Sidecars On Line 47

The Online Mini Magazine for Sidecar Enthusiasts

Sidecars On Line

Available Bi-Monthly

Issue 47 – June 2020

Empty road at Lockdown Version 2 – May 2020

UK Importer for Tripteq Sidecars, Parts, & Accessories

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email: info@scotiasidecars.com http://scotiasidecars.com/index If you contact Scotia Sidecars for information, or to make a purchase, please acknowledge Sidecars On Line 2

Contents this Issue Editorial – The ups and downs of life in a world of lockdown How Much Can You Pack in a Sidcar ? – The changing demands of living a life with a sidecar by your side Oscar's Odyssey – Some “Nails” I Have Owned – Motorcycles come and go, although some might not go so well.

A Grand Sidecar Day Out – Keeping your distance at a distance “What MAG Does for Us – 12”- Even in times when life seems to shut down, the Motorcycle Action Group continues the fight.

Sidelines – “Make Driving Dangerous Again” - One man's forthright view of the dangers presented to others of sterilising the automobile.

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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 Covid19. There, said it. Different times for everyone, some not so good. Things are either cancelled, postponed, and likely certain things gone forever. No broad speculation, or forecasting here, just reflection. Thankfully with a touch of escape and positivity. Now there's a word that didn't seem to exist a few years back.

The cover image is taken from a video recording a ride when returning from a mid lockdown meeting with folk from our sidecar club featured in this issue. Whilst the road in question, skirting the Sherwood Forest area in Nottinghamshire, is in a beautiful area, the A614 is usually much busier with a mixture of traffic, both commercial and private vehicles. Under the prevailing circumstances, other vehicles were seen over the 8 miles to the AI North, but at no time did we have anyone ahead, or close enough to consider overtaking. Normally enjoyable, but particularly so on the day.

This issue sees Oscar in full flow recounting past days when he acquired, sold, and rode a fair old amount of two wheeled machinery. It appears on reflection that at times he was almost aspiring to be a dealer. There are some models that came his way that would now be considered classics, some with worthwhile price tags. Ah well, perhaps we can all reflect in hindsight “what if” when it comes to what once was considered “grey porridge”, but in later years realised big bucks at auction.

The work of the Motorcycle Action Group is a norm in these pages. The tireless work done by just a few individuals does much to address the threats to motorcycles and motorcycling from bureaucratic zealots. That our chosen activity and form of transport is ignored and castigated is endemic, plus it is the facet of road transportation that is targeted to illustrate that so called public servants are doing a “useful” job. Generous salaries and pensions depend upon justifying a professional existence. Equally, political reputatioins can be enhanced by stereotypical demonisation.

“What Will MAG do for Us ?” illustrates a very recent example of both the outrageous approach to motorcycling by one UK county council, the clinical responses from the Motorcycle Action Group, and some encouraging statements from national government.

However, this necessary defence of motorcycling requires resources and funding. To repeat, if you enjoy your motorcycling, whatever the flavour, and wish it to continue as an acceptable pursuit and transport JOIN MAG, or some other representative group, NOW !

Finally, Sidelines this time around reproduces an online item by a passionate advocate for cycling in the USA. Strong stuff, even perhaps a little over the top in proposing that four automobiles have become, too safe, too comfortable, yet too dangerous . . . . for others. It certainly echoes the views of some folk in the motorcycle world. Wasn't it Phil Vincent, he of the famous classic vee twins (and an equally legendary single), who siad that motorcars should have a large, uncovered spike in the centre of the steering wheel ! This would condition

drivers to take just a little more care for the safety of others by constantly making them aware of their own mortality.

SidecarJohn 5

How Much Can You Pack in a Sidecar ?

The requirement to carry “stuff” on leisure trips varies according to what counts as essential, necessary, or a luxury. At the same time it does depend on individual views of exactly what is seen as essential right through to a maybe. Ultimately, the approach is determined by proposed activity, duration of trip, places visited, and as appropriate accomodation mode. Circumstances and preferences vary as does finance.

However, it's also down to what might be called “social expectancy” , i.e. your personal sensitivity to what others expect and your willingness to oblige. Arriving at a like minded buddy's house in jeans, jacket and carrying a helmet might work, but not go down too well when arriving at the home of a passionate “non believer” in the black art of motorcycling.

How you travel is influential, none more so than when using personal transport. Communal ways of travel such as by air have predetermined limitations such as luggage size and weight.

These vary dependent on the airline company. Short haul budget ones are more restrictive as they concentrate on fast turnaround to increase profitability. Long haul operators have more generous allowances, around 22 Kg per passenger, yet with flexibility to charge for extra.

As an aside, in these days of concerns about the environment and fossil fuel use. Laws of physics, especially for take off, dictate air travel fuel consumption is influnced by weight, so it's perhaps reasonable to charge for extra luggage. Should this also be a factor when considering passenger weights ? Perhaps fares would be best based on the combined weight of passenger and their luggage. A debatable proposal, although research and reports have considered this very issue.

What to carry on a holiday road trip is a serious consideration when using a motorcycle. Even if hotels, or other forms of static accomodation are used, a powered two wheeler has limited capacity. Even motorcycles designed with touring in mind – panniers, top box, plus carrier racks, require a degree of planning including self discipline. It can be said that's where a sidecar comes in handy. Some might say, much more than handy.

Obviously, when comparing even a sidecar outfit with the capacity of an old style Volvo estate car with the added luggage space of a roof mounted box, plus a large container behind, sorry double axle caravan, a sidecar outfit is clearly limited.

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Before you ask, this describes a behemoth of personal transport seen on a Luxembourg camp site a few years back. There seemed to be more stuff than some folk have in their house.

Equally fascinating is that this middle aged English couple had no children, other adults, stowaways, dogs, or any exotic pets for company. Two adults simply on holiday with a home back in England !

Not quite the Luxembourg example, but there still remains a sense of “stuff� beyond the essential, even without the roof top box.

Our first serious involvement with the sidecars, not the temporary winter efforts of the early 1970s, were slightly predictable in utilising the available capacity. For holidays the Palma sidecar and the motorcycle easily accommodated our clothing, personal stuff, and camping equipment, as well as SidecarPat. Almost remarkably, that first holiday venture to the Isle of Man involved a small frame tent with heavy canvas and steel poles, as well as cooking equipment, chairs, bulky sleeping bags, etc.

