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Category: Organisations
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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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The British Motorcyclists Federation have welcomed the support of the Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEMA) in calling for CO2 labelling of all new motorcycles, scooters and mopeds.
The move follows a motion put forward by the bmf at a recent FEMA meeting noting that while powered two wheelers generally have a smaller impact on the environment than cars, they are not seen as particularly green by legislators and that consumers too lack the information they need to make an informed choice.
Although due to follow the readily available car labelling system within the next two years, the bmf would like to see a similar system implemented for motorcycles sooner rather than later so that fuel consumption and emission figures are available both in manufacturer’s literature and displayed at the point of sale.
With the ability to filter through heavy traffic and taking up less road space than cars, motorcycles of all descriptions are liable to pollute less, but say the bmf, until manufacturers publish their green credentials, motorcyclists are never likely to enjoy the benefits of lower road tax, or even in some cases, zero tax, as enjoyed by modern, highly efficient cars.
Chris Hodder, the bmf’s Government Relations Executive and proposer of the motion said: “We are constantly seeking a better deal for the powered two wheeler user but this is increasingly difficult when cars are seen to be getting cleaner by the day yet motorcycles are an unknown quantity. For the good of motorcycling as a whole, a labelling system will force manufacturers to be more open and prove their green credentials.”
Already supporters of the TTXGP race series for electric motorcycles, the bmf also supports the development of zero-emission motorcycles as a way of ensuring the sustainability of motorcycling in an increasingly green transport environment.
Details on this and other bmf activities can also be found on our web site: www.bmf.co.uk
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Westminster City Council’s decision to make permanent their controversial scheme for motorcycle parking charges could have national implications and therefore makes it more important than ever that motorcyclists fight this retrograde move say the 80,000 strong British Motorcyclists Federation.
Although currently only affecting Westminster, the parking order takes effect on 25th January and 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. If this were to happen say the No To the Bike Parking Tax (NTBPT) campaign, their supporters, the Tax Payers Alliance, have calculated that it would cost the motorcycle community a staggering £93,000,000 pa in parking charges.
A strong supporter of the NTBPT campaign, the bmf is supporting the NTBPT street protest on 4th February ( www.notobikeparkingfees.com), but is also calling on all 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.)
Commenting Chris Hodder, the bmf’s Government Relations Executive said “These parking charges run contrary to the Government’s aim to ‘mainstream’ motorcycling but the only option now available is to overturn the scheme in the courts. If we don’t, this could spell the nationwide end of free parking for motorcycles. Now is the time to stand up and be counted and support the NTBPT fighting fund.”
Warren Djanogly, leader of the NTBPT campaign said: “Councillor Chalkley’s decision to make the scheme permanent has opened a window for us to launch a full legal challenge. It’s going to be expensive but if just 5,000 bikers contributed £10 each (less than a tank of fuel), we can beat this evil stealth tax.”
Note:
In backing the ‘No To the Bike Parking Tax’ (NTBPT) campaign, the bmf point out that where public transport does not serve a commuter’s needs and cycling is not a practical option, motorcycles and scooters, especially for low paid key workers, provide the ideal solution. With their efficient use of space they do not cause congestion, are able to filter through traffic congestion and when parked only take one eighth of a car parking space. They are also environmentally friendly, comply with current European emission limits and, coupled with their ability to avoid dense traffic, pollute far less than slow moving four-wheeled traffic.
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