Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. How to get the best stickers for your bike?

    Posted on

    Are you looking for stickers for your bike? Or do you have a design and want to know which type of sticker is best for you?

    We are here to help you get the best stickers for your bike. They'll withstand the scratching, water & anything else you throw at them.

    We'll talk about materials that work and throw in a few ideas we've found to inspire you to get the best custom stickers.

    Let's get stuck in.

    Firstly, which materials will work for you?

    When looking at custom stickers for your bike, you need the following:

    • Plastic stickers with a medium-strength adhesive; this will ensure they stick to the paint, chromed or other similar material found on your bike. The medium-strength adhesive will not peel away paint when removing the sticker.

    • Laminated stickers that protect the printed layer. A laminate is a transparent, plastic film that can have a gloss or matte finish. It will protect the ink from scratches, scuffs, fading in the sunlight and any chemicals the sticker may come into contact with when cleaning.

    Here is a breakdown of how a sticker it made so that you can see each layer:

    1. A clear gloss laminate protects from sunlight, scratching & water.

    2. Printed in full-colour using the latest technology with incredible detail.

    3. You can choose a coloured material to create your desired result.

    4. A medium-strength adhesive is perfect for your bike.

    5. The thick backing keeps your sticker flat and makes them easy to peel.

    These die-cut stickers will all work. They are all laminated with a clear, gloss over-laminate. They also all have a medium-strength adhesive. You can also choose from a few different colours to create incredible effects. Die-cutting simply means they're cut to any custom shape you want.

    Now you know which type of sticker will work, here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

    Source

    1. Vintage biker skull; this would look great as a custom shape sticker printed on mirror silver or gold. 

    Source

    2. This sticker could go on your bike or inside your car window. Get it as a transfer sticker or a front-adhesive sticker for the best effect.

    Source

    3. Need to decorate your garage. We love this as an oversized wall graphic.

    We hope this information & examples have inspired you. We've love to hear what you apply custom stickers for. Please let us know in the comments below.

     

     

    Article supplied  

     

  2. Research proves CO2 reduction benefits of road maintenance

    Posted on

    Wide-ranging research has found that keeping roads well-maintained not only saves money but reduces traffic CO2 emissions reports Paul Boss, Chief Executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA).

    Implementing planned programmes of preventative road maintenance is far more cost effective than repairing potholes. It costs £3 to £5 per m2 to surface dress and maintain a road but costs on average over £50 per m2 to repair potholes. Savings for stretched highways budgets is not the only benefit. A wide pool of research proves that well maintained roads can also help to reduce the carbon emissions of road traffic. With transport now accounting for the majority of UK emissions -26% of all emissions – the contribution that a well-maintained road network can make towards to their reduction should be recognised and pursued.

    Research has found that this contribution can be significant. A technical report ‘Analysis of the relationship between road pavement maintenance condition, fuel consumption and vehicle emissions’ published earlier this year by the Brussels-based Smart Transport Alliance found that good road surface conditions result in reductions of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of up to 3.5% for light vehicles and 4% for heavy vehicles. Meanwhile, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association believes that maintaining the European road network with planned programmes of surface dressing could result in a CO2 emission reduction of 5% by 2035.

    Similar findings were reported by research led by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. This found that the improved road surface condition resulting from preventative maintenance programmes can save highway authorities spending by 10% to 30%, reduce greenhouse gases by up to 2%, and allow drivers to reduce their fuel consumption by 2% to 5%. Whilst of survey over 5,000 lane-miles of Virginia’s interstate highway system by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub)  found that the maintenance of just a few lane miles allows for significant performance improvement, along with lowered environmental impact, across the entire network. Maintaining just 1.5 percent of the roadway network would lead to a reduction of 10 percent in greenhouse gas emissions statewide.

     

    The research carried out by a variety of universities emphasises how a road surface maintained in good condition promotes a smoother and more efficient ride and it is this that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This should be an important consideration for highway authorities for, in addition to meeting public expectations of improved environmental efficiency, local authorities have a statutory duty under their NI 185 and NI 186 obligations to reduce their carbon emissions. Implementing proactive programmes of road surfacing and road maintenance can help them meet those obligations. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Constructive Dialogue
    tel: 07802 747031
    www.constructive-dialogue.co.uk
     
    RSTA 29-2020
    29th November 2020
      
    RESEARCH PROVES CO2 REDUCTION BENEFITS OF ROAD MAINTENANCE
     
     Wide-ranging research has found that keeping roads well-maintained not only saves money but reduces traffic CO2 emissions reports Paul Boss, Chief Executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA).
     
    Implementing planned programmes of preventative road maintenance is far more cost effective than repairing potholes. It costs £3 to £5 per m2 to surface dress and maintain a road but costs on average over £50 per m2 to repair potholes. Savings for stretched highways budgets is not the only benefit. A wide pool of research proves that well maintained roads can also help to reduce the carbon emissions of road traffic. With transport now accounting for the majority of UK emissions -26% of all emissions – the contribution that a well-maintained road network can make towards to their reduction should be recognised and pursued.
     
    Research has found that this contribution can be significant. A technical report ‘Analysis of the relationship between road pavement maintenance condition, fuel consumption and vehicle emissions’ published earlier this year by the Brussels-based Smart Transport Alliance found that good road surface conditions result in reductions of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of up to 3.5% for light vehicles and 4% for heavy vehicles. Meanwhile, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association believes that maintaining the European road network with planned programmes of surface dressing could result in a CO2 emission reduction of 5% by 2035.
     
