Category: Random

1. OFFICIAL MOTOGP SEASON REVIEW 2016

   Posted on 10:45am Saturday 3rd Dec 2016

   The 13th edition of the Official MotoGP Season Review, published by award-winning Evro Publishing, records one of the most remarkable seasons of recent years.

   MotoGP in 2016 produced a record nine winners, starting and ending with Jorge Lorenzo, and going via Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jack Miller, Andrea Iannone, Cal Crutchlow, Maverick Viñales, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.

   One man emerged from the confusion to win five races and take his third MotoGP title. Marquez, who was crowned champion with three races to go, tamed his Honda and, most impressively, reined in his natural instinct to win every corner of every race. He rode for the points, he made impossible saves, and now and then he cut loose and shattered lap records just to remind everyone he was a winner.

   The year brought plenty of fascinating sub-plots. There was Cal Crutchlow winning for Britain for the first time in the premier class in 35 years, not once but twice. Ducati’s search for their first win since 2010 was frustrated by self-inflicted crashes and bad luck until after the season’s halfway mark. There was the first win by a non-factory independent team in nearly ten years thanks to Jack Miller, who introduced the ‘shoey’ to a startled paddock and set off an epidemic of winners drinking podium champers from their boots.

   In the Official MotoGP Season Review each race receives eight pages written by Julian Ryder, detailing what happened to every rider as well as tracing the story of each race weekend. MotoGP’s top technical journalist, Neil Spalding, analyses all the bikes as well as providing expert assessment of how Michelin approached the task of taking over as MotoGP’s tyre supplier. Mat Oxley provides a typically insightful summary of the season as a whole. The unique ‘Rider’s Rider of the Year’ poll, in which all the riders vote for their top six men of the year, throws up some surprises as usual.

   The Official MotoGP Season Review also covers Moto2 and Moto3 as well as the Red Bull Rookies championship. Johann Zarco successfully defended his Moto2 title and Brad Binder fulfilled his promise and dominated a Moto3 year notable for a stunningly fast quartet of rookies. The Red Bull Rookies brought a new rising son from Japan in the form of Ayumu Sasaki.

   The Official MotoGP Season Review follows every twist and turn of a fascinating and unpredictable season, illustrated with the best motorsport photography on the planet.

   JULIAN RYDER is on BT Sport’s MotoGP commentary team and has been editor of the Official MotoGP Season Review since its inception in 2004. From 1993 to 2000 he was a member of the team that brought the golden era of World Superbike and Carl Fogarty’s championships to British TV screens before moving on in 2001 to cover the last year of 500cc Grand Prix racing and then 15 seasons of MotoGP. Julian transferred to the top class of racing at the same time as Valentino Rossi burst on to the scene and he has commentated on all of Rossi’s races since then.

   NEIL SPALDING writes about technical aspects of MotoGP for motorcycle magazines and newspapers throughout the world as well as for the Official MotoGP Season Review. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed book MotoGP Technology.

   MAT OXLEY is an Isle of Man TT winner and lap record holder. He has been writing about motorcycle racing for magazines and newspapers since the late 1980s, and his books include acclaimed biographies of Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan, plus the Cold War motorsport spy story Stealing Speed.

   ANDREW NORTHCOTT is one of the top MotoGP photographers working today. As well as providing images for the Official MotoGP Season Review, his photos are used by many news publications worldwide.

2. Third Annual National Pothole Day Announced on 16th January 2017

   Posted on 10:00am Saturday 3rd Dec 2016

   The countdown begins to StreetRepairs.co.uk third annual #NationalPotholeDay
   
   StreetRepairs.co.uk announce its third annual National Pothole Day at a crucial time when more than 89% of reports made by the public on the Street Repairs website relate to potholes.
   
   The combination of the increasing financial burden from pothole damage to the motorist plus recent budget cuts to local authorities means awareness of Street Repair’s free service is more important than ever. 
   
   The service offers a way for the authorities to engage with road users to action any defects which are reported in real time.
   
