|
| 06 Nov 2009 10:15:59 pm |
 Motorcycle Market Slowdown Continues |
|
|
|
UK registrations of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds have recorded their 12th successive monthly fall. Registrations for October 2009 were 27.0 per cent down on the same month in 2008, according to the latest figures issued by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI). 8,332 powered two-wheelers (PTWs) were registered in October 2009, a fall of 3077 on last year.
All categories of PTW suffered declines in October. Registrations in the Naked style dropped least, at 0.9 per cent down, while Supersports registrations fell 43.9 per cent. Over the first ten months of this year, 101,170 PTWs were registered, a drop of 19.4 per cent on the same period in 2008.
In light of these statistics, the industry has renewed its call for an incentive package designed to reverse this trend, noting that the scrappage scheme, introduced after 11 monthly falls in the car market, has helped the automotive sector return to growth.
In the short term, a scrappage scheme would not only support the industry’s capacity to provide affordable and practical personal mobility, but bring environmental and safety benefits: a properly-designed scheme would incentivise the replacement of older, less fuel-efficient PTWs with lower-emitting vehicles carrying modern safety features. Experience in Italy, where the Government implemented an incentive of 500 € for replacing any Euro 0 or Euro 1 motorbike with a new Euro 3 vehicle under 400cc, showed that consumers have an appetite for greener, cleaner machines.
The motorcycle industry plays an important economic and employment role in the UK, employing around 15,000 people, predominantly in small and medium-sized businesses, and turning over approximately £3 billion a year. The motorcycle is a significant provider of access to work, education and training: over half (52%) of all motorcycle trips in 2008 were made for the purpose of commuting, compared to just one-third (34%) of bicycle journeys and one-fifth (22 %) of car journeys.
Sheila Rainger, MCI Spokesperson said, “ The MCI remains optimistic that innovative and attractive new products, shortly to be showcased at the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, combined with the rising cost of alternatives - from the UK’s first £1000 rail fare, to the forecast rise in fuel prices over the winter - will in the long term encourage more people to switch to two wheels.
“However, the motorcycle industry also wants to see government, legislators, local authorities and transport planners viewing motorcycling as a serious and relevant alternative to the use of cars and public transport. PTWs are part of the solution to the problems of congestion and pollution and should not be ignored or treated as an afterthought. Scrappage, is one scheme that could help to kickstart the market.” |
|
|
By : admin
| Category : General |  Comments [0] |  Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 28 Oct 2009 03:23:44 pm |
| Diesel Spills Clean-Up Thanks to KillSpills |
|
|
|
Thanks to the efforts of the KillSpills anti-diesel spill campaign, the Department for Transport (DfT) is to undertake a two-year study into the problem of diesel spillages and the most effective way of cleaning them up.
The KillSpills campaign, founded in 2003 to counter the menace of diesel spillage and particularly, the danger it presents to motorcyclists, say that this major step forward means that as an integral part of the DfT’s business plan, the project will produce guidance for Local Authorities and the Highways Agency to follow, so ending the confusing array of procedures and solutions currently adopted across the UK.
The culmination of six years campaigning by the KillSpills team in raising the profile of the diesel spill menace, the DfT study was finally agreed last week following a commitment from the British Motorcyclists Foundation and the Institute of Advanced Motorists to offer to ‘pump-prime’ the research project with a £10,000 joint donation. In practice however, such was the case presented by the KillSpills team that the DfT will now be funding the project entirely from their budget.
Stephen Edwards, the leader of the KillSpills campaign, said after the meeting “This is a fantastic outcome and another step closer to ridding the roads of diesel contamination. It is only through the long-term help of the BMF and more recently the IAM, plus the support of our dedicated volunteers, that we have been able to get this far and for this all this help and support I give my sincere thanks.”
For the BMF Foundation, Peter Laidlaw, BMF Director and BMF Foundation Trustee said: “The BMF Foundation was founded to support safety related projects in the interest of motorcycling and what could be better than this? We showed commitment and it has been rewarded with commitment from government. We can’t ask more than that.”
The DfT clean-up project is the latest stage in a campaign that has seen on-road demonstrations coupled to annual reports being presented to the Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street. It has also seen annual awards presented to companies or organisations that have excelled in their efforts to combat diesel spillages.
