Category: Other

1. Swedish Medical Cards

   Posted on 12:01am Saturday 17th Mar 2012

   According to the Swedish Riders Organisation (SMC) information in motorcycle helmets can save four lives per year!
    
   This week, 65 000 members of the Swedish Motorcyclist Association, SMC, get a Medical Card kit. The Swedish medical card follows the UKs Ambulance Motorcycle Club Crash Card, the Rider Alert scheme in the US with a CRASH card scheme to be launched in Northern Ireland.
    
   The Swedish Medical Card kit includes four stickers to add on the helmet/s and a card for medical information to put between the shell and padding of the helmet. With this effort, SMC hope to save a few lives per year through fast and adequate rescue in case of an accident.
    
   Motorcyclists are killed and injured in accidents on Swedish Roads every year. The Swedish riders are getting older. Many persons have some kind of allergy or chronic disease. It doesn’t matter if you are going on a ride on your own or with a group – you can’t rely on anyone else to describe your personal medical status. It is much safer if you fill it out on a Medical Card and put it in your helmet.
    
   It is well established that the victim’s chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within a short period of time after a severe injury. Since Sweden is a big country where huge areas is sparsely populated there isn’t always an ambulance in the neighbourhood.
    
   If you suffer from a disease like for example diabetes, there can be a solution to the crash and the rescue team will know what kind of emergency care the victim needs.
    
   According to the Swedish Transport Administration four lives can be saved with fast and adequate rescue. This is the reason for SMC to send out stickers and Medical Cards to 65, 000 members.
    
   The Medical Card Sticker is added on the bottom on the back of the helmet and indicates that the rider has a Medical Card in the helmet, between the shell and padding, with medical information.
    
   Every helmet owner adds information on the medical card. On one side the owner writes: medical history, medical treatment and allergies. On the other side the owner will write name, personal ID number and ICEnumber. All information is translated to English.
    
   ”It’s a simple but genius idea that started among ambulance drivers in England. It’s now spreading all over the world”, says Jesper Chrisensen, general secretary of SMC. Both motorcycle riders and ambulance staff in other countries have already testified that the Medical Cards saved lives. If we can save the life of only one rider, SMC has succeeded with this initiative”, continues Christensen.
    
   The initiative from SMC was on Swedish National TV: 
    
   Ambulance Motorcycle Club Crash Cards 
    
   Crash Cards For Northern Ireland

2. Mans campaign to help stop VAT on Air Ambulance Fuel bills... Can he get 100,000 signatures?

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 29th Feb 2012

   Ken Sharpe, of York has started an e-petition to help stop VAT on Air Ambulance Fuel bills

   When attending a fund raiser in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity last summer, it was brought to his attention that all 18 air ambulances in the UK have to pay VAT on their fuel bills unlike the RNLI who get an exemption. Here is a charity that is giving an essential free service and they have to pay vat on their fuel bills - the biggest cost to them after buying the helicopter!

   Amazed that this was the case, he started to research the issue and found that it would require a change in the VAT rules as these are governed by the EU. His local MEP, suggested that as finance budgets were being debated in Brussels he should try and get the government to request the exemption for Air Ambulance charities. His letter to the treasury fell on deaf ears.
    
   However Ken persevered and once again contacted his MP and asked him to table an Early Day Motion EDM 2709, which happened on the 9th February, 2012. By the 10th February this had been signed by 14 MP's from across all parties.

   An e-petition went live on the 10th of February, 2012 and in that time has had over 13,000 signatures, however for the government to make time for a full debate on the issue, it needs 100,000 signatures... As Ken says "Then hopefully common sense will prevail and something will be done to change this ridiculous situation".
    
   See and sign the e-petition here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29349

   For more details on the campaign or to talk to Ken Sharpe please contact him - [email protected]

3. Compulsory Basic Training

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 23rd Feb 2012

   The nidirect Government Services website has published a reminder and information:  As of yesterday, 21st February 2012, “all learner moped and motorcycle riders must complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before they can ride unaccompanied on public roads.”
    
   CBT was introduced last year on 21st February 2011 and riders with a motorcycle provisional licence entitlement were allowed a year to take a motorcycle practical test without having to take CBT.
    
   As this deadline has now passed, you will have to take CBT before you can do your practical test, which consists of two parts, a manoeuvres test which will last approximately 30 minute, (at present this is only available from certain test centres) and an on-road motorcycle riding test which lasts about 40 minutes.
    
   There are five elements in the syllabus that covers CBT training. Elements A to D are not time bound – the duration will depend on your ability. However, element E will be a minimum of four hours. The overall length of the course will vary depending on your ability, knowledge, understanding and skills.
    
   The nidirect Government Services website comments, “Biking can be a great experience but ridden inappropriately, a motorcycle becomes a lethal weapon. CBT will improve learners’ riding skills because they will receive training in a safe environment before being allowed to ride on public roads.”
    
   Adding that, “Drivers should look out for motorcyclists -  Half of all motorcyclist casualties are caused by other drivers. Motorists should give extra consideration to motorcyclists and look out for bikes:
    •when overtaking
   •at junctions
   •when turning right
   •when emerging onto main roads
    
   Only registered Approved Motorcycle Instructors (AMI) will be allowed to conduct these training courses. It is intended that this new training scheme will improve safety for all road users.”
    
