Sidecars On Line 39

The Online Mini Magazine for Sidecar Enthusiasts

Sidecars On Line

Available Bi-Monthly

Issue 39 – February 2019

Belgian Jumbo Run 2017 Honda Deauville/ EZS outfit and accompanying cast

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Contents this Issue Editorial – 2018 was a year of uncertainty with the weather, amongst other things Vmax Diaries – Part 8 – The ongoing desire as a motorcyclist to see and be seen Oscar's Odyssey – Our Mutual Friend, Roger – Recalling times with a larger than life motorcycle character Scene in a Field – Motorcycling is sometimes just as much about appreciative observation than riding “Whatever did MAG do for Us ?”- 5 The Motorcycle Action Group works with important organisations to protect motorcycle interests Sidelines – Thank Goodness for Fortnite – A personal take on the latest digital gaming obsession

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If you contact Anson Classic for information, or to make a purchase, please acknowledge Sidecars On Line

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Editorial The 2018 summer trip to mainland Europe was influenced by weather, notably the cancellation of the 30th European Gespanne Treffen due to drought conditions in Germany. Still, compensation was still visiting friends, also in Germany. Generally warm, sunny weather enhanced both riding and the indulgences in a little tourism. As ever, familiarity with some locations and destinations, plus now familiar hotel stopovers proved favourable.

Our ride from Arras in northern France to the Eurotunnel, plus the continuation to central England on our way home, proved negatively memorable. The rain was biblical, eventually justifying donning an additional layer of waterproof clothing to prevent an absolute soaking. The contrast with the warmer times in Germany, and a week before in Belgium, was massive. The saving grace was SidecarPat remaining reasonably dry in the sidecar, and the Vmax performing faultlessly.

A notable downside was recently purchased “adventure style” riding boots filling with water. Yes, bad August conditions, but the sales pitch and appearance suggested something more reliable. The boots failed again on another wet ride when we participated again in the October “Ride to the Wall” event. The design was identified that allows water to channel up and into the boots. The importer was, not surprisingly, disinterested. RST, made in Pakistan, discarded after 18 months. Previous Altbergs, made in Yorkshire, survived 16 years of year round, all weather riding.

This first issue of 2019 features an Oscar's Odyssey that is familiar theme, “Our Mutual Friend, Roger”. Certainly resurrects memories for us. The Vmax Diary this time around relates to a personal obession with lighting. Seeing and being seen are big issues with motorcycling. The latter, a major factor in trying to stay safe in a motoring environment that blames ther motorcyclist for not being visible. As obvious as it is that other road users need to be aware and concentrate more, the cold fact is thattoo many folk simply do not care. Therefore, the message has to be consider your lighting and its deficiencies. A silly little, “legal” torchlight on the sidecar is hardly, no is totally inadequate.

Further news on the Motorcycle Action Group front, plus an intriguing insight into the bizarre world of those obsessed with online gaming, specifically something called Fortnite.

Finally, “Scene in a Field”, and images from various times and locations this time featuring sidecar outfits that illustrate that thing called diversity. Oh, and an early Reliant three wheeler with its motorcycle connection literally sticking out like a sore thumb !

SidecarJohn 5

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Vmax Diaries – Part 8 From discarding the 6 volt single headlight on the original BSA C15 and substituting with a pair of handlebar mounted spot lamps designed for a car, lighting modifications have featured on a few bikes owned over the years. The 350 Velocette's lights were considered acceptable. The BSA 500 twin received the luxury of the then popular CibiÊ unit.

The introduction for this came via my eventual father in law, George, who was a serious, full time Gold Flash outfit guy. The French manufacturer's concave lens design certainly provided a better light than standard beam units of the time.

Sometimes, improved lighting came from amendments to electrical generation. With C15's early Lucas alternator, switching around two of three wires increased output.

The dynamo on the old 1942 750 WLA side valve Harley engined Norton could be adjusted to increase output. One of two bushes could be positioned radially, producing exceptional lighting from the 6 volt system, even better than some 12 volt.

The first serious sidecar outfit, i.e. bought new, attached to a Watsonian Palma sidecar, was an early 1972 Ural. Ownership of one of the first dozen sold in the UK, was sewriously affected by various electrical problems over three years until it was thankfully moved on. Suggested upgrades proved an unresolved challenge. If it hadn't been for the bank finance contract that helped buy beast, the Russian sufferbike would have departed far earlier. The replacement Honda CB750 Watsonian outfit might not have had sensational lighting, but after the Russian, the Stanley lighting was at least reliable.

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With a pair of Cibié spot lamps on the sidecar and an early pair of Swedish sourced running lights, the later 1100 Goldwing's standard lighting proved acceptable for around ten years. Two BMW airhead twins had reasonable lighting, although each had well known electricity generation issues.

