motorcycling
COMMUTING BY MOTORCYCLE A Good Or A Bad Thing?
How does commuting by motorcycle impact on congestion during the rush hour? On Wednesday 12th February members and associates of the MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) gathered at the Heritage Motor Museum to discuss their ongoing plans to promote motorcycling. During the conference a claim was put forward on behalf of the MCIA that travelling by motorcycle could be the much needed solution to the rising traffic problems around the UK. This is an interesting and (to motorcycle lovers) exciting solution perhaps – but how in-depth are the MCIA’s claims and what evidence is there to support them? It is a known fact that congestion is an ever increasing problem in the UK and other parts of Europe. According to the DFT (Department for Transport) there has been an overall increase in traffic within the UK by 2.2% on motorways and by 2.8% on rural, minor roads in the last year alone. With more and more people on the roads, congestion rates are set to rise, and at quite a shocking speed. An
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estimated 261 billion miles were travelled in total in the UK during 2010 with an average 19 seconds spent sitting in traffic per mile. By 2035 an estimated 375 billion miles will be travelled with an average stationary time of 32 seconds. Motorcycling: safer, cheaper, greener? Congestion is clearly on the rise and the government have a budget to deal with said problem. Building more roads is a possibility but one that is also time consuming and costly. The MCIA - an association made up of suppliers, manufactures and importers of PTW’s (Powered Two Wheelers) – spoke of what they called a “solution not problem”; a solution that, unlike building new roads, would not have to cost the earth. The talk was presented by Steve Kenward, one of the MCI’s Directors, who outlined the benefits he saw in putting more motorcycles on the road as a way of easing congestion. The basic theory is that motorcycles are faster and take up less space on a road, and that in replacing a number of cars with motorcycles, there will be more space on the roads and therefore less traffic. According to Kenward, not only would this save the government money, it would also help the economy make up the money lost on fuel from congestion.
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COMMUTING BY MOTORCYCLE Safer, Cheaper, Greener? He claimed the financial savings in this ‘solution’ would not only benefit the government, but also the motorcycle rider. To support this claim he spoke of the MCIA’s ‘personal savings calculator’ set to work out the fuel, taxation, clothing and time saved when travelling for an individual motorcycle rider. All this amounting to less than if a person was to travel by car. Kenward was also keen to point out the benefits that an increase in motorcycles would have on the environment. Apparently, there are only 7 models of vehicle that are classified as ULEV’s (ultra low emission vehicles), compared to the 50 PTW’s that qualify as being such. His message was clear – put more ULEV’s on the roads and the roads will be greener. Another theory of the MCIA’s is that by increasing the number of motorcycles on the road, we can increase awareness of them. If there are more motorcycles on the road then car drivers will get more used to seeing them and factor them in more. Likewise, a motorcyclist would be on the look out for other motorcycle riders, and thus, with greater awareness of other road users comes greater road safety. It is a fact, he states, that car drivers who also hold a PTW license have fewer accidents than those who don’t.
Watch this space So, to sum up, according to Kenward, a motorcyclist as a road user is more environmentally friendly, has more money, is less accident prone and has more quality time due to less time wasted sitting in traffic. It all sounds pretty brilliant so far, but what would happen if this theory was put into practice? Would the level of congestion actually decrease if more cars on the road were replaced by motorcycles? To what extent would the roads be safer and greener? Before you run and grab a clip board with the intention of sitting by the side of the road counting the number of motorcycles and breathing in the fumes for research purposes, then worry not, because this study was actually carried out (a little more professionally) in Belgium in 2011, and results are already in. So watch this space and next issue we’ll publish a summary of their findings! Any thoughts so far? Send them to us at news@wemoto.com or comment on facebook or twitter we’d like to know what you think.
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wemoto visitor
We had another interesting visitor come by on Tuesday this week - this very clean very shiny very beautiful 1959 Triton gleaming in the Spring sunshine.
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ARE GO ! Triumph’s Thunderbird LT motorcycle lands in dealerships across the UK Triumph’s brand new cruiser, the 2014 Thunderbird LT, will arrive in dealerships across the UK from tomorrow. This latest model from Triumph has been developed specifically for the classic cruiser market. Boasting the world’s largest parallel twin motorcycle engine, the LT is designed for long-distance touring. At 1699cc, the eight-valve DOHC motor produces 94PS at 5400rpm and a huge 151Nm of torque at just 3550rpm, creating a classic big-twin feel, with a natural, easy-going stride. A single front headlight and auxiliary spot lamps tip their cap to iconic art deco design. The look is finished with wire-spoked wheels, a one-off tank badge, white piping around the seat and a hand-painted tank decoration. Triumph Motorcycles has once again The ergonomics feature a comfortable seat, with a dual density been confirmed as the UK’s best-selling construction and lumbar support for comfort, while maintaining a brand of motorcycle (over 500cc), low seat height to accommodate all sizes of rider. It has a pair of according to the latest figures from removable leather saddlebags and the world’s first white-walled the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA). Sales data for 2013 shows radial tyres also come as standard. that the Hinckley-based manufacturer The rider and pillion foot-boards are made from chrome-plated, continued to dominate the UK market high-pressure die-cast aluminium, featuring replaceable skid with annual sales of 7,524 bikes. plates and an adjustable heel/toe gear lever for the rider. While many other motorcycle brands Handlebars are slightly raised, sweeping back across the tank for have continued to see sales fall during a classic custom cruiser feel. Wiring is routed through the bars to the past 12 months, Triumph saw its give the rider’s eye-view a clean, unfussy look. leading market share increase from The LT’s 16-inch front and rear tyres have wire 56-spoked rims, 19.4% to 19.6%. shrouded 47mm Showa forks and twin 5-way preload adjustable Showa rear shocks, providing excellent control. ABS-enabled Nissin calipers up front and a single Brembo caliper at the rear give powerful braking.
