THE MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BIKERS WITH A DISABILITY THE LEADING DISABLED BIKERS SUPPORT GROUP IN THE WORLD
ISSUE 104: SPRING 2025
ISSUE 104
EDITED BY: Rick Hulse
PUBLISHERS:
Agrios Ltd, PO Box 75, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 3WF
TEL:
01484 400666
EMAIL: info@agrios.com
ADVERTISING SALES:
advertising@thenabd.org.uk
TEL: 0161 749 7050
All enquiries, correspondence and so on
The NABD Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre Robson Avenue Urmston Manchester M41 7TE
Telephone: 0161 749 7050
Email: office@thenabd.org.uk
Web: www.nabd.org.uk
Articles on varied relevant subjects for inclusion in Open House are always welcome from all members.
Email or post your articles to the contact details above.
Please enclose original photographs or digital images of good quality/size (750kb minimum) on a CD - please do not embed in word documents as we cannot use them. Also images printed on inkjet printers or using plain paper are of no use whatsoever so please don’t send them!
Submissions may be edited before publishing.
AN INTRODUCTION TO... THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BIKERS WITH A DISABILITY
The NABD was set up in April 1991 by a group of people in Manchester who believe that disabled people should have full access to the independence and freedom of motorcycling.
During the past thirty+ years, this unique Association has developed immensely.
The membership of the NABD has increased to over 11,000 individuals from all over Britain, Eire and Europe with well over 150 clubs, groups and businesses affiliating to show their support of our aims.
The NABD has many diverse aspects including:
Financial Grants
To assist with the cost of special adaption work to bikes and trikes to suit the individual requirements of disabled riders. These grants range from £500.00 to £2,000.00 dependant on the type of machine and the specific needs of the disabled rider.
NABD grants are also now available toward the costs of refresher training and assessments.
Assessments and Training
The NABD has a number of “learner legal” 125cc machines, which are adapted to suit various disabilities.
These machines are lent to disabled riders free of charge for the purposes of professional training / tests and rider assessments.
The NABD also offer financial help with the cost of refresher training for riders who have become disabled due to traumatic accidents or who have endured a protracted period of time off the road.
Insurance
The NABD has negotiated discount rates for members from some of the more reputable companies. Where an
individual has difficulty obtaining a reasonable quotation we will attempt to negotiate a satisfactory conclusion.
Bikesure Insurance (part of the Adrian Flux Group) in cooperation with the NABD operate a unique discounted insurance scheme for our members.
It is our belief that; “When it comes to motorcycling, a disability should not be a handicap”.
Representatives
The NABD has a wide network of appointed representatives throughout Britain who co-ordinate the efforts of local members and organise regular meetings and fund-raising events.
Awareness
The NABD is constantly trying to educate the organisers of motorcycle events to the fundamental needs of disabled riders. Many organisers now ask our advice on facilities for people with disabilities as a matter of course.
NABD information and publicity stands attend a large number of motorcycling and disability events each year throughout the British Isles.
The NABD’s quarterly magazine, Open House, which gives a broad view of the work of the association, is available to every NABD member and affiliate and to other supporters and interested parties.
Adaptions
The adaptions made to motorcycles and trikes are as varied as current technology will allow.
Adaptions range from simple re-siting of existing controls, to the fitting of specially designed kits or even the building of specialised vehicles where necessary to suit the particular needs of a disabled rider.
Due to the detailed engineering work involved, the NABD utilises a network of professional engineers throughout Britain and Eire.
Events
The NABD holds many events around Britain throughout the year. These NABD events range from major annual motorcycle rallies to smaller fund-raising activities.
Although these events are intended primarily to raise funds, they have gained a reputation for being good value, quality entertainment.
Several of the more regular events are now classed as some of the best on the motorcycle scene.
Finance
The administration of the NABD is financed entirely from the proceeds of membership fees and our own direct fund-raising efforts.
All donations made to the NABD are used solely to fund the adaption grants and other services offered to disabled riders by the Association.
The NABD is a voluntary association. We have just one paid employee, a full-time office administrator. The gross income of the Association in the 2023-2024 fiscal year was £158,370.40.
Other Funding
The NABD are constantly seeking funding from sources like the National Lottery and the European Union.
We are also seeking sponsorship from commercial interests and the motorcycle industry in particular.
Membership
NABD membership is available to anyone with a love of motorcycling irrespective of disability.
Each member receives a members pack, the Open House magazine and discount prices on some items of NABD merchandise.
Also, and perhaps more importantly, members get the chance to help lots of people enhance their lives in a practical and constructive way.
Affiliations from motorcycle clubs and businesses are also very welcome. See www.nabd.org.uk for further details, or contact the NABD office (contact details on page 3).
Campaigning
The NABD has several objectives concerning the rights and safety of disabled riders, we are regularly consulted on issues relating to disabled motorcycling by the DVLA, DfT, DVSA, and the National Highways Agency.
We also work closely with MAG and BMF on many issues affecting the rights of bikers.
The Future
Over the years the NABD has helped thousands of people with disabilities to enjoy the independence and the freedom of motorcycling.
With the continued support of the biking community the NABD will remain the world’s foremost support group for disabled bikers!
NABD Website: www.nabd.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TheNABD
Email: office@thenabd.org.uk
CHAIRMAN’S CHUNK
I would like to start by wishing all NABD members, affiliates, and supporters, the very best of good fortune for 2025.
Before moving on to other business, I would like to remind all of those members who have received this magazine through the post, to check the pollybag/envelope for their NABD Year-Bars. Those who were NABD members in 2024 should receive both the 2024 and the 2025 year-bars with this issue of Open House. (The reason for this is explained further in this article).
Open House Magazine and NABD Year-Bars:
The delay in producing this issue of Open House and in supplying the 2024 NABD year-bar to members has become something of a bone of contention over the latter half of 2024, despite explanations I have published on several occasions via the NABD group page on Facebook and the NABD website.
The delay in sending out the 2024 Year-Bars was simply due to the interruption in the production of the Open House Magazine.
We traditionally post out the Year-Bars with the Open House magazine, because it adds nothing to the already considerable cost of posting the magazine to members, whereas posting the Year-Bars out in a separate mailout could cost the NABD well over £1,500 in postage and packing, which would not be a justifiable use of NABD funds.
The delays in producing this issue of the Open House magazine, which should have been published in early Spring 2024, began with Vic Hawkes, reluctantly retiring from the post of Magazine Editor when his health issues became too severe for him to continue*.
I had very happily handed-over the editorship of the magazine to Vic in June 2019, after serving as editor for 20-years, because I simply no longer had the necessary time available to dedicate to producing the magazine.
Though the other pressures on my time had increased since Vic took on the post, as have several health issues of my own, in the absence of any other volunteer with the necessary level of literacy, knowledge, and experience, to produce it, the Open House fell squarely back into my lap!
Unfortunately, it took me until late November to get even close to the stage where the magazine can be passed on to Rich Jowitt, who does the final repro before sending it to the printers. With the Christmas break looming, he did not have time available in his December diary and, even if he had, the printers could not get the print run scheduled before January.
This being the case, we had no alternative but to announce that this issue of the Open House magazine would not be posted out to members until late January or early February 2025, and it therefore made sense for both Year-Bars for 2024 and 2025 to be enclosed with it.
While we fully understand that many members like to wear their NABD Year-Bars with pride, and we realise how disappointing it has been for some members to have to wait for so long to receive the 2024 Year-Bar and Issue 104 of the Open House magazine, I would like to remind all members that those of us who are involved in the management of the NABD are unpaid volunteers, many of us suffer with our own health issues, most of us have full time jobs, and none of us could be accused of being ‘Spring Chickens’.
We do our best in often difficult circumstances, and while fate and health allow, we will continue to do so!
All we ask is that members grant us their patience and understanding when there are delays and remember that we always prioritise the core aspects of the NABD, such as adaptation advice, the adaptation grants system, the Learner/Loaner scheme, and helping disabled riders with licensing and/or insurance issues, whatever embuggerments arise to test our resolve!
It would appear that I am saddled with the editorship of the Open House magazine, at least until such time as another suitably qualified volunteer can take it on, and I have no qualms at all in stating for the record, I will not be able to do more than one full issue per year, hopefully with regular ‘News Bulletins’ having to suffice in place of the three ‘Online Only’ issues that would otherwise be produced annually.
* On behalf of the NABD Trustees and Membership, I offer our heartfelt thanks to Vic Hawkes for his years of dedication and
sterling work as an NABD Trustee, Rep’s Liaison and Open House Editor, together with our very best wishes for improvements in his health. Though he is unable to continue in a national post at present, Vic remains an accredited NABD Representative, and a damned good friend to all of us!
The 30th (& final) You’ve Been Nabbed Rally: I think it fair to say, the last ever You’ve Been Nabbed Rally was a resounding success and a very fitting Swan Song for this much-loved iconic event. The attendance alone left us all gob-smacked and the atmosphere on site was truly glorious!
