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Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is calling for renewed focus and shared responsibility among all road users, after newly released government figures revealed an 8%1 rise in motorcycle fatalities on Britain’s roads in 2024.
While it is encouraging to note small decreases in car occupant and cyclist deaths, these gains are overshadowed by the increase in lives lost among motorcyclists. GEM warns that current efforts in road safety are not sufficient and that the comprehensive national strategy, long promised by government, is now urgently required.
Motorcyclists remain among the most at-risk groups on the road, facing disproportionately high risks compared with other modes of transport. The rise in deaths highlights the pressing need for better awareness among car drivers, improved training both for riders and motorists, and robust action to help everyone make better decisions on journeys.
James Luckhurst, GEM’s head of road safety, said: “This increase in motorcycle fatalities should serve as a wake-up call, while the 1% reduction in overall road casualties is still not good enough. This is why we are looking to the national government to step up, show strong leadership and share its long-awaited strategy… without delay.
“We also need commitment from individuals. Reducing road casualties is everyone’s responsibility; we all have the opportunity to play our part, whether as drivers, cyclists, pedestrians or passengers. By driving at safe speeds, avoiding distractions, wearing seatbelts and showing courtesy to other road users, we are contributing to safer roads and helping to protect the lives of those around us.”
GEM urges everyone look out for each other, reduce risks where possible and to use the roads with care, courtesy and concentration – the same principles identified when the organisation was founded in 1932.
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American Kevin Vermaerke has signed a two-year contract with Emirates-XRG, the world’s number one squad. The rider hasn’t yet won a professional race, but finished third (twice) and most recently sixth in the Arctic Race of Norway. What does the new signing mean for the world’s best team, and what does it mean for Vermaerke?
Number one team
UAE Team Emirates-XRG are undoubtedly the top team in the world right now. Their 2024 season was one of the most dominant in cycling history. True to form, UAE are having another extraordinary year in 2025 and closing in on more history. The team is always at the top of the odds at online sports betting UK sites and their recent results and continued historic performances – underpinned by consistency – will continue that trend, let alone with new, talented additions to the team.
They’ve already equalled their own record of 20 different riders winning a race. PogaÄar, as to be expected after his historic 2024, has won the most races. Spaniard Juan Ayuso is among the favourites for the autumn events, including his home race Vuelta a España, and teammate João Almeida will be another to watch.
CEO and team principal, Mauro Gianetti, said they were glad to welcome a versatile rider who had a proven track record at the highest level. Gianetti said Vermaerke would compete both in day races and stage races.
Adding a rider like Vermaerke is an example of their strategy. UAE combines global stars with younger talents who can develop in the environment of the best squad. Like the most successful teams in any sport, they balance short-term results with long-term planning. When a leader fades or retires, there’s a rider ready to step up.
Vermaerke isn’t a household name yet, but he fits the blueprint of a rider capable of big results under the right circumstances. The signing is another calculated step to make sure their reign at the top continues.
Vermaerke’s career so far
Vermaerke will have a chance to learn from Tadej PogaÄar at his new team. PogaÄar won the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2025.
The rider has been with Team DSM for the last five seasons, since turning professional. He won the U23 version of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and raced for the US in the World Championships early in his career. Vermaerke said he had grown over the last few years and was expecting to reach a new level with the athletes around him and the attention to detail in the UAE team.
In a 2021 interview, Vermaerke said his hero was Chris Froome, whose mentality Vermaerke admired. The young cyclist said that Liège-Bastogne-Liège was his best result to date and the race that brought him the most attention.
He described himself as more of an all-rounder than a pure climber. He said that even when he’s unwinding, he’s focused on cycling. Vermaerke enjoys watching films and talking to friends back in the US. He was involved in one of the major crashes in the 2023 Tour de France; a spectator appeared to stick their arm out when the peloton was riding through a narrow part of road.
The move will be more than just a change of jersey. At Team DSM, he was often tasked with supporting leaders and rarely had the freedom to chase his own opportunities. At UAE Team Emirates-XRG, he’ll initially serve as a key domestique. But the structure of the team and their broad race calendar could allow him to seek leadership roles in smaller stage races or week-long tours.
The new environment might allow him to transform his promise into breakthrough results. A rider who can finish in the top ten on general classification at races like the Tour de Pologne or the Tour de Suisse could gain more importance in the squad.
