Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Barbour returns to motorcycling roots

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    Barbour has announced the launch of the Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle range, marking a welcome return to motorcycling for the British clothing manufacturer.

    The wax cotton International jacket has been a mainstay of Barbour’s range since its original introduction more than 75 years ago. It has now been redesigned to accommodate CE-approved elbow and shoulder armour, and a Level 2 back protector as standard.

    Manufactured in an 8oz wax cotton, Barbour’s International motorcycling jacket features a near identical specification to the original International, albeit with a new waterproof tartan lining and a reflective belt.

    The jacket also features a dark red satin zip-out thermal liner, which can be removed on warmer days and, naturally, the International’s distinctive diagonal chest pocket, originally introduced in 1951 for quick access to maps.

    To offer increased protection for motorcyc lists, Barbour has also developed wax cotton over-trousers that zip together with the International motorcycling jacket. The trousers also feature CE-approved armour in the knee and hip areas, as well as a waterproof lining.

    Following its original launch in 1947, the International quickly became a firm favourite amongst motorcyclists, and in the 1954 International Six Day Trial more than 70% of competitors wore the jacket.

    Steve McQueen in his Barbour International at the 1964 ISDTTen years later, the International was worn exclusively by the American ISDT team, featuring Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins, the stunt rider who performed McQueen’s famous fence leap in The Great Escape.

    Steve Buck, managing director of Barbour, said: “In recent years, traditional and classic motorcycles have become increasingly popular. Many of our customers told us that they prefer to wear traditional motorcycle clothing when out on their bikes, but that it needed to include protective armour. We have listened to our customers and we have created the Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle range that not only looks the part but also offers significantly enhanced levels of protection for the rider. The jacket and trousers are almost identical in design to those originally worn by riders from the 1940s through to the 70s, so our motorcycling heritage has been incorporated into these garments for a truly authentic look.”

    The Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle jacket will be priced at £399.99, including elbow and shoulder armour and a Level 2 back protector. The trousers will be priced at £239.99 and will incorporate knee and hip armour. All the armour has been produced specifically for the Barbour collection by Forcefield.  Both pieces will initially be available exclusively through MotoLegends and will be on sale at the beginning of March.

    www.motolegends.com

  2. Ken Chaplin

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    It is with sadness that we report the tragic death of Ken Chaplin, one of the Biking worlds dearest friends, who was found in his tent at the Dragon Rally, Wales on Sunday 10th February.

    A massive personality, who will be missed by many.

    The funeral procession of bikes and trikes will be leaving Ken's home address, 114 Dialstone Lane, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 6AQ between 3:00pm - 3:30pm on Friday (22/02/13) lead by the hearse and Ken's trike. There will be outriders to help minimise any disruption of the procession.  

    The funeral service at Stockport Crematorium will start at 4:00pm and last about 45mins.  

    Ken's family have requested that there be no flowers, they would prefer donations to the NABD, collection pots will be placed in the entrance to the crematorium and at the pub later. After the funeral there will be a procession to the Town Hall Tavern in Stockport (be warned, it is a small pub and there is not much parking).

    Donations can be made in person at the funeral or by calling NABD on 0844 415 4849.

  3. The Motorcycle Helmet Law

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    Forty years ago, the “Motor Cycles (Wearing of Helmets) Regulations 1973 (S.I., 1973, No. 180), dated 7th February 1973”, was enacted – the statutory instrument came into operation on 1st June of the same year.  

    On April 5th 1973, the order for this regulation was debated in the House of Commons, with members from either side taking opposite views. Many considered this as a gross infringement of personal liberty.  However, during World War II, Dr Hugh Cairns, a consulting neurosurgeon to the British Army, recommended mandatory helmet use for British Service dispatch riders, who carried instructions and battle reports between commanders and the front lines via motorcycles.  

    This recommendation was accepted the British Army and crash helmets became compulsory for all army motorcyclists on duty from November 1941.  