When our daughter became part of the travelling road show, she sat in the rear of the Palma, so camping gear, pushchair (stroller), etc. required a small trailer. Same tent and other equipment, but now expanded by the needs of a one year old. The trailer continued to serve as we graduated to the Honda 750 four, plus Palma, and eventually with a young son involved.

At this point in time our sidecar outfit was family transport, and used throughout the year.

Our first European venture in 1977, we two plus daughter, was something of a grand tour and the trailer was temporarily discarded. We bought a secnd hand a small igloo style tent. Some improvisation was necessary to be able to carry all our requirements. A key factor was that SidecarPat was around 6 months pregnant. She travelled in the Palma along with young Melanie. The first part of our journey involved two rather damp nights camping at Stratford on Avon, where our first night identified that the tent leaked. Plastic sheet purchased as a souvenir of our stay in ye olde home town of the Bard, William Shakespeare. He was apparently on holiday elsewhere escaping the August rain.

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The next leg of our tour saw us near Bristol for the International Honda Owners Club Rally for three nights. Thankfully, sunny and warm, so no need for platic sheet. Highlight being the Best Special Award for the only sidecar outfit. Then on to Margate for two nights prior to crossing the English Channel on the Hovercraft service out of Ramsgate to Calais. Quick, but noisy.

Following an overnight camp in a small, never noted village in northern France, we set off for our destination. The most specific memory is that our route out of France was hardly easy. Ignorance of the region and routes, and only armed with simple maps, meant something of a tortuous route on country roads. Standard forks, 16 inch wheels, plus riding on the “wrong� side of the road didn't help. The outcome was a longer than expected journey. We eventually arrived at our destination in Flanders on a dull Thursday evening, but fortunately welcomed by the only other folk then on site, the Cullen family from Birmingham. The start of a memorable friendship, although the image above suggests Mr Cullen was not at all impressed with my packing.

A trip to Luxembourg with the Cullens in 1978 with the 4 year old daughter and 9 month old son did see us use the trailer. Can you believe feeding bottle and steriliser unit for the little guy. We followed up the next year by visiting Sweden for the first of several Jumbo Runs in various locations of the country.

The was the year when circumstances led to abandonment of the trailer for any future European excursions.

The above wass the Honda 750 still overwhelmed by luggage and there's also a trailer behind, plus not forgetting the two children inside the Palma sidecar. The oldest in the front couldn't see anyway without anything on the front carrier, so please no reference to child services !

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We already accepted the trailer could mean additional cost on cross Channel ferries. I say “could” because it might arise that the sidecar outfit “somehow” had a solo motorcycle ticket, and the sidecar and trailer might be “somehow” ignored. Those involved in loading ferries tended to be easy going about such things. Something of a lottery, but the financial benefit wasn't to be sneezed at with our limited budgets.

Anyhow, on our return from Sweden we chose the three hour ferry from Gothenburg to Fredrickshavn in northern Denmark. The ride on tariff meant the bike and sidecar, plus the children travelled free with only we two paying a small sum. However, the trailer was charged at more than our two adult fares combined. Whilst the total was still not unreasonable by any means, this led to a rethink about our whole approach to travel and camping.

Crucially, exposure to European and UK motorcycle and sidecar camping events raised an awareness of more alternatives in respect of camping equipment. Our established double burner stove, large gas cylinder, erectable camp kitchen, a large Tilley lamp, etc. meant bulk and weight. Eliminating the trailer from the equation required changes of equipment, plus some innovation. That ferry in 1978 from Sweden to Denmark was a turning point that influenced our approach from then on.

Over the years we have changed tents, although rarely for equipment failures. The prevalent reasons have been the transition from a family of four; the effective reduction to three as our daughter reached adulthood; then the son moving on; inevitable allowances for our advancing years (prefer to be able to stand upright in a tent); plus more recently accommodating a third party in the shape of our grandson.

Another consideration is changing our sidecar outfits. The old camping trailer was towed by our best forgotten Ural, and the much more exceptional Honda CB750. The Honda then dealt with our gradual change away from the trailer to lighter, more compact equipment and the parallel discipline with such things as clothing.

The new situation easily translated to the first BMW R100 airhead twin followed by the much longer term GL1100 Goldwing with our much modfied sidecar.The amount of items that could be loaded, yet permit the two children to travel in some comfort over many miles was recorded for posterity. Perhaps because sometimes even we didn't believe it !

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The most signficant issue was the younger family members growing, which led to producing a wider version of our Magnum sidecar. This was short lived due to our daughter moving on to her own interests and relationships. However, always worth repeating that the Wing and wide Magnum took us on a near 4000 miles trip through Europe as far as central Italy. Four weeks camping, two adults, the 12 year old son, and daughter who spent her 16 th birthday in Venice !

The second airhead came on the scene and continued to satisfy our wanderlust in the UK and Europe, initially with our son until he moved on with his diversions. Equipment wasn't just about carrying, but also the ease with which we could set up, and decamp. Crucial if wishing to relax, socialise and enjoy wherever we might visit. As cab be seen above the old Beemer easily dealt with two on the bike and mid teens James in the sidecar. No, he didn't remain standing when on the move.

In recent years our camping equipment has remained virtually unchanged. The methodology for cooking still relies on a single Colemans petrol stove, although “eating out” is now more on the agenda. We can still cook, although the stove is generally confined to boiling water for beverages and ever present starter to the day – porridge. More ambitious culinary endeavours are still possible if required.

The biggest factor for us is having a tent that allows standing up. It's an age thing, although there's still a degree of crawling around. Sleeping comfort is ensured by good sleeping “pods” (more room as well as warm), plus a self inflating airbed. The latter quite bulky when packed and, but hardly matters as we both ride on the bike with the sidecar becoming a giant pannier.

Despite the recognised denials of the camping lark it's still possible to have a fair degree of self contained comfort.

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As the areas full service dealership, we can service and repair most makes and models. See the latest ATV, scooter, motorcycles, and utility vehicles from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph in our online showroom.

If you need any aftermarket gear, like a new jacket or helmet, save time and money with our online store. We also have a large parts section, so if you need anything for your motorcycle, atv, scooter, utv view our online parts store for blue prints, parts, and more.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call us or email us via our website. http://www.apexsportsinc.com If you contact Apex Sports for information, or to make a purchase, please acknowledge Sidecars On Line.

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Some “Nails” I have Owned The first motorcycle I ever owned was an Excelsior Talisman Twin. This was the first in a long line of old nails that passed through my hands. Some were better than this, many weren’t.