We will always be able to look back on this years’ event as one that epitomised the 30 incredible years of this remarkable NABD annual, national, fundraising rally.
Despite many requests for 'just one more' I would like to state unequivocally that this was the 'Last Ever' You've Been Nabbed Rally. The NABD are not The Rolling Stones, there will be no further 'final, final' You’ve Been Nabbed event!
If we ever had any doubts about the veracity of the decision to make this the last ever ‘green field’ national rally, the level of physical pain and debilitating inflammation that I and many of our other volunteers suffered during, and for some time after, the event; was enough to convince us that it was indeed the correct decision!
I have not been able to put an article together for this issue of Open House but there are some details in the NABD Annual Report (20232024), which is printed in full within this issue. Hopefully, I will be able to produce a more detailed feature in the event in the next issue.
On behalf of everybody involved in making the 30th You've Been Nabbed Rally happen; I would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to all who came along and made it such a fabulous farewell to our legendary event!
Future National Events:
We remain committed to launching a new annual national rally (or possibly two, on opposite sides of the country) in a very different
type of venue that will involve far less organising of infrastructure and be far more 'user friendly' for many of our members and supporters who no-longer find camping to be a practical option.
I have already done much research of possible venues and had numerous meetings at, and negotiations with, several venues that looked promising. Sadly, due to pricing, limited facilities or unreasonable contractual expectations, none of them have proven fit for our purpose. However, I am a long way from running out of options and the search continues!
Once we have a new event (or events) established, I'm sure it (or they) will soon prove to be as cherished and well-regarded as our You've Been Nabbed events have been since 1991.
Sad Retirements:
In addition to Vic Hawkes who, as I explained in a previous paragraph, could no longer continue as Open House Editor due to deteriorating health, we have suffered the loss of two other wonderful and extremely dedicated people from within the NABD National Committee.
Del Durham has retired after suffering several very serious health issues over the past few years that have left him unable to continue in his role as Research Officer. Del has served the NABD with great dedication for more than 20-years and his presence, his intellect, and his wonderfully dry wit, are going to be very sorely missed by those of us who are left.
Tina Lockett (nee. Tina Slesser), has retired from her position as National Secretary due to pressures from other aspects of her life leaving her unable to continue dedicating the necessary time and effort demanded by that roll. In the nine-years Tina served on the NABD National Committee, she instituted many long-overdue improvements to the administration of the NABD and its annual national fundraising event, occasionally kicking one or two of us up the arse to generate the momentum required to make changes that were sorely needed.
An incalculable debt of gratitude is owed to each of them for the commitment and tenacity they have shown in working for the aims and ideals over so many years without thought to personal reward and, on behalf of the Trustees and membership of the NABD, I offer our thanks and our very best wishes, unreservedly and wholeheartedly!
Welcome Arrivals:
The loss of three key people over the past year or so has left the National Committee sorely depleted but the sad losses have been somewhat mitigated by two valiant volunteers stepping-up to fill two of the vacant roles.
Louisa Howard (partner of Gordon Hooper, Learner/Loaners Coordinator) has taken on the role of Research Officer and my own lovely wife, Mandy Hulse, has taken on the role of National Secretary.
What makes their magnanimous volunteering even more impressive is, they both have quite a bit of insight into what a stressful and thankless task it can be to serve as a member of the NABD National Committee, but they have both stepped into the breach anyway!
On behalf of the Trustees and membership of the NABD, I offer them both a hearty ‘Welcome!’ as I prepare to launch them both in at the deep end, which is where we all had to start.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t think the NABD has a shallow end…
There are many other things I would have liked to include in this ‘Chairman’s Chunk’ but I appear to have run out of space, so until issue 105, I bid you all, ‘Adieu et bonne chance’!
Rick Hulse NABD Chairman
SUMMER’S 1200 SPORT
Summer Ki-Aries is a singer, author and poet, who lives in Bournemouth. Her story spans several years, as is so often the case with bikers who suffer catastrophic injuries…
Due to a hit-and-run bike accident a few years ago, I suffered life changing injuries.
I have had a hip replacement and spinal surgery to repair blown discs in my back. I have also had reconstructive knee surgery, but my right knee has suffered permanent nerve and muscle damage, and I now suffer from severe arthritis and Edema in both legs.
My Harley was written-off by my insurers due to the level of damage it suffered in the accident, but we managed to replace it.
It took a few years for me to be able to ride again but, due to problems with my knee, I just did not have the strength to ride the bike safely, so I had no choice but to SORN it and garage it.
The thought of selling it broke my heart, so it sat in the garage because I could not afford a Trike conversion. Eventually I began to consider selling it, but a fellow biker told me about the NABD and suggested I contact them to see if they could help.
With the help of a substantial grant from the NABD, my Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster has now been professionally converted to a trike by The Trike Shop in Cardiff!
Thanks to all at the NABD, I’m looking forward to riding my trike and attending some events in the summer!
Kind Regards
Summer
NB. For more information about The Trike Shop Ltd see their website: www.trikeshop.co.uk
Email: info@trikeshop.co.uk or Telephone: 02920 369420.
This NABD Adaptation Grant of £1,500.00 was sponsored by a donation from Millican Industrials Ltd of Wigan.
ORTSTER TRIKE CONVERSION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BIKERS WITH A DISABILITY
Reg. Charity No. 1040907 (SC039897 in Scotland)
Are you a disabled person who wants to learn to ride a motorcycle? Then join the NABD and take advantage of our unique
LEARNER LOANER SCHEME
This could enable you to complete a CBT course and both modules of the practical test with the loan of a suitably adapted 125cc motorcycle for up to 3 months. (Subject to conditions).
A small number of adapted bikes are available specifically for the use of disabled riders (subject to a £150.00 service charge).
We will take care of delivery and collection, so you can concentrate on passing your test.
NABD “Learner Loaners” are loaned to NABD members specifically for the purpose of training & tests and for no other purpose. Users must provide a copy of a fully comprehensive insurance policy and provisional license prior to delivery.
For further details, please contact: Gordon Hooper (Learner Loaners) NABD, Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TE. Tel: 0844 415 4849 Email: office@thenabd.org.uk Web Address: nabd.org.uk
Tel: 07761 642107 or Email: loaners@thenabd.org.uk
PREPARATION IN HIBERN
It is becoming far more common for motorcyclists, (at least those of us who have access to alternate transport), to lay-up their bikes and/or trikes during the winter months to avoid the misery and added jeopardy of slogging through freezing rain, sleet, snow, black ice, filthy spray, salt, grit and all of the other embuggerments facing winter riders.
I certainly count myself amongst this growing number, due to having become, ‘too old for the cold’ and ‘too ill for the chill’ (and perhaps even, ‘less stable than I was once able’).
Of course, this does occasionally engender puerile condemnations of being a ‘fair-weather rider’ invariably from boorish gobshites who simply don’t have the intellect to comprehend the toll that biking imposes on the human body over many years of all-weather riding, thus, I am quite sanguine with treating such jibes with the disdain they deserve.
Though it may still feel very much like winter at the moment, over the next couple of months the ‘itch to ride’ will start pecking at many of us, and for most this will be the catalyst for making sure the bike or trike is fettled-up and serviced in readiness for the glorious summer of riding that we all profoundly hope for.
However, what many of us (again, I include myself in this number) seem to leave until the very last minute, is fettling our kit!
As silly as it sounds, most of the bikers that I know will probably not even drag their riding gear out of the cupboards, drawers, sheds, or other random spaces, where they shoved it months ago, until a few days before their first planned outing.
This is why I decided to write this article as a reminder, for those who need it, that now might be a good time to start sorting out your riding gear. If nothing else it may add to the joyous anticipation of more halcyon days ahead, while perhaps providing a little more activity to fill the long miserable evenings of torrential rain and sleet that appear to have become synonymous with February and March in much of the UK.
Personally, I find it rather therapeutic to enjoy a film on Netflix while rubbing Renapur leather balsam into my leather jacket and
gloves (which protects it from the ravages of the sun as much as it does the depredations of foul weather), though I prefer to use good old fashioned ‘Dubbin’ on my motorcycle boots.
Over a couple of midwinter evenings, with the distraction of a couple of epic films, I can fettle all of my leather gear and Mandy’s gear too! Hopefully, this year it will also provide some good physio for my increasingly problematic left hand!
Once the leather food has had a couple of days to soak in, leaving the leather with that lovely ductile feel and ‘fresh leather’ smell, I give it all a thorough spraying with Nikwax water proofer, which I also use to reproof our lightweight textile gear, (also good on Kevlar and/or Aramid jeans) because there is less chance of getting through the summer un-drenched in the UK than there is of seeing a unicorn leaping over an honest politician on an unbiased BBC News broadcast!
