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Ride to Work Week (20th to 26th June) highlights the benefits of commuting via motorcycle and scooter, which is being actively encouraged by Northamptonshire County Council.
The Ride to Work team has produced a video showing why this decision makes sense:
John Spencer, Team Leader of Road Safety and Travel Choices, Northamptonshire Highways says:
“As part of our modal shift strategy Northamptonshire County Council intends to embrace motorcycles and scooters as a sustainable transport mode within the future countywide transport programme. Greater use of motorcycles can bring environmental, congestion and accessibility benefits, particularly on journeys made for commuting to places of employment or education. The road safety team in Northamptonshire is committed to improving safety for all road users but is also looking at encouraging different ways to travel. In 2015 we carried out a motorcycle survey to reaffirm why people were using motorbikes, but also why they were not! We collaborate with various partners like the Motorcycle Industry Association, Get on Team and the Ride to Work team, to encourage people to take up motorcycling as a safe, sustainable and better way of getting around.” 
Background to Northamptonshire project
- Motorcycle Northants was recently launched by Northamptonshire County Council, making it the first local authority in the UK to actively encourage a modal shift towards motorcycles, which is currently just 0.4% of all commuter traffic in the county. This is part of a wider plan to encourage sustainable transport options, which also include cycling, walking and using public transport.
- Motorcycle Northants will encourage the county’s leisure riders to use their bikes to commute, especially where distance by pedal bike is impractical, aiming for an initial modal shift of 3%. Each day in Northamptonshire, an estimated 43% of commuter journeys are made by just one person in a car or van, so there is great capacity for some of these to be made on a powered two wheeler.
- Northamptonshire recognises that journey times on motorcycles are shorter due to the ability to filter and reduced pressure on parking. This helps all road users, which is backed up by a European study showing when just 10% of car drivers swapped to a motorcycle, scooter or moped, then congestion for all road users is reduced by 40%.[1]
- As a county which relies heavily on the distribution/logistics industry, it is important that the roads do not become congested. For the first phase of the project, Motorcycle Northants has put a framework in place to make sure existing and new riders have access to high quality training providers.
- A second phase of the project will include looking at increasing motorcycle friendly infrastructure on roads and working with employers to encourage the availability of workplace changing facilities and motorcycle parking.
- Around two-thirds of motorcyclists do not have commuter cover on their policy, so major motorcycle insurers Ageas, ERS and Carole Nash are making commuter insurance cover available free to existing customers during Ride to Work Week. [2]
About Ride to Work Week
National Ride to Work Week spotlights the many benefits of commuting on a motorcycle, scooter or moped and will be particularly active in Northamptonshire this year. The county’s residents will get the chance to try a motorcycle for free with Get On – the motorcycle industry’s free ‘try out’ programme - during Ride to Work Week.
- These are available after work each evening at the Obelisk Centre, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 8UE. Monday 20th to Friday 24th June between 6pm and 9pm each evening.
- Also available on Saturday 25th June at the Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northampton, NN12 8TN between 9.15 am and 4.30 pm.
- Get On sessions are with professional instructors and last for half an hour. All protective clothing is provided. Get On provides a safe and structured introduction to motorcycling. There are also opportunities to try motorcycling in several parts of the UK during the Summer and Autumn.
Booking via the website www.geton.co.uk or by calling 02476 408040.
[2] Information based on around 700,000 unique insurance quotes.
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Paul Shoesmith, who lost his life participating in the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races and his family have been awarded the 2016 PokerStars Spirit of the TT.
The award is given annually to the person or persons who best represent the ethos and values of the TT Races including decency, honesty, generosity, courage, compassion, integrity, respect, teamwork and commitment to the development of the races.
The presentation of the award was made at the Grandstand podium ahead of this year’s PokerStars Senior TT Race.
Paul Shoesmith was one of the biggest characters in the TT paddock who not only competed in the TT Races but also gave the opportunity for a number of riders to race on the Mountain Course through his Ice Valley Four Anjels Racing outfit including Peter Hickman, who made his TT debut for the team, and Simon Andrews as well as a number of international competitors. He was also well known for his fundraising efforts, most notably his work with the Simon Andrews Foundation.
Eric Hollreiser, Director of Corporate Communications, PokerStars commented:
“We have been overwhelmed with the response to this year’s award. Paul has received many more nominations than we have ever had before and it is clear that he has a huge number of friends in the TT paddock and helped numerous people at the TT.”
David Cretney, Isle of Man Government’s Tourism and Motorsport representative said:
"Paul was truly one of the largest personalities in the TT paddock and his character shone through in everything that he did. He made an enormous impact on everyone who met him, not only through his racing but his larger than life personality, his incredible generosity and willingness to help anyone. He was a great ambassador for the TT Races and his loss is hugely felt by everyone associated with the event and the Isle of Man."
He continued:
“This award is not only for Paul but also for his remarkable family who have shown such spirit and resilience in such difficult circumstances.”
