Lembit Öpik, the Motorcycle Action Group’s (MAG) Director of Communications & Public Affairs, has spoken out against the implied imposition of a mandatory helmet law for cyclists.

The threat has arisen as a result of the Advertising Standards Agency’s (ASA) directive to Cycling Scotland, requiring them to feature cyclists wearing helmets, and refusing to authorise a television advertisement which showed a
rider without a helmet – claiming that to do so would be ‘socially irresponsible.’

Lembit says ‘in 1973, British motorcyclists suffered a hammer blow to their liberty with the introduction of a mandatory helmet law. Over the last four decades we have never wavered from our principled position of opposing this authoritarian regulation. It’s not because we’re against safety; rather it’s because we’re pro-choice. At the heart of any truly free society, citizens have the right to make personal decisions about their welfare and the level of risk they’re willing to entertain. No government has the moral authority to forcibly impose its opinion about what’s best for citizens, because such a move is counter to the very freedoms which democracy exists to uphold. As such, we offer our full support to Britain’s cyclists in opposing the mandatory wearing of helmets. This is a symbolic test of the liberty. A defeat on this would be a catastrophic failure of politicians to respect the personal liberty of the people.’

MAG Chairman John Mitchell adds ‘I have instructed MAG’s Reps to provide whatever support is necessary to assist the British cycling community to successfully resist this ominous legislative menace. The ASA has effectively used its position to censor Cycling Scotland’s right to illustrate cyclists’ liberty to ride without a helmet. They have evidently not got the right to veto the portrayal of a legal activity, but the precedent is extremely dangerous. Their action has reignited an issue which has been quietly smouldering for some time as far as motorcyclists are concerned. Make no mistake, we’re ready, willing and able to take this issue to the politicians, and I have no doubt that
this debate will now extend to bikers as well as cyclists. The Cycle Touring Club, which represents cyclists is firmly against compulsory helmet use, as it feels that mandatory helmet use will reduce the numbers of those people who take up cycling. What unites us all is our belief in personal choice. The very last thing elected politicians who ignore this can expect is an easy ride.’

www.mag-uk.org

British Winter Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller takes to two wheels

•22-year old Aimee Fuller - Team GB medal hope for Olympics
•Completes CBT on 125 Duke before Games
•‘Slopestyle’ Snowboarder used to race motocross
•Planning on a 390 Duke and completing full test after Games
•Watch the video of Aimee’s CBT here

Winter Olympic snowboarder, Aimee Fuller, has taken the first steps in getting her motorcycle licence by completing the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) on a KTM 125 Duke.

One of the country’s most promising freestyle snowboarders, Fuller, 22, will represent Team GB in the ‘Slopestyle’ event in Sochi, Russia, on February 6. Originally from Kent but based in Holywood, County Down, Aimee needed two top 12 finishes in the last two World Cup events to represent her country at the games and did so with 11th and fifth, sitting eight overall in the world standings.

No stranger to bikes or KTM, Aimee began riding on a 50SX and even competed in motocross for a number of seasons from the age of X. Earlier this winter she found time to head to Shires Motorcycle Training (Derby) and complete her CBT as the first stage to obtaining her full licence.

Aimee Fuller said: “I’ve always wanted to get a road bike, but I’ve been so busy travelling and competing all over the world to find the time to do it. Fortunately, I was able to do my CBT with Shires on a 125 Duke. I’ve sold my car now, so once the games in Sochi are finished I’m going to complete my full test and get a 390 Duke.

“Bikes will be a buzz for me when I’m away from the slopes and I’m planning a big tour through Norway in the summer taking in snowboarding, surfing and bikes – as long as I pass my test!”

In 2013, the 125 Duke became the first bike in its class to be equipped standard with a two-channel (front and rear) ABS system and for 2014 it continues to be offered with free insurance* and 0% finance options.**

Incredibly easy to handle, lightweight, torquey, comfortable and perfectly suited to everyday use alone or two-up, the Duke has also been tested and ergonomically designed for extreme manoeuvres and thrillingly fast cornering. The bike is supremely well equipped, robust, extremely economical, inexpensive to maintain and only £3,995 on the road in a choice of orange or white.

Visit www.ktm.com for more information.

Looking for a new motorcycling challenge this year? Well, we have plenty at the London Motorcycle Show at Excel, 14-16 February. Come and see Asian Adventures by H-C Travel on stand A68 (next to Touratech).

For all of our female customers, we have a special treat. Come and meet Tiffany Coates, global bike adventurer, who is leading the World's first even women only tour to the World's highest pass, Khardung-La in India this summer. I'm pretty sure that after speaking with her you'll be hooked on the challenge and want to join her!

And just so you guys don't feel you've missed out, why not come on one of our regular Himalayan tours. We pioneered Himalyan touring in the 1990s, running the first tour to the World's Highest Pass, as well pioneering Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, Rajasthan and Kerala in India, Thailand, Laos and the Philippines. That experience pays off for our customers in many way, in sometimes difficult conditions, and there's plenty of adventure for anyone!We still have places left on this summer's tours, and we're offering early booking discounts for Winter and Summer 2015 at the show.

www.hctravel.com

Welcoming in a wet, windy and cold new year the cafe's Friday "Bike Nights", through February (excepting Valentines night 14.2.14), and on the last Thursday of the month's Harley Night, includes opportunity to win an Ace goodie pack.
 
Spend £5 or more over the counter from 6pm and receive a raffle ticket. The draws will be held at 10pm:
 
 Friday 7th February
 Friday 21st February
 Thursday 27th February
 Friday 28th February
 
For more information about what's on in 2014, check out the scrolling calendar on the Homepage

www.ace-cafe-london.com
 

Ace Cafe London has a pair of tickets up for grabs as a raffle prize to spend an evening with Steve Parrish on his forthcoming "Mad Tour", a funny and informative evening, hosted by his daughter Frankie Parrish, and which opens on 12th February at the Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex, and subsequently on the following dates:

13th February - Melton Theatre, Melton Mowbray
20th February - Playhouse Theatre, Harlow
23rd February - Courtyard, Hereford
28th February - Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham
2nd March - The Muni Theatre, Colne

Steve, currently the BBC commentator for Motor GP, raced at the highest level of motorcycle racing, becoming the British Champion in 1976 and 5th in the 1977 500cc World Championship, his team mate and that year's champion, Barry Sheene is quoted as saying "If he was to set up his bike as well as his victims and had put as much effort into the bike as he did the intricate pranks he pulled on people he would certainly have been a World Champion".

Spend £5 or more over the counter at the cafe from 6pm on Friday 7th February and receive a raffle ticket. Draw to be held at 10pm.

www.madtour.co.uk

For more information about what's on at the Ace, click on
www.ace-cafe-london.com
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