Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Oz on a Triumph Book Launch

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    Geoff Hill and Collin O'Carroll are celebrating the publication of their inspiring and hilarious travelogue, Oz: Around Australia on a Triumph.

    The celebration takes place on Wednesday 24 November, during an Oz themed launch at Adelaide Insurance Services, 4-6 Boucher Road, Belfast. The pair circumnavigated Australia on Tiger 1050s, taking 10-12 weeks to cover the 15,000 miles of the legendary Highway One before the road is decommissioned in 2010.

    Geoff, who's already ridden from Delhi to Belfast on an Enfield and Chile to Alaska on a Triumph for the best-selling books Way to Go and The Road to Gobblers Knob, faced his mightiest challenge: the wombats of Oz. To give you a flavour of their adventure we have lifted this from their website blog, The Adelaide To Adelaide Adventure:

    “Since Geoff has only been to Perth before, and since Colin was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in Australia wrestling sharks, snogging kangaroos and riding dirt bikes, the series and book will be written from two contrasting and equally entertaining viewpoints: Geoff as a relative first-timer and Colin revisiting the land of his lost youth, which is the subject of his own book, Belfast Boomerang, to be published by Blackstaff Press in 2011. It’s the wombats that worry me most,” said Geoff. “Apparently they go to sleep in the middle of the road because it’s nice and warm, so if you’re stupid enough to ride at night, you hit this furry speed bump. They’re saved by a layer of cartilage on their back which protects them from dingo attacks, but you end up down the road in a heap of wreckage.”

    Come along from 4.30 pm and crack open a tinny with Geoff and Colin as they discuss their adventure around Oz on a Triumph.

    Exclusive film footage recorded during their trip will be shown, a live band will play and, refreshments will be available.

    www.blackstaffpress.com

    www.adelaideadventures.com

  3. Motorcycle Industry Provides Positive Employment Opportunities for the UK

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    The motorcycle industry is a vital employer in the UK providing thousands of jobs in a broad range of sectors across the country.

    Currently, the industry directly employs 65,000 people in more that 6,000 businesses, which is a greater level of employment that those employed in UK call centres, the market research sector, as taxi drivers and throughout libraries, museums and other cultural activities. (1)

    In 2008, the industry paid out more than £1.2 billion in wages and made total tax contributions of more than £1 billion.

    There is a wide range of opportunities for people to take employment in the motorcycle industry.  Distribution and retail is the largest single field of employment (20,380) and the sport and leisure sector employs around 10,000 people contributing a gross added value to the UK economy of £238 million per annum. 

    Other sectors offering work opportunities include; manufacturing, repairs , servicing and maintenance and other support services such as finance, marketing, publishing, training and couriers. Between them they employ almost 30,000 people, paying over £600 million in wages.

    Although there is a concentration of retail and distribution jobs (31% of the total), average wages are £18,800 across the whole industry and are significantly higher in the support services (£21,600) and manufacturing (£28,600) sectors

    Steve Kenward, MCI's CEO commented. " The motorcycle industry provides a significant financial contribution to the UK 's economy, generating added value of more than £2billion,  as well as acting as an important employer.

    "There are many fields of employment within the industry offering work opportunities for people from all walks of life whether they want to work in a practical, hands-on role or take a more customer service based job there is something for everyone."

    For more information about the motorcycle industry go to the website www.mcia.co.uk
    1) All statistics are from the survey - The Economic Significance of the UK Motorcycle Industry by GHK - February 2010

  4. Bikes Welcome in Bedford Bus Lanes

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    News that bus lanes in the Bedford Borough are to be open to motorcycles for a trial period has been welcomed by the bmf.

    Designed to reduce congestion around the town centre, the eighteen-month trial starts today and will also include bicycles, taxis and private hire vehicles.

    Bedford has four bus lanes in the town centre and for many years local bmf activists have lobbied for motorcycle access. Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Transport, said: “I am delighted we have been able to open our bus lanes to more people whilst ensuring they continue to encourage people to consider more sustainable forms of transport.”

    Chris Hodder the bmf’s Government Relations Executive said: “Access to bus lanes is one of the bmf's main campaigns so we are very happy to show what local bmf activists can achieve. No doubt this will improve the lives of riders in Bedford and hopefully will inspire those local authorities who are still unsure over allowing motorcycles into their bus lanes."

    A long-term campaigner for bus lane use by motorcyclists, the bmf say that London’s recently extended trial has shown that such schemes work well and bear out experiences from other permanent and trial sites. However despite several UK towns and cities adopting bus lane use*, this is still not a national policy and that is what is now wanted from the Government say the bmf

    *Note: Bus lane access has been allowed in: Bristol (has operated a permanent bus lane access since 1996) and Reading (since 1999). Other sites are in: Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Colchester, Derby, Bath, Hull, Swindon, Richmond on Thames, Newcastle on Tyne, Sunderland, Plymouth and the M4 bus lane. Most of London’s red routes are now currently being trialled for motorcycle use.

  5. Channel 4 TV Show The Village - Start a new life in Yorkshire

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    A major new C4 series provisionally titled The Village, are looking for people who would love the opportunity to start a new life in the English countryside andhave the chance to win a three bedroom cottage located in a small idyllic village in Yorkshire.
     
    With any type of skilled trade or job, single parents,couples,families, people with interesting hobbies, lifestyle choicesand anyonewho realistically would like to relocate their lives, so if there are any keen bikers out there who would like to take part we would like to hear from you.

    The series will follow the participants as they move to the village for a week and sample their potential new life and home. During the week’s filming they will get involved in village life, meeting the residents and demonstrating to them why they would be a valued member of the communityi.e. demonstrating using their skills or experience. The local residents will then decide on who wins the home and becomes the newest resident of the village.

    Participants must be over 18 and initially be available to film for a possibly 5 days during September/Octoberand then an additional 3-5 days if your family reaches the final. Anyone interested in applying must also realistically be looking to relocate and start a new life in the village should they be lucky enough to win the competition.

    If you have any queries Kandise on 0207 534 2029or e-mail thevillage@studiolambert.com