As with many things BMW, the system was unique.

Separate components of rotor, stator, diode board, regulator, and even the generator warning light. Each individual part became well known possibilities for trouble. Simple analysis, assuming availability of parts, was to try each of four parts to assess the culprit. A well known UK independent BMW specialist could supply a box of used rotor, stator, diode board, and voltage regulator to known customers. Return the box, retain the requirement, and pay for it.

In contrast, the BMW K1 Saluki was a different animal with electric being generally reliable and providing good lighting. The system dealt with additional lighting, i.e. running lights, spot light, and accessories including heated grips, heated clothing, plus other additons in and on the sidecar.

A – HID headlight B – LED Running lights, C – LED Worklight acting as Running light

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Gradual changes with the then new fangled LED lights were beneficial due to increased reliability, longevity, lower power requirements, and intensity. Another positive when the outfit was originally acquired was its superb HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlight. The mere 35 watt set up provided excellent, penetrating light from the single bike headlight. Initially, a traditional bulb style spotlamp on the sidecar primarily served as a marker light more than a pentrating spot.

Sadly, the HID failed one night at around 60 mph on a dual carriageway major road. A cry of “Oops !”, or possibly something more “native”, followed by fiddling the dip switch. Light restored, but it was apparent the dipping solenoid had failed. The HID unit was replaced with a standard bulb until a very reasonably priced HID alternative allowed me to once again see the light. Whatever else the HID experience was a game changer and so became seen as an essential choice for headlights for the future.

Amendments to the Vmax lighting has been a regular feature of these ownership diaries. The desire to see and, importantly be seen, has been a common theme of our motorcycling from early times. By now, lighting followed the LED route, either by fitting specific units, or LED bulbs in existing lighting components. Quite early on the Yamaha's headlight was converted to the HID format and proved a good move, made all the more attractive by sensible prices.

Over recent years LED lighting has gained widespread acceptance for vehicle lighting generally. The trend escalated as manufacturers adopted LEDs as original equipment.

All aspects have been addressed, i.e. rear, side, indicator, interior, and instrument lighting, plus spot lights. A major change emerged with new road vehicles of all shapes and sizes equipped with daytime running lights, including motorcycles. As these have been absorbed into vehicle designs the personal view is that some are poorly located to actually highlight to others an approaching vehicle. Equally, it is a puzzle why a large 40 ton truck requires such daytime lighting to be seen.

A missing link had been LED headlights, but over the past couple of years, or so, variants have appeared. Initially with motorcycles and some cars, completely different design approaches have been adopted. Harley Davidson have been an early player in presenting new models with specific LED units.

As with most early developments, premium prices prevailed. Whilst marginally attractive, there was no personal desire to spend the big bucks required.

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The holy grail for many folk has likely been the most recent LED replacements for standard headlight bulbs, probably because early complete LED headlight units have had premium prices. Initially, the internet suggested LED headlight bulbs were already available, predominantly on good old Ebay. However, the online hard sells were personally ignored despite marketing claims on primarily Hong Kong and China seller locations. Previous personal experience with electronic products served as sensible restraints. A non working smartphone connector and an undelivered DVD scam highlighted the pitfalls. Thankfully, neither of these involved serious financial loss.

In due course a known UK auto bulb supplier offered two LED H4 headlight bulb options. Sold in pairs for cars, the decision to invest was taken. Fairly easy to fit one along with the small ballast and retain the other as a spare.

Part of this LED bulb features a small cooling fan, which required no additional alterations. Unlike the now redundant HID unit, which took a few seconds to reach optimum brightness, the LED is instant.

However, as with the HID unit, a slight downside. A very slight flicker in the LED light was more irritant than diminishing light quality. A solution was sought and again https://www.vmaxforum.net/ came to the rescue. A recommendation was to connect rectifier and battery earths direct. This was relatively easy as the Yamaha's rectifier had already been relocated under the separate rear pillion seat from its original position inside of the nearside footrest plate. A well known modification.

At the time of writing the effect of the earthing mod hasn't been fully assessed.

Inspection so far suggests the the headlight flicker has been reduced, if not eliminated.

Yellow arrow = LED headlight Blue arrows = LED Running lights Green arrow = LED spotlight Red arrows = LED indicators (upper, hardly visible unlit, but feature flowing effect, which is obvious) 10

Our Mutual Friend, Roger One of my friends from days gone by is a larger than life character by the name of Roger. I just cannot remember when it was that I first met Roger, but I will never forget what he reminded me of. No doubt most of you will know the character “Ogri” from the motorcycle magazine “Bike”. Well, there you have him. Thick wavy black hair, battered leather biker jacket and jeans stuffed into tough bike boots, along with a plug spanner. His motorcycle at that time was a Norton ES2, which he threw around with great abandon.