The other piece of essential motorcycle kit that needs looking at is, of course, the helmet!
People can be quite nervous about how best to clean a motorcycle helmet, but it’s really not rocket science. The main thing to remember is never use any abrasive materials or washing-up liquids, both of which can have detrimental effects on helmet and visor.
Using a baby shampoo should clean the helmet perfectly well and a microfibre cloth will be far less likely to cause micro-scratches than rougher types of material.
Proprietary visor cleaner solutions are generally ideal for the purpose, but I find good-quality lens cleaning solutions work just as well.
We all know how stinky the inside of a helmet can get, particularly if you are in the bad habit of stuffing your mucky motorcycle gloves into it when you get home, like I do.
Please resist the urge to spray the inside of your helmet with Febreze to make it smell better, it will not be good for the all-important helmet liner!
Many modern helmets have a removable liner, which makes them easy to clean and maintain but most people don’t seem to realise that you can wash these removable liners!
RNATION
The best way to wash a removable helmet liner is to hand wash it in warm water with a baby shampoo, then rinse it gently and wrap it in a microfibre towel, pressing it gently to suck-up most of the water before letting it air dry for 24hours or so before fitting it back into the helmet.
Where the liner isn’t removable, you can use purpose-made foam interior sanitisers such as those marketed by Muc-Off, Oxford or Motul.
You also need to check that the helmet air-vents are not blocked and will open and close easily. Where there is evidence of muck in a vent, a toothbrush or cotton-bud soaked in a warm solution of baby shampoo is the ideal way to clean them out.
NB. Clearing helmet vents using the airline in a garage is utterly stupid! Particularly if you are wearing the helmet at the time, like one particular idiot I saw doing in a garage near Brecon last summer!
Once you are satisfied that your helmet is clean and fresh, and there is no damage to the outer case, liner or chinstrap, giving it a coating of wax can protect it from the ravages of erosion and make it easier for water to run off your visor.
Carnauba Wax is generally highly recommended for waxing motorcycle helmets. Triplewax and Turtlewax both do inexpensive Carnauba Wax formulas that are readily available via Amazon.
Of course, you also need to be sure your helmet is still ‘fitfor-purpose’ but that is a much broader subject, which I will endeavour to cover in a separate article.
Keeping your protective riding kit in good serviceable condition is every bit as important as keeping the lights, tyres and brakes on your bike or trike in good serviceable condition.
Don’t let preparation and maintenance become an afterthought, your safety and comfort are crucial aspects of the freedom, independence, and joy, we all share in motorcycling!
Rick Hulse NABD Chairman
So, what is going on in the world of NABD memberships?
I write this a few days after the latest NABD website update.
Of course, any update involves changes, and those changes sometimes reveal new issues that need to be dealt with.
This particular update has led to a few chromatic problems, which came to light when several people emailed me to report problems in the membership portal where they were having difficulty joining or renewing their membership because they couldn’t see the text clearly against the background.
This issue has now been successfully dealt with by Simon Freedman, the NABD Webmaster.
I do actually live with this process of IT upgrades and maintenance every day, as Simon is my partner, and I often hear him cursing from our office at home.
The online membership portal has proven to be a great hit with the majority of NABD members, as have the options for paying for membership at £2.00 per month, or £6.00 per quarter, or £24.00 per year, or £500.00 for Life Membership, with the additional option to automatically renew your membership, which saves the NABD the cost of mailing out reminders and saves you from the issue of forgetting to renew your membership on time.
We still have a number of members who haven't provided us with their email addresses or mobile phone number, which makes it more difficult for me to contact them.
I recently spoke to a member who told me that he has no mobile phone or email address, and his landline is on the table in the hallway. I imagined it had the little seat with a pen and paper to hand.
Members can contact me by phoning the office and Julie will pass on their inquiry by email, but I do work during the day and find it difficult sometimes to find the time in the evening to return calls, so having email addresses for members makes life much easier.
Please check your membership accounts and see if we have an email address for you, we currently send approximately ten membership reminders a month by post and at 85p a time it adds up over a year.
If you would like to check your membership account or update any details, such as your current email address, you can easily do so here: www.nabd.org.uk/join
I can be contacted directly on: membership@thenabd.org.uk
Till next time, take care.
Tracey Tynan NABD Membership Secretary
LEARNER LOANERS
Time marches on and there's nothing we can do about it, so we make the best of what we’ve got, (I’m not sure if that's a quote from some great person in history or something that just popped into my head as I sit here composing this update for the Open House magazine.
Anyway, another great year has rushed past in the blink of an eye, learner loaners have been delivered to Nottingham, Trowbridge, Kent Chelmsford, Croydon, Scotland and various other places.
Being the loaner learner officer for the NABD is challenging but, with the help of Julie in the office, I find myself. answering emails, arranging bike loans, making multiple visits to the office to meet members and prospective loaners, making phone calls to members, relaying and providing information about the Charity and pointing people to the right committee member for licensing, insurance, legal and/or technical advice.
I find the position very rewarding and seeing the looks on members' faces when they learn to ride using an adapted NABD learner/Loaner bike is priceless and it makes all the effort worthwhile.
The four photographs accompanying this article are just some of
the happy NABD members who have benefitted from the use of our adapted learner/loaners bikes over the past 12-months.
Not all of the people who use the learner/loaner bikes are new riders. Some are experienced riders who use them to get used to adaptations after becoming disabled. These bikes are also used in licensing assessments carried out by Chairman, Rick Hulse, or in advisory assessments carried out by me, to establish which control adaptations may best suit an individual.
The shortest loan recently was for just 2-days for a guy with disabilities who just needed to pass a CBT course, to enable him to pursue his dream of touring around Thailand on scooters for 6-months with his girlfriend. What an amazing experience! It was lovely for me, and the NABD, to be able to help make his dream come true!
In the summer of 2023, I was contacted by a gentleman in London who wanted to donate a Trike to the NABD as it no longer met the Ulez requirements for driving in our dear capital (I say ‘dear’ in the sense of ‘expensive’ rather than a love for the Capital city).
All of us NABD Committee members have to multitask, so, after collecting a trike towing dolly from the NABD office (and running
around on a Sunday trying to find a place to make me a number plate for the trailer board) I took the NABD van on the dreaded journey down south to collect the donated trike.
I must say that I hadn't been to London for a long time and the nightmare of Ulez, congestion charges and 20MPH speed limits left me fearing some form of vehicle fine dropping on the doormat.
Once I got the trike back to my place in Stoke on Trent, I gave it a quick wash and scrub-up, took the carbs off, cleaned and reassembled them, then with the agreement of the rest of the NABD National Committee, I listed it on eBay.
My partner then had to field phone calls from all sorts of ‘interested parties’, including time wasters and comedians asking, “Would you take 50p for it”, or “Would you take it off auction now if I make an offer?”.
Eventually it sold to a lovely lady on the south coast who is a member of the NABD and had been looking for a trike for a while. April of this year also saw my partner and I helping out the national information and advice stall at the Stafford show, where she was very happy to meet Guy Martin who signed a book for us, which was subsequently raffled for the charity.
We met lots of people over the two days at the show and I found myself very much enjoying educating people with information about our beloved charity, a task which, at times, would have the most hardened of political candidates making their excuses and trying to find the nearest exit. My heartiest thanks to National Stall Manager Phil Morris and his partner Dawn, who work so hard running the national stall, for keeping us supplied with cups of tea and putting up with us for 2-days.
Also, as the You've Been Nabbed Rally had come to an end in its present form, myself and my partner, Louisa, have been helping our dear friends of Yorkshire MAG by marshalling at their three main 2024 events. This has been a different experience for us, which has also enabled us to meet a lot of new people and make some new friends. I would heartily recommend anyone to give marshalling a go. It might prove to be something you enjoy, and it can be very rewarding.
Gordon Hooper (Flash) NABD Learner Loaner Officer
KLIKTRONIC GEAR CHANGE SYSTEM
Peter Ashdown from Somerset suffers from Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. When he began struggling with the operation of the standard BMW gear change foot pedal on his trike, he contacted the NABD for advice and support. An NABD adaptation grant was soon arranged for the supply and fitting of a Kliktronic push-button gear change system.
Peter takes up the story…
It was time to either sell the trike or convert to a push-button gear change system. After looking into the options available I opted for the Kliktronic gear change system. This can be fitted by a thirdparty installer, but I decided to get it installed by Kliktronic because, as manufacturers of the system, they have;
• The best knowledge of the system.
• The machine shop facilities to make fittings to suit the individual application.
• Experience in setting up and adjusting the system for optimum performance.
• They can provide back-up and advice.
The trike was delivered to them and returned to me with the gear change system fitted.
FOR 1200 BMW/GRINNALL TRIKE
First impression is that all of the components and the installation are very smart and enhance the look and feel of the machine (see photos).