This little machine was bought from one of my biking friends, Roy. It had dropped bars and a wooden mock up of a racing seat. When it was a runner, it had a reasonable turn of speed. But mostly it only ran on one cylinder. This was because the crank, which was a built up arrangement, kept on breaking the woodruff key that kept it all together. In hindsight, I suppose that it was the taper that kept the crank together that was at fault. The woodruff key was just to get the correct alignment. After the third engine rebuild Roy gave me back the £15 I had paid him for it. For a short while I was bikeless. I had to rely on Alan, who had a Triumph Speed Twin, sprung hub type, to lug me around.

Soon however, with a loan from a “favourite uncle”, I was the proud owner of a Royal Enfield Crusader. This great little motorcycle served me well for nearly three years. The end for this bike came at the end of 1963, New Years Eve to be exact. A car pulled out in front of me as I was riding to work. Concussed and minus three teeth to go with a badly split lip, I signed myself out of hospital. The Enfield faired worse. Bent forks, bent frame and a crack in the crankcase, meant that this bike had had it’s day. But wait, with a new set of forks and if I replaced all of the parts that I had taken off in order to lighten the bike, i.e. headlamp nacelle, tool boxes.

This bike may make it back onto the road. So, that was the plan.

In the meantime while I was waiting for new fork legs, Roy once again came to the rescue.

He loaned me a Royal Enfield Flying Flea. This was a real nail.

It had a single saddle with loose cover, minimal lights, bulb horn and a hand change gearbox. The ignition was so far worn that it was possible to get the engine to run backwards. We had loads of fun riding this backwards around the underground bike park where we worked.

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With the arrival of the fork legs, I re-assembled the Crusader with all of the factory parts. It looked great. Nothing wrong with it ?? But I knew otherwise. It had to go.

So, early in March saw me at the local “Wragg’s” motorcycle emporium getting an exchange deal done on a brand new Honda CB 250 Sports. All black & chrome. It was a beauty. Come the end of June, after a disastrous trip to the “T.T.” the Honda had to go. It was extremely fast, but it didn’t handle.

I had my eye on a Norton Dominator 500 SS This was a very nice bike, it had been to Bracebridge Street, where the crank had been balanced. This made for a very smooth engine. I paid £95 for this bike. It served me well for a few years, including trips to the TT and our “honeymoon” trip to Wales. A sidecar was fitted for this trip.

All I have written about so far, I have told in previous “Odysseys”. One month after my marriage to Ann in 1966, we moved into the house where we still live. This is when I started to collect all kinds of motorcycles and various parts of them.

I do remember buying a Matchless 500 twin. I cannot recollect what year the bike was, but it did have “jampot” suspension, so it must have been mid 50’s at least. I paid the princely sum of £2 for it. Yes, TWO pounds. The engine would run, but there was no power at all. With my meagre knowledge of Matchless motorcycles, I quickly passed this bike on. I didn’t do badly though. The new owner paid me £8.00 for it. I never saw the bike again, so I wouldn’t know if it was made into a good one.

I then acquired a Villiers in semi trials trim. This had a 197cc engine. Once again the engine was a real mess. No compression, no exhaust, no mudguards.

Again this machine got it’s marching orders. I gave this away. Then along came a pair of engines. A Royal Enfield 500 twin and a Triumph Tiger 70 (illustrated). Both of these had big end problems. I actually got hard cash for these when they departed.

This gathering of useless bits of motorcycles came to an end when I came across an ex army 350 matchless. This was a runner. I could use this one. Alas, it was stolen, never to be seen again. I must add, the house where I was living and still do, is a terraced house, no front garden and limited access to the rear, Very hard to get any kind of motorcycle round there in order to work on.

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I vowed never to buy any more junk again. This vow soon ended when I was offered a Norton 19S with Hillsborough sidecar for £8. I had loads of fun with this rig. I just loved the big single. It pulled the heavy sidecar with no trouble at all. I was still running my 600 Dommie, so just swapping the number plate around was the way to go. Eventually the sidecar was taken off and sold for a fiver. The big single was used daily for 3 or 4 months. I sold this bike for £10 after having my arm twisted.

All of that activity happened in the 1960’s. Now with a baby daughter, I had other considerations, My back garden had to stop looking like a scrap yard.

Now into the early 70’s. I do recall having a Royal Enfield 700c.c. Constellation with a double adult chair fitted. This was used to attend the 1970 T.T. races. All I can recall of that episode is that the rear wheel spokes couldn’t stand the strain. So, most of the week in the Island was spent rebuilding the wheel. Good friends Dave and Pearl kindly ferried us around in their Ford Granada. The Enfield rig also took us to a couple of rallies. I parted with this outfit in order to buy my first car. I still can’t believe it. What a load of rubbish that was.

Later on, I was working on the North Sea gas conversion contract, which lasted until 1974.

During this time, I unearthed a Norton 650 SS. I paid £60 for this basket case and I finally got it put together in time for the T.T. races in 1978.

In 1974 I was employed by good old “British Rail”. My job was as a guard on the freight trains.

Lots of work was to and from the steelworks and also into various metal recycling business’. (scrapyards). Sometimes, while waiting for wagons to be loaded etc, I had time to wander round the yards. Here I realised was a great place to pick up useful bits and pieces. Things like a complete Honda 125, Norton Dommie engine and gearbox, Dunlop WM2 alloy rim, Panther chassis complete with wheel and mudguard.

The Honda I tarted up and sold for £75. The Norton parts were used for spares. The Dunlop rim and the Panther chassis were advertised in the Motorcycle News. A punter came all the way up from Cardiff to part with £25 for the rim, and a pest control worker on his way home to the North East from Gloucester made room for the Panther chassis in his van. This too made £25.

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At the scrap yard, I would put these parts to one side, then on my way home from work I would put all these parts into my sidecar, at that time a double adult. Even the little Honda went in without too much trouble. I had to wheel the Panther chassis home. This was a real pain, as I had to balance the chassis by putting the large front fitting on my shoulder and wheeling it along on one wheel. 2 miles like this. This must have been in the early 80’s as I had to pass a local steel works on the way home. The steelworkers were at that time on strike. Pickets were on duty at the entrance, as I passed by they all started laughing and jeering. I didn’t care, I was going to make some hard cash from my endeavours.

In the mid 70’s I bought my Moto Morini for a penny less than £100. This was via a workmate on the railway. The Morini is still an on-going saga ! Also, I heard via a workmate of a B.S.A. that was rusting away in a back garden somewhere in Rotherham. It took months for me to get enough info off him to be able to locate just where it was.