   Module 1
    
   Element A Introduction – theoretical training
   Element B Practical training (touch, balance etc)
    
   Module 2
    
   Element C Practical riding skills
   Element D Pre road-ride briefing
    
   Module 3
    
   Element E Practical on-road riding (compulsory 4 hours duration)
    
   More Changes
    
   If you are not already aware, in January 2013, the motorcycle test and licence categories will change through the implementation of the EU Third Licence Directive.
    
   Yesterday (21st February) Right To Ride along with other stakeholders attended the second meeting to discuss this implementation.
    
   To read this article and for further information and links on CBT in Northern Ireland go to Right To Ride

    

4. Introducing the Meta Alarm System

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 14th Feb 2012

   The M357TV2 Category 1 Alarm Immobiliser is a highly acclaimed, full specification alarm. It received a score of 99% in a review carried out by Motorcycle News and was awarded RiDE magazine's 'Best Buy'.

   The features include:

   • Anti scan, anti-grab rolling code operation
   • Resin bonded construction
   • Integral Microchip movement sensor
   • Water and vibration resistant
   • Failsafe twin circuit immobilisation
   • Sleep mode (zero battery drain)
   • Audible and visual arming signals
   • Passive arming - auto re-arm
   • Secure override facility
   • Low battery warning
   • Ignition key conversion
   • Diagnostic LED
   • Accessory protection feature
   • Hotwire sensing
   • Covert black wiring
   • Battery backup siren

   The alarm can be purchased and fitted for only £199 by BLD, located in Brighouse, Bournemouth and Southampton, with state-of-the-art facilities, insurance approved and provide an efficienct and exceptional service.

5. I, SUPERBIKER - THE SHOWDOWN’ COMES TO CINEMAS

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 14th Feb 2012

   The no-holds barred full length follow up to 2011’s runaway success ‘I Superbiker’ will be released in over 100 cinemas across the UK on February 21st with additional screenings on March 1st.

   The 21st February premiere event will be beamed live into over 100 cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Omniverse Vision will stage the live satellite broadcast, which will include a 30 minute Q&A with British Superbike Champion and star of the film, Tommy Hill, together with fellow showdown riders Shane Byrne and Michael Laverty. Joining them onstage will be British Superbikes series director Stuart Higgs and film director; Mark Sloper. The host for the evening will be ex-champion and TV commentator James Whitham

   Following on from 2011’s ground-breaking ‘I Superbiker’ – the original in a succession of motorbike movies that year which included ’TT3D’ and ‘Fastest’ - the film is being distributed by Omniverse Vision, in association with MCE Insurance sponsored British Superbike Championship (BSB) and Motorcycle News (MCN).  ‘I Superbiker  – The Showdown’ is the high octane, all action, nail-biting wheel to wheel story of the 2011 British Superbike season which saw the most exciting final race in its history – arguably the most exciting motorcycle race of all time.

   A new electrifying format for 2011, which left only 6 riders competing for the title in a series of dramatic showdowns:

   - Japanese Ryuichi Kiyonari reigning champion, - beset with personal problems as he attempts to defend his crown.
   - Bad boy Australian Josh Brookes - runner up in 2010 and determined to battle his way to the top, no matter what.
   - Ex BSB champ, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne - fans’ favourite and all round good guy, desperate to regain the crown for prides sake.
   - Michael Laverty - the Irish Flyer aiming to put his stamp on the title for his country.
   - Ex Moto GP star John Hopper Hopkins - back to racing after overcoming his personal demons and substance abuse problems, is the first American with a realistic chance of winning the title.
   - British hero Tommy Hill - who so spectacularly lost the title in 2010 by one small error, and absolutely determined to prove himself the British Superbike champion.

   As well as capturing stunning on-track action, ‘I SUPERBIKER  – THE SHOWDOWN’ goes behind the scenes to follow the unfolding drama among wives, girlfriends, teammates and managers. Everyone wants their rider to win and passions are aroused when things go wrong. The film’s writer, producer and director Mark Sloper of 400 TV commented: “I wanted to capture the emotion and passion of motorcycle racing and the drama of the new showdown format – a classic motorcycle racing film that might be set in the 2011 season but with a classic story that can still be fresh in years to come”. He added, "I also wanted it to appeal to people outside of the motorcycle industry and fan-base. And I wanted to try and change outsiders’ perceptions of motorcycling”.

   BSB champion Tommy Hill commented, "British Superbikes is motorcycle racing at its very best and this film shows that brilliantly. It's amazing to see BSB on the cinema screen. It's a massive sport with a great following - now hopefully people who don't know it that well can see what an incredible event it is”.

   "We are very excited to bring this soon to be biking classic to cinema screens in the UK and internationally. After our success with Fastest, it is clear that there is a significant audience for motor-sport features in many countries and and we look forward to building on the initial success that Mark (Sloper) and his team, created with the I Superbiker last year," Grant Calton, Omniverse Vision CEO.

   Presented in stunning 2k digital cinema, with an original film score by David Vanian of the Damned and music by Phil Collen of Def Leppard and Manraze. ‘I, Superbiker  – The Showdown’ will be shown in cinemas nationwide on February 21st (with live Q&A via satellite) and March 1st 2012. Tickets are due to go on sale shortly.

   Full details of the nationwide screenings can be found at www.ISuperbiker.com

    

   ‘All the drama and emotion of the unforgettable last race is there.’ Cara Sloman - The Mail on Sunday

   'The race of the decade brought to life in a an epic heart-pounding drama' – Marc Potter, MCN

   "A day of sport they'll talk about for a hundred years explodes on the screen - truly spectacular" – Matt Kelly, The Mirror

   Watch the trailer

   For tickets visit www.isuperbiker.com