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
Bonhams Sale to include 48-Cylinder Kawasaki Other news 27 February 202429 February 2024 Bonhams Auction at the Classic Motorcycle Show at Stafford 20-21 April 2024, is one of the landmark events in the classic bike calendar, and this year looks like a humdinger, featuring everything from a JMC Norvin (estimate £18-22,000) down to a Corgi folding moped (£1000-2000). Star of the show will undoubtedly be ‘Tinker Toy,’ the outrageous 48-cylinder Kawasaki built by Simon Whitelock in 2003. Designed specifically to capture a Guinness Record (you’ve guessed it, motorcycle with the greatest number of cylinders) the bike’s engine consists of 16 Kawasaki KH250 three-cylinder engines, linked together and arranged in six banks of eight cylinders. With a total capacity of 4.2 litres the biggest Kawasaki motorcycle ever runs, rides and is road legal. “It’s not
Yamaha R1 Reaches End of the Road Other news 26 February 202428 February 2024 The Yamaha R1 and R1M could be reaching the end of the road...as a road bike. Yamaha has announced that it won’t be updating the iconic one-litre sports bike to Euro5+ emissions regulations, which means that it can’t be legally registered for the road in Europe, or the UK once existing stocks have been sold. You might ask, why has Yamaha decided not to update such a milestone machine as the R1? The story behind all of this isn’t just ever-tightening emissions regulations – Euro5+ requires more sophisticated onboard diagnostics, durability, and noise tests – but that the sports bike market has changed hugely since the R1 was first launched back in 1998. Twenty-six years ago (yes, that’s how long ago
Two Wheel Drive Commuter Bike Other news 24 February 202429 February 2024 Two-wheel-drive motorcycles have been tried before, with cumbersome, complicated chains or hydraulics transmitting torque to the front wheel as well as the rear. Electric motors of course, make this a potentially simpler process, and the UBCO 2x2 utility bike has been offered for a few years, aimed at farmers, land managers and the like. Now French brothers Henri and Olivier Rabatel have entered the fray with a two-wheel-drive commuter motorcycle, the Motowatt W1X. The two motors – one in each wheel – offer a total of 34bhp, though Motowatt’s publicity refers to the bike as rideable on an A1 licence, for which it would need to be restricted to 11Kw, though that’s easy enough to do. It certainly looks practical for
Pavement Parking Ban on the Way? Other news 22 February 202429 February 2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for new powers to ban pavement parking, which is already illegal in London – Scotland passed new legislation to prevent it in December 2023. But in England, there’s no specific ban in place as yet – the actual rules vary from place to place, though you can be prosecuted for obstructing a path. The Government held a consultation on banning the practice in 2020, but this was never taken further. Now it’s back on the cards. Councillor Darren Rodwell, transport spokesperson for the LGA, said: “Pavement parking is one of the biggest complaints for pedestrians but three years on (from the consultation) councils outside of London still do not have the powers they need
Caught on Camera Other news 20 February 202429 February 2024 Devon and Cornwall Police have reprimanded nearly 10,000 drivers and riders for offences on the road thanks to Operation Snap. Set up in 2019, the system invited members of the public who had spotted on-road misdemeanors to upload footage from dash cams and helmet cams to an online portal. It received more than 6000 videos in 2023 alone. “More people are using dash cams and helmet cameras than ever before,” said the force’s Head of Road Safety, Adrian Leisk. “But also more members of the public are now aware of Op Snap and understand that they have the power to do something about poor driving.” Bikes and cars overtaking on solid white lines, tractors passing cyclists dangerously close and drivers using phones
Presidents FIM & FEMA: working together will benefit motorcyclists FEMA News 19 February 2024 FEMA's newly elected president Odd Terje Dovik had a top meeting with FIM president Jorge Viegas. On the agenda: stronger cooperation on motorcycling issues. The FIM Commissions met in Lyon this weekend, providing an occasion for the new FEMA president, Odd Terje Dovik, to meet with his FIM counterpart, Jorge Viegas, as well as the FIM Deputy director Damiano Zamana. Jesper Christensen, FIM Director of the Commission for Mobility and FEMA board member, was also present. The meeting was following up the presentation given by Damiano at the recent FEMA Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the FEMA AGM, Damiano expressed a strong wish to formalize and further develop the ties between FEMA and FIM, to the benefit of both organisations. In Lyon, this