Eventually I knocked upon this door. I had visions of maybe, a Gold Star, or a 650 Rocket maybe. The chap that answered the door, told me that it was a “Blue Star”. I had never heard of this model. He assured me that it was the sports bike of it’s day. He took me to the coal shed. There it was, just an engine covered in coal dust. What a disappointment. Nevertheless I paid him the £10 he wanted. I loaded up the car I was driving at the time. ( My uncle’s car, he was away in Canada). The bits and pieces comprised of; 1 complete single cylinder 500c.c.engine, spare barrel and piston, pair of high level exhaust pipes, 2 gearboxes - 1 with footchange conversion. He even threw in a Villiers engine. The frame and forks were doing sterling service in supporting the hedge, so I left them there.

On the way home I visited “Scott Road” where I offloaded the Villiers engine for 2 quid. ( Scott Road was just a big house in the middle of a housing estate where 2 brothers ran a gold mine of a backstreet motorcycle business.) This is worthy of a tale on it’s own.

The “Blue Star” engine was examined and found to be in real good condition, once the coal dust had been cleaned off. The crank was perfect and turned easily. Even a little shine was showing on the exhausts. So, it was all boxed up until I decided what to do with it.

Then, as I was perusing the pages of the Motorcycle News, there it was. Somebody was actually advertising for a carburettor for a “Blue Star”. Immediately I rummaged in the box of spares and found the item with just one letter different at the end of the serial number. Straight away I phoned the number. It was an Essex number. The chap on the other end of the line was overjoyed. “Do you have any other bits ?”, says he. You bet I did. I told him £50 and they are yours. He couldn’t wait to drive up for them.

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When he arrived, he had on a navy blue blazer with the BSA crest on the pocket, pale grey slacks and a car full of wife, 2 kids and holiday gear. They were off to South Wales, via My house. How keen can you get ?. Keen indeed. He stowed the scruffy box of engine bits into the back of his Ford Granada estate. He then insisted on me taking him to the house in Rotherham to inspect the rest of the BSA. It was just like an archaeological dig. There he was in his smart slacks, digging away in the grass looking for any bits that might have escaped. The frame was completely rusted away, but the forks and front down tube were salvaged, as were bits of chain and gear linkage. He was highly delighted, so much so that he gave the man £20. I then realised that he’d had a real bargain from me. This didn’t bother me in the least. I knew that he was a real enthusiast. After being fed and watered by my Missus, they went on their way, car down on it’s springs, he with dirty knees.

Into the mid 80’s, I now had a rented lock up garage. Once I counted 10 motorcycles in there.

Where they all came from now escapes me. Among them were a couple of rather decent bikes. A Honda CG 125, for which I paid £10. This was a none runner and scruffy. This wanted no more than a good fettle, oil change , new plug etc. I sold this for £135. I was turning into a right old “Arthur Daly”.

The other good bike was a 50c.c. Fantic. This looked great, all blue & chrome with mag style wheels, duplex frame and a six speed gearbox. I forget how much I paid for this one, but a buyer couldn’t wait to give me £150 for it. “Lovely Jubbly”.

One bike I had forgotten about, was a Honda 90 X reg. I came across the purchase and sale of this when I was looking through a notebook while researching this story.

Purchase price = £50. Sold for £185 I did have to buy bits to make it a good runner. This was typical.

Ignition switch - £10; Exhaust - £20; battery, inner tube, headlight, tail and speedo bulbs and spark plug - £17; Then Tax = £10. Test = £7.40 Total spend = £114.40 Profit on sale £70.60

I came across a Honda RSA 250 for £50. I kept this bike and rode it for quite a few years. Many camping trips, loaded up to the hilt, it never complained. The Honda kept company with a Honda 70 step through. This was my go to work machine. Also the one I had an argument with a train. (read Sidecars On Line 15).

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I do remember being given a Yamaha 80 step through. This had broken down in the middle of Sheffield. All I had to do was to collect it. Easy peasy ? Oh no. The Yamaha was leaning against a building directly outside the “Crucible” theatre. It looked OK until on closer inspection it was found to have a collapsed /rusted swinging arm. Nevertheless, into the back of my van it went.

It looked for the entire world that I was stealing the bike. No one challenged me, which was a relief. I rebuilt the swinging arm, and put the bike back on the road. This made a great little runner. The engine just purred. The chap that I sold this to used it until his retirement from work.

Whilst visiting a friend of mine, only a stones throw away from home, I noticed a black lump sticking up out of the long grass of a neighbour’s house. On investigation this lump turned out to be a complete Honda CB 750 F2 engine. A knock on the door, and the lady there tells me to take the lot. Her erstwhile son had taken off somewhere. The frame, saddle and wheels were slowly rusting in the cellar. Once again I was in luck. This engine gave me plenty of good spares.

After this episode, things definitely slowed somewhat. Then in the late 80’s a good friend of mine, told me of a sidecar combination that was standing gathering muck and rust. I went to investigate. There it was outside of the house, not a covering on it in any guise. It was a Yamaha 500 twin with a Squire single seat sidecar. The hood had gone green with mould, otherwise it was complete.

I soon returned with a couple of hundred quid in my pocket. I didn’t take a penny extra, which was to be my limit. Upon knocking on the door, the lady of the house answered the door. After stating what I had come for, and how much I was offering, the husband sniffing some ready cash, came to the door. He tried to up the anti, by saying he planned to refurbish the rig. But the wife stepped in saying, “ That’s all rubbish, give me the £200 and it’s yours”. The day after, I picked it up in a van. The sidecar was sold for £250. The Yamaha I kept for the rest of that year. It even took the wife and me to the 1991 Manx Grand Prix. The Yamaha was a good runner, but it nearly caused the death of us both.

En route to Liverpool for the 20.00 sailing to Douglas, we had rode via the M56 and then on to the M6 for a short stretch, then on to the M62 to Liverpool. Whilst on the M62, roadworks on the outside lane meant that all traffic was moved over. That meant that the hard shoulder was effectively the slow lane with no hard shoulder. We were running with the heavy traffic, about 55 mph. in the middle lane. Suddenly the rear tyre blew. Ann on pillion grabbed me tight. A split second decision had to be made. There was just a cars length space to the outside of us. I dove into the gap and then skittled a traffic cone out of the way as I made for the coned off section.

Lots of sounding of horns ensued, but we were in the safety of the cones. The river of traffic carried on just as though nothing had happened. Loaded up as we were, we were lucky that we made it.

