Biker News - Regularly updated

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Category: Safety & Compensation

  1. Here is why you should be able to use the brake at all times

    Posted on

    I’m hearing it every day. First I see 99.9% of my students braking, and their performance is actually shockingly bad. Straight up… ‘BRAKING’ IS THE PRIOR SKILL TO STAY ALIVE. Then I ask them who taught them and what was the message, and their answers are even more shocking…

    In fact, ANY curriculum of motorcycle drivers license giving institutions are telling new riders to “Stay away from the front brake when turning/leaning!” I believe that this is already a CRIME to say, because I would say that you gotta be be able to make a use of your brakes AT ALL FREAKING TIMES! But there is much more coming with this message- mental blockades which I as a Coach who is teaching the total opposite- have to remove manifested habits and overly produced fears!

    Now how is that?!… well, if you tell a new rider stuff like that- you automatically manifest a certain hold back towards the front brake, which is actually our primary weapon against scary situations. The blockade is so deep in their heads, that most of the riders are not even using 50% of their front brake potential- which is another guarantee to get hurt or even to die. Besides this, it also leads them to an over-usage of rear brake which causes even more confusion and extends their learning curve… which is time they might don’t have.

    You think a street rider don’t need this?… You’re dead wrong! Superbike-Coach teaches ‘Trail Braking’, a MotoGP riding technique since 10 years in Cornering School Day 3, and that is the key to lots of good things the top racers of this planet take advantage of. Priority for them… to lower lap times- and for the street rider to gain the chance to SURVIVE dramatically. Why and how?… find out in the class and learn it, because reading and learning won’t work here.

    Is this a guarantee to get out of everything?… no it’s not, because there is always a ‘point of no return’, but it gains you chance to make it exponentially. Are there other schools teaching to trail brake?… probably- are they doing it right?… from what I know not many. Superbike-Coach does it right- and that we have the environment and drills to do this even better. The curriculum and their message in this regard of license giving institutions has to change, because it is wrong and dangerous.

    www.superbike-coach.com

  3. Drive safely in the coming storms‏

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    Road safety charity the IAM is offering tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger.

    Rodger said: "If the weather is really bad, consider whether you could postpone your journey until it settles down."

    Following severe weather warnings of storms over the coming weekend, the IAM is advising on how to drive in windy weather.

    • Plan your journey – is there a route with less exposure to the weather and less risk of fallen trees? Choose a sheltered route if you have the option.
    • Strong winds are not constant, they are usually gusty so ensure you hold the steering wheel firmly.
    • Overtaking high sided vehicles or driving past buildings can result in a sudden gust from the side as you clear.
    • Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual. They get blown around by side winds easily. Even pedestrians can be blown about.
    • Watch trees and bushes on the roadside - their branches can show you how strong the wind is.  Look well ahead, that way you don’t need to take your eye off the road and you can see any windy patches before you get to them.
    • Go slow enough to cope with the gusts.  Wind can get under a car and reduce its handling and braking significantly.
    • Keep an eye on what is happening to other vehicles – where they are affected will give you a pre warning.
    • Go slowly enough to cope with the tree that has fallen right across the road, just round the bend where you can’t see it.
    • Be careful of debris, try and have space beside you in case you need to dodge it.

    www.iam.org.uk

     

    Article first posted 25th Oct 2013

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

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    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

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

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    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