Mental Health Boost for Bikers

Mental Health Motorbike (MHM) – the charity which provides mental health support from and between bikers – has teamed up to with Phoenix Motorcycle Training to make mental health awareness an integral part of rider training. MHM is training 24 members of Phoenix staff as Mental Health First Aiders, spread across all of the company’s 22 sites in the UK. Paul Oxborough founded MHM in 2020 after a friend suffered as a result of poor mental health. “We lost a friend to suicide and decided we had to do something about it,” he said. “Having been a motorcyclist for so long, I knew that community and thought that was a good place to start.” Mental Health Motorbike now has a nationwide

Welcome but Take Care say Scottish Police

Scottish Police will be using unmarked cars and bikes this summer, in a bid to reduce motorcycle casualties on the country’s roads. “We’re quite fortunate in Scotland, with some of the most beautiful roads (in the UK),” said Deputy Head of Road Policing Stewart Mackenzie. “We’re keen to see people making use of those roads, but we want them to do that safely and responsibly.” Twenty-seven riders died on Scottish roads across 2022/23, most of those during spring and summer – 455 motorcyclists were involved in a serious collision in Scotland in 2021. As well as the unmarked vehicles, marked motorcycles and cars will be out and about on the key routes, especially at weekends, to deter unsafe riding and driving, backed

Motorcycles are banned from parts of the Pyrenees National Park

A measure to limit noise pollution prohibits the use of motorcycles in parts of the High Pyrenees Natural Park (El Parque Natural de los Altos Pirineos). Electric vehicles and cars are not covered by the ban. A ‘Special Noise Quality Zone’ (ZEPQA) was created, with a ban for motorcycles, quads and buggies throughout the year. This makes a large area of 80,000 hectares inaccessible to motorcyclists. The Pyrenees are located in the border area between France, Spain and Andorra. The ban excludes motorcycles from local roads and trails but does not place similar restrictions on cars. 'Unfair discrimination', says Moto de Campo Sostenible. The regulations described in the ‘Action Plan for the declaration of a zone of special protection of acoustic quality in

Why are cable barriers still hurting motorcyclists?

Cable barriers are banned in some countries, while others still install them, despite the inherent risks for motorcyclists. The main problem with cable barriers - or wire rope fences - are the uprights; in the event of a motorcyclist's fall, these uprights will catch the motorcyclist, with all its horrible consequences. This is no different from other crash barrier variants. One difference is that a motorcyclist who is still on his bike and hits the cable barrier will be led to the uprights, where a standard guardrail has no protruding parts. The argument that cable barriers are a good solution for roads where there is not enough space in the side or central reservation for a 'normal' crash barrier (preferably with motorcyclist

BMF Member Shaun Anderson to ride for Team Classic Suzuki at TT 2023

Team Classic Suzuki will field Shaun Anderson at this year’s Isle of Man TT, equipping him with GSX-R1000 machinery for the RST Superbike, RL360, and Milwaukee Senior TT races. Though more commonly associated with the classic racing scene – including on the Isle of Man, where the team has tasted victory with Michael Dunlop – it is not Team Classic Suzuki’s first appearance at the TT. A debut appearance at the 2022 event ended with a best finish of 24th coming courtesy of Forest Dunn in the Superbike race. Anderson joins the team with 37 starts under his belt, with 15 top-20 finishes to his name. The Northern Irishman also boasts ample experience on Suzuki machinery; his fastest ever lap of the

Hackney Council Called Upon to Deal Fairly with Motorcyclists as it Presses Ahead with new ‘Poverty Tax’

Promises to reconsider parking charges scheme broken by the London Borough Hackney Borough Council in London have broken their promise to commuters, carers and residents who ride motorcycles for work and essential services. It has signalled intent to press on with an exorbitant and regressive motorcycle parking charge which stands to plunge many of those who ride into transport poverty. On March 27th Hackney Council Cabinet will meet to consider a new policy on powered two wheeler (PTW) parking charges which motorcycling organisations, the motorcycle trade and trade unionists have dubbed a “poverty tax”. In October Hackney Council promised they would work with riders to make changes to the charges. They have since set aside this promise, and have made no meaningful changes