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For once I had a spare tube in my kit. All the tools except a pump. What to do ? I proceeded to replace the tube. All of the time there was the endless flow of traffic. New tube in, loaded back up. Just wait now until something happened. Remember this was 1995, no cell phone in my pocket.

Then a police car stopped at the far side of the motorway. I was frantically moving my arms in a pumping gesture. “Honestly constable I was not calling you a w----r”. He then dashed across the traffic to tell me that a recovery truck was coming to take us off the motorway. The truck arrived, being skilfully manoeuvred from the nearside lane across the traffic until it was our side of the cones. The driver then reversed up to us, loaded us onto the truck, then away to take us off the motorway.

The recovery truck drivers remit was to take us off the motorway only. Upon hearing our story, he took us to the compound where there was an air line. This did the job fine. We then carried on to Liverpool. We arrived at the landing stage just in time to see the Manx ferry disappearing down the Mersey. We had missed the boat by about 10 minutes. After telling of our woes at the ticket office, it was understood that we could use the tickets the next day up at Heysham. We rode up to Morecambe, where we stayed the night. Sailing from Heysham the next day.

Much later, I read a road test of the Yamaha. In the report it stated that the way the bike was balanced, gave too much weight on the rear of the bike. Resulting in extreme tyre wear. It made me think, had I overloaded the Yamaha with wife and a weeks luggage ? I’ll never know.

The Yamaha was soon on it’s way. Another nail gone., but I was £350 in pocket.

In my possession, I had a “Rickman” swinging arm. Where I got it from escapes me. What didn’t escape me was the offer I had, to do a swap for a Ducati 125. This was too good to refuse. So I became the owner of my second Italian motorcycle.This was a basket case. Not to worry, I still had the best of the bargain. I did hear the engine run before I closed the deal.

What I didn’t know, was the fact that the forks were off a much later model and any parts for this motorcycle, a TV (Turismo Veloce) model, were almost impossible to get.

I never did get around to doing anything with this tiny bike. I eventually sold it for £100.

I do hope the guy that took it on has made a good bike out of it. Was this a nail ? I suppose that if I had the enthusiasm and cash to renovate this bike, it would have been a great attraction at local shows.

So, that’s about it. Plenty of nails in there.

Also quite a few decent bikes. No doubt I will remember more when this has been published.

The Norton 19-S is the one I wish that I had kept.

Oscar 18

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 19

A Grand Sidecar Day Out The Covid19 lockdown has brought a significant change to everyone's lives. Clearly for some significant tragedy. Of course, the denials and dramatic changes to routines and normal activity are a common thread for many. On the other hand, some may have hardly noticed much of a change because they might live within four walls with little thought of an outside existence. This state of affairs may be from choice, or inflicted by circumstances.

Motorcycling can be interpreted in different ways. An interest, a sport, an activity, an obsession, even a way of life. In dictionary terms “motorcycle” is primarily a verb, but it is also a verb. The extremes of these two grammatical options can, and sometimes do culminate in possibly owning a motorcycle, but not actually riding the thing(s). Yet, either way thses things called motorcycles can promote much more than mere “interest”.

In our particular case the motorcycle thing, with nor without sidecars, is a mixture of obsession and a way of life. There are other interests, but the motorcycle emphasis is well established. It has brought us into positive, cherished contact with like minded folk throughout the UK and around the world. We are members of a broad church community.

Indeed, maybe if motorcycling was a religion the world might be a better place.

So, how has this coronavirus impacted on our lives. Beyond the family involvement and seeing grandchildren, in itself difficult enough, the social loss is quite dramatic. The first of three big Motorcycle Action Group rallies soon bit the dust in early May. The Farmyard Party in mid June has been tentatively rescheduled for late September, and the August Yorkshire Pudding rally could be seen as speculative. In addition to these already booked rallies other regulars have been cancelled. Our own Easter sidecar rally already sunk, and other favourites no longer to be eagerly anticipated.

The overwhelming factor is that the normal anticipation, planning, and desire to meet up with familiar, even new friends, has simply disappeared. Looking forward to all these traditionally provides warm thoughts at less than inspiring times such as dark, wet, winter days and nights.

On top of all this is the opportunity to gather more pleasant memories, experiences, and enjoyment.

The cancellation of the 50th Belgian Jumbo Run in late August, a very special event for all concerned. For us this was to be our 37 th attendance, and maybe even a finale for ourselves.

However, at least there now remains an incentive to attend in 2021.

The last significant ride we took on the Vmax outfit was in late December for the South Yorkshire Sidecar Club's Christmas Cobweb run. Good weather and good company as can be expected. However, ongoing health matters and poor winter weather saw the outfit take up residence in the garage.

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Things changed a little when the car suffered some electronic woes and was suddenly out of action. This coinciding with the Covid19 lockdown. The once weekly shopping trip to a store barely three miles from home meant recalling the Yamaha from its slumbers. The bonus of good weather did mean the six mile round trip to the supermarket was extended slightly.

These rides identified the need for some maintenance such as attention to brakes and clutch hydraulics, so some additional benefits beyond the mundane requirements of food, etc.

However, we did manage to avoid the temptation of taking more extensive rides. That is until mutterings within the sidecar club, prompted by eased lockdown conditions, brought about a ride to meet up with other club members. All, of course respecting “social distancing” guidance.

In a nutshell, a great day with around twenty folk in response to the invite by our esteemed club chairman, our venerable contributer, Oscar. Our ride totalled 120 miles for the round trip, taking different routes for the outward and return. Some traffic made up of essential transport vehciles, plus cars probably indicating others were escaping the constraints of this unparalelled period.

If you must ask - Oscar, Pat, Sue, Alf, and Phil at the Green Hut Café, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire (Social distancing in action)

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If you contact Global Motorbike Tours for information, please acknowledge Sidecars On Line.

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“What Will MAG Do for Us ?” - 12 Despite the history making lockdown of society due to the worldwide virus, Covid19, the work of MAG continues in maintaining and defending the freedoms of UK motorcyclists. After somethimng of a lull following a national election, politics in the UK has returned to a somewhat chaotic state, nothing new some might say. However, ever cautious of opportunistic burewaucracy, MAG representatives remain diligent and proactive in communicating with those of influence to ensure that undesirable rules, regulations, and directives don't continue to “sneek under the radar”.

