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Category: Organisations
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With Westminster City Council’s controversial scheme for motorcycle parking charges now going before the High Court on 24th June, the 80,000 strong British Motorcyclists Federation is warning that failure to halt the scheme could result in the end of free motorcycle parking across the UK.
Although currently only affecting Westminster, the bmf say that with other Local Authorities across the country watching the situation closely, motorcyclists could soon be faced with the nationwide rollout of parking charges.
A strong supporter of the ‘No To Bike Parking Tax’ (NTBPT) campaign from its inception, the bmf is now calling on motorcyclists nationally to support the NTBPT legal challenge fighting-fund. Currently standing at some £30,000, the fund needs at least another £20,000 to meet the expected minimum legal costs of £50,000 (see www.notobikeparkingfees.com/fighting-fund/
to donate.)
The legal action, brought by NTBPF, has gained massive rider support in London but if NTBPT lose, the bmf say that many councils across the UK, possibly starting with Birmingham and Manchester, will bring in similar Pay by Phone charges for motorcycles.
If this were to happen, the Tax Payers Alliance have calculated that annually, it would cost the UK’s motorcycling community a staggering £93,000,000 in parking charges.
Commenting Chris Hodder, the bmf’s Government Relations Executive said: “Let’s be clear, the stakes are high. It’s not an understatement to say that the only reason other Local Authorities haven’t followed suit yet is that they are waiting to see what the outcome of this case is. If we don’t overturn the scheme in the courts, this could spell the end of nationwide free parking for motorcycles. We need motorcyclists to donate now or we could all lose out.”
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East of England Showground, Peterborough, 15 -16 May 2010
With less than two weeks to go until the 50th bmf show, major bike manufacturers are back at the bmf show in a big way!
As Europe’s largest outdoor motorcycle show, the bmf show is the traditional season-opener for thousands of motorcyclists and with the official presence of BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, Norton, Victory, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, plus Ducati now on board, it’s a virtual who’s who of motorcycles!
Test Rides
But that’s not all, BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki will all have their demo test fleets on site keen to let potential customers try what they have to offer. (Customers are reminded that they must produce both parts of their driving licence to meet manufacturers terms and conditions).
Win-A-Bike
There is a Win-A-Bike/Choose-A-Bike prize draw too! In a unique move, the winner can choose their bike from either a Yamaha XVS1300 ‘Midnight Star’ – Suzuki GSXR600 or a Honda CB1000R. Tickets will be sold at just £1 each with proceeds going in aid of the bmf Foundation charity. The bikes will be on display at the show and the winner will be announced at 4 pm on the Sunday.
Top Buys
Amongst hundreds of trade stalls covering all aspects of motorcycling will be big names such as Hein Gericke, Frank Thomas, Oxford Products, George White and Biker’s World as well as the likes of M&P Direct, Powerbronze, Scott Leathers and a whole host of smaller traders offering virtually anything and everything for the keen rider.
A first at any bike show, an on-site ‘Wrap it and Despatch it’ service, run by national courier company APC, means that no longer will riders have to laden their bikes (or even take a car) because now APC can wrap and despatch goods and guarantee to deliver to home addresses within 48 hours of the show finishing!
Entertainment
Meanwhile daily arena entertainment over the weekend features a stunning line up of performances from Jason Smyth – The Adrenalin Tour, The Stanage International stunt display team and of course, old favourites the madness that is Moped Enduro and the thrills of Short Track racing.
Camping it Up
For those camping, evening entertainment gets a new twist with live acts and league speedway both on offer! The ‘Smacked Arse Comedy Club’, featuring adult comedy from a range of stand-up comedians, appears for the first time plus there will be live music from Stingray, Trash Monkey, Hooker and headline acts, Boot Led-Zeppelin and Killer Queen. By special arrangement, those camping at the show will also have FREE entry to the grandstand for an Elite Speedway league race between Peterborough and Wolverhampton. The racing will run from 19.30 – 21.00.
While the bmf show and camping is open to everyone, bmf members get special VIP treatment with reduced admission, a new ‘Fast Track’ entrance, a ‘members only’ area with its own refreshment facilities and discount vouchers for use at the show.
Join and Win!
In a special membership promotion, anyone joining at the show has the chance to win a Giacomo Agostini replica helmet! Their names will be entered into a FREE prize draw and one lucky person will win a signed X-Lite replica of the fifteen times world champion’s helmet.
Whe re, when, how much:
The bmf show, 15 –16th May, East of England Showground, Peterborough, open from 9.0 –5.0 both days, camping available from 14.00 Friday until 09.00 Monday.
Advance:
Public £14 (members £12); Family £30 (members £25); Seniors £10, Child £5.
Camping: £30 (members £22); Family £65 (members £50)
On the day: £16 (£14 members); Family £35 (members £30) Seniors £14 (£12 members)
On the day Camping: £35 (members £30) Family: £75 (members £65)
Advance:
Public £14 (members £12); Family £30 (members £25); Seniors £10, Child £5.
Camping: £30 (members £22); Family £65 (members £50)
On the day: £16 (£14 members); Family £35 (members £30) Seniors £14 (£12 members)
On the day Camping: £35 (members £30) Family: £75 (members £65)
0844 884 5151
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Ace Cafe London is delighted once again to play host to the No To Bike Parking Tax Campaign on Saturday 1st May 2010 (departs at 10.30am so come early to eat beforehand) as it continues to pile the pressure on Westminster City Council (WCC) to scrap its 'Tax' attack on motorcycles by charging them to park. Having successfully stopped the spread of this 'Tax' to other Councils, they now seek to finish the job by removing it from WCC as well.
The Campaign's Chairman, Warren Djanogly, has, with donations from bikers all over the country, filed a High Court Action against this tax.