As well as the award to Paul’s family, PokerStars would also like to highlight a number of other people who were nominated including fundraiser Shaun Hogg, who raises money to run ambulances at Motorsport events on the Isle of Man in memory of his brother Phil.
A number of marshals have been recognised this year including Matthew Horn who is battling major injuries from a motorbike crash but continues to marshal at this year’s TT, Kevin Quinn who marshalled this week at Alpine despite battling cancer and a posthumous award to Willy Killey who marshalled for 59 years at the TT and passed away during TT2015 race week, after carryout flag duty throughout practice week. TT marshal Emma Limerick who continued to marshal this week despite personal loss will also be recognised.
PokerStars will be creating mementoes for all of the above named nominees, which will be sent out to them shortly.
Representatives from the Isle of Man Government's Motorsport team including David Cretney, the Isle of Man Government representative with responsibility for Motorsport and Tourism, TT rider liaison officers Richard Quayle and John Barton, ACU Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson and PokerStars Director of Corporate Communications Eric Hollreiser judged the award. Nominations were invited from members of the public and from officials associated with the TT.
Previous winners have included Paul Owen, Conor Cummins, the Birchall Brothers, TT Marshal Eric Alexander and TTRA secretary Frances Thorp. Last year’s winners were 91 year old Harold Leece who opens up his garden to visitors and 8 year old fundraiser Cici Reed.
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The Haynes International Motor Museum today (Thursday 9th June 2016) hosted a lunch for nearly 200 guests to celebrate the retirement, after thirty one years’ service, of Founding Curator Mr Micheal Penn. 
Mr Penn was the very first member of staff when the museum opened in 1985. In the early days his work hats were many and in any one day his duties would include: general manager, curator, caterer, bookshop assistant and receptionist. As the museum grew he was able to focus on his passion for curatorial work and building the collection; numerous visits across the globe to source an eclectic mix of vehicles from the rare and precious to the more easily recognised has ensured that the museum now has a vehicle collection second to none.
Mr Penn spoke of his love of education and the part that museums play in this area. Museum CEO Mr Christopher Haynes commented:
“The Chairman, Trustees and staff would like to thank Mike for all his efforts over the past thirty one years. His legacy is clear to see: Today the museum boasts well over 100,000 visitors annually, as well as hosting a large and ever increasing number of conferences and all types of events. The Education Centre is always buzzing with children who visit from many local schools and the Workshop and Restoration Centre have built up an enviable reputation for their excellent work on a broad range of marques including Aston Martin, Ferrari and Jaguar to name but a few.”
Mr Penn’s plans do not include slowing down however:
“A great thank you to all those wishing me well on my retirement. The staff also did a sterling job and spoke very kindly about my 31 years in the job. Just to clear up one point: I will not be hanging up my museum boots yet as I will remain on the museum board of trustees as well as the board of trustees of the British Motorcycling Heritage Trust. I also continue in my role as the Chairman of the World Forum for Motor Museums.”
For more details please visit their website www.himm.co.uk
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Valentino Rossi rode to a stunning victory on new compound Michelin tyres at the Catalunya MotoGP™ this weekend as the nine-time World Champion fought off the challenge of his nearest rivals to take his seventh premier class win at the Montmélo circuit.
Starting from fifth on the grid, Rossi was blocked on the first corner and relegated to eighth position. He quickly rectified that with his trademark passing manoeuvres and was soon in to fourth place. Over the next few laps Rossi passed the Honda of Dani Pedrosa, pole-setter Marc Marquez also on a Honda and previous championship leader – and Yamaha team-mate – Jorge Lorenzo, as he moved to first place on lap-seven. Using the new compound hard front and rear MICHELIN Power Slicks, the Italian consistently circulated the Catalonian circuit at the head of the field before Marquez chased him down and challenged for the lead with five laps remaining. The pair battled for the victory as the race drew to a close, before Rossi took the initiative after a mistake by Marquez and made the final decisive break to take a hard-fought, but thoroughly deserved victory, with Marquez following him home with the consolation of taking the championship lead.
A crowd of almost 100,000 people packed the grandstands and were treated to a superb day of racing from all three classes. In beautiful, warm sunshine today’s track temperatures rose to the highest this weekend as the asphalt reached 48°C, this combined with the poor condition of the surface, which gave little grip to the riders, made tyre choice an important factor. The majority of the field went for a hard front and rear selection, to give durability over the tough 25-lap race. Pedrosa was one rider to make a different choice, as he chose a medium compound rear to partner his hard front, and used the pair to good effect to take the final podium position.