A prime example of MAG's ongoing involvement is that concerning Oxfordshire County Council. Whilst concerned with a single county, motorcyclists everywhere need to realise that the ideas, sentiments, and proposals of those who control our lives can have serious consequences. For sure, the example below illustrate that determined, professional effort can achieve progress despite bureacratic, ignorant bias against motorcycling.

17th April 2020 - MAG exposes ‘blatant anti-motorcycle bias’ in Oxfordshire County Council.

The Motorcycle Action Group has formally requested that Oxfordshire County Council withdraw part of its Local Transport and Connectivity Plan documentation after discovering ‘jaw-droppingly inappropriate’ accusations against bikers in their document.

In an email communication dated 8th April 2020, MAG formally requested that the Council urgently withdraw what it described as a “highly biased and inaccurate document”. The document in question, entitled “Connectivity: Motorcycles” is one of 28 documents published on the Council’s consultations website as part of what is described as an engagement activity of Oxfordshire County Council's Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. The Council state that they would like survey responses before the full consultation of the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, which will be out later this year. The Council will use the responses to the engagement to inform the content on the consultation.

MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, met Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment at Oxfordshire County Council, along with Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Transport at Oxford City Council, in November 2019. This meeting was facilitated by Councillor John Broad of Cherwell District Council. Cllr Broad is a MAG member and regularly corresponds with Colin. At the meeting Colin and Cllr Broad were able to present MAG’s Pathways for Progress document which lays out a sensible and balanced view of motorcycling and how the transport mode can be better integrated into transport policy.

Colin Brown commented “Despite a somewhat terse opening from Cllr Constance, I felt that the meeting went well and the points we made were generally welcomed and found to be of value.

This makes the blatant anti-motorcycle bias displayed in the consultation document hard to understand. For the Council to allow a document to be published in its name that accuses motorcyclists of being a ‘danger to themselves’ and alludes to ‘places showing drops in collisions once motorised two wheelers have been banned’ is jaw-droppingly inappropriate The document even goes as far as to state MAG’s position that motorcycles are the most sustainable form of private motorised transport and then immediately claim that ‘This is not the same as being sustainable’. They may as well have just said ‘MAG has a position, but we don’t agree and nor should you’.”

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MAG asked Cllr John Broad to give his opinion on the document. He said: “Having noted that the previous Local Transport Plan 4 only had one mention of motorcycling and that was the accident rate I was determined not to let the same happen to the new Plan 5. The intention of the final document is to produce plans and policies to integrate all forms of transport around Oxfordshire.

The other sections of this early document do attempt to debate how this can be achieved for each subject but the Motorcycling Section 28 is just a blatant attempt to ban these vehicles from the roads! During our discussions with the Councillors and Officers I pointed out how cycling is morphing into motorcycling via e-bikes and small commuter bikes and how these can resolve many of the issues around congestion and parking with new electric motorcycles coming onto the market to reduce pollution. Safety should be part of the road infrastructure by design and not by trying to ignore any recognised form of transport. It is extremely disappointing that after such a positive start in discussing motorcycling that some Councillors and Officers have attempted to use the County Transport Plan to try to un-invent this long-established transport system of Powered Two Wheelers”.

MAG’s President, Ian Mutch, described the document as “amateurish” whilst MAG Director, Ian Churchlow, commented “I've seen some biased papers on motorcycling before but this one is right out there” MAG has received many comments from members and a response from a senior Oxford City Councillor who has expressed his shock at how the motorcycle section has been written.

MAG asked Oxfordshire County Council for comment, and we received the following statement: ‘I thank the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) for raising comments on the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan Motorcycle Topic paper. I am sorry that they feel that it is biased in its outlook as this was not the intention but accept that it was construed this way. This paper is one of the papers on different aspects of transport and set out to give a relatively short overview of motorcycle matters in Oxfordshire today. The paper included information on levels of motorcycle usage, highlighted some of the likely benefits and disbenefits of motorcycling, as well as using some information and data to provide context.

The overall goal of the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan engagement survey is not to set out firm positions on transport but to welcome the views of residents.

I’m aware that MAG has asked for further detail on the data referenced in the paper, particularly that on accidents, and I have asked officers to get back to them on this as soon as possible. I also look forward to receiving the full MAG response to this engagement exercise, which I’m sure will help us develop our Local Transport and Connectivity Plan and its policies, including those related to motorcycling, over the comingyear.’

MAG encourages all motorcyclists to take a look at the Oxfordshire County Council document for themselves, draw their own conclusions and then respond. Colin said: “On their website the Council point out that ‘any inappropriate or offensive language will not be considered acceptable, and your response will not be submitted’ – strangely this is the only consultation with that warning.

The document asks ‘what do you think?’ I hope that all bikers will take the time to politely let this Council know that they will not accept this kind of bias”.

MAG stands ready to work with Oxfordshire County Council, to help it develop a transport policy position that makes the most of all transport options. But MAG will vigorously defend motorcycling against all poorly informed bias.

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29th April 2020 - Motorcycle groups develop a united response to Oxfordshire County Council’s anti-motorcycle bias.

Many Oxfordshire motorcyclists already know that Oxfordshire County Council is conducting a survey regarding its future Local Transport and Connectivity Plan 5 and asks for responses to 28 papers on various aspects of the plan.

The 28th paper discusses motorcycling and appears almost as an afterthought, created only after Cherwell District Councillor John Broad raised issue with a lack of content relevant to motorcycles in the previous strategy document. The original version of the topic paper was so biased that Oxfordshire County Council revised it after significant pressure from Cllr Broad, motorcycle lobby groups and many local motorcyclists. The revised document still shows bias and misinformation, and none of the other topic papers even mention motorcycles.

Motorcyclists will be happy to know that, yesterday, representatives of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) , the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) and Councillor John Broad (a member of both the BMF and MAG) got together in a “virtual meeting” to discuss the survey. We will be working together to ensure that we can each provide a constructive response to the survey. We also aim to keep motorcyclists informed in order that they may provide their own responses.

For the BMF, Anna Zee said "We cannot allow Oxfordshire County Council to create a transport plan which completely ignores a legitimate mode of transport."

Speaking for MAG, Colin Brown said “There is no need for lobby groups to explain the bias: any motorcyclist will be able to see it for themselves by simply reading the document. We urge all riders, whether they live in Oxfordshire or ride through it, to respond to the survey.”

The TRF said “Oxfordshire County Council currently seeks to deliver a ‘lack of transport plan’, which fails to protect the public interest. The Council has adopted an exclusive approach that focuses solely on a small proportion of the public whose transport needs are predominantly met by public transport, cycling and walking. The interests of those few are being championed to the disadvantage of the majority, whose transport needs are being treated with callous disregard.