Ace Cafe London invites all riders to join in this campaign and will be serving breakfast from 7am before the procession moves off from the cafe at 10.30am.
NB: The NTBPT Campaign is fully supported by both the BMF and the MAG
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Corporal Andy Reid from St Helens suffered severe injuries whilst serving in Afghanistan last year and now wants to help raise money for other injured soldiers and their families, with support from motorcyclists in the North West.
Andy was injured in Helmand Province when he stepped on a pressure plate that set off an improvised explosive device; he lost his left leg above the knee, his right leg just below the knee joint and most of his right arm. Serving in the 3rd York’s, Old Duke of Wellingtons Regiment, Andy also served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Kosovo, but this was his first Tour in Afghanistan.
He will attempt to ride the 900 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats this August Bank Holiday on a specially adapted Boom Trike, with only has his left arm to control the machine. The "NumBumRun" team, consisting of Andy, his brother and a group of friends, will aim to complete the journey in five days and raise £20,000 for Help For Heroes.
The challenge is being supported by the motorcycling road safety initiative, RideSafe BackSafe, as its Communications Manager for Merseyside, Emma Kelly explains:
"This route has been used frequently for charitable causes, but Andy’s mission will be particularly tough. We are asking motorcyclists in the North West to show their support for Andy on his final training day on the trike, on Sunday 25th July. We will gather at Millennium Motorcycles in St Helens at 9.00am and aim to leave by 10.30am for a ride out to RAF Cosford in Shropshire, via Lynne’s Raven Cafe near Whitchurch. RideSafe BackSafe already works with Easter Egg Runs and Christmas Toy Runs and I know how motorcyclists can rally round fellow enthusiasts to show their support for a worthwhile cause."
More details about the NumBumRun can be viewed at www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk
Andy was injured in Helmand Province when he stepped on a pressure plate that set off an improvised explosive device; he lost his left leg above the knee, his right leg just below the knee joint and most of his right arm. Serving in the 3rd York’s, Old Duke of Wellingtons Regiment, Andy also served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Kosovo, but this was his first Tour in Afghanistan.
He will attempt to ride the 900 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats this August Bank Holiday on a specially adapted Boom Trike, with only has his left arm to control the machine. The "NumBumRun" team, consisting of Andy, his brother and a group of friends, will aim to complete the journey in five days and raise £20,000 for Help For Heroes.
The challenge is being supported by the motorcycling road safety initiative, RideSafe BackSafe, as its Communications Manager for Merseyside, Emma Kelly explains:
"This route has been used frequently for charitable causes, but Andy’s mission will be particularly tough. We are asking motorcyclists in the North West to show their support for Andy on his final training day on the trike, on Sunday 25th July. We will gather at Millennium Motorcycles in St Helens at 9.00am and aim to leave by 10.30am for a ride out to RAF Cosford in Shropshire, via Lynne’s Raven Cafe near Whitchurch. RideSafe BackSafe already works with Easter Egg Runs and Christmas Toy Runs and I know how motorcyclists can rally round fellow enthusiasts to show their support for a worthwhile cause."
More details about the NumBumRun can be viewed at www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk
"This route has been used frequently for charitable causes, but Andy’s mission will be particularly tough. We are asking motorcyclists in the North West to show their support for Andy on his final training day on the trike, on Sunday 25th July. We will gather at Millennium Motorcycles in St Helens at 9.00am and aim to leave by 10.30am for a ride out to RAF Cosford in Shropshire, via Lynne’s Raven Cafe near Whitchurch. RideSafe BackSafe already works with Easter Egg Runs and Christmas Toy Runs and I know how motorcyclists can rally round fellow enthusiasts to show their support for a worthwhile cause."
More details about the NumBumRun can be viewed at www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk
Donations can be made online at www.numbumrun.co.uk
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West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme will adopt a fresh approach to influencing motorcycle riders this summer, by organising a free, one-day bike show in Birmingham. The new ON TWO WHEELS urban bike show will offer a wide range of entertainment, demonstrations, retailers and activities, with an underlying theme of improving rider safety on the regions roads.
Casualty statistics for the West Midlands are broadly similar to those across the UK, in that motorcycle riders represent less than 1% of all road traffic and yet make up 16% of all fatal and serious injury casualties in road traffic collisions.
The aim of the event will be to encourage safer riding, encourage all motorcyclists to participate in the day’s free activities, take expert advice, book post-show training courses and improve their own riding skills for their own benefit.
West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme (WMCRS) Support Manager, Lisa Newmarsh explains, “We know that motorcyclists are a vulnerable group of road users. In our region, nearly two thirds of collisions in which they are involved are due to other road users failing to look properly, or performing a poor turn or other manoeuvre. No ‘shock tactics’ or ‘finger-wagging’ will be used at this event. Motorcycling enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a great day of dedicated entertainment as well as having easy access to riding instructors, BikeSafe assessors, dealers, manufacturers and other experts in a friendly atmosphere “.
The event will incorporate stunt shows by Kawasaki-sponsored Craig Jones and the Zero Gravity Freestyle Trials team as well as riding demonstrations, a free Try-Before-You-Buy moped zone and free BikeSafe guided ride-outs on a variety of 2010 demo bikes. Exhibitors and retailers will offer everything from accessories and clothing to back protectors and security devices.
Lexham Insurance are supporting the event as specialist moped and scooter insurers and this will be a first show appearance in the UK for Italian clothing manufacturer Tucano Urbano.
The new ON TWO WHEELS urban bike show will be held at St Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham City Football Club, between 10am and 5pm on Sunday 18th July.
Entry, parking and many of the activities will be free.
Activities, exhibitors and appearances will be added to the website as they are confirmed. For more information, go to www.ontwowheelsbikeshow.co.uk
This event is supported by the Highways Agency.
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