This year TruckProtect Ltd, the manufacturer of the anti-spillage ‘Neck-It’ fuel-filling device, is the winner of the KillSpills/British Motorcyclists Federation/IAM Award 2009 for ‘Achievement in Reducing Diesel Spills’ and will receive their award at the International Motorcycle Show, NEC, Birmingham on press day 26th November.
This is the Fifth year of the award, previous winners being ASDA in 2005, Sainsbury’s in 2006, the Highways Agency in 2007 and the DfT in 2008, all of them recognised for the work they had done in raising awareness of the dangers of diesel spillage and taking measures to prevent it. |
|
|
By : admin
| Category : General | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 23 Oct 2009 07:22:34 pm |
| Don't wimp out in winter! |
|
|
|
The official end of the summer is no longer an excuse for bikers to pack their bikes away for the winter, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association. The MCIA’s analysis of new Government data shows that more and more UK bikers are committing to the benefits of biking all year round.
The MCI’s analysis of Government taxation data (1) shows that 156,000 more bikes were kept taxed and ready for use throughout winter 2008 than were five years ago. The result is one-third fewer bikes are taken off the road in Winter than in 2001. The MCI is marking the end of British Summer Time by reminding these hardy riders of the hazards they need to be aware of to stay safe in the months ahead:-
- Poor grip: 8% of motorcycle crashes in 2008 were caused by ‘slippery road due to weather’ (2)
- Reduced visibility: 1% of crashes were caused because the rider suffered ‘vision affected by rain, sleet, snow or fog’. (2)
- Reduced concentration : Cold temperatures can impair mental function and make it more difficult to complete complex task (3)
The MCI is urging all road users to act responsibly and follow simple safety advice that could save a life during the British winter.
- Turn your lights on before it is fully dark – but don’t dazzle on high beam
- Reduce speed in adverse weather conditions - fog, rain and ice
- Check mirrors regularly
- Don’t intimidate other road users – give each other space when road conditions are poor
- Be seen - motorcyclists can increase their visibility by wearing reflective clothing such as a reflective jacket
- Be warm – buy or borrow winter kit which offers better protection from the elements.
MCIA spokeperson Sheila Rainger said, “Winter riding brings its own unique challenges. Shivering through a wintry shower is the downside, a cold clear mid-day ride the reward.
“In the dark mornings ahead, riders and drivers alike need to be more vigilant for everyone’s safety, and to give each other a little extra consideration. Drivers in particular should not be complacent about their driving style and remember that even if they themselves are warm, comfortable and focused, other road users may be finding the conditions more challenging.”
Notes
1) DfT: Vehicle Licensing and Registration Statistics
2)DfT: Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2008
3) Variations in Mental Performance Under Moderate Cold Stress by Sharma in the International Journal of Biometerology (1987) |
|
|
By : admin
| Category : General | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 08 Oct 2009 08:10:47 pm |
| Naked Bikes Surge in September |
|
|
|
Statistics released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association for September 2009 show a recovery in demand after a poor summer. Sales in September were 21.2% lower than the same month last year, an improvement on the market’s performance in August when a 30.5% fall was recorded. Total registrations of powered two wheelers (PTWs) last month were 12,941, compared with 16,430 a year ago.
The Naked bike sector returned to growth last month, recording a 3.4% increase in registrations compared to September 2008 and a 25.4% increase in market share. The most popular model in this category is Honda’s new CBF 125 M, closely followed by the Yamaha YBR 125. Between them these two learner-legal, commuter-friendly models have taken one-fifth of the market share within the Naked style, with a combined total of 3,788 registrations year-to-date.
The three most popular style of new motorcycles registered in September were Naked (2,471), followed by Scooter (1,983) and Supersport (1,930).?
The biggest-selling bike in September was the Yamaha YBR 125, with 328 registrations. Yamaha was the biggest-selling manufacturer with 2,233 new registrations, closely followed by Suzuki (1,875) and Honda with 1,764
Sheila Rainger, MCI’s Director of Communications, said, “The market has done well against the extremely testing conditions of economic uncertainty, poor weather and high-profile problems with the new motorcycle test.”
“Continued strong performance in the learner and commuter sectors demonstrates again that people are interested in a budget-friendly, flexible and convenient means of transport.
The 2009 Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show is now only 7 weeks away. Applications for press passes are now being taken at www.motorcycleshow.co.uk/press and Trade Day tickets can be purchased at www.motorcycleshow.co.uk/trade. The UK’s largest motorcycle Show will house a brand new off road zone in Hall 5, making this the largest bike Show ever staged at the NEC. With a great line up of manufacturers, both on and off road, a whole host of interactive feature areas, and live entertainment the 2009 Show will be the only place to be in November.