Over time, we became great friends and riding companions, especially to the Isle of Man. I do believe that in previous “Odyssey’s” I have only mentioned his name once.

That was to do with “turning up with whichever girlfriend that he had at the time.

Always one for the girls was Roger. Here are a few tales that I remember of him from those days. These are not in any particular order. I am putting them on paper as I remember them.

On more than a couple of occasions, when cornering a little too enthusiastically, he would put out a boot speedway fashion, which would just avoid a mishap. Big and strong was Roger.

After the Norton ES2, Roger was riding a Norton Atlas. After my ill fated spell with a Honda CB72, Roger took possession of the “Peel Mountain Mile “ fairing that I had fitted to the Honda. I pointed out to him that the fairing was rather a tight fit on the big Norton. This did not worry him. However, on a trip out, somewhere near Belvoir Castle, we were cracking on down a country lane, when we came upon a fairly tight left hand bend. Roger was in front, I saw him brake hard for the bend, but the bike just went straight ahead through an open gate, and into a ploughed field.

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Both he and his girlfriend came to a stop 60 or so feet into the furrows, still on the bike. After we had all stopped laughing, he finally admitted that the fairing was too small. Under heavy braking the wheel just jammed up into the fairing. The lovely “Peel Mountain Mile” fairing had had its day.

Alan, “Carrots”, Roy, Roger, Oscar Roger had the luck of the Devil. Once on a trip to the South of England, this time on a Triumph, he had the misfortune to have a bearing break up in the rear wheel. As all stood around wondering what to do next, what should come around the bend, but a motorcycle combo. The rig stopped and after sizing up the situation, the combo man took charge. He sent one of us to a motorcycle shop, which was not far away, for a bearing. He then proceeded to remove the defective bearing. In the boot of the sidecar he had a mini workshop, complete with vice. New bearing arrived and was fitted by “ComboMan”, who was now our hero. One Triumph, good as new. And on our way again. Roger never even got his hands soiled. In fact. a lady in a nearby house was feeding him buns, and tea. Nice one Roger.

On another occasion, I along with Roger and girlfriend, went to the speedway at Belle Vue. As usual after the match we went through and into the amusement park there.

We always had our ride on the “Bobs”, a roller coaster ride. Arriving where we had parked our bikes, there was only my little Enfield there. Roger’s Bonneville was gone.

Never to be seen again, or so we thought.

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A couple of weeks later, the Bonneville was seen being ridden around Manchester.

The police noted the registration and arrested the rider. A bike breaking ring of scumbags was busted by this thief wanting Roger's Bonneville for himself. So, Roger got his bike back with no damage done. How lucky is that.

Around this time, Roger bought himself a cottage. This was situated in the small village of Dungworth on the outskirts of Sheffield. Roger organised, if that is the word, many a party. With a pub just across the road, you couldn’t go far wrong. A feature of the cottage that I will never forget. The outside toilet, which was of the thunderbox variety, had a dual seat. Two holes, side by side. How cosy.

1965 and the Isle of Man. We are all there. Alan and Margaret. Roy and Dot, Roger and Anne, plus Ann and I. Ann and I weren’t married, but we were not unduly bothered. Just to be sure, Roger pulls out of his pocket a tobacco tin. In it are a selection of gold rings. My Ann is soon set up with a wedding ring. All this is just so that the landlady at the BnB doesn’t get upset. Well, you know what I mean. We were to get married proper the year after.

Ann and I had the misfortune to be seated at the same table for meal times at the BnB. Roger and his Anne being rather on the large side, soon ate all the veg at dinner.

Also, all the bread at breakfast, so I had the job of saying to the landlady. “Can I have more please ?” Nevertheless we all had a great time. We also met up with a great bunch of three guys from the Southend area. I am still in touch with one of them, a certain John (Carrots) Mason. Brian and Mick were the other two.

Ann and I didn’t make it to the Island in 1966. It was the Seamans' strike and the races were put off until September. We were married in August, and money was tight. I do believe that Roger this year rode to the Island on a Vincent/Steib outfit.

This was painted a ghastly shade of green. We called it the “Grasshopper” In the island, once again, this time 1967. The same crowd. Roger this time was on a BSA. No, not a Goldie or even a Super Rocket, but a humble C15. This came complete with a hole where the headlamp glass should be. What a sight, big Roger with a C15 lodged up his backside. There was no girlfriend for Roger this year, which was a bit of a relief, as the pair of them wouldn’t have fitted on the saddle.

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On one of the day’s rides, Roger, out in front, ran over a chicken that ran out of a farm gate. The chicken got bowled over and came out the other side of the BSA, minus a load of feathers.. Apart from being rather naked, the chicken ran off, probably to have a heart attack in the next field.