Being January and freezing outside I have not yet been for a proper ride but on a (very) short local trip the first gear / neutral / second, work nicely and I am looking forward to a warmer day and a proper test.
The first gear/neutral selection took a few minutes of experimentation, partly since with this trike (1200 BMW 2001 vintage) the selection of first gear requires a short ‘blip’ on the throttle to go in easily. This proved to be the same with the Kliktronic system as it was with the foot gear change.
Communication with Keith at Kliktronic Ltd. has been a pleasure and I would be happy to recommend them or to chat with anyone who is considering this sort of adaptation.
My thanks go to the NABD for the help and support and to Keith at Kliktronic for his expertise.
Peter Ashdown
For more information about the Kliktronic gear changer see: www.kliktronic.co.uk or telephone Keith on 01359 242100.
This NABD grant of £700.00 was sponsored by a donation from Millican Industrials Ltd of Wigan.
NABD ANNUAL REPORT: APRIL
DETAILS OF TRUSTEES:
Rick Hulse, Chairman chairman@thenabd.org.uk
John Byrne, Treasurer treasurer@thenabd.org.uk
Tina Slesser, Secretary secretary@thenabd.org.uk
John Lysons, Publicity publicity@thenabd.org.uk
Simon Freedman, Webmaster internet@thenabd.org.uk
Derek Durham, Research research@thenabd.org.uk
Ross Lockett, Rep’s Liaison repliaison@thenabd.org.uk
Kevin Rodgers, Fundraising fundreaising@thenabd.org.uk
NB. Vic Hawkes retired from the post of Open House Editor in December 2023, due to deteriorating health. During his tenure as a Trustee of the NABD over many years, he earned the admiration, respect and thanks of all of the NABD trustees, management committee members and accredited representatives, for his sterling and diligent work on behalf of this association and motorcyclists with disabilities in general.
TRUSTEE SELECTION METHODS:
The NABD constitution allows that trustees can be appointed by the National Committee until such time as their position can be ratified by the membership in the election of officers at the annual general meeting. However, where possible, incumbent trustees who are considering retirement are encouraged to remain in their post until an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NABD so that any change of post holder can be ratified by the members immediately.
NB. Those positions detailed above are the positions within the National Executive Committee that are filled by Trustees of this charity. Other positions within the National Executive Committee and the National Non-Executive Committee do not require the incumbents to accept the additional responsibilities of being Trustees of this charity. All members of both the National Executive Committee and the National Non-Executive Committee are members of the Management Committee of the NABD.
SUMMARY OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE CHARITY'S OBJECTS:
To promote the relief of disabled persons by the supply of information, advice, advocacy and practical assistance relating to motorcycling and in particular by awarding financial grants to help with the cost of special adaptations to motorcycles, motorcycle/sidecar combinations, trikes, and quad-cycles to suit the needs of disabled riders.
Also, to develop new methods of adapting motorcycles, motorcycle/sidecar combinations, trikes, and quad-cycles and to remove any barriers to the freedom and independence of motorcycling for disabled people.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW:
The gross income of the Association in the 2023-2024 fiscal year was £158,370.40, a decrease of approximately 23% from the previous year.
This decrease was mainly attributable to there being no income from pre-booked ticket sales for an NABD annual national rally in May 2024. This event was discontinued after the 30th Anniversary event in May 2023.
Traditionally, tickets for the annual national rally had gone on sale on December 1st with the income from ticket sales between December 1st and March 31st contributing to the gross income of the financial year prior to the actual event in May.
NB. The ‘financial year’ of the NABD runs from April 1st to March 31st of the following calendar year.
RIL 2023 - MARCH 2024
The gross expenditure of the Association fell slightly from the previous year to £194,365.16, which is a reduction of approximately 2.8%. This figure and is expected to fall significantly in the next financial year due to the absence of the huge expenditure normally relating to the production of the traditional national rally event.
The 30th Anniversary ‘You’ve Been Nabbed’ annual national rally in May 2023 made a very handsome profit of £28,185.93, which was a 55% increase on the profits of the previous event. This huge increase in the profits from the event were, in the most part, attributable to the large increase in attendance which had been generated by this being widely publicised as the ‘last ever’ You’ve Been Nabbed national fundraising rally.
Income from NABD membership subscriptions in the 2022-2023 financial year was £31,792.00, which is a fall of just under 2% on the previous year’s total.
Despite the significant increases in the cost of utilities, the NABD Office expenditure remained at a similar level as previous years. This was in part due to our Office Manager (the only paid employee of the NABD) working from home 50% of the time but also due to the exceptionally good nature of our landlord, who once again allowed us to renew our lease at no increased cost.
The overall total expenses claimed by National Committee members and other Representatives of the NABD were just £562.33 for the year. Once again standing testament to the NABD being populated by volunteers of outstanding character.
General donations received in the year totalled £36,448.28 (including £2,000.00 donated by the Armed Forces Bikers group, to the ring-fenced fund for adaptation grants for ex-service folk). This was very slightly down on the previous year’s total of £36,850.03.
A further £2,555.09 was donated in sponsorship of specified aspects of the NABD’s other services. This was slightly up from the previous year’s total of £2,219.49 but still a long way short of the £10,000.00 annual average that the Association received in sponsorship from events pre-pandemic.
Adaptation grants totalling £34,594.00 were awarded during this financial year, with the remainder of the adaptation fund carried over into the current financial year. which was up by approximately 2.4% on the total awarded in adaptation grants in the previous financial year.
Income from Gift Aid claims was £1,126.30 which was a significant increase on the £764.36 total of the previous financial year.
USE OF DONATIONS:
100% of all general (unspecified) donations made to the NABD go directly to fund the NABD Adaptation Grants made to individuals with disabilities to help with the cost of adapting motorcycles, trikes, quadbikes or motorcycle/sidecar combos to suit their needs.
Where donations are specified by the donors as sponsorship of aspects of NABD services, such as the Open House Magazine, the Learner/Loaner motorcycles, the display/assessment trikes, the Information & Advice stall, or the NABD van. 100% of those donations is used specifically for the purpose agreed by the donors.
In the case of the regular donations made by the Armed Forces Bikers (AFB) group, these donations go into a ‘ring-fenced’ fund that is used specifically toward Adaptation Grants for members or ex-members of the UK Armed Forces who require adaptations to motorcycles, trikes, motorcycle/sidecar combinations and or quadbikes to suit their disabilities.
NB. The Armed Forces ring-fenced fund does not cover all of the NABD Adaptation Grants awarded to members or ex-members of the UK Armed Forces, but the support of the AFB continues to be a great asset to the work of the NABD and we are proud to have that support.
The NABD takes nothing from donations to fund core costs. Core costs are covered by our own direct fundraising projects and membership subscriptions.
ADAPTATION GRANTS:
During the fiscal period April 2022 – March 2023, the NABD Management Committee approved 37 Adaptation Grants to help 37
more disabled people to have their vehicles adapted to suit their needs. This is a decrease of three approved grants compared with the previous fiscal year.
NB. 38 grant applications were submitted to the NABD National Committee. One was refused due to being an application for a second grant that did not meet the criteria required for a second grant to be considered.
The 37 grants awarded totalled £34,594.00, which was £808.30 below the total awarded in NABD adaptation grants in the previous financial year.
The geographical breakdown of grants awarded by the NABD National Committee was as follows:
• England (South) 14
• England (North) 1
• England (Midlands) 7
• Scotland 2
• Wales 3
• Republic of Ireland 1
NB. This demographic reflects the geographical spread of grants applied for rather than any form of bias on the part of the NABD. Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man and the Channel Isles also fall within the bailiwick of the NABD adaptation grant system, but no valid grant applications were received from these areas during the 2023/24 fiscal year.
These grants helped to fund special adaptations to:
• Solo motorcycles 22
• New motorcycle/trike conversions 4
• Existing trikes 11
Many of the adaptations funded by these NABD grants included a broad range of specially designed adapted control kits, in addition to an eclectic range of design and fabrication challenges. These kits included:
• Push button gear changers 17
• Twin lever handlebar units 6
• Thumb operated Brake lever units 1
NB. Many adaptations also involved bespoke engineering such as, the fitting of reversing mechanisms, left-hand throttle adaptions, thumb throttles, steering dampers, and the fabrication and fitting of, wheelchair racks, modified handlebars, trike conversions and footplates etc.
In many cases, the adaptation grants awarded to applicants cover
the total cost of the adaptation, in those cases where the total cost is not met by the grant awarded, a significant portion of the cost is covered.
It should also be noted that a much greater proportion of adaptations to motorcycles, trikes, motorcycle/sidecar combinations and quadbikes in 2023-2024 were carried out with advice and support from the NABD, where the individuals concerned were able to fund the adaptation work themselves.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS:
The 30th You’ve Been Nabbed Rally: May 2023 saw the 30th anniversary of the NABD’s main annual national fundraising event, the You’ve Been Nabbed rally, at The Royal Cheshire Showground. This was also the last ever occurrence of this event.
