Global - For the sixth consecutive year and our second year of reporting, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, takes place on streets globally on Sunday 24th September 2017 and is looking to unite 70,000 riders of 600 cities in 95 countries. It is not a ride just for men, as the ride has as many women dressing dapper for the cause participating with their motorcycles and supporting the men in their lives. The event is managed by a small and dedicated team from Sydney Australia. It has raised $8M USD ($10M AUD) in four years of fundraising, with a 2017 target of $5M USD … [Read more...]
Doctor Who – Motorcycle
Time Travelling - That's the tennis well out of the way at Wimbledon and the promise at the end of the men's final that the BBC would announce who will be the next actor to play the Doctor in the BBC's Doctor Who series, fulfilled. My last forages into Doctor Who as a pre-teenager, with a black and white telly, was watched like thousands of others, from behind the sofa. A bit more modern and in colour, I remember the introduction of Davros, leader and creator of the Daleks. Apparently those of a certain age like myself will remember this, along with various … [Read more...]
We Ride London – Tea Hut To Tea Hut
London – On Sunday 16 July 2017, We Ride London is holding its first weekend awareness ride in London, riding from the Epping Forest Tea Hut to the Blackheath Tea Hut. We Ride London Is Campaigning To Stop Motorcycles And Scooters being Driven Off The Capital’s Roads We Ride London is an unaffiliated and inclusive campaign acting as the main lobby and pressure group for grass-root riders of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in London. It is also supporting the hundreds of small businesses that will be significantly impacted by some of the changes proposed by City Hall, … [Read more...]
Does Size Matter?
France - Does Size Matter? Well in the world of French motorcycles and number plate size apparently size does matter. Even though our semi-permanent base is now in France, our interest in following motorcycle technical issues still abound, so we do pick up what must be the most continuous changes of rules and regulations, through legislative decrees, from the Ministry of the Interior, all which appear to be in constant flux. Our interest in this is also slightly self-centred as we start the process of permanently importing our UK registered bike to France, starting … [Read more...]
The Retiring War Horse
Norway - Earlier this year, at their annual meeting, the rider group - The Swedish Motorcyclists Association (SMC) - awarded Morten Hansen from the Norsk Motorcykkel Union (NMCU) with honorary membership for his cooperation with SMC, for his success in promoting motorcyclists in traffic policy issues and his upcoming retirement. We had the privilege of knowing Morten through our past life at the Motorcycle Action Group and at FEMA (Federation Of European Motorcyclists Associations) and with continued dialogue as Right To Ride then Motorcycle Minds. He is someone we … [Read more...]
We Ride London – Awareness Ride
London - in November 2016 we reported on the launch of "We Ride London" as the lead group to drive fair changes and improvements to the way transport policies from Transport for London and the Mayor’s office treat powered two-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles and scooters). The inclusive campaign group representing grass roots riders of motorcycles & scooters in London is holding its first "We Ride London - Awareness Ride" this Thursday April 6th between 1PM and 4PM, meandering from Regents Park to City Hall via a number of London landmarks. There is no membership of … [Read more...]
NI – Motorsport Taskforce
Northern Ireland - While the political system in Northern Ireland has gone into "meltdown" over a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme of woodchip boilers - "Cash For Ash" - along with other political angst, the current Sports Minister Paul Givan has announced the establishment of a Motorsport Taskforce. With an election called to re-elect MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) to the Northern Ireland Assembly on the 2nd March 2017, Mr Givan announced the task force yesterday - 24th January. With the Assembly dissolving tomorrow - 26th January - one hopes that any … [Read more...]