For the rest of the day and for the rest of the week, feathers came fluttering out of crevices in the little Beeza at intervals. All of this gave us all great laughs. The little BSA despite having a great big wind jamming headlamp orifice, still was able to clock over 80 mph down to the Creg.

On to 1968 and once again in the island, but now there was a change. We now had a daughter. No problem as I had managed to hang on to my Norton Dommi 600 a Watsonian Avon sidecar. This was a sports sidecar with a fairly deep body, giving good protection. Alan and Margaret also had fitted a sidecar for their young son. This was a Palma. Alan’s bike was now a Norvin, so plenty of power there. Roger was also there, this time with Joan. Joan was tall and slim, whereas Anne was tall and well built (think Amazonian).

We had the usual good time and this time Roger and Joan tied the knot. A wedding ceremony was held in a church just off the harbour.

The Reverend Bill Shergold of “59 Club” fame did the honours.

We finished off the day watching the sidecar race from Braddan Bridge swigging champagne from the bottle. I do believe that this got a mention in the motorcycle press, courtesy of Dave Richmond.

(Ed: recall it also featured in a national newspaper, recall the Daily Express).

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After marriage and three kids, maybe Roger didn’t have time for lots of motorcycling.

He seemed to drop off the radar, but he always kept a motorcycle. Later in life he took on managing a pub, and not any old pub. The “Saltersgate Inn”, situated on the North Yorkshire Moors on the A169 Pickering to Whitby road. Ann and I stayed at the pub on a couple of occasions, once to celebrate our 25 th wedding anniversary. We stayed in the cottage attached to the side of the pub courtesy of Roger and Marie.

Inside the “Saltersgate” there is a fireplace, which tradition demands that the fire is to be kept burning at all times. This is to keep in the Devil. The story is that many years ago the Inn, being on the “Salt Trail”, was a place that smugglers used to barter and transfer cargos of salt, an expensive commodity in years gone by. One night the local lawman was caught observing the illegal trading. He was murdered to stop him talking, and his body was walled up behind the fireplace. The Devil idea was thought up so as to stop anyone looking behind the fireplace. I asked Roger about this tradition, stating that it must be a bit of a drag having to get up really early to make sure that the fire was still alight. I certainly got the idea that firelighters and plenty of sticks were on hand to make sure that the public were not disappointed.

After a few years here, Roger and Marie moved over to France, and I lost touch completely. From this point on, the “Saltersgate Inn” rapidly fell into disrepair. In fact now it is just a shell. The roof has gone and the lovely cottage is a ruin. It really needs to be pulled down. A real shame.

Moving on into 2016 It is now our 50th wedding anniversary. We told our kids, “No fancy party”. So, we decided to have a barbecue on our back garden. The weather was just fine, the sun was shining, the family was round., we were set for a good afternoon. Then, who comes through the gate, but Roger and Marie because our daughter had contacted Roger’s daughter. Who else turned up ? John and Pat Procter, he of “Sidecars on Line”, plus old friends Les and Dot Walker, Mick and Liz Wright, and Roy and Christine Catherall. What a surprise and a really memorable afternoon. (Pic – Roger and Oscar).

Roger and Marie were at that time living in Kent. Since then they have moved over to Spain and we still keep in touch

Oscar 15

Bob Spendlove Arts

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Contact Bob for more details go to - http://www.bobspendlovearts.co.uk/ Examples of his work;

If you contact Bob for information, please acknowledge Sidecars On Line 16

Scene in a Field Introduction Our current and previously owned sidecar outfits are road going vehicles. Pretty obvious statement that seems slightly ridiculous to mention. Still, in a time of adventure bikes and regular commentary about riding “off road” with modified rigs suggesting regular wild trips into darkest Peru, it's perhaps necessary to be clear.

Simply put, our outfits have thus far been for riding on tarmac, or similar. Naturally, hazards are confronted - spilt diesel, large animal defecation, road kill, or increasingly, potholes. In the UK some of the latter are now major hazards sometimes inflicting injury, or worse, and certainly mechanical damage.

Importantly, there is a factor with our particular vehicle passion beyond riding.

Significant times are spent, as with other two and three wheeled brethren, and that is looking at, admiring, and discussing motorcycles. In our case, and for our compatriots, this observational aspect of our enthusiasm stretches to other vehicle types. Number of wheels, size, purpose, motive power, and age are irrelevant. It isn't all about bikes and sidecars. Steam engines, railways, trucks, classic cars, motorsport, aeroplanes, tractors, military vehicles, and so on. It goes beyond being a mere “petrolhead”, it's much more than that.

Over the years thousands of images have been gathered from the teenage years of black and white with a cherished 35 mm Halina camera, then through variations of still 35 mm film cameras. Then, along came the digital revolution, although initially resisted due to suggestions it was a short term fad. This near Luddite mentality even led to purchasing a Minolta 35 mm reflex film camera. A somewhat costly mistake. “Resistance is futile”, sometimes.

