Moto Electric, the sole UK distributor of the Sunra EV brand, has agreed a partnership with leading motorcycle and scooter insurance experts, Lexham Insurance, providing the official scheme for owners of the brand’s models.

Commencing with immediate effect, owners of the entire Sunra range can now benefit from preferential insurance rates from Lexham; leading specialists not only in scooter and small capacity motorcycles, but specifically for two-wheel EV models too.

Logan Black of Moto Electric, commented, “We’re very pleased to agree this partnership with Lexham. For us, establishing the brand in the UK isn’t just about bringing new products to the market, but ensuring we support both our customers and dealers as comprehensively as possible. Having a trusted insurance partner is an important part of this overall support, of which Lexham are incredibly well positioned for, thanks to their long-standing experience and great reputation for customer service too”.

With the Sunra range boasting five models, currently offering 50 and 125cc equivalents and with many customers based in urban areas, the team at Lexham have a panel of underwriters that aim to keep the cost of zero emission transport as competitive as possible.

Andy Goodson of Lexham Insurance, explained, “The EV market is of course relatively new to us all, and there are some misconceptions about risks both in terms of theft and in total loss situations. The reality is far more conventional and so we’ve been able to work with underwriters to look at rates from a real-world perspective. As such, we can offer Sunra owners a truly cost effective approach in general to their insurance cover.”

With Sunra products priced competitively to begin with, Insurance rates with Lexham are extremely competitive, making the switch to two-wheels for commuters even more compelling.

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When buying a motorcycle, you probably draw in your imagination pictures of how you rush along the track at maximum speed, and your companion gently clung to you from behind. But when you really decide to give your friend a ride, the set of thoughts will be broader: “If only I didn’t fall down! Why are you choking it like that? Where are you sticking your feet ?! " 

To avoid awkward and frankly dangerous situations, it is better for the motorcyclist to immediately explain to the passenger how to behave from the seat behind him. How to dress, how to sit, and what to hold on to. Believe me, both the passenger and your conscience will be grateful for this.

How to dress 

Ideally, a motorcycle passenger should be dressed in the same way as the driver: basic protective equipment, motorcycle shoes, and, of course, a helmet. Moreover, a helmet that fits the passenger in size, and not the first one that comes across, lying around in the garage or borrowed from a friend. Especially if the same passenger travels with you often enough.

Most often it happens that your companion does not have special clothing and shoes. In this case, make sure that the passenger is wearing sturdy pants and a jacket. In general, there should be a minimum of exposed parts of the body. It is highly undesirable for a girl to wear a skirt whilst riding a motorcycle.

Need to explain why? With regard to shoes, make sure that the passenger does not have dangling laces, straps, or other dangerous parts.

How to sit

Ask your companion to get on the motorcycle, and then note a few important points. Tell her how to hold her legs. Although it is convenient to put her feet on the muffler, it is highly discouraged if the passenger does not want her shoes to melt.

Share with the passenger what you were taught at the motorcycle school. The passenger should sit as close to the driver as possible so that the wind does not whistle between them. Let the satellite be ready for the fact that when accelerating, its body will pull back, and when braking, it will tilt forward.

If the companion is not ready for this, then on the trip he may get scared and do something inappropriate. Let the passenger try to mimic your body movements. 

What to hold on to

The main mistakes of a passenger on a motorcycle

●     Try to sit straight when cornering. A dangerous mistake that increases the turning radius and impairs handling. Explain to the passenger that when entering a turn, he must tilt the body in the same way as the driver does;

●     Cuddle up to the driver when braking. This creates excess weight transfer to the handlebars, which increases the risk of falling;

●     Lean on the rear trunk of the motorcycle. Due to the shift in weight, handling is impaired. Unusual sensations will appear at low speeds.

Both you and your companion will feel better if you are firmly convinced that the passenger knows what to hold on to. This is for you, an experienced motorcyclist, it is obvious that there is a special handle for this purpose. The passenger usually grasps the first thing that comes to hand: headlights, seat, driver's neck. There is no one-size-fits-all way for a passenger. It all depends on the type and model of the motorcycle.