The decision to discontinue this iconic event was not made lightly, and many nights of sleep were lost in agonising over it, but the reality of the situation was that the You’ve Been Nabbed rally was originally designed to cater for 3,000 people, and had sold-out in advance on many occasions, but the number of people attending had been dropping steadily since 2015 to well below 2,000.
Many of the bikers (particularly those with disabilities) who traditionally attend weekend rallies are now at the stage-of-life where camping is just not pleasurable (or in many cases even practical or possible) and, as The You’ve Been Nabbed Rally has always been a greenfield camping event with marquee-based entertainment, there simply are not enough younger bikers to replace them.
This issue has been affecting other motorcycle rallies in exactly the same way, so it is not a problem that is specific to this NABD event, though we probably feel it more keenly due to the larger proportion of people with disabilities who have traditionally attended our events.
Also, the You’ve Been Nabbed rally requires more than 120 volunteer marshals working in shifts throughout the three-days of the event and many of our regular volunteers are also people with disabilities. Over recent years, as regular volunteers have got older and/or their health has deteriorated, it has become increasingly difficult to fill the shift rota. When you add into the equation the fact that at least ten of our most experienced key marshals have died over the previous five years, the decision to end the event with its 30th anniversary is perhaps easier for people to understand.
It was very gratifying for all involved that the final ever You’ve Been Nabbed Rally proved to be a great success, making a profit of £28,185.93 (far above the previous year’s profit of £12,808.67).
Many people made a special effort to give the event the send-off it deserved and I’m sure it will remain a fond memory for all of them for many years to come.
We will be planning some new national events that will hopefully offer alternate accommodations for those who now find camping unfeasible and where the number of necessary volunteer marshals and the level of physical labour involved in setting-up and breaking down the event is significantly reduced.
Can-Am Spyder Trike – NABD Annual Draw:
Tickets had been on sale, for just £1.00 each, at events and online throughout the 2022 event season and the early part of the 2023 event season for a prize draw in which the main prize was a superb 2008 998cc Can-Am Spyder Trike that had been donated by an NABD member, the second prize was £500.00 and the third prize £250.00.
The actual draw of winning tickets was made at the 30th You’ve Been Nabbed Rally on Saturday, 6th May 2023 and, as luck would have it, the ecstatic winner of this lovely trike was in the 1,500-strong audience at the time of the draw.
This 12-month fundraising project, in which 10,050 tickets had been sold, after considering the cost of tickets, MOT tests, maintenance, transporting the trike to events and delivering it to the winner, made a very handsome profit of more than £9,750.00.
LEARNER/LOANER MOTORCYCLES:
The NABD owns nine 125cc learner-legal motorcycles, each adapted to suit specific disabilities:
• 1 x Honda MSX Grom 125
• 2 x Suzuki GSX 125
• 1 x Yamaha SR125
• 1 x Yamaha Scooter 125
• 4 x Yamaha YBR 125
These motorcycles are loaned to people with disabilities for Compulsory Besic Training (CBT) courses, training and tests. There is no hire charge attached to this service, but a £150.00 administration fee is charged toward the cost of the delivery and collection of the machines.
During the 2023/24 financial year, adapted Learner/Loaner motorcycles were used by NABD members in Nottingham, Trowbridge, Chelmsford, Croydon, Kent and Scotland.
These motorcycles are also often used to assess the needs and preferences of people with disabilities and occasionally for relicensing assessments requested by the DVLA.
When individual Learner/Loaners are not in use for training or assessments, they often serve to exhibit a range of adaptations on the NABD National Information/Advice Stall at motorcycle events and disability events.
The Learner/Loaner scheme continues to be a vital service provided by the NABD, which enables many more people with disabilities to gain or regain access to the freedom and independence of motorcycling.
NABD WEBSITE: www.nabd.org.uk
Activity on the main NABD Website has been steady throughout the 2023/24 financial year. Content continues to be updated as required and the site shows fairly healthy traffic for the type of website that it is.
The initial teething-problems with the new system for the flexible payment of membership fees online have been solved and the refurbished online shop has been running smoothly throughout the year.
The next facet of the website that needs to be addressed is the updating of the information sections. The constant developments in assistive technology and sporadic changes in transport legislation, together with occasional changes in the practices of the DVSA, DVLA and motor insurers, require more dynamism in the checking and updating of the information and advice offered on the NABD website than we have previously managed.
Unfortunately, the perennial problem of having too few capable volunteers and the often-limited time available to the few proficient volunteers we do have, will ensure that this is another ongoing issue that is unlikely to be overcome anytime soon.
NABD SOCIAL MEDIA:
The NABD social media pages* remain a vital source of information for NABD members, affiliates and supporters and an extremely valuable platform for publicising the NABD, its services and its activities, as well as providing an easily accessible way for members and supporters to enjoy social interaction online. The NABD presence within social media also provides a vital link between members and elected officials as well as being a source of much mutual support.
NABD VAN:
After 12-years of sterling service the old NABD van was written-off by the insurers in early 2023, after suffering some damage in a minor road traffic accident.
After thoroughly researching all of the options available and discussing all the pros and cons, the National Committee decided to sign-up to a 5-year lease-hire contract with all maintenance costs covered on a Vauxhall Movano 3500 L2 Fwd 2.2 Turbo from a company called Vanarama in March 2023.
Unfortunately, due to a combination of the world-wide shortage of microchips and unforeseen delays in importation, we did not actually receive the van until late August 2023, so we had to suffer the expense of hiring vans as necessary in the interim.
BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE CHARITY'S POLICY ON RESERVES:
Thanks to a substantial windfall in back-dated claims for Gift Aid from the HMRC the NABD was able to invest £50,000 in a varied investment portfolio that is being managed free of charge by NABD member and long-time stalwart supporter, Neil Liversidge, at West Riding Personal Financial Solutions Ltd. Neil is a man of great integrity and expertise, and under his diligent management the NABD investment fund will undoubtedly prosper.
The NABD was completely unprepared for the financial effect of the global pandemic in 2020, and it was only by dint of the National Committee making some very tough but necessary decisions that this Association survived as an effective entity.
This new investment fund will now serve the NABD as a substantial ‘buffer’ against the uncertainties of the future, with the additional bonus of the profits occasionally funding capital projects.
SUMMARY:
The 2023-2024 financial year was, on-the-whole, a good year for the NABD. With the hard slog of recovering from the issues brought on by the Corona Virus Pandemic mostly behind us, we were able to once again look to the future.
One of the stark lessons the Trustees and other National Committee members learned from managing the NABD throughout those two particularly discomforting years was that acknowledging and accepting unpleasant truths is not optional, and no amount of optimism will change inexorable realities.
It was with this in mind that we had made the very difficult decision that the 30th Anniversary of our beloved annual You’ve Been Nabbed Rally would have to be the last. Despite the sadness we felt at this iconic event coming to an end, the 30th event itself was utterly joyous and an outstanding success. It was good for it to go out on such a high!
In hindsight, the 2023-2024 financial year was predominantly one of a return to a form of pre-pandemic reality, as was the case with the wider motorcycling scene in Britain and further afield.
Though some things may never be the same as they were before that dreadful hiatus, this was the year where our view began to look once more into the future rather than the past and, the people who are tasked with managing this wonderful charity being who they are, we determined to look at the future with the optimism befitting a charity that has survived and thrived over 33-years despite the trial and tribulations it has had to navigate.
Most importantly of all, the NABD remains true to its established principals of being a charity that is run by unpaid volunteers, where 100% of all donations go directly on the services they are meant to fund, and that our primary goal continues to be providing and protecting access to the freedom and independence of motorcycling for people with disabilities.
The NABD is the world’s leading support group for motorcyclists with disabilities, a fact of which we are rightly very proud!
RICK HULSE NABD Chairman
* For full details of NABD social media pages, see the ‘NABD on the Internet’ advert, elsewhere in this magazine.
CAN-AM RYKER 900 RALLY TRIKE:
ADAPTED FOR A RIDER WITH PARAPLEGIA
Joanna Robertson from Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, suffered T12 spinal cord injuries which resulted in her being permanently paralysed from the waist down and reliant on the use of a wheelchair.
The cost of these adaptations was quoted at £2,300.00 so Joanna applied for an NABD Adaptation Grant, and she was awarded a grant of £2,000.00* toward that cost.
The adaptations were supplied and fitted by London Speed of South Woodford, London, (an official Can-Am dealership), and a very nice job they made of them!
If anybody is wondering just how important freedom and independence are to people with disabilities, I think they may find the answer in Joanna’s smile!
* To ensure we have the funds available to offer adaptation grants to as many applicants as possible, £2,000.00 is the maximum grant the NABD can currently award to any one individual toward the cost of necessary control adaptations to motorcycles, scooters, trikes, sidecar outfits and quadricycles.
