Philippines City Bans Full-Face Helmets Other news 16 March 202415 March 2024 The safety benefits of full-face helmets over open-face are beyond dispute, so why is the city of San Carlos in the Philippines banning the use of full-face lids altogether? Perversely, it’s also made them compulsory in other areas. According to the Philippine News Agency, the city government has introduced the measure to combat crime, with criminals taking advantage of full-face helmet anonymity and the getaway capability of a motorcycle. Mayor Renato Gustilo of San Carlos said that the ban only applied “within the city proper” but that “starting in any of these (stated) areas going outside San Carlos City, the wearing of a full-face helmet is required.” So, full-face banned in the city, but compulsory outside it. The new law will be
A New Life in the Isle of Man? Other news 14 March 202415 March 2024 If you’ve ever fancied leaving your job, selling the house and moving to a new life on the Isle of Man, now’s your chance. Biker Mike Powell is selling a bungalow and shop business on the Island – the shop is in Ramsey town centre and the house is just 500 metres from Ramsey Hairpin on the TT Course. Mike, who is selling the properties on behalf of his late mother-in-law, said: “I wish I was 50 years younger. It’s an ideal opportunity for a retiring couple. The shop is a long-established going concern selling china and glassware as well as IOM and TT merchandise.” He’s asking about £150,000 for the house (a bungalow on a serviced estate for the over
New Bike Online Sales Platform Launched Other news 11 March 202415 March 2024 ReactiveMART.com, a motorcycle-only online sales platform to rival eBay and Facebook Marketplace, is about to go live. Set up by ex-TT racer and owner of Reactive Parts Steve Heneghan, it is designed for sale of bikes, spare parts, clothing and accessories, and is aimed at both trade and private sellers. It’s a reaction to complaints about the established online platforms. Talking to trade magazine British Dealer News, Steve Heneghan said: “We’ve been getting feedback from dealers and sellers with complaints including increased costs, higher listing and final value fees...and reduced visibility for listings.” Reactive aims to undercut its mainstream rivals with zero listing fees for both auctions and fixed price ads, final value fees of 7.8% and classified adverts for £9.99, using
UK’s Best Cities for Biking Revealed Other news 8 March 202428 March 2024 Ever wondered which was the best city in the UK for motorcycling? According to a study by the AA, it’s Plymouth. The AA looked at a number of parameters: number of bikes per 10,000 people, the average price of petrol, number of filling stations per square mile, the number of rainy days each month and the number of MOT stations per 10,000 people. Plymouth topped the list thanks to boasting nearly 300 (actually 296) motorcycles per 10,000 people, charging an average £1.54/litre for fuel, having 0.83 filling stations per square mile, an average 12 days of rain a month and 13 MOT stations per 10,000 people. Derby was runner-up, with fewer bikes (181 per 10,000) but a greater concentration of MOT stations,
Success: riding with a motorcycle trailer FEMA News 6 March 2024 Some motorcyclists like to attach a trailer to their bike. In the development of the current driving license directive the fact that sometimes motorcycles pull trailers was not taken into account (unlike with cars). The European Parliament now agreed on new, draft rules on EU driving licences and finally fixed an oversight FEMA has been pointing out for years: the possibility to legally ride a motorcycle with a trailer behind it. The proposal that is now adopted by the European Parliament (amendment 59), says the following: 'Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in categories referred to in points (a) and (b) may be combined with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding half
Rider Schools to Improve Training Other news 5 March 202415 March 2024 German universities are teaming up with rider training schools from across the EU to improve safety through better tuition. 36 schools have signed up to work alongside the Ludgwig Maximillian University of Munich, the Wurzburg Institute of Traffic Sciences, the Institute of Motorcycle Safety and Traffic Accident Research at TU Dresden – all of the schools already have the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label. The group will use accident analysis to train motorcycle instructors in the cognitive and riding skills necessary to avoid accidents, and its research will be offered to all training schools, free of charge. Jesper Christensen of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) said: “Modern scooters offering advanced safety training are embracing a stronger approach towards cognitive skills
