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1. Mandatory ABS Is Not A Solution

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 25th Oct 2010

   The EU Commission presented its proposal for a regulation on type-approval and market surveillance of L-category vehicles.

   The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) who were present at the meeting to exchange views, reports that the Commission has rejected FEMA’s objections to the Commissions mandatory approach regarding Advanced Braking Systems (ABS) and FEMAs compromise for the fitment of a mandatory “switch-off” option.

   FEMA’s logic for a mandatory switch-off button for bikes equipped with ABS, is due to the fact that ABS is not suitable for certain riding conditions, especially with regard to riding on unpaved roads.

   FEMA reports that, “The Commission (…) considers the number of citizens living in areas with a high percentage of unpaved roads as negligible compared to the broader riding population. Indeed, the Commission fears that too many riders would switch off the ABS also when riding on common roads, due to “unjustified lack of faith in new technologies”.

   Apart from the outrageously condescending comment by the Commission, suggesting that riders are unable to decide for themselves, it is apparent that the Commission has NOT considered duel purpose motorcycles nor those used in competition or recreation such as Trail and Enduro bikes that spend most of their time on unsurfaced public roads – which they are legally entitled to use – that are legal with number plates, silencers, tax and insurance.

   In the UK alone, 42,500 Trail and Enduro bikes were registered between 2005 and 2009.  These represented 10% of all registered motorcycles in 2005 and 6% in 2009 (these figures exclude those not registered).

   Larger adventurer motorcycles such as the Yamaha XT1200Z, Super Ténéré, BMW GS model range andKTM 990 Adventure all have means to disengage the ABS if fitted, the industry has recognized a need for this, or to offer motorcycles without ABS so that riders can choose the model that most suits their needs.  

   At Right to Ride our position is simple and we will not cross the red line: 

   • We oppose the mandatory fitting of Advanced Braking Systems (ABS).  
   • We oppose any compromise that suggests acceptance of the mandatory fitting of Advanced Braking Systems (ABS). 
   • The motorcycle industry must be allowed to innovate these systems without legislative interference.  

   We generally support the Department for Transport’s (DfT) response to the Commission’s public consultation in 2009 regarding advanced braking system for motorcycles.

   Read more on the Right To Ride website - Share Your Thoughts - Leave your comments
   

2. Mind The Joint - Slippy When Wet!

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 15th Oct 2010

   Riders on the NI Bikers Forum have voiced concerns and are warning other riders of the hazard of new joints on the M3 Lagan Bridge in Belfast.

    

   According to Roads Service the bridge joints where replaced during June and August to ensure their continued high performance in coping with today’s traffic volumes.

    

   The joints appear to be fine in dry weather and an improvement to the “dips” prevalent in the previous joints, (which were only a few inches wide but created a slight jolt when ridden over), however the new joints are nearly 2 feet wide and riders have found that they cause their motorcycles to lose grip when these joints are negotiated in wet weather.

    

   While motorcyclists should treat these covers like any other hazard such as wet gratings, painted road markings, mud, leaves, diesel etc. riders should not have to deal with a hazard that appears to have been designed into the road infrastructure without taking motorcycles into consideration.

    

   While riders have written to the DOE Minister, Roads Service Chief Executive and their MLA, the joints remain a hazard in everyday use.

    

   It would appear in this instance that the Roads Service has not met three of its key objectives which we would assume include motorcycles.

    

   The questions which must be asked regarding the replacement of the bridge joints are:

   • Was there any consideration given to motorcycles in the placing and fitting of these covers?
     
   • Do these covers meet all required standards for installation in the roads infrastructure?
     
   • Are motorcycles included in any standard that is required for the use and fitting of these covers?
     
   • Will the Roads Service, either itself or any appointed contractor responsible for the auditing/purchasing/fitting of these covers, investigate the dangers that seem to be posed to motorcyclists and rectify any hazard?

   At present we are waiting for an initial response from The Department for Regional Development, responsible for Roads Service to find a solution to this “accident waiting to happen” and see what can be done.

    

   Read the full text and views and comments from riders 
   

3. MAG Back In NI

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 2nd Sep 2010

   The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) has reported that on a bracing Bank Holiday Monday evening there was the first gathering for some time, of MAG members in Northern Ireland.

   The venue chosen by local riders was the Dirty Duck pub in Holywood and the evening saw an interesting array of bikes and an enthusiasm from those attending to get things going again in the Province.

   The first gathering was organised by Molly and the MAG UK Campaigns Co-ordinator Paddy Tyson popped over from MAG “Central”, Paddy is originally from County Fermanagh.

   Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird said, “Although a MAG UK member, the report of the meeting came as a surprise, especially as we are in discussions with MAG UK about some form of collaboration to get MAG started again here. In the past, first as the Regional Rep for Northern Ireland and then General Secretary of MAG UK, I know that when the motorcycle community works together for the benefit of riders, we all win”.

   Our hand at Right To Right (and we are sure our supporters will agree), is extended in friendship to MAG on the various raft of issues we face as riders in Northern Ireland that come either internally or externally from the rest of the UK to Europe.

   Let’s hope together both the “new” MAG in Northern Ireland and Right To Ride can work in collaboration with the same co-operation that was extended to us by the local BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) representative, who we worked together with recently on the introduction of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) here in Northern Ireland.

   At Right To Ride we look forward to arranging an initial meeting and offer MAG in NI our support and good will and hope that they will reciprocate.

   Ride Free but Ride Together!

   www.righttoride.co.uk

4. Right To Ride - Digesting - Throttle Control

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 31st Aug 2010

   Right To Ride’s campaign “No To Throttle Control” has reached across the Irish Sea and has been acknowledged by the UK motorcycle magazine “The Riders Digest”.

   The Riders Digest in-house reporter, Amelie Summers’ column “Inside Line” has featured the issues on Throttle Control in an article entitled, “Automatic speed limiters – coming to your bike soon?”

   The article also mentions that inspite of preliminary advice given to the SAFERIDER project by training experts, they were ignored. Partners in the project include the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) of which the BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) and MAG (Motorcycle Action Group UK) are both members.

   Riders Organisations

   Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird says, “We have been writing to these organisations over the last three months regarding this fundamental issue of rider control and have not received any positive feedback on what they intend to do to stop the development of this system”.

   FEMA’s answer to threats of throttle, braking or steering interference is to use its best weapon of “plain common sense”.  We ask - when will its best weapon of plain common sense be deployed?

   Urgency is required, because the SAFERIDER project ends in November when the final review will be presented to the EU Commission and the deliverables (results) of the project, including the force feedback throttle will be seeking the EU Commission’s approval and support.

   Saferider

   Meanwhile at Right To Ride we have written directly and presented a paper to the EU Commission Project Officer and Directors of the SAFERIDER project, setting out the reasons why we consider the Force Feedback Throttle dangerous.

   Our argument in this paper is that any interference with the throttle will de-stabilize the motorcycle and place the rider in a precarious situation. We set out our reasons in detail why the development of this device – the force feedback throttle – must be stopped immediately and withdrawn from the SAFERIDER project.

   We say – “No To Throttle Control”

   Read The Full Story