Our digital story began with a Canon Ixus 330 with its then “impressive” 2.0 mega pixels image quality. Not that “mega pixels” actually meant anything at the time.

The really big deal was eliminating the film developing rituals (sorry Boots), plus of course film's limitation of 36 shots. A significant plus was no longer being concerned about developed images proving to be less than perfect. Over the years there were too many times when some film shots were complete rejects.

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As digital technology rapidly developed, new cameras were bought. Samsung proved a preferred choice as they were cheap, reliable, and ever more capable of providing good images, both still and impressively, video. “Point and shoot” has been prefered rather than cameras with complex setting options. This new photography “rock and roll” has also meant the missus could get involved with her own camera.

Smartphone technology has radically changed the photographic landscape, although the personal choice has remained with a standalone camera.

The latest and current camera is another Canon Ixus, the budget 185.

Exceptional quality with 20 megapixels, 8x optical zoom, 720p movies, and auto mode options. It is small and light and illustrates how the photographic market has radically changed in a relatively short time. Smartphone photographic technology, added to the hard sell of the big players, has seen the near demise of standalone budget camera options.

Standalone cameras are now aimed at serious enthusiasts and professionals, and carry heftier price tags. Samsung are focused on their market dominant smartphones, although still offer a limited number of high value cameras, the NX range. £400 for the cheapest means these are not on our agenda. Luddite tendencies aside, a budget smartphone does now serve as a back up, or convenient photo alternative. Quality is impressive, but the little Canon is still the weapon of choice.

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Now to “Scene in a Field”. This is where predominantly the other aspect of our motorcycling kicks in, namely the looking, inspection, discussion, admiration, or whatever else floats our vehicular passion. The “field” bit comes from the fact that so much observation tends to be, in fields, or similar. Over the decades, collected images have been varied, be it featuring machinery, humans, and the other stuff which serves to make our lives interesting and enjoyable.

This first “Scene” features sidecar outfits, plus another three wheel interpretation.

Locations and age of vehicles varies, but that's what our passion is all about . . . .

Members of the South Yorkshire Sidecar Club regularly attends day events such as the Swaton Vintage Day.

Being able to admire an “old timer” Ariel single and its equally classic sidecar remains a constant pleasure.

Sometimes a field becomes a temporary home for a weekend shared with a variety of other enthusiasts. The Ackworth Steam event continues to be a favourite

“Seen that bike somewhere else ?”

Was it at Swaton ?

Different sidecar though, this time a tradesman's cargo option.

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Classic outfit attracting the eye despite The diverstity of sidecar outfits never being amongst some young upstart ceases to amaze. This scooter and motorcycles. How times have changed, sidecar “couple� look made for each other and not just with motorcycle styles despite the age difference Different fields and times, assorted events, but sidecar outfits and one other considered sufficiently interesting to photograph. Some, for a perhaps a later, one off look, or for being of specific interest. In many situations justified by simply seeing an outfit amongst many, more common vehicles. The Reliant three wheeler is an early model from the company that went on to produce the later fibreglass Regals and Robins, once so popular some years ago amongst ex motorcyclists in the UK.

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As well as classic old timers and the unusual, there have been great examples of serious technical abilities. Not just in connecting possibly unlikely combinations of motorcycle and sidecar, but of quality adaptations to sidecars. Noteworthy use of relatively rare motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Concours 1000, or a Russian sidecar on a Moto Guzzi are recently observed examples. On the other hand, owner modified sidecars, one on a Yamaha XS1100, the other on an old BMW airhead still look very good after many years since being photographed with an old film camera.

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“Whatever did MAG Do for Us ?” - 5 The Motorcycle Action Group, MAG UK, continues to act on behalf of all motorcyclists, including non members, in the constant struggle to defend UK motorcycling. As ever, the following press releases do not reflect the sum total of MAG activity. In fact they only represent part.

Representing the interests of UK motorcyclists isn't just about legislation and bureaucratic bias against a legitimate freedom to ride. The health related agency, NICE, has decided to get involved with road planning. All well and good, but for an organisation with prime responsibilities with a struggling National Health Service, MAG is questioning their involvement in an area that is beyond their understanding.

Sometimes MAG addresses matters that concern individuals. Amongst these are concerns for motorcyclists injured and killed in road traffic incidents involving supportive MPs, as well as offering rewards that could catch a potential killer driver. At the other end of the campaigning spectrum MAG, through its Director of Communications & Public Relations, Lembit Öpik, is to work with the United Nations on transport policy. A situation that could be significant for motorcycling far beyond the UK. The following are further examples of MAG activity in recent months. Read on; 8th January 2019 - How ‘NICE’ is advice on road planning ?