The Trail Riders Fellowship urges those who travel to, from, and within Oxfordshire to respond to the survey and demand that the Council stop bullying motorcyclists.”

Councillor John Broad said “I thought it excellent that motorcycling would be included as part of the county-wide transport strategy up to 2050, as the previous version only had one mention and that was the accident rate. When this document was released, I was appalled that the section on motorcycling had not been dealt with in a similar manner to the rest of the sections, showing a biased attempt to ban motorcycling from the County. The document does not achieve the objective of integrating all forms of transport and does nothing to look towards the future of transport in the County.”

We are asking other motorcycling bodies, businesses, clubs and individual riders to join us in lobbying Oxfordshire County Council to recognise the benefits of motorcycling, and develop a transport strategy that supports and provides for all legitimate transport modes.

The documentation and survey can be found at https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/ltcp.engagement/consultationHome

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6th May 2020 - MAG urges Government: 'Do not overlook motorcycles in plans to ease lockdown’ The Motorcycle Action Group has criticised the omission of motorcycles in indications of Government thinking around transport in the transition from lockdown back to normality. Claiming that the “New Normal” may not be anything like that proposed by many lobby groups, MAG calls for clearer thinking.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has suggested that encouraging people to commute by bicycle will be a key part of proposals for transport as travel restrictions for the pandemic lockdown are eased; however, motorcycles are not mentioned. Zealous cycle lobbyists are naturally excited by this statement and seem to be suggesting that vast numbers will turn to cycling as their only mode of transport. London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has already announced his Streetspace Plan, which is intended to fast-track the transformation of London’s streets to enable millions more people to safely walk and cycle as part of their daily journeys.

Commenting on the media rush to suggest that cycling will be a substantial solution, MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: “The idea that cycling alone can replace all the transport needs of those who will be unable to commute by public transport is for the birds. The average cycle trip in 2018 was a mere 3.3 miles. Potentially, cycling could replace bus travel in London as the average trip was 3.7 miles but nationally, average local bus trips are 5.3 miles. The average trip on the London underground was 8.9 miles and on average surface rail trips are 30.9 miles. During lockdown, we have not all moved closer to our places of work. At an average trip distance of 13.4 miles, motorcycles can clearly replace far more public transport trips than cycling, whilst also offering congestion reduction benefits over cars.“ Colin went on to say: “Any action that improves the safety of cycling and walking is to be commended. However, the plight of motorcyclists must not be forgotten in this dash for cycling infrastructure. We have serious concerns that road space segregation and cycle safety measures often increase risks for motorcyclists: something we highlighted at the last City of London meeting prior to lockdown. We are vulnerable road users too. It is vital that MAG and motorcyclists are consulted on the many plans to accommodate cycling that are being rushed through without opportunity for comment and scrutiny from other road users.”

MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, said “Motorcyclists already wear a form of PPE as standard.

Motorcycles provide social distancing, flexibility and range that cycles don’t. There is no need to fast-track major changes to the roads infrastructure, though a few more authorities opening their bus lanes to motorcycles would be sensible. Leaving motorcycles out of plans to help the transport system to get going and the economy back on the road to recovery is an oversight of massive proportion.”

MAG Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Opik, said: “Motorbikes and scooters are self-evidently safer than bus and train travel when it comes to virus transmission. Motorcycling guarantees social distancing, with most being ‘PPE-ready’ the moment they get on their machine, in a way that those using trains and buses are not. It’s a ready-made solution, and the Government should rapidly highlight this to the millions of commuters looking for virus-resistant ways to travel.”

Tim Fawthrop, MAG London Regional Rep, said: 'I nearly lost my life to Covid, and consider myself fortunate to now be on the long road to recovery. Like many others, I am avoiding public transport, which is potentially where I picked up the virus initially. I plan to avoid all public transport for the foreseeable future. As soon as I have the strength, I will return to riding my motorcycle in accordance with whatever guidelines are in place at that time. Getting back on the bike and on the open road will lift my spirits and aid my recovery. I am saddened that the Government and London’s Mayor have not yet included motorcycles in their plans. As motorcyclists, we are aware of the benefits of our favourite form of transport and how they can support society in the fight against the effects of this horrendous virus. It is time for policy-makers to listen to us.'

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MAG has approached the Secretary of State for Transport and the London Mayor, and will continue to assertively lobby for a long overdue review by the Department for Transport of the missed opportunities and ignored benefits of motorcycles. MAG has long promoted motorcycles as the most sustainable form of private motorised transport and is now calling on all riders to contact their MPs and councillors, asking them to promote motorcycles as a vital part of any “new normal” transport system that emerges.

13th May 2020 - Transport Secretary: “motorcycles are enormously important” The Motorcycle Action Group welcomes a statement by the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, in support of using motorcycles.

MAG has praised the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, for recognising motorcycles in the UK transport mix. In response to a question by Julian Lewis – MP for New Forest East and member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Motorcycling - Mr Shapps agreed that motorbikes play a key role in delivering billions of commuting miles in the country.

In a House of Commons debate about Covid-19 on Tuesday, 12th May 2020, Mr Lewis asked: ‘As an alternative to using public transport during the crisis, what assessment has my Right Hon. Friend made of the desirability of ageing bikers like me once again using motorcycles for travelling to work, and will he be taking any steps to incentivise motorcycle usage as the lockdown is gradually eased?’

Mr Shapps replied: ‘Motorcycles are an enormously important way of getting around— 2.7 billion miles were travelled by motorcycle in 2018, the last year for which we have data. We are working on a number of projects, including sorting out potholes, which are a huge problem for people on motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles. I also encourage him—at whatever age—to adopt the electric motorbike.’

Chair of MAG, Selina Lavender, praised Mr Lewis and Mr Shapps: ‘MAG is very encouraged by this mature debate about the importance of motorcycles in the UK. We’ve repeatedly pointed out their value as a commuting mode of transport. Now Ministers advise the use of private instead of public transport, motorbikes are more important than ever. By law, bikers must wear a form of personal protective equipment, and riding keeps you at least two metres away from others almost all the time, in line with Covid-19 guidance. Having made these points to Parliament repeatedly, we’re delighted to see an MP share our view, and the Secretary of State for Transport recognising motorbikes in the transport mix.’ MAG continues to work with the authorities on clear guidance to the riding community.