Governments and employers should promote motorcycling

Politicians want us to walk, cycle, or use public transport. Motorcyclists however have different ideas when it comes to commuting, traveling to work. Better ideas, FEMA’s Wim Taal believes. FEMA’s survey on the commuting habits of motorcyclists shows that they use several different vehicles and different ways of travel. This way they adapt to their needs and possibilities on any given day. By investing in different types of vehicles - not just motorcycles - they show a great sense of responsibility and of practical insight. Something that, according to FEMA, should be stimulated and rewarded. For commuters, the year-round motorcycle costs are nearly three times less than operating a car, with gas averaging €545 for riders and €1,435 for drivers. Motorbikes are also

Electric Bike makes top five at Daytona

A battery-powered Energica made history at the famous Daytona race circuit in early March, by not only racing against combustion bikes, but finishing seventh in the first race, and fifth in the second. Winner of both rounds was Tyler O’Hara on an Indian FTR. Colombian rider Stefano Mesa was pitting an Energica Eva Ribella RS against a more typical field of big-displacement petrol bikes. The event was part of the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan series, restricted to 750cc+ water-cooled twins – Indian FTR, KTM 890, Harley Pan America etc – along with unlimited air-cooled twins...and “Electric Street machines with race level battery specifications.” The Daytona rounds took in six laps of the iconic circuit, which has seen plenty of historic battles in

New hopes for motorcycles with an internal combustion engine

Six member states of the European Union will not sign the regulation to ban the sale of new cars and vans with an internal combustion engine from 2035. FEMA's Dolf Willigers says this affects motorcycles too. Motorcycles are still not mentioned in the plans to decarbonize road transport in the European Union. Still, new developments from March 2023 may also have an effect on motorcycles. On 27 October 2022, the European Commission, European Parliament, and the member states, united in the Council of the European Union, reached an agreement in the so-called trilogue about the emission limits for cars and vans. After a few steps to lower the emission of the fleet, from 2035 the sale of new cars that emit

Driving Examiners Strike

Driving examiners, including motorcycle test examiners, will be going on strike in some parts of the country in mid-late March, part of a national dispute over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms. This will affect motorcycle tests and CBT checks, but not CBT courses. One nation-wide strike is planned for Wednesday 15th March followed by regional strikes on 21st /22nd March (East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands and parts of London); 23rd/24th March (North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber); and 27th/28th March North East England and Scotland). A list of the test centres affected is available here The DVSA adds that not all examiners will be on strike, as not all are union members, but if you have a test

Sinnis Launches 7-Year Warranty

Chinese-made 125s used to be a byword for cheap, low quality bikes with a limited life. Not any more, according to Sinnis UK, which has just launched a seven-year warranty covering all of its Euro 5 spec motorcycles and scooters. It’s a bold move by Brighton-based Sinnis, which also puts it ahead of market leader Lexmoto – the Exeter-based importer offers a two-year parts and labour warranty. Even more remarkable is that there’s no mileage limit on the Sinnis deal, so if you’re about to head off on a round the world trip by small bike or scooter, a Sinnis might a good choice. The company claims that the seven-year deal is an industry-first for the UK motorcycle trade. “We want to

NMC Urges the UK Government to Take Advantage of Motorcycle Safety Opportunities Missed by the EU

EU safety policy deficiencies offers the UK Government an opportunity to go further In a busy week for road safety policy in the EU, the European Commission launched its Road Safety Package. Presented yesterday in Brussels by Commissioner Adina Valean, the Package focuses on changes to the EU driving licence regime. These include digital driving licences, more focus on risk factors and hazard perception, limited changes to licence categories, enforcement and advanced vehicle technologies. Updated testing rules will take account of the transition to zero emission vehicles and teaching novice drivers about how driving styles impact on emissions. Although the Commission state that the proposed rules will; ‘prepare drivers better for … driving on city roads, alongside more bicycles and two-wheelers …’

Top