Fourth-place went to Suzuki’s Maverick Viñales, while the honour of First Independent Rider was secured by Pol Espargaro on a satellite Yamaha, an impressive result and one that also showed the performance of the medium compound MICHELIN Power Slicks, as the Spaniard was one of only two riders to use these on the front and rear of their machines. Cal Crutchlow on a Honda was sixth, Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso seventh, with the Aprilia of Álvaro Bautista taking eighth. Danilo Petrucci on a Ducati was ninth and Honda’s Jack Miller rounded out the top-ten – the best result of his premier class MotoGP career so far. Lorenzo didn’t make it to the chequered flag, after an incident which saw Ducati’s Andrea Iannone collide with the current World Champion and leave both of them on the side of the track and out of the race on lap-17. This was the only crash during today’s race and for the second successive event no crashes were contributable to tyres, a fact that underlines the advances Michelin is making as the season progresses.
The race was held on a revised circuit configuration, to the one originally planned, due to the tragic events which have overshadowed this weekend’s proceedings. During Friday’s second Moto2 Free Practice session Spanish rider Luis Salom crashed at turn-12 and the 24-year-old succumbed to his injuries. Following the fatal crash and subsequent discussions, the layout of the circuit was changed for safety reasons and the F1 track configuration was implemented. This featured the addition of the chicane at turn-12, designed to miss out the corner where the accident happened. Everyone at Michelin would like to pass on their condolences and deepest sympathies to the family, friends and team of Luis Salom.
Michelin remained at Montmélo for a one-day test on Monday where the latest versions of the MICHELIN Power Slicks were tested and evaluated by all riders. The paddock will now move to the most northerly circuit on the calendar, as the championship heads to Assen in the Netherlands for the Dutch TT on Sunday 26th June, the first time this iconic race has not been staged on a Saturday.
Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP: “We were a little bit worried about what might happen, because yesterday we had a bit of a problem with the hard tyre and making it work, but today it was good and worked well in the temperature with my bike. I think it was difficult for everybody with some spinning, but the tyres worked really well and I am very happy with the result.”
Nicolas Goubert – Deputy Director, Technical Director and Supervisor of the MotoGP Programme: “This has been a very difficult weekend for all concerned, after what happened on Friday, and I would firstly like to pass on my condolences to the family and friends of Luis Salom, it was a terrible tragedy and one that nobody ever wants to happen.
“Regarding the race weekend, we had a selection of tyres that we thought would work well here in most conditions, but we never expected the surface to be as poor as it was. The track gave very little grip and all the teams had to work hard to get the best for their bikes. The change of layout also made a big difference and changed the stresses that were put on the tyres. For the race itself the track was at almost 50°C, but the majority of the field used the new hard compound tyres to cope with these difficult conditions and although we experienced quite high levels of wear we were pleased with the overall performance. Valentino rode a great race and when he came under attack from Marc the performance in the tyres was still there in the last laps to produce a memorable end for the fans. One of the most pleasing aspects of today’s race was that again we had no crashes that the tyres could be held responsible for and it was a close race right until the end. This is another step forward for us and shows that we are continuing to work in the right direction. We now have a test on Monday, when we have some tyres for all the rides to try, hopefully this will give use more information as we head towards the second half of the season and some very challenging circuits.”
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... on behalf of the Henry Surtees Foundation
Musician and composer Nick Mason, best known as the drummer of Pink Floyd, attended the Midlands Air Ambulance base at Strensham, near Worcester last Friday, to hand over a cheque for £18,275 on behalf of the Henry Surtees Foundation
As a keen supporter of the air ambulance and self-confessed petrol head, boasting a large collection of vintage and classic cars, Mr Mason was happy to support the cause.
The donation of £18,275 presented to Midlands Air Ambulance crews will be used to fund specialist equipment designed specifically for critical care transport, including a Zoll X Series Monitor, defibrillator and aircraft bracketry. The equipment developed for the military and air medical operations, enables the flight crew to continuously deliver the highest quality CPR and resuscitation capabilities, whilst patient data is automatically uploaded and streamed to remote displays in ambulances, hospitals and communication centres as the rescuer cares for the patient at the scene of incident and in transit.
Becky Steele, air operations manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity said: “As a pre-hospital emergency service that attends some of the most traumatic incidents in the region, it is vital Midlands Air Ambulance has the right equipment to give patients the best chance of survival and greater recovery outcomes. We are extremely grateful to the Henry Surtees Foundation for the grant for the monitors, which have become one of our greatest assets on board our three air ambulance helicopters and our rapid response vehicles.”
Since 1991, Midlands Air Ambulance has responded to more than 43,000 missions, averaging 2,000 per year.
John Surtees CBE said, “I would like to thank Nick Mason for his enthusiastic support of the Foundation and being able to fit into his busy programme this visit to represent us. The Foundation is very pleased with the association it has been able to make in the assistance given to a number of Air Ambulance regions including that of the Midlands Air Ambulances and Great Western Air Ambulances. The service they provide is vital and something which is continuously developing with the introduction of new life-saving equipment”.
The Henry Surtees Foundation have also actively supported and provided funding for the following Air Ambulances:
Midlands Air Ambulance
Great Western Air Ambulance
Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance
Great North Air Ambulance
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance
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