Aspiring motorcyclists are more likely to be interested in getting to work more easily than getting their knee down, according to a You Gov survey** carried out for National Motorcycle Week.

In two years the number of commuters who said they would like to ride to work on a bike has doubled. The survey revealed that 16 per cent of the public said they would like to be a  'commuter biker' when asked what sort of motorcyclist they would like to be, compared to 8 per cent who chose this option in 2007.

The desire to enjoy the leisure aspect of riding is now less important to people. People want a cost-effective and practical mode of transport to get them to work. This was underpinned in the survey findings that showed the number of people of who aspired to be 'leisure riders' has notably fallen from 31 per cent in 2007 to 19 per cent in 2009.

One in eight commuters in Great Britain would consider switching to two wheels in order to avoid traffic. Bicycle commuters and tube travellers were the most willing to switch. Eighteen per cent of pedal cyclists and 20 per cent of underground users said that they would consider commuting by motorcycle or scooter to avoid traffic and delays.

 Other benefits of riding to work highlighted by the survey included:-

* Punctuality: over two-thirds of motorcycle and scooter commuters (67 per cent) said they were never late for work. The only commuters with a better punctuality performance were those who walked to work, 68 per cent of whom said they were never late.

* Quicker commute: one quarter of motorcyclists said the reason they rode to work was because it was quicker than other options. For commuters as a whole, only one tenth said their usual means of transport was the quickest available. 

* Financial savings: Sixty per cent of motorcycle commuters spent less than  £10 a week on their commute

The general public, especially people who have to travel during the rush hour are starting to recognise the many practical benefits for riding to work on either a bike, scooter or moped. Ride to Work Day was created to highlight the fact that riding has benefits for the individual and society.

Riding a bike to work can

. Cut costs
. Cut journey times
. Cut pollution
. Cut congestion

Sheila Rainger MCI Spokesperson said, ""Motorcycling isn't just about having fun on Sundays.  Many new riders have taken their tests so that they can spend less time travelling to work and more time with their families.

"Experience in London has shown that as the number of two-wheel commuters rises, the risk of being injured in an accident falls. More people riding to work is good news for individuals, the economy and for road safety.

"Ride to Work Day 2009 is the ideal opportunity to Get More Out of Life by switching to two wheels." 


 **All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,136 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 11th June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)

The Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s annual motorcycle ride out is set to take to the beautiful country lanes of Devon on Sunday 12th July.

This year however it’s a ride out with a twist, with 3 starting points, but only one finish.

Riders can choose to start from Coypool Park & Ride in Plympton, Cullompton Services or Atlantic Village, Bideford, with an amalgamated finish at Paignton Green. At Paignton Green there will be trade and exhibition stands, catering vans, together with live music from ‘Thick as Thieves’ and ‘Fizgig’.

Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust said ‘We always look forward to our annual motorcycle ride as its a great opportunity to meet all the keen bikers, who are also supporting the charity. They recognise the essential service that the charity provides, as unfortunately we do regularly get called out to their fellow bikers.’

She added ‘This event isn’t just open to motorcyclists, we have people taking part on scooters, mopeds, trikes, to name just a few. Please come along and support this event and make it the biggest and best yet. We are ideally hoping for 500+ bikes and hope that by having 3 starting points this will will encourage more people to take part.

‘Even if you aren’t a biker, why not come along to Paignton Green as there is lots for all the family, plus the two bands performing are fantastic!’

Safety is paramount for bikers when out and about. Therefore the charity is also pleased to welcome 5 officers from the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary bike wing, who will be taking part in the ride. The routes are all marshalled, ensuring that everyone goes the right way.

Trade stands include the Road Safety Partnership, Police Exhibition Unit, Police Speed Enforcement motorcycle plus many more.

Trophies will be awarded for the Best British Bike, Best Modern Bike, and Best In Show.

The ride out will start at 10am, with registration on the day available from 9am. Entry is just £5 per bike, which includes a limited edition pin badge. However you can pre register and also purchase a limited edition t-shirt at just £7. T-shirts and badges are also available to pillion riders at £7.

Entry forms are available at www.daat.org

THE BIKER GUIDE are to put together for 2010 a calendar which will feature Motorcycle Clubs from around the UK and are looking for volunteers for the last two months.

The photographs will be artfully taken, with volunteers posing with their bikes. The catch... You have to be 'nearly' naked, but do not worry no-one will be done for indecent exposure as underwear can be worn in the taking of the photos and volunteers will be carefully posed to avoid any embarrassment or envy!

The photo shoots will take place between now and August at a place convenient for you.

Part of the proceeds of the sale of each calendar will be donated to a Biker Charity (To be confirmed)

Protests continue as Westminster Council tries to hang on to bike parking tax
 
Thousands of bikers are expected to descend on Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket and Regent Street on the evening of Tuesday 9th June in continued protests against the controversial motorcycle parking tax introduced under the stewardship of Cllr. Danny Chalkley, despite attempts by the council to push through a permanent charge by altering the scheme.
 
This month WCC announced that it would drop the £150/year, or £1.50/day, charge to £1, or £100/year, and make spaces in it’s car parks free. This has drawn criticism from protestors, and other Westminster Councillors, who have called the alterations ‘back to front’, ‘plainly ridiculous’, ‘arrogant’, ‘desperate’, and ‘an empty and meaningless gesture’, as the scheme would still net millions for ‘improvements’ that have already been covered by existing takings.
 
Spaces in car parks have historically had a lower uptake, and many of the car spaces being converted were of minimal use due to the congestion charge. Campaigners have often stressed that indoor parking would be one of the areas where charging could have been justified, and accused Cllr. Chalkley of playing politics rather than addressing the concerns of protestors.
 
Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group in WCC, said last month:
 
"The Council's position is looking sillier with every day that passes. How can it be fair or make financial sense to offer free motorbike parking in expensively-run car parks and yet charge motorbike owners to park in the street?"
 
Warren Djanogly, chairman of the campaign against the tax, said:
 
“I’d love to visit planet Chalkley, but I doubt I’d be able to afford the parking. His actions are those of a man who,  in his desperation to save face, would rather risk the reputation of one of the finest  Councils in the world rather than admit when he is wrong, in what can only be seen as petulant stubbornness." 

Warren also highlighted the problems with the controversial pay-by-phone system, and the risks to riders:

“Chalkley claims that cash-less parking charging has one of its roots in Eastern European Mafia attacks on the cash-machines, and yet he's content in exposing the most vulnerable of road-users, of which over 40% are women, to publicly display their mobile phones and credit cards whilst announcing the details to the world.”
 
Press Spokesman for the Campaign, Charlie Lort-Phillips, said today:
 
“WCC have tried to brush the concerns of these protestors under the carpet, without seeing that the very principal they are setting is the cause of the anger. If this charge is taken up by boroughs across the capital, motorbike use will plummet. That would be ultimately detrimental to the capital as a whole, and bring yet more pressure to bear on public transport. WCC’s utter inability to foresee the consequences of their greed has fuelled the anger of those joining us on the street this week.”
 
Over 3000 protestors brought Central London to a standstill on the 11th May, in addition to over 4000 who rallied outside City Hall on 31st March.
 
“This council have made millions out of those who are doing their bit to alleviate congestion,” said Warren “If they want to charge us like cars, we can congest like cars. We are not going away, we will prevail, and this tax will be stopped.”

A map of the route can be found here: