston engine. Hydrogen can also power fuel cells, which produce electricity to supply an electric motor, just as a battery would – fuel cells are lighter than a conventional lithium-ion battery and promise a potentially longer range. A hydrogen-powered bike would also have zero emissions at

Honda has patented a system which moves the autonomous motorcycle a big step closer – but motorcycles are still way behind cars in the development of self-driving/riding. The trend towards autonomous cars seems unstoppable – Germany and Japan have approved ‘Level 3’ autonomy (the official SAE classification, highly automated driving on motorways) with the UK and other EU countries expected to follow suit, while Germany is also anticipating being the first country to approve SAE Level 4 (highly automated in ‘most driving situations.’) Motorcycle manufacturers are certainly working on this. BMW showed a riderless GS to journalists in 2018, Yamaha has developed a steering-assist system for motocross bikes and many production bikes already have radar-based systems to warn riders of nearby vehicles,

Over 280 Authorised Examiners were banned from running MOTs in 2021/22, in a clampdown by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). It also banned 127 Examiners from running Vehicle Testing Stations, with some facing jail sentences. The DVSA chose to make the figures public to highlight the issue of fraudulent MOTs, which it takes very seriously. Detecting dodgy MOTs has become easier since new technology enabled the government agency to detect where vehicles are. “The latest technology and intelligence-based targeting allows us to track vehicle movements,” according to a DVSA statement, “meaning we know where vehicles are, and where they’re not. We can then compare this with MOT test data to ensure the right outcome.” In 2021/22 it found 1,324 incidents

BMW has filed a patent for 'adjustable air deflectors' to improve comfort at low speed and aerodynamic efficiency when tanking along. The surprise, given the German company's love of complex high tech, is that the new system doesn't use electronics or clever speed sensors – just good old-fashioned springs. Moto Guzzi's new V100 Mandello has adaptive bodywork with the same end in mind – moveable flaps in the fairing are flush at high speed, but move outwards into the air stream to reduce turbulence when cruising more slowly. Servo motors move the flaps, controlled by electronics. BMW's system is much simpler. The flaps are hinged at their forward end and held open by springs. The faster you go, the air pressure increases,

Speed limiters will mandatory on all new cars sold in the UK from 6th July, but the new law doesn't apply to motorcycles. Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a software system which automatically limits speed to whatever limit is prevailing, though it can be overridden by the driver. Many car manufacturers already fit ISA, including Ford, Mercedes, Peugeot/Citroen, Volvo and Renault. Anna Zee, Political and Technical Services Director of the BMF, explained the context. “ISA is part of the General Safety Regulation (GSR) passed by the EU in October 2021 and includes a number of items besides ISA, such as Automatic Emergency Braking. Yes, we will see this on cars sold in the UK because there is no law to say they

Noise cameras will be trialled in four areas of England and Wales this summer – the BMF has already reported that Paris had begun the widespread use of noise cameras (see here), which can automatically detect individual cars and bikes breaking noise limits. The cameras can also provide real-time reports which are acceptable to the police as evidence. Noise cameras are already in limited use by Westminster Council around Waterloo Place and Exhibition Road, but this new move could be the precursor to a nationwide roll-out of the new technology. The location of the four trial areas has yet to be decided, but Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is inviting residents to lobby their MP to submit applications to take part. “We want