Spain - Ver la versión original en español: One of the recurring themes in discussions between bikers on Internet forums, is the definition of what it is to be a biker? Usually you try to relate this – biker concept - to the type of bike or the use made of it: If being a biker means to ride a motorcycle of a legendary make or not. If being a biker means riding all year round in bad weather and good weather and not as an obstacle to the enjoyment of riding your motorcycle. What's clear is that these questions always prompt a debate because it appears to be the definition … [Read more...]
Eres Motero?
España – Ver la versión Inglés: Uno de los temas recurrentes en las conversaciones entre moteros y foros de Internet, es la definición sobre qué es ser un Motero? Habitualmente se intenta relacionar este concepto con el tipo de moto o el uso que se hace de ella: Si sólo se rueda cuando hace buen tiempo, o las inclemencias no es un obstáculo para disfrutar de la motocicleta. Si se es más motero por poseer una máquina de una marca mítica o no. Lo que es claro es que esta cuestión siempre incita al debate puesto que parece ser la definición de lo que cada uno entiende por … [Read more...]
A Classic Case of Bike Crime
United Kingdom - The history of motorcycle (and other vehicle) crime. Crime has been with us forever. The motor vehicle however has only been with us in one form or another since the late 19th century. Like night follows day, vehicle crime followed up close behind & some offences are not quite as new as you might think! In 1891 for instance the police force, already 60 years in existence, were aware of the disquiet caused by these ‘new fangled’ horseless carriages, and over responding to local pressures from a frightened public (not to mention the horses), they … [Read more...]
The Good Rider
United States – Part 2: Balancing and Steering I started this series with the idea that a “good rider” is more than someone who can go fast on the track, and I suggested a list of characteristics that I think would define my ideal “good rider.” My list started with: A good rider is a motorcyclist who is skillful in control of a wide variety of motorcycles. Of course, different machines balance, accelerate, corner, and stop differently. I hope you haven’t developed a bigotry that prevents you from appreciating motorcycles that have more than two wheels. We’ll get to … [Read more...]
Excuse Me – Motorcycles are NOT Dangerous
United States - This past weekend I was at an outdoor event with one of my sons. The motorcycles were out in full force, as riding season had just begun for the majority of riders here in the Northland. As we both turned to admire a pack of bikes going by, I noticed another boy about my son's age standing with his father also looking on attentively with wide eyes. I'm sure many of us did when we were kids. What happened next didn’t surprise me but after nearly 33 years of riding, it still bothers me as much as when I first heard it myself. The father said, (in part I … [Read more...]
Crash Barriers Spain – Fitting Regulation
Spain - Ver la versión original en español: In 2005, in Spain a specific standard and a new Motorcyclist Protection System (SPM), was developed to improve the safety of motorcyclists in case of a fall and impact against a metallic crash barrier. It was after the protests of bikers in 2001 and 2002 when the Minister met representatives of riders and promised to work for a solution. This resulted in the UNE135900 standard and conforming to this standard the first SPM of Spain was developed by the Ministerio de Fomento (Ministry of Public Works). This was December, … [Read more...]
Barreras España – Reglamento de montaje
España - Ver la versión Inglés: En el año 2005, en España se había desarrollado una normativa específica y un nuevo elemento (SPM), que mejoraba la seguridad de los motociclistas en caso de caída e impacto contra una barrera metálica de seguridad. Fue tras las manifestaciones de los motoristas de 2001y 2002, cuando el Ministro de Fomento, se reunió con representantes de los motoristas y se comprometió a trabajar por una solución, que dio como resultado la norma UNE135900 y el primer SPM de España, desarrollado por el Ministerio de Fomento conforme a los estándares de la … [Read more...]