   Mark Morrell (aka Mr-Pothole) StreetRepairs.co.uk press officer said, “Many millions of our followers and supporters have asked us to highlight the seriousness of this major problem, just take a look at our thunderclap campaign that tells you the strength of feeling from the pothole weary UK public. I use social media to produce mass awareness and continue to highlight this national issue. I can honestly say that the safety aspect alone from the Street Repairs website could save lives. No wonder public sentiment is very high in relation to this major issue.”
   
   The Street Repairs website was launched just over three years ago and in this time has experienced exponential growth due to its popularity with its users. Transparency and clarity is the cornerstone for the website as every report made is publically available via many social media channels including Twitter, Facebook and of course their own website.
   
   Local authorities have the ability to respond to the reporter via Street Repairs by simply logging in and making a reply. It also offers the reporter the opportunity to track their report and receive text alerts for updates.
   
   Mr Morrell continues, “This is a perfect opportunity for the general public to showcase what their roads and communities are really like. We would like as many people as possible to join our campaign by highlighting local issues quickly and easily”.
   
    
   www.streetrepairs.co.uk

3. Short film: Injured biker rides again - Life Beyond Injury (Martin Clohisey)

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 2nd Dec 2016

   Martin has always been into motorbikes, even as a child. On the way back from a motorbike touring holiday with his partner Karen, they were involved in a road traffic accident and Martin suffered a spinal cord injury.

   The film features Martin Clohisey, a biker who suffered a spinal injury whilst on his way home from a touring holiday.

   He has recently had a trike adapted so that despite being wheelchair dependant, he can now ride again. 

   See here to view the film

4. Toy runs this weekend...

   Posted on 11:00am Tuesday 29th Nov 2016

   3rd December 2016
   Santa's On A Bike

   Ride in aid of the Children's Hospice Southwest. Rides in Cornwall, Devon and Bristol. See the website for more details.

   venue: Plymouth to St Austell, Taunton to Barnstaple, Bristol to Wraxal. 
   price: Donation please 
   tel: 07749 361170 
   website: www.santasonabike.org.uk 
   facebook
   e-mail: [email protected]
   
   
   

   4th December 2016
   Christie's Santa-Run 2016

   Every year we have a santa run for sick children in the north west, over the last few years its bigger and better with everyone getting dressed as santa or christmas things, we have trikes scooters bikes classic cars and even a massive sleigh

   venue: Henry Boddingtons, Manchester Road, Pendlebury, Salford, Manchester, M27 8TG
   price: free event just bring selection boxes or gifts for children 
   tel: 07457 518 244
   facebook event
   e-mail: [email protected]

   4th December 2016
   Burton Annual Toy Run

   Registration will be open from 9am, for free Tea/Coffee and mince pies. Leaving at 11am to Fountains School in Stretton. Free refreshments at the school and the Christmas fayre. Prize for the best dressed vehicle. 

   venue: Unwanted MCC Rockbar, Shobnall Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Rd, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 2BB
   price: £5 per bike
   tel: Tango on 07761 931226 or Ruth 07988 521400
   website: www.unwantedmcc.co.uk
   facebook
   e-mail: [email protected]
   

   4th December 2016
   The Reading Toy Run

   Meet at Amec Foster Wheeler (RG2 9FW) 1 ish to leave at 2pm. Bring a new unwrapped toy or gift. Travel in procession to A Barnardo's school in Wokingham. Gifts go to Barnardo's and other local children's charities.  

   venue: Amec Foster Wheeler, Shinfield Park, Berkshire, RG2 9FW to High Close School, Wiltshire Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1TT
   price: free
   tel: 01189 787 095
   website
   facebook
   e-mail: [email protected]

   
   
   
   

   
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5. New partnership will make roads safer for motorcyclists

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 28th Nov 2016

   Roads to become safer for motorcyclists through new partnership

   Highways England, the company responsible for running over 4,000 miles of England’s motorways and major trunk roads, is to become the third partner in a landmark collaboration to improve motorcycle rider safety. 

   The government owned company will join the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) as an equal partner in facilitating practical changes to roads, as detailed in a jointly written whitepaper: ‘Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity: A Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework’.

   The Framework calls for motorcycles and scooters to be included in mainstream transport policy and for rider safety to be consistently factored into national road design, which has not been the case in the past. 

   Seven key areas have been identified, which would make roads safer for riders, along with actions as to how this can be achieved practically. These include: safer infrastructure, expanding road user education, increasing awareness and training and working in partnership with cycle groups.