Image under the Unsplash License
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Thousands of supply chain staff and families facing weeks without pay urged to contact Ben’s bespoke helpline to access support.
The Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund (Ben) is offering bespoke support to the thousands of people affected by the ongoing cyber attack at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Since 1 September, JLR has experienced a cyber attack that has shut down production at its three manufacturing sites in the UK. The estimated number of people impacted is 120,000, including 50-75,000 supply chain workers, 30-40,000 family members, and 5-8,000 agency staff.
Ben has launched a bespoke campaign, offering practical and emotional support, guiding employers and workers to all the financial and mental health resources available to support those impacted by the cyber attack.
The UK Government has announced a £1.5 billion loan to support JLR and its supply chain restart operations. However, many people working in the sector have already acutely felt the effects of a month without work or payment.
Rachel Clift, CEO at Ben, said: "The impact of the cyber attack has already been deeply felt across the supplier workforce, and the need for support remains urgent. While the Government loan is a positive step towards recovery, we don’t yet know how quickly funds will reach suppliers who were forced to shut down production.
“For many, this means starting up again after almost a month without work – a challenge that brings its own financial and emotional pressures. Small and medium-sized suppliers in particular face significant hurdles: cashflow disruption, staff who may have gone weeks without pay, and the practical and emotional strain of restarting operations at pace. These difficulties risk leaving workers and families in very vulnerable positions.
“We want everyone affected to know that help is here and support is available. Whether it’s financial assistance, mental health support, or practical advice, we are committed to standing alongside the automotive community as it navigates this difficult period."
The pause in production at JLR has already had a significant impact on the UK economy, contributing to the rapid decline in productivity for the UK’s manufacturing sector.
Rachel Clift continues: "We know that it’s vital that production can start again swiftly. This will require a resilient workforce across JLR and its supply chain. We want to work alongside the UK Government and other key stakeholders to ensure that all the necessary support is in place for workers to restart production without barriers."
Anyone affected by the JLR cyber attack can access support from Ben by visiting www.ben.org.uk/cyber-attack, emailing [email protected], or calling Ben’s confidential helpline on 0808 131 1333.
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Now in its 14th edition, this iconic annual ride brings together a vibrant and diverse community of Royal Enfield owners and riders from around the world to celebrate their camaraderie and shared passion for Pure Motorcycling.
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One Ride celebrates the simple, accessible joy of motorcycling that connects riders across cultures, ages, and backgrounds through shared passion for authentic riding experiences and individual self-expression.
Hosted annually, and held this past Sunday across the globe, motorcyclists converged on their nearest Royal Enfield dealership for a ride to celebrate community and camaraderie, and express their passion for Pure Motorcycling by attending the annual One Ride Event.
For UK riders, the marquee event was held by Sycamore Motorcycles in Peterborough, with 60 bikers joining the global Royal Enfield One Ride event on Sunday the 21st of September. This was alongside over 25 other UK dealerships, including CooperB Motorcycles in Wellingborough, Moonraker Motorcycles in Norwich, Hatfields of Crowthorne, and Smalley Cross in Derby among those organising a "One Ride 2025" ride out for their community.
2025 marked the 14th edition of Royal Enfield’s One Ride, offering the global Royal Enfield community an opportunity to get together and be on the saddle on One Day, with more than 40,000 riders across 1,500 rides in 60+ countries riding in unison, making the ride one of the largest annual celebrations of motorcycling seen anywhere in the world. Serving as a remarkable testimony to Royal Enfield’s philosophy of ‘Pure Motorcycling’, the ride began with the first sunrise in the East continuing until the last sunset in the West, creating a true 24-hour global celebration spanning all time zones.
Every year, One Ride brings together a diverse and passionate community of riders and enthusiasts – from first-time riders to seasoned adventurers — who come together to celebrate individuality, self-expression, and the shared joy of the open road. The ride showcases the strength of the world's most passionate organic motorcycling community — one that spans continents yet feels intimate, where strangers become lifelong riding companions through their shared love of Pure Motorcycling.
While united in spirit, this year the helmets were more than just gear as riders celebrated their individuality through personalized helmets, custom motorcycle modifications, and unique riding gear, transforming essential safety equipment into powerful canvases of personal stories and creativity.