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) questions why a health group is venturing into the complex world of road planning - and perhaps missing the point of our roads.

MAG has expressed surprise that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on road planning, even though it has no publicly known experience in highways design and operation. This follows advice from NICE that to keep Britain healthy the roads should be reprioritised for fitness activity.

Lembit Öpik, MAG’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs, says: ‘NICE says road planning should explicitly prioritise cycling and walking, in preference to private vehicles with engines. They say this will make us healthier by reducing obesity, diabetes and other conditions. Deprioritising powered vehicles in deference to economically insignificant methods of travel, namely unpowered methods, seems unwise. What proportion of us will walk many miles to work, cycle to hospital appointments or pedal to official engagements? It’s just not realistic to think anything more than a small proportion of journeys will be made on foot or by bicycle. This otherwise respected body seems to be offering policy far outside its area of expertise.’

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MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, highlights a further confusion: ‘my analysis indicates that in London, where the policy they propose has been partly implemented with hundreds of millions of Pounds invested in cycle road space, motorcycle accidents have gone up. We predicted this would happen - a direct result of restricted road space for powered vehicles caused by the prioritisation to protect cyclists, even at the cost of other road users’ welfare. How can NICE defend steps which damage the health of other road users to favour cyclists? Considerably more bikers die in London than cyclists. Why is the possible link between these deaths and infrastructure changes to favour cycling being ignored?

‘There’s a principle too,’ continues Colin. ‘Transport’s key mission is to move people and freight, not to improve public health. As a secondary benefit, that’s fine, but we can’t let it undermine the primary purpose of the road network. There are many ways to get healthy, but without powered road transport we can’t effectively convey people and goods around the country. Anyone is free to cycle or go jogging in a park. But we utilise motorcycles, cars and HGVs – in other words, we use roads - for a main purpose that’s nothing to do with health. Push bikes as a mode of transport deserve consideration; but as ‘get fit’ devices they deserve no particular priority on the highway because that’s not what we built roads for. It’s not right to redeploy highways for health at the cost of mainstream traffic.’

MAG asks NICE to show why they want to compromise the transport system, with health harms to other road users which the pro-cycling policy causes, or to rethink this policy.

10th January 2019 - MAG praises MP’s hard line against dangerous drivers The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has welcomed the tough position expressed by Conservative MP Peter Heaton-Jones regarding the sentencing of dangerous drivers.

MAG’s Regional Representative in the South West, Tracy Smith, has received a welcome boost to the campaign for justice against potential killer drivers, whose actions risk the safety of other road users - including motorcyclists.

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Mr Peter Heaton-Jones, the Conservative Member of Parliament for North Devon, has confirmed that he backs changes which increase the possible sentences for causing death. Mr Heaton-Jones stated: ‘The maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs will both be increased from fourteen years to life.’ Mr Heaton-Jones added; ‘these tougher sentences come after an overwhelming response to a consultation, which revealed substantial backing for the plans from a wide range of people including victims, bereaved families and road safety experts.’ He confirmed that that a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will also be created.

Tracy is pleased to see this development: ‘having to discuss all this is only necessary because of the actions of a small number of irresponsible killer drivers who aren’t fit to share the road space with anyone. They deserve the prospect of life imprisonment for killing bikers and other road users through their criminal behaviour. MAG welcomes Mr Heaton-Jones’s support for those who face the tragedy of stolen lives, as a result of these dangerous drivers. Nobody wants to suffer this horrible situation, and I hope that these stiffer sentences act as a deterrent to chancing such wilfully irresponsible behaviour in the first place.‘ The response Tracy has received proves the value of contacting your MP for support for bikers who suffer harm from bad driving by others. Public opinion got the law changed in the first place, and will continue to help get justice for the victims of such reckless driving.

18th January 2019 - Help us catch a potential road killer MAG is offering up to £1,000 to catch a potential road killer.

MAG has announced a £1,000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the individual responsible for a 'hit & run' incident near the Squires Café Bar in North Yorkshire, where a car driver left a seriously injured motorcyclist, Matthew Ramsden, lying on the road with his damaged motorcycle.

The incident occurred in Sherburn-in-Elmet. Police say that Matthew was travelling along the B1222, near Peckfield, on Sunday 6 January at around 4.40pm, when he collided with a car at the junction with the A63. The driver did not stop at the scene.

Castleford-based firm, West Riding Personal Financial Solutions, has also put up £1,000 for information leading to a prosecution. Police believe the car to be a silver saloon - possibly a VW or a Skoda – and it suffered severe rear bumper damage as a result of the collision.

