In their 1991 article entitled “International Protection Racket” the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) posed the question, “Who will design your next motorcycle?” The AMA claimed to have uncovered a bizarre international scheme designed to force sweeping changes in motorcycle design, that would be mandated not through legislation by elected representatives but through litigation by self-styled “experts” in motorcycle safety and they were not far wrong. The AMA said they were tipped off by their connections with the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and in 1991 … [Read more...]
Emissions – Let – Hindrance or Charge
France - Overall there doesn’t seem to be much happening in our corner of the motorcycling world. That is apart from today’s national demonstration – 1st October 2016 – organised by the French riders group FFMC - Fédération des Motards en Colère (1) regarding emission free zones (circulation restreinte) and the “banning” and fining of motorcycles and other vehicles that do not meet emission standards. In Paris where this has already been introduced, these vehicles are banned between the hours of 8am and 8pm during weekdays – pre-1997 vehicles and motorbikes before 1st … [Read more...]
If The Gloves Fit!
France – The motorcycle press, rider organisations and some clothing suppliers here in France are reporting that from the 20th November 2016 it will be mandatory by law, to wear gloves for motorcycle drivers and passengers (rider or pillion), motor tricycle, quadricycle motor or moped. This follows a decree (No. 2016-1232) issued on the 19th September 2016 which aims to, “Limit serious injury to hands and forearms” the decree states that the gloves worn are marked according to glove regulations relating to personal protective equipment when traveling. These regulations … [Read more...]
Government Recognition For Off Road Training
Scotland - It has been a while at Motorcycle Minds since we “dabbled” in the art of riding away from metalled roads to off-road surfaces, in fact it has been a couple of decades. If you are the same as us and want to hone some of your on road riding skills or simply some fun and exhilaration then taking a course with MotoScotland could be for you. MotoScotland have recently announced that they managed to secure Government recognition for off road training by both the Department For Transport and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency! For the very first time in the UK, off … [Read more...]
ACEM Motorcycle Safety Conference
Europe - Motorcycle industry launches new European Training Quality Label at motorcycle safety conference. The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, ACEM, hosted today (8th September 2016) its 12th annual conference, ‘The Safe Ride to the Future’, around the issue of motorcycling safety in the European Union. This edition of the Brussels annual conference attracted more than 150 attendees from the motorcycle industry, European and national administrations and users’ organisations, as well as a wide range of stakeholders. The event explored key issues around … [Read more...]
Pedants ‘R’ Us
Europe - The one thing that we (Motorcycle Minds) try to ensure in the reporting of our articles is that they are factual to the point of being pedantically detailed. What we detest in articles or reports that we come across by others, is misrepresentation, misinterpretation, no references, or a just lack of professionalism. A general rule of thumb is that it’s not good to pass your personal opinion across as fact or truth in articles. While it might give the author a warm fuzzy feeling, it does not help the reader to understand the issues which are central to whatever … [Read more...]
The Brexit Bike
First published in DURO RIDER Gazette Europe - From the recent referendum results on the UK leaving Europe it seems that motorcycling did not feature in an “in” or “out” option for leaving the EU. Indeed why should it be? There were more important issues to be kicked around like a ball betwixt the politicians, the press and the general public. Not so much a six yard box melee or in a scrum, but more like a collective dash to scramble on to trucks and trains at Calais, which has been an underlying current for a lot of people. The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) … [Read more...]
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