Beyond celebration, One Ride championed responsible motorcycling through curated safe routes, community mentorship, and initiatives like Helmets for India, ensuring every rider returns home safely to ride another day.
One Ride has grown exponentially since its debut in 2011, when 14 countries participated in the inaugural riders celebration. The 2024 edition achieved record participation with 41,730 riders across 66 countries, while 2025 maintained a similar scale with 40,000+ riders across 60+ countries confirmed.
Full UK image gallery found here.
#OneRide2025 | #OneRide | #PureMotorcycling | #RoyalEnfield | #RidePure
For all media enquiries, including press fleet requests, please get in touch with the Motocom team at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1525 270100.
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About Royal Enfield
The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield has created beautifully crafted motorcycles since 1901. From its British roots, a manufacturing plant was established in Madras in 1955, a foothold from which Royal Enfield spearheaded the growth of India’s mid-sized two-wheeler segment. Royal Enfields are engaging, uncomplicated, accessible and fun to ride; a vehicle for exploration and self-expression. It’s an approach the brand calls Pure Motorcycling.
Royal Enfield’s premium line-up includes Bear 650, Classic 650, Guerrilla 450 modern roadster, Hunter 350, Meteor 350, Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 twins, the Shotgun 650, the new Himalayan adventure tourer, the Scram 440 ADV Crossover, the iconic Bullet 350, Classic 350 and Goan Classic 350. The company recently unveiled its new city+ motorcycle brand – the Flying Flea – a fresh take on urban mobility, blending authentic design with advanced technology.
Riders and a passionate community are fostered with a rich profusion of events at a local, regional and international level. Most notable are Motoverse (previously Rider Mania), an annual gathering of thousands of Royal Enfield enthusiasts in Goa, and Himalayan Odyssey; a yearly pilgrimage over some of the toughest terrain and highest mountain passes.
A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield operates through more than 2000 stores across all major cities and towns in India and through nearly 850 stores in more than 60 countries around the globe. Royal Enfield also has two world-class technical centres, in Bruntingthorpe, UK, and in Chennai, India. The company’s two state-of-the-art production facilities are located at Oragadam and Vallam Vadagal, near Chennai. Across the world, Royal Enfield has six modern CKD assembly facilities in Bangladesh, Nepal, Brazil, Thailand, Argentina and Colombia.
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Motorcycles may be only 3% of all registered vehicles on the road, but they account for 15.5% of all traffic fatalities annually. While the pure joy of riding on the open road throughout the United States includes incredible natural vistas, you want to take every precaution possible so your ride is safe, comfortable, and accident-free.
There are some simple pre-travel tips you can take to lower the risk of your upcoming road adventure. You want to create a situation where the thrill of curved mountain passes or relaxing coastal rides outweighs safety issues. A road trip can span hundreds to thousands of miles, meaning you need to consider car shipping for secondary vehicles, maintenance issues, packing, safety, and logistics before the first wheel turns.
Essential Pre-Trip Motorcycle Maintenance Checks for US Road Adventures 
Always begin your motorcycle journey by double-checking that everything is “road-ready.” Most accidents can be avoided with proper maintenance. Start by ensuring your tires have at least 50% tread life remaining and are inflated to the correct pressure. Inspect your chains, lubricant levels, battery life, brake pads, and rotors.
Fluids need attention. Your engine oil and coolant are essential, but also your brake fluid. Your chain shouldn’t have any more slack than necessary and should be thoroughly lubricated. If you have shaft drives, ensure there are no leaks or unusual noises before heading out. Have a friend stand nearby as you run through lights, turn signals, and the horn. The number one cause of motorcycle accidents is other drivers not noticing you, so keep these communication signals in working order.
If all that extra work seems beyond your current skill level, take your motorcycle to your local trusted shop. They can conduct a thorough inspection and offer any necessary suggestions before your extended trip, including recommendations for shipping a second bike using reputable transport carriers.
Packing Smart: Gear and Essentials for a Successful Motorcycle Road Trip
With your motorcycle fully prepped, it’s time to look at what you’ll need during the road trip. There is a reason people say“safety first.” You should start with a DOT-approved helmet, an abrasion-resistant jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. Some riders like to pack a second set of gear for rain or breathable fabrics for high temperatures, but ensure they can protect the body in a crash. Road burn is a serious concern.