    Similar findings were reported by research led by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. This found that the improved road surface condition resulting from preventative maintenance programmes can save highway authorities spending by 10% to 30%, reduce greenhouse gases by up to 2%, and allow drivers to reduce their fuel consumption by 2% to 5%. Whilst of survey over 5,000 lane-miles of Virginia’s interstate highway system by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub)  found that the maintenance of just a few lane miles allows for significant performance improvement, along with lowered environmental impact, across the entire network. Maintaining just 1.5 percent of the roadway network would lead to a reduction of 10 percent in greenhouse gas emissions statewide.
     
    The research carried out by a variety of universities emphasises how a road surface maintained in good condition promotes a smoother and more efficient ride and it is this that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This should be an important consideration for highway authorities for, in addition to meeting public expectations of improved environmental efficiency, local authorities have a statutory duty under their NI 185 and NI 186 obligations to reduce their carbon emissions. Implementing proactive programmes of road surfacing and road maintenance can help them meet those obligations.
     

  3. RSTA response to Spending Review and National Infrastructure Strategy

    Posted on

    The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has welcomed the Chancellor’s emphasis on the need for a well-maintained local road network.
     
    The National Infrastructure Strategy, launched today (25th November 2020)  by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Spending Review, underlined how “well maintained local roads allow for faster and reliable journeys, boosting local businesses and serving all road users.”
     
    The Strategy confirms the Government commitment of £1.125 billion of local roads maintenance funding in 2021-22 including £500 million for the Potholes Fund to fix potholes and surface roads. This will be supported by £260 million allocated to Local Authorities in 2021-22 for shovel ready local transport schemes through the Integrated Transport Block, including public transport and active travel upgrades. The government is also investing £310 million in 2021-22 in upgrading the road network. Altogether, this means that the government is investing £1.7 billion in local roads in 2021-22.
     
    “Whilst the additional £500 million funding is not new, having already been highlighted in the March budget, the government’s commitment to maintaining the capital maintenance block allocation for improving the local road network, despite the significant public borrowing costs of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, is welcomed and represents a significant overall increase,” said Paul Boss, RSTA chief executive. “We will continue to work with both national and local government to ensure proactive cost effective investment in, what the National Infrastructure Strategy rightly calls, ‘one of the UK’s most valuable public assets.’

  4. Mitas celebrates 2020 FIM Speedway Grand Prix world title with Bartosz Zmarzlik

    Posted on

    Mitas, part of the Trelleborg Group, celebrates 2020 FIM Speedway Grand Prix World podium finish with Polish hero Bartosz Zmarzlik, Great Britain’s icon Tai Woffinden and Swedish star Fredrik Lindgren, all of which ride Mitas Speedway Competition tyres.

    Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President Two Wheels and Specialty Tyres, says: “We are pleased to see another great achievement by our riders in the 2020 season. Speedway racing has always had a special place in the heart of Mitas, being the origin of our motorsport activities. We are delighted that the greatest Speedway riders still recognize Mitas as the best choice.”

     

  5. BEN ISSUES RALLYING CRY AFTER STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT RECORD DEMAND WITH FALLING INCOME

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    • Ben’s urgent support appeal to ensure no-one faces life's toughest challenges alone
    • The charity is supporting 50% more people while its income falls by £1m
    • Without additional funding, difficult choices may have to be made about which cases to support 

    Ben is making an urgent 'rallying cry' to automotive industry leaders as it faces a 50% increase in demand for services against a £1m income shortfall, following the cancellation of fundraising events including Ben Ball. Without additional funding, Ben may be forced to make difficult decisions about which cases to support. 

    Covid-19 is having an unprecedented impact on the health and wellbeing of the automotive workforce. More and more people are turning to Ben in financial hardship, or are struggling to cope with mental health issues and other life challenges including bereavement. 

    The letter (pictured) from Ben’s Chief Executive, Zara Ross, and Chair of the Board, Steve Nash, outlines how the industry can help ensure no-one faces life’s challenges alone. This letter is also being sent directly to industry leaders, as an urgent plea for support.

    Ben is asking companies to pledge to do three things:

    The pledge

    1. Be an advocate for Ben, ensuring the message of support is promoted widely within their business so everyone knows they are never alone
    2. Encourage colleagues to support Ben through Payroll Giving, Ben’s Big Weekly Lottery and its fundraising products and events
    3. Dig even deeper as a business to help address the £1m shortfall. 

    To show your support, email now via [email protected] or call 01344 298135. 

    Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “This is an urgent situation that we’re facing - our support teams are at breaking point, with more cases than ever before and we don't see that changing. 

    “The issues people are facing are more complex and more urgent than we have ever seen before. If we're unable to fill this funding shortfall then we may not be able to support everyone who turns to us for help. That could have a life-changing impact on someone in your business. 

    “The automotive industry is like a family, we have to look after each other. People will remember what the leaders of our industry do in a time of crisis and I urge everyone to consider how you can help ensure Ben is there for everyone, no matter what. 

    "Amazingly, we have already received pledges for donations of more than £65,000 on the first day of this campaign. Every donation makes a huge difference to people's lives and we'll be celebrating each and every one publicly over the coming weeks. Thank you to those who have already pledged their support.”