Rick Hulse NABD Chairman
NB. For further information about the London Speed Can-Am dealership, see: https://londonspeed.co.uk/
Email: info@londonspeed.co.uk or Tel: 0208 504 001.
This NABD Adaptation Grant of £2,000.00 was sponsored by a donation from Millican Industrials Ltd of Wigan.
WEBMASTER’S WITTERINGS
It’s been a while since I’ve written for Open House, which is quite remiss of me. I’ll try to do better in the future.
The Associations IT systems are ticking along OK, so, in a nutshell. The shop does what it’s doing quite nicely, without too many problems. Occasionally we get an order that doesn’t get processed properly so please make sure you get a confirmation email that your order was successful. The shop messaging system is the only part that lets it down and we don’t always see the messages you send us through it, so please email the NABD Office via office@thenabd.org.uk or me via webmaster@thenabd.org.uk if you do have any problems.
The Membership Portal is the most complex of our sites, with lots of addons - known as Plugins - changing the way the core site works. There are regular new versions and updates to the site code and its addons that need constant attention, just like your own home computer programs and apps on your phones. Most of the time, these do work properly but occasionally there are glitches.
We do pay for the ‘Premium’ version of the software we use, at a nicely discounted rate for charities, which does allow me to raise a Support Ticket when necessary. The team are quite quick to respond and are very helpful, even when I need a bit of custom tweaking to suit our needs.
Saying that, they won’t do completely custom code for us. They point me at an “Approved Developer” who would help but would also charge a fee. So, you may have heard of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ systems like ‘ChatGPT’. I have been quite successful in getting ChatGPT to write and tweak the code when I’ve asked it to, thus removing the need for the NABD to pay a Developer!
My next project will be, migrating the main NABD website, on www.nabd.org.uk, over to a new ‘Content Management System’. The current code uses a system I presented to the Committee in January 2016, and though it has served its purpose so far, it is time for a revamp!
It is through my IT skills that I progressed from being a casual volunteer for the NABD to being more directly and formally involved in its development and management. If you have any skills that you feel might benefit the NABD, please let us know.
We could certainly be doing more with social media like X, Instagram and Tik Tok. If you feel you have the time, the literacy, and the equability to help the NABD to improve its presence on these platforms, please contact me and we can discuss it further.
Speaking of skills, I am still seeking someone with programming skills, and some spare time, to step up for a major bit of coding that even ChatGPT cannot help me with. If you are familiar with Webhooks, API’s and the like, and may be able to help, please contact me either through the NABD Facebook Group or email me via, webmaster@thenabd.org.uk.
My final word is on memberships system, as it’s so tied to the IT for it to work properly.
Every current Member should now have a nice new-style plastic Membership Card, issued when you joined or renewed your Membership. Those on Monthly subscription or Auto-renewing accounts should now have a card that states ‘Never’ in place of an expiry date. This saves the NABD the cost of printing and posting new cards every year. Of course, if your card gets lost or damaged, we will supply a replacement.
Members who renew annually, please consider using one of the ‘Auto-renew’ options via PayPal (or, if you don’t like that system, a Direct Debit Mandate via your Bank).
You can always log in to the NABD Membership Portal https://membership.nabd.org.uk/ to check the status of your membership, when it’s due to expire etc. and keep your postal address and other details up to date.
If you don’t have the new type of plastic membership card, please email Tracey via membership@thenabd.org.uk and we’ll get a new card sent out to you as soon as possible.
That’s all from me for now,
Simon Freedman NABD Webmaster
STAY SAFE RIDING IN GROUPS
Riding season is almost here with motorcyclists around the country getting ready to enjoy their first ride out of the year!
Hopefully the next few weeks will bring some improved weather as we’ll start to see some national events in the calendar. Riders around the UK will be ready to get their leathers on and meet up with other bikers around the UK after a winter of hibernation.
Group ride outs are a treasured part of the motorcycle community. To be out on a ride together is a special, bonding experience. It is a great way to build friendships, camaraderie and have a memorable day out with friends. Group riding takes the motorcycling experience on to another level, each rider taking in the sights through their senses at the same time. So, with all these positives, what puts some people off taking part in a group ride out?
Whilst group riding is involved in a significant number of road traffic accidents, group riding itself is not overly dangerous if all involved are experienced riders who have built up an understanding over time and know what to expect. Problems can arise when people have not met before and have no understanding of how that person rides and their ability on their bike. It’s vitally important to know people’s expectations beforehand. Without this you can have riders with vastly different experience and abilities with the less able riders trying desperately to keep pace and not get left behind.
Every motorcyclist has their own unique style. An understanding is built up amongst a group of riders over a period of time with each rider getting to know how other members of the group ride and react to certain circumstances.
So how can we stay safe on a group ride out?
• A group chat before setting off is a good place to start. Set out the route, speed and expectations. Discuss any concerns as a group.
• A good formation is essential. It gives each rider a clear view ahead in case of any unexpected hazards. At least a two second gap. is recommended between a rider and the one directly in front in the formation.
• It is important for the group to know the exact destination and
stops along the way to take the pressure off becoming spit up from the rest of the group. This will hopefully help each rider to ride within their capabilities. If they get lost, they know where to meet.
• Communication within the group is of course vital. Modern communication technology has obviously really helped over recent years. Make indications early and consider using hand signals.
• A good tip to avoid riders getting lost is to keep the rider behind you in your mirrors. If you are coming up to a turn, make sure they have seen you before making the turn.
• A common rule is that there should be no overtaking within the group. Any change in order of riders should be done during a break or on the trip back.
• Take the whole group into account and adjust your expectations and your speed. If you want to go full throttle that day it may be best to give the group ride a miss and go out somewhere alone.
• Generally, groups often find it beneficial to put the most experienced or able rider at the back. It is common for the back rider to have to play catch up more often as they may miss overtaking opportunities which the others have been able to take. Another, experienced and level-headed rider at the front is great for setting expectations of the group.
• Be sensible with group sizes or ensure that you have sufficient marshals.
• When overtaking, make sure you are sure that it is clear and that you have enough time rather than just automatically following the rider in front.
• Establish a group procedure and follow it. Make sure any new riders are aware of the procedure and also follow it. Riding is so much easier if you know what the rest of the group are going to do.
• Ride within your own capabilities and don’t feel pressured into riding in a way you are not comfortable with.
Membership, Merchandise, Adaptation Information, Social Networking, Licensing Issues, Trike Legislation, Insurance Problems, Event Information, Adaptation Kits, VAT Exemptions, Vehicle Tax Exemptions, Learner/Loaner Bikes, Event Tickets, Training & Test Advice. IT’S ALL AVAILABLE ONLINE...
The NABD Website: www.nabd.org.uk
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TheNABD
Facebook Page for A�liated Clubs: www.facebook.com/groups/212678039073921
Facebook page for NABD Supporters in Northern Ireland: www.facebook.com/bikers4bikers
Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/TherealNABD The NABD Online Shop: www.thenabd.co.uk
• A de-brief following the ride is a good way to end. What particular things did the group enjoy, was communication good, what could be improved for next time?
In addition to the above, motorcycle clubs should note that you are not opening yourselves up to negligence claims when organising a ride out!
In road traffic accidents the driver of a vehicle will be liable in negligence if they failed to attain the standard of a reasonable careful driver and if the accident was caused as a result. It is for the person making the claim (The Claimant) to establish on the balance of probabilities that the other person (The Defendant) was negligent. The standard of care is that of a reasonably careful driver, armed with common sense and experience. If a real risk of danger would have been reasonably apparent to such a driver, then reasonable precautions must be taken. If the danger was no more than a mere possibility which would not have occurred to such a driver, then there is no obligation to take extraordinary precautions.
The Defendant is not to be judged by the standards of an ideal driver nor with the benefit of hindsight.
By way of example, there are circumstances where a group of motorcyclists will clearly not be at fault. If a vehicle was to emerge from a side road into the path of a motorcycle which was clearly
there to be seen, then liability will rest with the emerging vehicle. The same applies to if a car was overtaking from the opposite direction and encroached onto the motorcycle group’s side of the road, causing them to lose control of their motorcycles.
This obviously applies to motorcyclists too and fault would rest with the rider of the motorcycle if the circumstances of the above examples were the other way round and it was a motorcycle emerging from a junction or encroaching on to the opposite side of the road.
So, with the riding season approaching, take care, especially in groups, but also have an amazing time!
We at Fletchers are experts in dealing with motorcycle accidents. Should you be in the unfortunate position of needing specialised motorcycle legal advice then we will be more than happy to assist.
Lee Martyniak Chartered Legal Executive at Fletchers Solicitors
NB. Fletchers Solicitors are NABD Gold Affiliate.