Yamaha Launches Battery Swap Other news 2 March 202415 March 2024 Yamaha is setting up a battery swapping operation in Germany, in anticipation of this market growing in Europe. Battery swapping is already well established in Taiwan and other South East Asian markets, where electric scooter manufacturers such as Kymco and Gogoro have literally plugged into swapping systems. The idea is that riders turn up at a swap hub and exchange their low battery for a fully charged one, which could be handy for those who can’t charge at home. Yamaha’s new enterprise, ENYRING GmbH, is based in Berlin and aims to offer a closed-circle system of recharging, re-using and eventually recycling lithium-ion batteries. Initially it’ll be servicing electric bicycles but is expected to extend to scooters and motorcycles later. Jim Freeman, Chair
Chrome Plating Faces Ban Other news 1 March 202429 February 2024 Traditional chrome plating for new vehicles could be banned in the EU this year if planned legislation goes ahead. The new law targets hexavalent chrome plating, the traditional method which is linked to lung and nose cancer as well as posing a risk to the liver and reproductive system. As well as the human health risks, waste water from the process can damage the environment if not treated beforehand. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is also planning to ban the process in 2027. However, it’s unlikely either of these bans will see the end of chrome bits on bikes. The EU proposal targets new bikes only, so the parts and accessory industry should not be affected. There are also alternatives
Hairy Biker Dave Myers Dies Other news 29 February 2024 Dave Myers, one of the Hairy Bikers, passed away on 28th February, aged 66. With his long-time friend Si King, Myers was part of the highly successful TV chef duo, whose programmes became prime time favourites. The pair would invariably ride their bikes to a location, cook up a feast, and everyone would have a good time. Dave Myers also reached a new audience in 2013 when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing. In a statement, Si King said: “All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu, who Dave loved like his own. Personally, I am not sure I can put into words how I
Call for Paris to Ban Bikes at Night Other news 29 February 202429 February 2024 A Parisian councillor is calling on the City Council to ban motorcycles and scooters from riding through the French capital between the hours of 10pm and 7am. According to French news source, The Connexion, Pierre-Yves Bournazel describes the late night/early morning noise of powered two-wheelers as a “scourge” for the city’s inhabitants. Not surprisingly, in a city in which thousands use a bike and or scooter as primary transport, the suggestion is a tad controversial, though even Msr Bournazel accepts that there would need to be exceptions for commuters and those required to ride on two wheels at night, such as the Gendarmerie. Jean-Marc Belotti of the FFMC (the French equivalent of the BMF) probably spoke for many motorcyclists when he pointed
European Parliament: driver training should focus on risk awareness FEMA News 28 February 20241 March 2024 Today the European Parliament adopted new, draft rules on EU driving licences. No mandatory medical test will be required when a driving licence is being issued and renewed. The introduction of probation period for inexperienced drivers of at least two years. 18-year-olds can obtain a licence to drive a truck or a bus with up to 16 passengers. Introduction of a digital driving licence, available on a mobile phone. Focus should be risk awareness training. No higher minimum age for the A1 licence. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want drivers to be better prepared for real driving situations and be aware of the risks, in particular for vulnerable road users. Therefore driving in snow and slippery conditions, safe phone use
Mandatory medical tests when renewing a driving licence are controversial FEMA News 28 February 2024 Today the plenary session of the European Parliament debated the proposals on the revision of EU driving licence rules. The most controversial issue turned out to be the proposed mandatory medical test. In the original proposal by the European Commission, Member States may require "an examination applying the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving" when a driving licence has to be renewed; rapporteur Karima Delli MEP, member of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, wants to change this into a mandatory medical test every fifteen years that must be implemented by the Member States. Karima Delli also proposes a probationary period of at least two years for novice drivers. During that period drivers should be subjected to stricter