For more information visit www.motorcycleshow.co.uk ?More information about getting a licence can be found at www.geton.co.uk. |
|
|
By : admin
| Category : General | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
|
| 01 Oct 2009 07:41:58 pm |
| New Motorcycle Testing Regime a Disaster say BMF |
|
|
|
In its detailed submission of evidence to the Transport Select Committee on the introduction of the new European motorcycle test, the British Motorcyclists Federation say that with fewer people now taking their test than at any time in the past five years, the Driving Standards Agency’s (DSA’s) interpretation and implementation of the test Directive has been a disaster for British motorcycling
With training schools reporting downturns in business and income dropping by a third* (and winter still to come), many businesses will probably not survive the additional seasonal drop in business, trained professionals will find themselves unemployed and many of these small businesses will go to the wall say the BMF.
The inadequate provision of the new Multi-Purpose Test Centres (MPTCs) now required for testing has also meant that even if they fail their test, some trainees literally face a 220 mile round trip for a Module One motorcycle test. Riding such distances when a rider is deemed not up to standard makes a mockery of the test say the BMF.
The test’s content also comes in for criticism from the BMF because of the way that the DSA have implemented the swerve and brake manoeuvres as a swerve and then a controlled stop as one manoeuvre.
The BMF point out that the directive does not specify that these manoeuvres have to be tested as one manoeuvre, simply that an obstacle has to be avoided at 50kph and braking should be from 50kph. By combining braking and swerving the DSA have exceeded the EU Directive’s requirements and made it a more difficult and hazardous manoeuvre, so much so that several learners have crashed trying to complete the sequence.
The DSA also decided to introduce specific distances and dimensions for the manoeuvre whereas the directive does not specify any minimum elements, except for that of speed.
On the speed issue, the BMF maintains that not enough was done by the UK government to allow a derogation. Sticking rigidly to a 50 kph speed requirement (31 mph UK equivalent) means that the braking test can no longer be carried out on UK roads as UK speed limits would be exceeded. A derogation allowing braking from 30 mph (48 kph) would have meant that many of the manoeuvres now requiring special areas could have been part of the on-road test. The BMF also point out that the motorcycle test now includes at least four low speed manoeuvres as opposed to the two mandated by the Directive.
The BMF are also critical of a system whereby DSA examiners make no allowances for low-powered machines struggling to reach the required speed in the distance specified, or for any adverse weather conditions. Manoeuvring areas are rigidly adhered to even though advice on riding and driving in adverse weather conditions recommends allowing a greater stopping distance say the BMF. (NB: Prior to the new test, emergency braking tests conducted on UK roads had no specific stopping distance).
Extra test requirements, such as that of executing a figure of eight manoeuvre, are of dubious benefit say the BMF, as they take valuable training time away from learning how to interact with traffic.
On the provision of the MPTCs now required for this gold-plated procedure, the BMF reiterate that it has always maintained that provision would be inadequate.
As examples, the BMF point out that if a learner from say the small town of Portree in Scotland needed to take their test, the nearest centre is 110 miles away in Inverness, a round-trip of some 220 miles! In Wales someone from Aberystwyth would need to ride 70 miles to Swansea or in Cumbria, a learner from Kendal would face a 55 mile ride to Blackburn. If on the other hand, they were to be learner car drivers, all of them could take a car test in their home town!
Commenting, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder said:
“The BMF have been campaigning on this issue for eight years and it appears that everything we have said has come true. What does it take for the DSA to wake up and admit they were wrong? The situation now facing motorcycling is a dire one and I foresee many young people in remote areas resorting to illegal riding or perpetual learning as the norm.”
The terms of reference for the Select Committee inquiry can be found at: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/transport_committee/transpn090727nem.cfm
The 2nd Directive text can be found at:
http://europa.eu/eur-lex/en/consleg/pdf/1991/en_1991L0439_do_001.pdf
Note: According to the Motorcycle Industry Association, in November 2008 motorcycle registrations were down16% on the previous November. In February 2009, they were down 25% on the previous February and by August, they were down 30.5% on last year with the smaller ‘learner’ classes being hit hardest. |
|
|
By : admin
| Category : Motorcycle Training | Comments [1] | Trackbacks [0]
|
|
|
| |
| 1 2 3 ...6 7 8 Next |
|
|