Modify the motorcycle's seat cushion with ergonomic options and extra grip wraps. That will make an 8- to 10-hour leg of your trip much more comfortable. While setting up your bike, place your navigation and communication equipment properly so that they are out of the wind, but not so low that you have to take your eyes off the road.
Most experienced riders will suggest packing light. That way, you get the thrill of stopping at a local diner or picking up clothing at a fun shop you usually would not be able to visit back home. A good idea is to have your shipping address ready or use a friend who will store items you purchase during your trip until you return. Here is a good packing list to work from:
If nothing else, double up on protective gear. Any wet or damaged items can always be replaced whenever you reach a big city, but you want backups if you’re “out in the boonies” a bit.
Exploring Car Shipping Options for Multi-State Motorcycle Journeys
Plenty of riders have secondary family vehicles or additional motorcycles that require car shipping during the journey. That could be for meeting up with family on an extended vacation, shipping a car for snowbirds who love touring during transit, or those making a big move and want to integrate a cross-country journey first.
Whatever the reason, you can use the best auto transport services to get your vehicle safely to your destination while you enjoy the open road. That saves extra wear and tear on your car and the stress of trying to manage all the logistics on your own.
A reputable domestic transport provider will offer clear pickup and delivery instructions, including door-to-door options. Riders can choose from open or enclosed vehicle transport, with or without expedited shipping to move things along. The fleet management company should carry its own shipping insurance and provide you with a clear, no-hidden-fees quote or estimate for the entire process.
Always work with a team that follows interstate transport laws, has experience with motorcycles, and carries a USDOT and FMCSA numbers. The best auto shipping company will offer all these options, along with the real-time communication you need to plan your long-distance road trip or adjust for road traffic, construction, and weather changes as needed. 
Safety and Comfort Tips for Long-Distance Motorcycle Travel in America
Riding your custom bike all day long can put a lot of stress on the body. For example, the Pacific Coast Highway, stretching from southern California to Washington state, is over 1,650 miles long. That’s a lot of hours and strain if you’re not properly prepared.
To avoid rider fatigue, break up your longer trips with some fun sightseeing, dining, and shopping. Swing by an open vista overlooking the ocean or stop into a local bar and relax for a while. Plan on refueling every 100 to 150 miles and take time to stretch, hydrate, and re-up your snacks.
While riding, ensure you maintain proper posture and spine alignment by using padded grips, windshields that are adjusted to your height, and ergonomic seats. Everyone might love the idea of low-riding café racers from a Steve McQueen film, but those dreams go out the window when you’re 20 hours into a long-distance trip.
Most importantly, practice defensive driving. Use gear with high-visibility accents so other drivers can see you. Simple habits, such as maintaining a two-second following distance or scanning the road for debris, go a long way in keeping you safe.
Navigating Scenic Routes and Weather Challenges on US Motorcycle Road Trips
The United States offers numerous options for motorcycle touring. Routes like the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia or Route 1 along the Maine coastline are beloved by experienced riders. Every route might offer twisting roads and unique stops, but the weather can quickly turn your trip into a serious challenge.
Pack so you have rain gear, fabric for 100-degree afternoons, and cold-weather jackets when the temperature drops. Using tools like the Farmer’s Almanac will give you insight into typical long-range weather for up to 60 days in the region you’re visiting. That way, you don’t run into snow in Montana or Wyoming when you’ve only packed rain gear.
Some motorcyclists will adjust longer trips by blending riding with vechile shipping during the harsher summer or winter months. That gives you options to ship your bike ahead to an area you know you’ll enjoy while you use your car to get dropped off by the family.
Freedom, Preparedness, and the Ride of a Lifetime
Enjoying all that a long-distance motorcycle trip in the United States has to offer is equal parts freedom and responsibility. You need to prepare your bike for all situations, maintenance concerns, and riding in comfort and style.
Combine your trip with professional auto shipping, utilizing a vast network of experienced drivers and trusted logistics managers, and you’ll be able to explore the Atlantic coast or rugged Rockies with complete peace of mind. Make this road trip the adventure of a lifetime with a bit of preparation, and you’ll build memories you’ll never forget.
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