Yorkshire MAG Representative Richard ‘Manny’ Manton describes this latest incident as a ‘line in the sand.’ He says: ‘the guilty driver showed no respect for the biker’s life or property – and also decided to evade the law instead of fulfilling a basic moral and legal responsibility as a road user.’

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Manny continues: ‘we’re offering up to one thousand pounds for information leading to a successful prosecution because MAG isn’t going to stand by and tolerate blatant criminality on the highways of Yorkshire - or any other part of Britain. If you know who did this, and you don’t speak up, you’re protecting someone who can’t be trusted by you or anyone else. Help us get justice – and potentially pick up a thousand pounds for yourself. This offender isn’t fit to be on the roads. If they are not found, they can do it again - to you or someone you love.’

18th January 2019 - MAG to work with the United Nations on transport policy The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) will be working in partnership with the United Nations on motorcycling’s role in global transport policy. MAG has received communication from the United Nations Environment Department, expressing their eagerness to work with the Motorcycle Action Group on promoting modal shift towards powered two and three wheelers.

This landmark development was announced in a reply to MAG’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik: ‘As our understanding of the environmental agenda has deepened, we have inevitably found ourselves having to contact higher authorities,’ explains Lembit. ‘Our constant aim has been to ensure that motorcycles are being treated as part of the solution to reducing congestion and pollution – as well as cost – for private journeys. “I approached the United Nations because they are so influential in terms of environmental strategies. We have made a real breakthrough – and we’re clearly speaking to the right people there. This development is of global importance for motorcycling and its role in transport planning.’

The letter, received from the UN, states: ‘As you accurately stated in your letter, motorcycles could provide a short-term and immediate way to reduce emissions now.’ It adds: ‘We are delighted to hear of your interest in working with the United Nations on this important initiative and look forward to working with you as well.’

MAG’s next step is to engage with the UN Air Quality and Mobility Unit, to establish terms of reference for the collaboration. ‘I believe this is the most significant development for motorcycles in relation to environmental policies in recent history,’ adds Lembit. ‘What we do now will have implications for motorcycling across the planet.

‘It shows that diligent activity can lead to internationally significant partnerships. It is an exciting prospect to be working with the UN. It’s a win for them, the environment and all road users the world over. I’m pleased to be able to share such good news so early in 2019.’

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Motorcycling is constantly under threat. Bureaucrats have a tendency to justify their existence by imposing restrictions and legislation that undermines motorcycling activity.

Too often such moves have been made without objective evidence, or justification. The threat to motorcycling is very real.

Without coherent, organised, and experienced voices to defend, protect, and promote motorcycling, motorcyclists old and new, plus involved business interests could be denied the benefits of motorcycling.

The need to protect motorcycle riders' rights and freedom hasd never been more important.

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SideLines Thank Goodness for Fortnite Explanation necessary straight away, which is a sort of apology. However, a plea, there is a conclusion and that is folk spending endless, addictive hours “online” could be seen as actually beneficial for motorcyclists. In particular, those out on the road riding a powered two wheeler, or in out case a sidecar outfit.

The following, is from an online blog posted by an online writer in December 2018 called, “Fortnite isn't a game, it's a place” . For those humans unaware of “Fortnite”, it's a digital game that has become a worldwide addiction. It makes those reponsible a lot of money, but has also proved controversial. Read on.

“Not only is Fortnite the new hangout spot, replacing the mall, Starbucks or just loitering in the city, it's become the coveted 'third place' for millions of people around the world. I'm in my mid-twenties, so there's probably even more going on that I just am not even a part of, but I know that I'm part of something bigger than myself where we all have something in common, “the game”, that maybe it doesn't matter if you're 13 or 27, we all understand the memes (A “meme”is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture) , and we're all experiencing the same unfolding mystery.”

“In a world where social media has become toxic, exhausting and unsafe, many of us have wondered aloud where the next social network will be. Are groups going private, to Telegram, or some new service? I think we all missed it: Fortnite is the new social network, and it's transcending into a substitute for the real world, a place you go and talk to “friends”, but do something at the same time.”

“I've probably played Fortnite at least four days a week since I got hooked earlier this year, when a “friend “taught me how to play.That's the problem with Fortnite: it's incredibly difficult for new players to learn, with most people trying it once on their own and figuring it's too difficult for them, myself included.”

“Fortnite is enormous and perplexing at first because you can do whatever you want: you jump out of a flying bus soaring over a vast map, land wherever you want (with your team or without, that's up to you), pushed into the thrust of desperately gathering weapons, materials and other items before someone with a gun finds you.

The virality of Fortnite, however, is something else: if a “friend” shows you the ropes you're hooked immediately. I've seen this repeatedly with my own circle, who I'm probably responsible for hooking on the game and see online constantly after initially saying they didn't like it. It ripples out from a group of “friends”, down the chain as they show their “friends”, over and over.”

