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| 28 Aug 2009 08:10:00 pm |
 Avoiding Wails over Wales |
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‘Protest with care’ is the British Motorcyclists Federation’s message to riders supporting the Motor Cycle News ‘Reclaim North Wales’ campaign planned for Sunday 13th September.
While backing the MCN campaign, an initiative designed to assert the rights of law-abiding motorcyclists to ride free of police harassment on the roads of North Wales, the BMF nevertheless advises motorcyclists taking part in the protest ride to double-check that they fully comply with the law and leave no legitimate reason to be stopped by the police.
“When you are protesting about any element of law enforcement, it is extremely important to make sure that your own house is in order,” said the BMF’s Government Relations Executive, Chris Hodder.
While some checks sound obvious, the BMF have issued a 10 point reminder for participants to not only comply with all speed limits and road signs but to ensure that a rider’s:
Driving licence is valid
Insurance is valid
Machine is taxed and the disc displayed on nearside (it’s an offence not to)
Tyres are legal (1 mm minimum tread depth across ¾ width of tyre)
Visor is legal (75% light transmission)
Aftermarket exhaust systems are clearly stamped with ‘BSAU 193a’ and a number and/or the European "E" mark.
Number plate is full size see www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/leaflets/v796.pdf
Lights are working (including stop light)
Indicators are working
Motorcycle has a current MOT and can be seen to be roadworthy
North Wales Police launched ‘Operation Focus’ to cut motorcycle casualties, but unfortunately say the BMF, it is a clumsy initiative that in reality fails to focus on those causing the real problem – the irresponsible minority. It’s like stopping every football fan just because they like football say the BMF.
Even though North Wales Police say they stop around 400 motorcyclists every weekend during the summer months, they admit that only around 10% are found to have breached any ‘road safety legislation’. Proof that the majority are suffering harassment through the pursuit of a minority say the BMF.
Details of the ‘Reclaim North Wales’ ride can be found at:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2009/August/aug1309-help-mcn-reclaim-north-wales/ |
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By : admin
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| 20 Aug 2009 08:30:47 pm |
| M25 & M11 |
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M25 and the M11 will be equipped with Point to Point speed devices from August 1st 2009.
Once you enter the M11 for instance ,you pass a camera that takes a photo of your car and registration number and records the exact time, upon exit another camera takes a photo of your car and registration
number, and records the exact time you leave the motorway.
The Cameras are set at a fixed points. With both the start time and finish time, a computer is able calculate the time it has taken for you to travel between the two fixed points, and works out your average speed and how many miles you may have travelled over the national speed Limit, and If you have completed the clocked journey too fast you are given a speeding ticket.
At the present time the national speed limit for motorways is 70mph. For every minute that you drive over the speed limit you will incur a fine of £30, and one point on your licence . the fines will be issued automatically but the MOT will be allowing a variance of 10% for 3 months, which gives a top speed of 77mph untill the end of October 2009.
The MOT will at a later date add cameras at all exit points along the motorways. Remember that now with the new legislation, fighting speed camera fines is almost impossible. You must prove the device is faulty
and if you are not a technician working on them, you have no chance of beating the fine. |
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By : admin
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| 07 Aug 2009 06:32:46 pm |
| July Motorcycle Market Figures |
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Sales of powered two wheelers (PTW) including motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, fell by 26.8 per cent compared to July 2008, according to figures released today by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI). However, July 2008 was a uniquely high-selling month, with registrations boosted by 22 per cent by the expected introduction of the new test later that year. Comparisons with July 2007 suggest an underlying market decline of around 10 per cent.
PTW registrations in July were 10,465 – a decrease of 3,841 over the same month last year, and a decrease of 1,263 over July 2007. Total PTW registrations for the first seven months of the year are down 16.8 per cent at 72,877.
The top selling bikes in July were both 125cc models – the Yamaha YZF R125 (255 units) and the Honda CBF 125M (226 units) – reflecting sustained demand for smaller-engined, learner legal machines.
The market share of bikes with engines larger than 126cc increased by 10 per cent, driven by demand for adventure sport, custom and touring bikes. The market share of 1,000cc plus bikes has increased by 21.9 per cent.
The biggest-selling make in July was Yamaha with 1,835 registrations followed by Honda (1,291) and Suzuki (1,044).
MCI’s Sheila Rainger said: “July’s dismal weather combined with an equally gloomy economic outlook has inevitably put pressure on sales. However, the reasons to switch to two wheels remain strong. Riding a motorcycle is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel, and provides a unique combination of fun, freedom and convenience. The motorcycle industry has launched the “Get On” campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of riding among new audiences and encourage non-riders to have a go.”
Notes
The MCIA is the UK trade association representing manufacturers and importers of mopeds, motorcycles and scooters, and the suppliers of associated goods and services. It has approximately 150 members representing about 90 per cent of the UK industry.
The motorcycle industry in the UK employs more than 15,000 people and turns over in excess of £3 billion a year. |
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| 05 Aug 2009 08:10:48 pm |
| DVLA CORNERED – Driving Licence Passport to Sanity |
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The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have been taken to task by the British Motorcyclists Federation for their persistent failures in the issuing of inaccurate replacement licences to motorcyclists and, as a solution, have been asked to follow the same procedure as that for passport replacement.
Several cases have come to light (some being featured on the BBC Watchdog programme*) where, when motorcyclists have applied for a replacement licence for whatever reason, renewal, loss, change of address etc., have found that their replacement licence has not included the ‘category A’ motorcycle entitlement.
Complaints have been met with denial by the DVLA and without proof to the contrary, many riders have been forced to take another driving test. Photocopies and other written evidence, where available, have not been accepted as valid proof of entitlement by the DVLA. The solution says the BMF is to return the original licence (with its corner cut off), along with the new replacement licence, as is done with replacement passports.
This procedure, as raised in the programme and with the DVLA by the weekly newspaper, Motorcycle News, renders the old licence unusable but still available to the licence holder and DVLA for crosschecking.
Writing to Noel Shanahan, Chief Executive of the DVLA, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive, Chris Hodder said: “I can see no logical reason why this plan should not be implemented. There is virtually no cost involved, the DVLA would no longer have to destroy old licences and if there are any errors, they could be quickly resolved by comparing old with new.”
Motorcyclists affected by this situation should contact administration@bmf.co.uk
*Note: BBC Watchdog dated the 27th of April 2009 featured a long-serving police motorcycle mechanic who had had his entitlement for a category A motorcycle licence removed. Despite having held a licence for 28 years and written support from his police superiors, he still had to take a new driving test. |
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By : admin
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| 30 Jul 2009 08:27:00 pm |
| helmet theft survey |
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We know that many riders lock their helmets to their bikes while parked. However, we don't know how many helmets are stolen from parked motorcycles. There is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence that this problem is widespread and UK riders are being asked to help establish the facts by answering this simple survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qW5rPH7wt7vicKKBVzixNA_3d_3d
The survey takes less than a minute to complete and everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a free prize draw to win a LidSafe secure helmet bag worth £45. |
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