   The Framework also advocates unlocking the benefits of motorcycles and demonstrating exactly how they offer a practical solution to congestion, as well as improving personal mobility for people without access to other forms of transport. 

   Highways England has a goal of bringing the number of people killed or injured on the strategic road network as close as possible to zero by 2040. It will work with police and MCIA across all seven areas identified in the Framework and will lead on ‘safer infrastructure’. 

   Mike Wilson, Highways England’s Chief Highways Engineer, said: “Safety is our top priority and we believe no one should be harmed when travelling or working on our road network. We are committed to both reducing the number of motorcycle incidents and casualties on our roads and to improving the experience motorcyclists have on those roads; this influential partnership with the industry and police supports that commitment.”

   Deputy Chief Constable for North Yorkshire Police, Tim Madgwick, who is the national motorcycle lead for the National Police Chiefs Council says: “The Police service is on the front line, dealing with the devastation that is caused to families and the greater community by road traffic collisions. The opportunity to work with both Highways England and the Motorcycle Industry Association gives us far greater scope to make our roads a safer place, not only for those who use powered two wheelers, but for all road users.  In addition to the safety aspect, encouraging greater use of motorcycles will also contribute greatly to reducing congestion and therefore journey times across the country.”

   Karen Cole, Director of Safety and Training, says working in partnership with HE and NPCC could produce the breakthrough that motorcycle safety deserves: “Highways England brings significant resource to this ambitious project; financially and in terms of influence, expertise and evidence-based decision making; add this to police backing and we have an unprecedented opportunity to make a huge difference to riders. For too long, motorcyclists have been at the bottom of the pecking order in terms of priority for traffic management and road planners. Often ‘safety advice’ is a thinly veiled attempt to keep people off motorbikes and scooters, rather than a genuine attempt to reduce their vulnerability.  It is important to recognise the transport choice of riders and address their needs appropriately.  Ignoring motorcyclists increases their vulnerability.”

   The Framework advocates using guidelines produced by the Institute of Highway Engineers which identifies simple practical steps to reduce risks for riders. 
   These include:

   • Using rider friendly barriers and road surfaces
   • Repositioning pillars
   • Removing unnecessary signage
   • Using non-slip man hole covers
   • Prompt clear up of diesel.

   Highways England (HE) will also work to promote safety messages and create awareness about motorcycles and scooters, since education of all road users is an important element of the Framework. HE has already set up a working party to encourage learners to take further training for a licence and to encourage riders to wear personal protective clothing.

   Safe Systems

   The Framework incorporates the ‘safe system approach’, which is now widely accepted as a guiding principle among road safety professionals. This is underpinned by the understanding that humans are fallible and will make mistakes, which can be mitigated through ‘forgiving’ design, i.e. a road system built to absorb mistakes and limit the transfer of forces which can result in serious injury or death.

   Background to the Framework

   The first edition of the Framework was launched by the NPCC and MCIA in 2014, following acknowledgement from police and motorcycle road safety experts that the only way to reduce vulnerability of riders was to properly incorporate their use and needs into mainstream transport planning. 

   The Framework details a growing body of evidence from other EU countries to show that casualties reduce where motorcycle and scooter use is more common, as other road users become more aware of them.  This is the same argument used by the cycling lobby and both modes of transport saw reductions of those killed and seriously injured in the last set of figures issued by the Department for Transport.

   The number of motorcycles and scooters licensed for the roads has nearly doubled in the past twenty years, and government statistics show that there was a further 1.2% increase for quarter 4 (October to December 2015).  With congestion set to rise, it is likely many more people will opt for two wheel transport and Highways England, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Motorcycle Industry Association believe this choice needs to be properly supported.
   
   
   

   An electronic copy of the Framework will be available at www.motorcycleframework.co.uk 

   Transport and Mobility Leuven showed that when just 10% of car drivers swapped to a motorcycle, scooter or moped, congestion reduced for all road users by 40%. When 25% of drivers swapped, congestion was eliminated altogether.  See Commuting by motorcycle impact analysis of an increased share of motorcycles in commuting traffic, 2011. Available here

   www.mcia.co.uk
   
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