Contact Fletchers Solicitors on 0330 008 1234 or request a call back by visiting: www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/road-trafficaccident/motorcycle-accidents/
A SIMPLE GUIDE TO BASH-HATTE
Love them or hate them, motorcycle helmets are an intrinsic and unavoidable part of life for all bikers throughout the UK and Europe.
24-years ago, the old BS (British Standard) mark on motorcycle helmets was replaced with the European ECE 22.05 standard mark, which showed a motorcycle helmet to have been rigorously tested up to the internationally agreed safety standard for Europe and the UK
In 2020, helmets with the new ECE 22.06 standard mark began to appear in the UK but it wasn’t until January 2024 that this new standard became mandatory for retailers, which means that it is now illegal to sell motorcycle helmets in the UK and Europe unless they carry the ECE 22.06 mark.
People who already own helmets carrying the ECE 22.05 mark can continue to use them but if anybody tries to sell you one, they will now be in contravention of the law.
As much as I detest many of the legislative decisions made by the EU, I know from experience that these safety standards really do matter!
Sadly, over the past 33-years as chairman of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability, I have had far too many experiences with people who were wearing substandard kit when they became involved in serious road traffic accidents and each time it has proven to be to their ultimate detriment.
This recent upgrade in helmet standards reflects advances that have been made in manufacturing technology and materials over the past twenty years and the increasing improvements in understanding those facets of accidents and the forces involved that are most liable to result in severe head/brain injury.
While writing this article, a quick look on Amazon showed some UK retailers still offering ECE 22.05 helmets for sale in contravention of the law. Hopefully, by the time this article is published, these retailers will have been given the kick up the arse they so richly deserve. They have had more than four-years to prepare for this change in legislation!
Unfortunately, while this new legislation is mandatory for manufacturers and retailers in Europe and the UK, it doesn’t stop manufacturers from further afield offering sub-standard motorcycle helmets for sale on the internet.
Many helmets produced in the USA carry a DOT (Department of Transportation) mark, which indicates they have been tested to USA standards but, as the testing in the USA falls far short of the standards demanded by ECE 22.06, these are not legal for use in the UK or Europe.
Alas, this does not stop fool-hardy people in the UK from buying ‘Dot Marked’ helmets from the USA, via the internet, and using them on UK and European roads illegally.
I also meet many people who have purchased motorcycle helmets via the internet from retailers in China, because they are cheap. Many of these will not have been tested at all though that will not stop them claiming to be up to ECE 22.06 standard because Chinese manufacturers know they are immune from any real threat of prosecution.
There are even unscrupulous suppliers selling fake ECE 22.06 stickers on the internet!
In these days of high inflation and financial hardship, we are all looking to save money but buying a sub-standard helmet is, at best, playing Russian Roulette with your life or, risking permanent brain damage for the sake of less money than it costs to attend an average bike rally!
One aspect of the upgrade to the safety standard is that helmet liners must now have greater resistance to the deterioration caused by sweat and a range of other mucky shite that is transferred from the user to the liner. With luck this should result in the recommended useful lifespan of helmets being extended beyond the current average of 5-years, though I expect that will still be greatly affected by how much use the helmet gets.
When considering the purchase of a new motorcycle helmet, it is always worth a visit to the ‘Sharp’ website, https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/ where you can get lots of useful information to help you judge whether a new helmet is a good fit etc. as well as finding out how it performed in a range of safety tests.
Also, while I would recommend not buying helmets from retailers in the USA and not buying anything at all from retailers in China, I do recommend shopping around in Europe for good deals on quality helmets. While many of these may not be featured on the Sharp testing site, they will have undergone rigorous testing to qualify for the ECE 22.06 standard.
A couple of years ago I bought two ECE 22.05 flip-front ‘Bogotta’ helmets with integrated Bluetooth intercoms for just £133.31 each from FC Moto in Germany. They have proven to be of excellent quality and very comfortable to wear.
My only mistake in purchasing them was to buy both helmets in a single order, the combined total took it over the £135.00 threshold for Import Tax/Duties, which landed me with a further bill for £75.00 from UK Customs.
The threshold for UK Import Tax still currently stands at £135.00 so, if you are ordering anything from the EU, try to break it down into separate orders each below £135.00 to avoid the extra cost of import duty.
Even with the unwelcome embuggerment of import duty, if we get just five years of use out of these helmets (though I expect a little more), that works-out at less than £35.00 per-year each to protect our heads from the elements and catastrophic damage in the event of an accident. I have no doubt at all that the outlay is worth it!
I still have very vivid memories of cradling the battered and bleeding head of a young lady at the side of a road in North Wales in 2013, not knowing if she would survive the terrible head injuries she suffered after being thrown from a trike without the protection of a helmet.
Not choosing a good-quality ECE 22.06 standard motorcycle helmet could prove to be the worst money-saving decision you ever make!
To quote my lovely wife Mandy, speaking on the subject, “How much is your head worth?”
Rick Hulse, NABD Chairman
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This is the latest up-date of our “Rough Guide to Adaptions”. Due to the limitations of the available space in the the Open House magazine we can not go into minute detail of each and every option, but hopefully this article will give a fairly good overview of the most commonly available options for the adaption of most motorcycles and trikes to suit the needs of riders with disabilities.
Where possible we have included the website addresses or other contact details of manufacturers. More comprehensive details are available on www.nabd.org.uk or from the NABD office: office@thenabd.co.uk
Right Leg:
(Amputation, reduced / restricted strength / mobility in the knee or the ankle joints):
This is usually a simple matter of transferring the rear brake pedal to a handlebar-mounted lever. This can take the form of a thumb operated lever or “twin” levers. Another method of adapting the rear brake system is to utilise a mechanical linkage or hydraulic extension to transfer the brake pedal to the left-hand side of the machine. This can be sited either beside the gear pedal or directly behind it for heel operation.
1. Twin levers
2. Thumb brake
3. Crossover to the left side of the motorcycle.
For any type of leg disability you may find it difficult to operate the side stand. This can usually be cured with the simple addition of a hand operated actuating lever or moving the stand to the right side of the machine.
Left Leg:
(Amputation, reduced /restricted strength / mobility in the knee or the ankle joints):
The easiest method would be to use an electrongic gear change system such as the Kliktronic push button gear-changer www.kliktronic.co.uk
This unit works by pushing two buttons on the handlebars that operate an electronic actuator connected to the gear pedal. The Kliktronic gear-changer is supplied as a complete, easy to fit kit, which can be used on all styles of motorcycle.
Another method is to use a cross over linkage to the right side of the motorcycle, mounting the gear pedal either beside or in-front of the rear brake pedal.
1. Electronic push button gear-changer (to fit 1” and 7/8” bars) (“on-bar” or “under-bar” push-buttons)
2. “Crossover” to the right side of the motorcycle
Kliktronic Operating Switches: www.kliktronic.co.uk
Right or Left Leg:
For any type of leg disability you may find it difficult to operate the side stand. This can usually be cured with the simple addition of a hand operated lever/linkage or moving the stand to the opposite side of the machine. The kliktronic switches, the twin levers and the thumbrake are all available in 1” or 7/8” bar sizes.
Right Arm:
(Amputation, Brachial Plexus Injury, reduced strength / mobility in hands or fingers or elbow & shoulder joints):
This is usually a simple matter of transferring the throttle and front brake lever to the left handlebar. The front brake caliper can then be operated by a “twin lever” in tandem with the clutch lever (see www.klever2.com and/or www.pfmbrakes.com for twin lever kits) or by fitting a thumb operated lever below the left handlebar. Some switchgear may require adapting to suit left hand operation.
www.bitzforbikes.co.uk
If the disability of the rider just involves difficulty with operating a twist grip throttle (i.e. fused or stiff wrist, tendonitis etc) the only requirement may be the use of a thumb-operated throttle (as used on quads). Where it is a matter of reduced mobility or amputation of fingers or wrist problems it may be that a thumb operated brake lever will solve the problem.
A further, though less common option would be to operate the front brake with a left foot pedal mounted behind the gear pedal for heel operation.
1. Left-hand throttle
2. Right-hand thumb throttle
3. Left-hand thumb brake
4. Left-hand twin levers
5. Left-heel brake
Left Arm:
(Amputation, Brachial Plexus Injury, reduced strength/ mobility in hands or fingers or elbow & shoulder joints):
In most cases this is a simple matter of adapting the clutch operating lever and some minor modification to the switchgear on the left
handlebar. There are several ways to adapt the clutch lever depending on the severity of the individual’s disability. In the case of total loss of/or loss of use of the left hand, the clutch lever must be re-sited elsewhere.
Most commonly this is a simple matter of transferring the lever to the right handle bar using “twin levers” for front brake and clutch (see www.klever2.com and / or www.pfmbrakes.com for twin lever kits) or by fitting a thumb operated lever below the right handlebar to operate the front brake and using the original front brake lever for the clutch.