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SideLines “Now we have a bunch of Telegram groups, Discord chat rooms and Slack teams for different groups of “friends” from around the world, where someone will say "@fortnite where we dropping" and a bunch of us log on. I probably have ten different Telegram groups, primarily for people that play together a lot.”

“We get on to play, but we're really just hanging out.

Fortnite has built-in voice chat so it's seamless to just jump on voice, talk about the day, life, whatever is going on, without even really realizing it. We're playing the game together, dropping from the Battle Bus every ten minutes to start a new round, but what keeps us there is that we're all spending time together. I've probably spent more time talking to my “friends” on the other side of the world in Fortnite's voice chat than I have calling them in the last four years since I moved overseas. Even for “friends” that live close, in the same city, we catch up far more often through the game, popping on for a quick few rounds and talking about what's new at the same time.”

“The calls probably sound like madness from the outside. One minute I'll be talking about my day, some coding problem, or something else, then it's interrupted by me screaming "WATCH OUT FOR THE SNIPER AT 250" and everyone scrambling to stay alive. Then, a minute later, we're all dead and waiting for the next round in the lobby, so it's calm real-world discussion again, littered with remarks about a new skin or dance someone unlocked.”

“I was doing all of this without even realizing it: jumping on every day, messaging the group, then talking, dropping, and playing on repeat for hours. I thought it was about the game, but in reality it was about who was online and having fun while talking. I'm from a generation who will do anything to avoid talking on the phone, but I don't even think twice about it in Fortnite.”

“Why is all of this happening with this game, and not something like “Second Life”, which was a world-builder simulation you could customize to your heart's content ?

Well, Fortnite is much more interesting as a place to be, first of all. But, what makes it unique is that it's the great equalizer: it's entirely free for anyone to play, on any device on the planet. I play with my “friends” on Xbox, PS4, iOS, Android, PC, Nintendo Switch... and for the first time in two decades that's actually possible !

Usually you're relegated to gaming with your same-platform pals, which is just a handful, but I can play with anyone on the planet, without them needing to spend money on a console or computer to jump in.”

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SideLines “Fortnite being free is also incredibly understated: it doesn't matter how rich or poor you are, you can jump in. Sure, there's paid upsells like dances (emotes), exclusive skins and other virtual stuff, but you don't have to buy that stuff if you can't. Most of us just buy the seasonal 'Battle Pass' which allows levelling up to unlock new collectibles, rather than paying for each one.The icing on the cake is Fortnite's ever-changing world. The map layout, places you can go to, weapons and other items change all the time, morphing every two weeks and forcing us to learn the ropes all over again, changing, constantly, just like the real world. It drags you back in without even realizing it because you're curious what's changed, and you're hanging out again.”

“Fortnite's own mechanisms overflow into the real world, as well. People try to learn the quirky dances from the game, and it's a signal you're in the club, just like making Seinfeld references was during the TV age. Everything in-game is automatically recorded, infinitely replayable after it's over, shareable by default when something incredible happens.We share our videos with funny moments, weird techniques or impressive games when we're offline, and post memes from places like Reddit, where others are doing exactly the same so we can laugh, discuss or learn from the pro players. I don't think I'm any good, but I enjoy playing, dying and starting over and over because the game is just a side-note.”

“Lots of ink has been spilled about whether or not Fortnite is addictive, bad for kids or whatever else, but few are telling the stories of how much better it feels to participate in a connected experience that isn't just arguing with internet trolls all day. I can mute anyone I want and focus on talking with my “friends”, connecting with them more often than ever before, and a free game pulled it off.”

“Why do we hate kids playing Fortnite so much, but spending hours on the phone when I was a teenager was totally fine? There's something about video games that makes us demonize them for 'wasting' time, but it's no different than wasting time messing around doing anything else as a kid. I loved the podcast with the Shopify (automatic service for businesses to sell their products, or services online) CEO talking about how he thinks about games as good for his own career, and I think it's time to reconsider our biases when we look at video games.”

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SideLines “Whether we like it or not, Fortnite is the new hangout. The new living room, or the better 'third place.' It's like going to church, or the mall, except there's an entire universe to mess around in together, and it doesn't matter where in the world you are.”

So, there you have it. People spending time online with “friends”; chatting, discussing, and supposedly socialising whilst involved in flying through the sky, running around gathering weapons, and using these to smash and destroy. Sounds interesting, NOT. However, there is an upside, it keeps the folk involved off the streets and makes a little more room for those of us who want to have real experiences and actually be involved with real friends. It is also clear that this “free” game has downsides for individuals including impressionable children.

However, the Fortnite drug will eventually pass into the digital world's history books when no doubt another big money spinner becomes the next online drug.

Never forget . . . .

. . . . this once ruled the world, or at least it seemed that way !

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