If the passenger is inexperienced or nervous, then it is best to hold onto the driver's waist for the first time. So they can get used to repeating with their body the movements of the one sitting in front. 

If the motorcycle has a special handle for the passenger, then let them get used to holding on to it.

Before going on a motorcycle ride or motorcycle trip, be sure to take a practice train. Be sure to practice braking, accelerating, and cornering with a passenger in this workout.

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• More than 450,000 rides have taken on Spin e-scooters across Essex since launching in December 2020
• Operations have been extended in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester. The Clacton-on-Sea trial will conclude by end of October
• Accessibility schemes that offer free 30-minute rides for eligible NHS workers and subsidised rates for unemployed and low-income riders continue in areas we operate in

Thursday 14th October 2021 — Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company and Essex County Council today announce the extension of its e-scooter hire schemes in Essex to March 2022, aligned with the updated Department for Transport (DfT) legislation. In agreement with the local authority districts, Spin will continue to offer short term hire to riders in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester and it will conclude the trial in Clacton-on-Sea by the end of this month. Spin’s long-term e-scooter rental scheme in Brentwood and Braintree will also carry on.

Spin first launched its public hire e-scooter scheme in Essex in December 2020 and since then riders have taken more than 450,000 e-scooter rides. Chelmsford has seen the most rides (146,000), followed by Colchester (143,000), Basildon (124,000) and Clacton-on-Sea, which was launched in March 2021 (37,500).

The extension also includes the Spin Access and Spin Everyday Heroes schemes to support NHS workers and low-income riders with free and subsidised rides in Essex, to make essential journeys affordable. Since launch, Spin’s Everyday Heroes programme had 947 NHS workers signing up while nearly 100 riders are taking advantage of Spin Access.

In Clacton-on-Sea, the eight-month trial will conclude and operations will cease by the end of October. During this period nearly 6,000 riders opted for Spin’s greener transport option, clocking 37,500 journeys. Out of these riders, 40 work for the NHS, who were able to take advantage of Spin Everyday Heroes’ free rides and 20 riders on low income benefited from Spin Access’ subsidised rates.

Rider data reveals Spin e-scooters are most often used for short journeys, on average 3 km in distance and 23 minutes in length, with 82% of riders stating they have used a Spin e-scooter to replace a solo drive car journey at least once already. This is aiding Essex County Council (ECC) in its goal to lower carbon emissions across the region as part of its Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign. 

As part of Spin’s commitment to safe riding, it helped convene the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group, which represents various disability interest groups across the county. They work in partnership with Spin to ensure that those with eyesight, hearing impairments or other disabilities can voice their concerns through a single organisation.

Peter Blackman, Chair, Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder Group said: “The extension of the trial is sensible and welcome as it will provide more time to implement and examine the efficacy of ongoing improvements arising from the constructive dialogue our Group is having with Spin and Essex County Council. Plus the Essex experiences are influencing the national framework. By the end of the extended trial we trust legislation will be forthcoming to provide a smooth transfer from trial to the permanent, but continually improving, safe use of legitimate e-scooters and eradication of the dangerous illegal private ones. In accordance with the recently revised Highway Code, users of all e-vehicles must assume all pedestrians they see may be visually impaired, deaf, frail or have a disability.”

Commenting on the trial extension, Steve Pyer, UK&I Country Manager at Spin said, “The success of our e-scooter trials in Essex represents an exciting shift to a more sustainable transport solution aligned with Essex County Council’s Safer Green Healthier campaign. Our community-centred, consultative approach with local authorities and collaboration with the Essex E-scooter Trial Stakeholder group demonstrates that micromobility solutions can provide a safe, sustainable, and reliable service that meet the needs of all residents.”