In the case of reduced mobility or strength in the left hand, further options would be; An hydraulic to cable conversion kit for smaller bikes makes the use of cable operated clutches much lighter. For a limited range of motorcycles, an automatic clutch such as the Rekluse Z-Clutch www.rekluse.co.uk may be available. Recently
K-Lever2 twin lever unit: www.klever2.com
K-Lever2 operation detail: www.klever2.com
some of the major motorcycle manufacturers have produced large capacity motorcycles that are available with automatic transmission, thereby doing away with the clutch altogether. The Yamaha FJR1300AS has an automatic transmission as does the Honda DN01, the Honda CTX700 and the Honda VFR1200DCT.
1. Right hand twin levers
2. Automatic Clutch
3. Thumbrake & Clutch
Right or Left Arm:
With all adaptions to suit riders with a hand or arm disability we strongly recommend the fitting of a high quality steering damper. When necessary a Velcro glove to handlebar grip can be used to help keep the affected hand on the handlebar & in some cases for amputees, prosthetics can be specially adapted to enable some handlebar use.
However we must stress the importance of never being too firmly connected to a solo motorcycle. If you do have a spill while riding you need to be able to separate from the machine very easily rather than be dragged along by it into what could prove to be a more dangerous situation.
Both the twin levers and thumb brake are available in 1” or 7/8” bar sizes.
Wheelchair Users & Balance problems:
(Bilateral amputation, paraplegia, MS, reduced mobility/strength in legs, balance problems, etc):
With these types of disability one obvious issue is that of stability, which usually means the addition of a “third road wheel” whether this is in the form of a bike and sidecar combo or a trike.
In the case of bike and sidecar combos sometimes it is possible to utilise standard outfits when the bike has been converted to “full hand controls”. But there are also some manufacturers who manufacture specialised or adapted sidecar outfits that are specifically designed to suit independent use by wheelchair users such as Motopodd Ltd www.motopodd.com and Unit Sidecars Ltd www.unitsidecars.co.uk
In the case of trikes it is always preferable to have
a trike fully manufactured specifically to suit the individual rider. Where this is not possible, some second hand machines can sometimes be modified to suit the needs of a disabled rider (i.e. full hand controls, stirrups, foot-plates, seating styles, back support, automatic transmission, wheelchair carriers, etc). www.trikeshop.co.uk / www.trikedesign.co.uk / www.boomtrikes.co.uk / www.rewacotrikes.co.uk
There are “drop down” stabiliser kits www.adaptivemotorcycles.com and www.koeltgen.de/kontakt.html for solo motorcycles on the market but as yet we have not been able to fully test their viability for disabled riders.
1. Bike and sidecar
2. Trike
3. Stabilisers (for solo bikes)
Reverse Gear for bikers:
The vast majority of do not feature a reversing facility. However, for many people with disabilities, a reversing facility is essential when a motorcycle has been converted to a trike. There are several methods of achieving this; perhaps the oldest method was to incorporate an electric reversing motor, but this has generally proven to be ineffecient and ofter a serious strain on the battery. More recently, purpose built reversing differentials and in-line reversing gearboxes have emerged onto th emarket from the motor racing scene. Companies like Quaife Engineering Ltd www.quaife.co.uk and Elite Racing Transmissions Ltd www.eliteracingtransmissions.com produce in-line reversing boxes for shaft-driven vehicles and reversing differentials for chain, belt or shaft driven vehicles.
NB. This guide is not intended as an exhaustive catalogue of the adaptions available for bikes and trikes. It is meant as a brief guide featuring the most popular solutions to the most common problems faced by many riders with disabilities when considering adapting machines.
There are always other options available and we at the NABD are constantly working with some highly skilled engineers to develop new alternatives and improvements to existing kits.
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GOLD AFFILIATED BUSINESSES
AAA Motorc ycle Training Ltd
Amanda & Dean, Compound 4, Saxon Business Park, Littlepor t, Ely, Cambridgeshire. CB6 1XX
Tel: 07384 746025 or 07787 125667
Email: aaamc t@outlook com w w w.aaamc t.co.uk
Datum Motorc ycle Trikes Ltd
Tony Clack, Unit 2A Merrivale Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1DU
Tel: 01837 53658 or 07590 299850
Email: datummotorc ycletrikesltd@gmail com w w w.datummc t.com
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Paul Mulderrig, 72 Bank Street, Rawtenstall, BB4 8EG
Tel: 0800 052 3693
w w w.mulderrigs.co.uk
Law Society ’s Personal Injur y Panel Association of Personal Injur y Law yers
Bucklemania
Mike Gregor y, 210 Wessex Cour t, De -Havilland Way, Stanwell, Staines-On-Thames, Middlesex. T W19 7JL Tel: 07568 703387
Email: mikebuckham0416@gmail.com
Diamond Trikes
Derek Winter, 38 Grange Road, Por tadown, Co Armagh, BT62 4JD Tel: 028 388 52635 w w w.diamondtrikes.co.uk
PHAB
Janine Williams, Summit House, 50 Wandle Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1DF
Tel: 020 8667 9443 Email: info@phab.org.uk w w w.phab.org.uk
Trike Design LTD
Hank, Unit 2A, Ponty Gwindy Industrial Estate, Caerphilly, CF83 3HU
Tel: 02920 880885
w w w.trike- design.co.uk
Trike Builders, Custom & Adaption Engineers
Casar va Ltd
Steve Read, 16 Axis Park, Manasty Road, Or ton, Southgate, Peterborough. PE2 6UP
Tel: 01733 234942 Email: info@casar va.co.uk
w w w c asar va.co.uk
Trike Manufac turers, Trike Kits, Conversions and Adaptations
Fletchers Solicitors, Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
St James’ Tower, 7 Charlotte Street, Manchester, M1 4DZ
Tel: 0161 3881733 Email: enquiry@fs.co.uk
www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk
Specialists in Motorcycle Accident Compensation
Principal Insurance Ltd
Matt Byrne, Dalton House, Dane Road, Sale, Manchester, M33 7AR
Tel: 0161 972 2597 or 0808 178 0181
Email: info@principalinsurance co.uk w w w.principalinsurance.co.uk
Trikeshop
Bev Meredith, Unit 10, Waterside Business Park, Lamby Way, Rumney, Cardiff, CF3 2ET
Tel: 02920 369420 Email: info@trikeshop co.uk
w w w.trikeshop.co.uk
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Kliktronic LTD
Bob / Keith, Unit 2, Station Road Industrial Estate, Elmswell, Suffolk, IP31 3PD
Tel: 01359 242100
w w w.kliktronic.co.uk
Elec tronic Gear-Changers, Push-Button Side Stands etc
TBPI Group (Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injur y Group) Neil Finney, 13 Wemeth Road, Glossop, SK13 6LZ Tel: 07976 317529
w w w.tbpi-group.org
Pat Van Aalst, Accounting Consultant 10 Blythe Place, Bicester, Oxfordshire England, OX26 2GH
Tel: 01869 640 095 www.patvanaalst.co.uk
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The Biker Guide Website for bikers
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Fox ylady Reborn
Diane Vane, Sunnyside Cottage, Metherinham Lane, Dunston, Lincolnshire, LN4 2EU
Tel: 07541 502197 Email: fox ylady1960@live com
w w w fox yhatsncrafts.co.uk
Parkitt Per formance Motorc ycle Racing Unit 4, Ashvale Workshops, Ashvale Road, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire. NG22 0JY
Tel: 07530 928314
w w w.parkittracing.co.uk
Custom Paints Ltd
Saj Khan, 3 Nor folk Bridge Cour t, Warren Street, Sheffield, S4 7WT Tel: 01142 752187 Email: saj@custompaints com w w w custompaints.com
J. Byrne Ltd
65 Old Road, Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, OL6 9DH Tel: 0161 344 1175 w w w.jbyrnelimited.co.uk
Rewaco Trikes Scotland
Crosshill Garage, Montrose Road, Brechin DD9 7PL
Tel: 07885 791685
w w w rewacotrikesscotland.com
Wyrd Tony Pagan Armour & Jeweller y Tony Bunch, 43 Deepdale Crescent, Cowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear. NE5 3HQ
Tel: 0191 286 6004 Email: fat tonys@outlook com
Fatbob Crafts
Tony Fulton, 58 Roman Way, Godmanchester, Cambs. PE29 2RW
Tel: 07495 901012 Email: enquiries@fatbobcrafts co.uk w w w.fatbobcrafts.co.uk
K armenz Bike Training
Karl Menzel, Billing Garden Village, The Causeway, Nor thampton. NN3 9EX
Tel: 01604 402444 Email: karl@karmenzbiketraining com www k armenzbiketraining.com
Union Leisurewear Ltd
Sandra, c/o: Flexispace Business Centre, Old Hall Street, Middleton. M24 1AG Tel: 0161 877 7780
Motorcycle Gear Hub Roy Martin, Email: mcgearhub@gmail.com
Web: www.mcgearhub.com
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