    Cairns first became concerned about helmet use after treating the war hero T. E. Lawrence  - otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia, for a fatal head injury suffered during a 1935 motorcycle accident.  

    On 31st May 1956, a motion was introduced into the House of Commons “(Helmets to be worn by Drivers and Riders of Motorcycles). After a lengthy debate, this motion was withdrawn. 

    However, eleven years later in 1962, in the Road Traffic Bill of that year, there was proposed (on Report) a new clause to give the Minister power to make an order such as the one (wearing of helmets), that had been made and was before the House.  

    In the gallery at the House of Commons on that evening in April 1973, were motorcyclists listening carefully to the debate.  

    Enoch Powell was noted for his oratorical skills, and for being a maverick. He was a champion of this cause, his powerful intervention in the House of Commons in relation to his opposition to the compulsory wearing of helmets by motorcyclists argued in favour of individual freedom. Although he was not the only MP to oppose this regulation, he was certainly the most eloquent.  

    Moving onto the Religious Exemption of Sikhs to wear motorcycle helmets, during the debate in the House of Commons in January 1975, the MP responsible for this bill was Sydney Bidwell MP for Ealing-Southall.

    The consequence of this exemption was that one man, Fred Hill was to provide impetus to the recently formed Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) to call for the helmet law to be rescinded.  

    Fred Hill was born in Yorkshire and spent the war as a dispatch rider before becoming a Mathematics teacher after the war.  

    Ian Mutch now President for life of MAG UK wrote about Fred Hill and explained his reasons for refusing to wear a helmet and the price this 'freedom fighter' paid.  

    Forty years on, all riders (except Sikhs) are required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in the UK and in fact in most countries throughout the world. Generally it is accepted that in a crash scenario helmets help to prevent injuries. Few people of principle remain from those days in 1973 when the imposition of mandatory helmet use was felt to be unnecessary because the vast majority (88%) of motorcyclists wore helmets anyway and it was felt that this was an abuse of legislative power and removed the freedom of liberties.  

    The introduction of the helmet law in the UK was a defining moment for motorcycling because it established precedence for 'safety' legislation for this form of transport.  The latest of which has recently (2012) been enacted into law via the European parliament through the requirement for ABS brakes and mandatory headlights for these vehicles.  

    Trevor Baird was the General Secretary of MAG UK. He resigned in 2008 and in his farewell speech to the Annual General Conference that year, said...

    Read the full in-depth article on Right To Ride

  4. 30th anniversary for seatbelts

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    Seatbelt laws were first put into place thirty years ago but we still face issues with their use. One in five (19%) motorists claim to know someone who doesn’t use a seatbelt in the front of their car.  

    Today will see the anniversary of the introduction of compulsory wearing which came to effect in 1983. Latest figures show 95 per cent of drivers and 96 per cent of front seat passengers wear a seat belt; 89 per cent of rear seat passengers use one.

    Yet every year, not wearing a seatbelt is still a contributory factor in more than 220 deaths and serious injuries.

    A higher number of younger motorists know someone who does not wear a seatbelt compared to the older age group.  

    • In the back of the car, 41% of 18-29 year olds know someone who doesn’t wear a seatbelt compared to 25% of 45+ year olds whilst for in the front of the car, 36% of 16-29 year olds know someone compared to 11% of 55+ year olds.
    • Drivers and passengers aged 17-34 have the lowest seat belt wearing rates combined with the highest accident rates.
    • Yet 14 per cent of adults still admit to being inconsistent seat-belt wearers.  

    IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “In the past three decades seatbelts have made a fantastic contribution to road safety success in Britain helping to save thousands of lives. But the ongoing message needs to be reinforced to all age groups. All the modern technology in a new car assumes the occupant is wearing a seatbelt.  Younger drivers know that not wearing a seatbelt is dangerous, but they must still be reminded that no matter where you are sitting in a car, a seatbelt will save your life.”