Scotland - A series of short films showcasing Scotland’s breath-taking motorcycle routes, has been unveiled as part of a new campaign. The campaign is highlighting the top risk areas for riders, in a bid to help reduce fatalities on Scotland’s roads. Its focus is on Scottish riders and those visitors from beyond Scotland’s borders. We first picked up this new campaign on Social Media through what are described as two “the incredible films”. The films capture the thrill of riding in Scotland and showcase coastal rides, scenic forest roads with an epic mountain journey to … [Read more...]
Who Does Ride London!
United Kingdom - In March of this year we launched a survey to riders which asked the question – Who Rides London? The aim of the survey – hidden cleverly in the title – was to identify motorcycle, scooter and moped riders who typically commute to work or study in London, to determine the typical riders’ profile and the type of bikes/scooters/mopeds travelling in these areas. The reason behind the survey was that a ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is being planned for introduction in London with motorcycles to be charged £12.50 per day, the same as all other … [Read more...]
Automation Seeing Motorcycles?
Europe - The Federation of European Motorcyclists - FEMA - reports that research by RDW (the Netherlands Vehicle Authority) shows that cars with an innovative driving system, such as an adaptive cruise control (ACC), are capable of noticing motorcycles. But when motorcycles are riding at the edge of their lane, the adaptive cruise control does not respond well to them. In many tests, action had to be taken by the driver of the car to prevent a collision. That is why RDW warns users of such systems and motorcyclists to pay attention while driving, because the systems do … [Read more...]
London Versus London
London - Following on from our article London – Motorcycles Forever which looked at the consultation to improve London’s air quality from Transport for London (TfL) and introduce a charge for vehicles, including motorcycles, in an Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), there has now been published another report on motorcycling in London. However, leading up to and then after our previous article, rider organisations and groups, opiniated blogs as well as individuals have set out their views in relation to the charging of motorcycles in this ULEZ. Separate from this issue … [Read more...]
Simon Milward – Always Remembered
Simon Milward – Always Remembered - Rider organisations, individual riders and those who knew him have been posting on social media that today is the thirteenth anniversary of the tragic death of Simon Milward. As a rider you may never have heard of Simon and although we have been involved in rider’s rights for over twenty years I never had the chance to meet Simon. We (Elaine and I) have worked under his legacy all this time and have heard of stories of his representation of motorcycling as a pioneer in the riders' rights movement and tales of his zest for life. So, … [Read more...]
London – Motorcycles Forever
London – A consultation on detailed proposals to improve London’s air quality from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, through Transport for London (TfL), would see pre-2007 manufactured motorcycles being charged in an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) which is to be introduced in 2019. The consultation which is due to close on the 28th February 2018 indicates that a ULEZ would apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week every day of the year, including weekends and public holidays where all vehicles will need to meet exhaust emission standards (ULEZ standards) or pay a daily charge. … [Read more...]
As Seen from The Sidecar
Global Travel - At Motorcycle Minds we are no strangers to the mode of transport involving two wheels - the motorcycle - with appended to that a sidecar to evolve into a three wheeler outfit or hack. While our experience may have been short lived it was an enjoyable one with the two of us and a large French sheepdog with day and weekend trips away, meeting the nicest people, but given time would we have ventured any further than those trips, maybe or maybe not. Erring on the maybe not, we would probably not have turned it into a global circumnavigation, Guinness World … [Read more...]