The Parliamentary question and answer are available here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2020-05-12a.163.0&s=motorcycle#g171.4

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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 “Make Driving Dangerous Again” The title is not an original for this issue of Sidecars On Line. Indeed, there's no editorial input at all, save for this brief introduction. The following piece, “Make Driving Dangerous Again” appeared on outsideonline.com, authored by dedicated cycling enthusiast, Eben Weiss.

At the outset it should not be assumed that there is some unquestioning personal affinity with all those who choose to ride bicycles on public roads. Equally, there are serious misgivings about how some motorcycle riders choose to perform on public highways. Arrogant, unsafe, dangerous, and ignorant riding is not conducive to keeping public roads safe regardless of the whether the vehicle is powered by legs, or otherwise.

However, both cyclists and motorcyclists do have some things in common, notably there vulnerability to what they can control, i.e. other road vehicles. Cars, trucks, and vans present an ever present threat in no small way to how these vehicles are driven. That the technology of other vehicles has been changed over the years to enhance safety is in itself a good thing, but the downside is that drivers have correspondingly become oblivious to their own mortality and crucially the threat to others.

Eben Weiss' article has a closing punchline, which fundamentally refers to cycling, but the sentiments have broader appeal . . . “You know, . . . like a motorcycle”.

So, to Eben Weiss' sub heading . . . .

“Hot take ! Making cars more dangerous will make our roads safer.”

“We live in a safety-obsessed culture, something that becomes immediately apparent when you take your seat behind the wheel of a modern automobile. Seatbelts, airbags, ABS, backup cameras, lane-departure warning systems, automatic emergency braking... Today’s cars are way smarter than the horses that once pulled them.

Despite all this safety technology, road deaths are at a 10-year high, and cars (or, more accurately, their drivers) kill over 40,000 people per year. One reason for this is that we’re increasingly distracted by our phones—indeed, if you think about it, hitting a 10-year high about 10 years after the first iPhone came out sounds about right. Another reason for all the carnage is that, despite all these safety gew-gaws, the SUV is basically designed to kill people. See, because we’re so in love with oversized cars, the auto industry keeps churning out death machines. However, instead of selling them to the military along with tanks and fighter jets, they’re leasing them to us for $399 per month with $3,900 due at signing.

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SideLines Alas, while we may be safety-obsessed, we’re also common-sense-challenged. That’s why instead of confronting our giant-car addiction, we’re trying to put more high-tech safety crap on cyclists and pedestrians instead. We also keep trying to delude ourselves into believing that all this killing is suddenly going to disappear thanks to the self-driving car.

Sure, autonomous cars are unlikely to take over the roads anytime soon, but they’re already perhaps the greatest excuse for doing fuck-all that the world has ever seen. In the meantime, we just keep texting away and trusting that our bloated vehicles will protect us.

Fortunately, there’s another way to make our roads safer, and it doesn’t involve placing all our faith in an egomaniac with questionable management skills. (section censored due to potentially difficult political references – Ed.) It also doesn’t require some sort of futuristic technology that doesn’t exist yet. In fact, it doesn’t require any new technology at all. Best of all, the price of your next car will almost certainly come down dramatically.

All we’ve got to do is rip out all these damn features and creature comforts and Make the Automobile Dangerous Again.

The key here is reminding people that operating a motor vehicle actually requires a certain amount of concentration and skill, and the way to do that is to pare these machines down to the bare essentials. Think about it: When are you more engaged? When you’re on a bicycle, descending a mountain road on a contact patch the width of your thumb, with nothing between you and the tarmac but a thin layer of Lycra? Or when you’re in a 4,000-pound climate-controlled, sound-deadened, suspension-dampened Honda Pilot that’s essentially a 280-horsepower simulacrum of your living room sofa ?

Yes, flensing the bloated SUV like the whale carcass it is could very well be the key to safer roadways. The first feature we should remove is the automatic transmission. This would have the immediate effect of taking who knows how many millions of drivers off the road, thanks to the fact that most Americans now regard manual transmissions with the same bewilderment as they do rotary phones. (And the drivers who do know how to use a stick shift are probably more interested in driving and therefore better at it.) No doubt we’d also see a tremendous decrease in the number of senior citizens driving their cars into storefronts, since with a manual transmission you’ve got to make a concerted effort to put your car into reverse.

Those still determined to drive would eventually learn how to operate a manual transmission and purchase new cars—only next they’d find new cars no longer come standard with backup cameras. Or automatic emergency braking systems. Or Bluetooth connectivity. Or entertainment systems. Or even airbags or seatbelts. Nope, now you’ve got nothing to watch but the road. Oh sure, you can still look at your actual phone, but maybe now you’ll think twice about hitting something, as doing so would mean a guaranteed one-way trip through your windshield.

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SideLines Even after the complete de-Naderization of the automobile, many people still won’t think twice about driving—that is until there’s no more climate control. Hot outside? Well, guess what? Now it’s hot in the car too! No more sitting in an idling car for 45 minutes on a 90degree day, futzing with your phone while you pump more carbon emissions into the atmosphere. And maybe freezing your ass off in winter will help remind you that you’re not actually invincible in your SUV. Maybe that snotsicle hanging from your nose will help you remember that when it gets cold outside, the road gets icy. Maybe you’ll even start taking those blizzard warnings seriously instead of spending the night on the expressway because you thought your all-wheel drive was more powerful than nature.

Without all those extras to protect them in a crash, it’s only a matter of time before drivers start to realize that SUVs were a stupid idea. Cars will get smaller and so will their engines.

If all goes well, by 2030, we’ll all be driving 1960s roadsters with better reliability—and due to the lack of safety features, drivers will instead be pressured to wear motoring helmets.

With any luck, eventually those helmets will become mandatory, because nothing discourages people like helmet laws. In the end, driving will finally be the exclusive domain of a handful of enthusiasts, and tomorrow’s motorist will be no different than those people you see riding around on Can-Am Spyders today.

As for commuting, running errands, and generally getting things done, the vast majority of people will opt for a safe, efficient machine that makes sense. You know, like a bicycle.”

Editor Footnote Eben Weiss illustrates an affinity for powered two wheelers with a very recent response on a US public relations platform for public relations and journalists, namely “Muck Rack”.

“It's about bicycles because I write about bicycles. But I love scooters and motorcycles and agree they're a practical form of transportation too many people neglect. Yes to parking areas for them!”

https://www.outsideonline.com/ https://www.outsideonline.com/2198011/eben-weiss https://muckrack.com/

Not the most dramatic comparison, but won't the small one do the job ?

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