Category: Tourism & Travel

1. French postpone fines for riders and drivers not carrying breathalyser

   Posted on 8:32am Wednesday 17th Oct 2012

   Fines for drivers of all motor vehicles - including motorcyclists, - who are caught without a breathalyser kit, will be implemented in France from March 2013, according to the IAM. The fines were due to be enforced from 1 November 2012.   All drivers in France, including motorcyclists, are now required to carry a breathalyser kit and the €11 fine is will be applicable to all road users, except for those on mopeds. 

   Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement.  The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France. It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit. 

   Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Additionally UK motorists and motorcyclists must display a GB plate. 

   IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The new French rule is a genuine attempt to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents. France’s lower limit means it’s very easy to be over the limit the morning after as well. As always, the best advice for road users is not to drink and drive at all.”

   www.iam.org.uk

2. Winner of the holiday at The Royal Agricultural College

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 4th Oct 2012

   Just wanted to let you know that my boyfriend and I really enjoyed the weekend we won at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester on 21st - 23rd September 2012.

    

   We got totally soaked riding there and riding home, however the Saturday was lovely weather and the college was a great base to explore the surrounding Cotswold villages.

    

   The college buildings and grounds were beautiful. The room had everything - en-suite bathroom, heating, TV, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities and there was a launderette whose dryers we were thankful of! The dining hall did a wide selection for breakfast.

    

   We would definitely return there and definitely recommend it to anyone. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

    

   Thanks very much for everything!

    

   Fiona and Brian xxx

3. Charley Boorman to lead Australia tours

   Posted on 7:38am Thursday 27th Sep 2012

   Compass Expeditions is excited to announce that Charley Boorman and his good friend, and manager, Billy Ward will be leading two motorcycle tours within Australia in February and March 2013.

   Both tours are of 10 days in length; one ride will start in Sydney and travel via the Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges and the Great Ocean Road before culminating in Melbourne. The second ride will begin in Melbourne and cross to Tasmania before crossing back to Melbourne and riding the spectacular Victorian High Country and the Snowy Mountains.

   “We are very excited to have Charley lead for both these rides” says Compass Expeditions co-founder Mick McDonald, “Both Charley and Billy are great personable guys that are good fun to be around and to have them leading some rides for us is very exciting, it will be a fantastic experience for all involved” continues Mick.

   www.compassexpeditions.com

   

4. After many weeks of dreadful weather, the summer has finally arrived...

   Posted on 10:29am Friday 7th Sep 2012

   In fact the weather forecasters have suggested this balmy Indian Summer could last well into October!

   The next two weeks look set to be perfect for a camping weekend, a trip to the coast and/or last minute holidays in the UK... in fact it could be very warm with glorious sunshine reaching temperatures of up to 27C.

   It is possible the rest of the month could follow suit (fingers and toes crossed) for what could be the longest spell of dry fine weather we have seen so far in 2012.

   In recent years the most significant growth in motorcyclists has been in female riders and with this the rise in longer stays, rather than in a place for one night... Many riders know there is nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long ride, unpacking, showering, eating, drinking, sleeping and then up the next day to pack up and move on - hence the rise in finding a great place to stay as a base for a few days to go out each day to tour and explore the area.

   Did you know? •Motorcycle-related tourism spending in the UK is over £565 million each year, supporting over 13, 000 tourism jobs. •Overseas motorcycling tourists spend £17 million on trips to the UK •More than half of all motorcyclists are over 40, with the vast majority of motorcycle tourists being in this age category.

   “The lack of interest in the motorcycle tourism sector may be due to a perceived image of rebellious youthful bikers which is at odds with their current demographic" (Dr Cater, lecturer at Aberystwyth University).

   Please note this article was based on the UK weather forecast 7th September, 2012, which is of course up for change!

5. Motorcyclists can provide the tourist industry with a lucrative summer... whatever the weather!

   Posted on 7:03am Sunday 15th Jul 2012

   A survey carried out for the Motorcycle industry* researched the impact of bikers on the tourist industry and found that Motorcycle-related tourism spending in the UK is over £565 million each year, supporting over 13, 000 tourism jobs.

   In recent years the most significant growth in motorcyclists has been in female riders and with this the rise in longer stays under bricks & mortar such as B&B's, hotels, cottages, etc, rather than just for one night... Many riders know there is nothing worse than arriving somewhere after a long ride, unpacking, showering, eating, drinking, sleeping and then up the next day to pack up and move on. With this there is a significant rise in finding a great Biker Friendly place to stay as a base for a few days and then to go out each day to tour and explore the area.

   Hoteliers, cafes, pubs, event organisers and other tourist related organisations could be getting more money from the biker pound, by choosing the correct medium to promote themselves within, especially as many Bikers travel in the UK for their holidays, along with overseas motorcycling tourists spending over £17 million on trips here.

   The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research** the profile of the ‘average biker’ in 21st Century Britain, a seemingly upstanding, 40+-something middle-class citizen who is a married, professional, family man, who almost certainly owns a car. Challenging the old perceptions of bikers even further, only 7% sport either long hair or a pony tail. This is probably because nearly 60% of those surveyed hold down a professional senior/management job, taking home an average wage 25% higher than the national average.

   By simply advertising your business as 'Biker friendly' here on THE BIKER GUIDE is letting this niche audience know that you welcome them, which many times is enough in itself... by also offering drying facilities, garaged and/or secure parking is a bonus and not a necessary, for you to capitalise on this growing market.

   Other interesting facts:

   More than half of all motorcyclists are over 40, with the vast majority of motorcycle tourists being in this age category.

   “The lack of interest in the motorcycle tourism sector may be due to a perceived image of rebellious youthful bikers which is at odds with their current demographic," (Dr Cater, lecturer at Aberystwyth University).

   * by GHK on behalf of the MCI ** by Bennetts