Further features of the LT are a coded key immobiliser, self-cancelling indicators, a massive 22 litre fuel tank with off-centre filler cap, and a well-appointed, tank-mounted dash console including classic analogue-style speedometer. Prices start at £13,999. Riders can take advantage of TriStar, Triumph’s PCP product for a monthly payment plan.
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wemoto visitor This eye catching six cylinder Benelli 900Sei motorcycle swung by Wemoto in Southwick and attracted some attention on Thursday last week. It was built in 1982 and its current owner has had it since July 1983
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L TRAIN THE TRAINER New qualifications for the motorcycle training industry
A specialist education centre has been set up at the MCI’s (Motorcycle Industry Association) headquarters in Coventry, and awarded official accredited status to provide a programme of new qualifications for motorcycle instructors and motorcycle training businesses. The Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre was officially approved by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) last year. Its remit is to run new vocational courses for both instructors and Approved Training Bodies (ATBs) starting this April. Help for customers Customers currently have no means of identifying the quality of their instructor or ATB. However this is a very important factor when choosing where to do Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), as the quality of this initial training experience is far more likely to win converts to motorcycling when delivered well. Making the industry more professional Introducing qualifications for instructors and ATBs will allow the motorcycle training industry to reach more professional standards before there are any compulsory requirements to do so and before the car driver training industry has achieved this. These vocational qualifications will be equivalent to level 3 (approximately A level standard) and although they are voluntary, they will demonstrate to customers that the instructor ATB involved will far exceed any minimum standards.
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Welcomed by the wider industry MCI members also agree that more structure within the training industry will allow them to choose training partners more easily and to develop fleet programmes with corporate clients who need greater quality assurances than are currently available. The individual instructor training qualification will start in January 2015, but the first ATB course will begin in a few weeks time in April of this year. 20 ATBs will be given the chance to be the first in the UK to take a qualification specifically tailored to them. The qualification can be taken by owners, directors, managers or whoever has responsibility for the day to day running of the ATB. Those seeking instructor accreditation next year will need to be part of an ATB which has gained MCIAC ATB accreditation. Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association explained: “Driver and motorcycle training has been left behind other training sectors in introducing a framework of recognised qualifications. This move should help to change that. Motorcycles should be a natural choice as a means of personal transport and for fleet operators too, but both need clearer signposts when choosing quality instructors.“We are particularly proud to be able to launch this ahead of anything similar in the car driver training industry and before any compulsory requirements to do so by government bodies.” Karen Cole, Director of Safety and Training at the MCI, who has been instrumental in leading the bid to get accredited status for the MCI added: “Many working in the motorcycle training industry agree that the industry has suffered from a lack of recognition and professional status for too long and that needs to change. “Accreditation fits into a long term strategy to deliver a ‘route to safer motorcycling’ model, which is a shared aim for MCI members and the Motorcycle Industry Association Trainers Association (MCITA). We are sure that if we can improve rider safety and raise the professionalism and credibility of the industry overall, we can expect much more support from government, manufacturers and other key stakeholders.”
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Wemoto Visitor - Suzuki TS250M
Thursday morning, the sun came out and another interesting motorcycle visitor appeared at Wemoto, so we went out to pester him and take a look at his bike... This time it was a Suzuki TS250M, beautifully restored and obviously well loved.
wemoto visitor April - Whats On
4th/6th - Fat Skeleton Blues & Bikes Rally, Cabourne Parva, Lincolnshire 5th/6th - BMCRC/MRO motorcycle races, Brands Hatch, Kent 6th - Prescott Bike Festival, Cirencester, Gloucestershire 6th - Hoghton Tower Sprint, Preston, Lancs 10th/11th - Thundersprint, Darley Moor, Derbyshire 11th Thundersport - GB Test Day@98 DBa 11th/13th - Drunken Rabbit Spring Meet, Watchfield, Somerset 12th - National Bikesafe & Castle Combe Track Experience, Wilts 12th/13th - Thundersport - Donington Park GP (Robert Fearnley Trophy) 13th - London to Brighton Pioneer Run, Brighton 13th - World Superbikes , Motorland Aragon, Spain 13th - FIM Motocross GP, Arco Di Trento, Italy 13th - FIM MXGP/MX2 Motocross World Championships - ITALY
14th - The Tough One Hard Enduro, Hawkstone Park, Shropshire 18th/20th - Three Tribes Easter Rally, Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, Rugeley 18th/21st - British Superbikes, Round 1, Brands Hatch 20th - FIM MXGP/MX2 Motocross World Championships TBA 21st - Ashford Classic Motorcycle Show & Bike jumble, Ashford, Kent 21st - Annual Ace Cafe Southend Shakedown, Ace Cafe to Southend 25th/26th - Bum in the Mud Rally, East Mersea, Essex 25th/27th -Bol D'Or, Magny Cours, France 25th/27th - WSBK, Assen, Netherlands 26th - Incarnation Brighton @ Ace Cafe, Madeira Drive, Brighton 26th/27th - BMCRC/MRO motorcycle races, Snetterton, Norfolk 26th/27th - Carole Nash Classic International Motorcycle Show, Stafford County Show Ground 27th - Bike4 Life Bike Fest 2014, Cosford, Shropshire
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