| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: Tourism & Travel
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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
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Half of motorists are unaware that the breathalysers they will soon need to carry in France must be certified to the French NF standard, according to the IAM’s (Institute of Advanced Motorists) latest web poll of 2300 respondents. Compulsory from 1st July, the easiest way to tell if the breathalyser complies with the French legislation is to make sure it has the blue circular NF logo, the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK.
Other findings show that 82 per cent of people think that the new regulations will have no effect on reducing drink driving, as intended by the French authorities. Only 13 per cent said that the new regulations will reduce people driving over the limit, and 70 per cent said that drivers will only carry them to comply with the law, and will not change their behaviour.
Despite a general scepticism about the impact these new regulations will have, compliance is set to be high. Seventy-five per cent of respondents plan to take the breathalyser kit with them. Only seven per cent said they didn’t plan to. Eighteen per cent didn’t know or hadn’t thought about it.
The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg).
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Agree with the changes or not, from July 1st you will face a fine if you don’t carry an NF approved breathalyser while travelling in France. While these are a good way of being sure you are safe to drive, if you’re going to drink don’t drive, and beware the morning after effect.
“We will be looking forward to seeing the evaluation of what impact this new legislation is having. Support is likely to be higher if people can see that carrying a breathalyser actually reduces drink driving.”
AlcoSense Breathalyser managing director Hunter Abbott said: “There are a lot of products being sold as “French Breathalysers” which will not satisfy the Gendarmerie. If the product you buy has the French NF logo on it you’ll be OK, otherwise the Gendarmerie will not accept it and may treat you the same way as if you do not have one at all. AlcoSense NF Breathalysers (Redline R1) are one of only two single use products on the market which are on the Official Securite Routier approved list. If you purchase a product not on the list or without the NF logo, it puts you at risk of breaking the new law.”
www.iam.org.uk
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TomTom the leading manufacturer of navigation systems have recently launched its Map Paradise Project, where they are looking for people to map tropical islands.
In their continued development of maps in countries far and wide, they have launched the project to help create five new navigable maps. These include Fiji, St.Lucia. Cape Verde, The Seycelles and currently, Mauritius.
They are looking for five lucky people (friends or families), to spend two weeks on the island of Maurities, staying in a 4 star all inclusive beach resort, where all they have to do is gain relevant information by driving around in a specially equipped mapping car. All expenses will be paid, along with an extra €10,000 paid to the group.
The winners will have the opportunity to not only have a great holiday in a beautiful location and free of charge, they also get to experience first hand what it takes to produce the maps that we all use inside our sat navs... and in glorious surroundings!
So if you enjoy exploring beautiful places, like lovely weather and know your East from you West and indeed your North from your South, just fill in the simple form by 12th of July.
For Cape Verde from the 12th of July until the 26th of July.
The Seycelles from 26th of July until the 9th of August.
There are also nine runner up prizes of a TomTom Via 130 or equivalent.
The winners will be announced on their facebook page and also via email.
TomTom produce a variety of devices including the RIDER, specifically for Motorcycle users.
See the video below for more details
This post has been sponsored by TomTom
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Responding to our customer demand Compass Expeditions is expanding its tour offerings to include an epic 75 day ride from Cairo to Capetown in 2014.
“We are excited to be offering Africa as our newest destination as we, the owners of Compass Expeditions, have had a long time love affair with this incredible continent” says Mick McDonald, director of Compass Expeditions.
Africa is an amazingly diverse and rugged continent that has drawn explorers and adventurers the world over for centuries and we are thrilled to be able to offer our clients a chance to be part of the adventure as we ride from the bustling, ancient city of Cairo to the exotic, far Cape. The ride follows the Nile south crossing into the Sudan, then Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and finally South Africa.
“It is an epic ride that offers so much for the rider and will leave you breathless” says Brendan Barbetti, Co founder of Compass Expeditions.
Brendan has recently returned from an in-depth research trip of this route and is looking forward to once again riding Africa, his all time favourite destination, in 2014
For more information on this incredible 75 day expedition contact 1300 887 327 (within Australia) or +61 3 5368 2113 (outside Australia)
www.compassexpeditions.com
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Typical motorcyclist is middle-class, rides to work and prefers a Honda!
The traditional stereotype of bikers being free-spirited, leather clad hooligan is thing of the past, according to research by Bennetts. The UK’s number one for bike insurance* has revealed 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.
The study reveals the average motorcyclist in the UK is a world away from common perceptions, with him being a six-foot tall, brown haired biker who almost certainly owns a car and rides no more than twice a week. Although seemingly conventional, the average biker does seem to have a wild side too, with 50% of the British bikers questioned having a tattoo and a third sporting a beard.
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 of £30,000 a year, up 25% on the national average (£24,000)**
Despite an immediate association with Harley Davidson’s and other such loud bikes, the average biker actually prefers to ride on a Honda and manages just 7,500 miles a year, with 80% of bikers surveyed owning a car as well as a motorbike. Biking seems to still be very much associated with a mid-life crisis as the average biker has only been riding for two years, despite his age.
Questionnaire Results
Name: Ben
Sex: Male (96.8%)
Age: 41- 50 (31.6%)
Hair Colour: Brown (66.2%)
Glasses: No (62.3%)
Additional features: Tattoos (53.3%) and Beard (32.6%)
Height: 6ft (33.3%)
Occupation: Professional (29.0%)
Motorbike: Honda (30.1%)
How often do you ride: Twice a week (42.8%)
Do you use the bike to commute to work: Yes (54.9%)
Average annual mileage: 5,001 – 10,000 (43.0%)
Favourite genre of music: Rock/Heavy Metal (48.8%)
How long have you been riding: 1-3 years (22.9%)
How many motorbikes have you owned: 6 (47.9%)
Do you own a car: Yes (80.0%)
Favourite sport: Superbikes (52.8%)
Annual income: £20,000 – 39,999 (44.4%)
*Based on brand tracking research in April 2008
**Based on National Online Statistics (statistics.gov.uk)
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