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Excitement levels are high for the return of Motorcycle Live in association with Bikesure Insurance, as they look forward to welcoming back visitors to the UK’s biggest bike show, taking place from Saturday 4 - Sunday 12 December at The NEC, Birmingham.

There are 60 motorcycle and scooter manufacturers showcasing their extensive product ranges and brand-new models for 2022, alongside two bustling retail zones, display features and nine exciting opportunities to ride a bike.

For those looking for the ultimate show adrenaline rush, there’s Experience Adventure!

Experience Adventure is a feature dedicated to giving a first taste of off-road riding, across varied terrain and obstacles, all under the watchful eye of specially trained instructors, and completely free of charge!

Supported by Honda, Royal Enfield and Triumph, visitors will experience first-hand the capabilities of adventure bikes in an area offering a safe environment to get comfortable with the riding technique and balance required for taking the bikes off road, as well as experiencing how these amazing, versatile bikes cope with challenging terrain away from asphalt.

With full protective riding gear from Bell Helmets and RST, specially designed for adventure riding, visitors will have great quality kit to ride in, allowing them to focus on the challenging, but rewarding side of adventure riding.

Sharing the track, and showcasing their riding skills three times a day, will be pro trials riders Jack Price, former World Trials 2 Champion, seven times British Champion and Michael Brown with European and multiple British Trials Champion titles to his name, who will give spectators a demonstration of their capabilities in an impressive Moto Trials performance on the challenging terrain, guaranteed to impress the crowds.

Motorcycle Live 2021 at The NEC, Birmingham opens its doors at 09:00am Saturday 4 December. Discounted advanced tickets are now on-sale and available from motorcyclelive.co.uk

This charming book, packed with unique artwork and engaging photographs, celebrates scooter mania. In a feast of nostalgia, it takes us through the evolution of the scooter, focusing naturally on all things Lambretta and Vespa, but also covering plenty of obscure and eccentric machinery along the way. Scooter enthusiasm in all its forms receives generous attention, whether as fashion accessory for fifties movie stars, style-conscious transport choice for the Mod generation, or object of worship for today’s retro-loving adherents. Quotes in the book such as “The scooters, clothes and music — an unforgettable time of my life” and “Exciting, fun and carefree days when anything seemed possible” sum up the enduring appeal of classic scooters. Anyone afflicted with the obsession will adore this book.  

Key content
• Scooters take off: rising from the rubble of post-war Italy, Piaggio emerged first with its Vespa (meaning ‘wasp’), soon followed by Innocenti and its Lambretta (named after a Milan suburb).
• Evolution: numerous Lambretta and Vespa models over the years are illustrated and explained, accompanied by a look at the myriad accessories available for them. 
• Not just in Italy: a survey of classic-era scooters from Britain (such as Brockhouse Corgi, Sun Wasp and Triumph Tigress), Germany (such as Glas Goggo, Zündapp Bella and Heinkel Tourist), Japan (such as Fuji Rabbit, Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon and Honda Juno) and elsewhere.
• Mod culture: emerging in the sixties and entwined with music and fashion, it made a unique contribution to scooter fandom that has since embraced the globe.
• Scooters as classics: the resurgence of interest since the late seventies and all that has come with it, from restoration and racing to customising and clubs.
• Scooter tales worldwide: Cesare Bataglini’s round-the-world Lambretta odyssey; Mod revivalists in Tokyo; elderly scooters soldiering on in Africa; Indonesia’s Rebel Riders and their crazy Vespa-derived creations; scaling Ben Nevis on a Lambretta; and much more.

Author
Like every boy in the 1950s, Barry John knew the names of John Cobb and Malcolm Campbell and possessed battered Dinky toys of their cars. His fascination with record-breaking has persisted to this day and led to his first book, Quest for Speed (Evro, 2020), which he wrote, illustrated and designed himself. Riding various scooters in the 1960s sparked another lifelong interest and now he has applied his professional skills — he studied at Harrow School of Art and worked as a graphic designer — to his love of scooter culture. He lives in Kent.