The warmer weather has started, the World Cup has kicked off and as the first signs of summer are underway the MCI can reveal that motorcycle-related tourism expenditure in the UK is around £569 million, supporting approximately 13,250 tourism jobs. 

A survey carried out for the industry by GHK researched the impact of bikers on the tourist industry and found that the average motorcycle tourist is spending around £380 per annum taking into account food, drink accommodation and other services.

The South West is currently getting the most out of motorcycle tourism receiving 17.3% of the total spend. The South East (11.2%), London (11.2%) and the North West (11.1%) are the runners up.

Motorcycle usage is very seasonal and is twice as high between May and August as it is between December and February.  This is likely to be because it is more enjoyable and safer to ride during good weather conditions, but is also likely to be indicative of the strong links between motorcycling and tourism.

Hoteliers, restaurant owners and other tourist related organisations could be getting more money from the bike pound, especially as since last year more people have been choosing to stay in the UK for their holidays. There is also an untapped market in European tourists, who currently come to the UK in much smaller numbers than UK riders travel abroad.

Providing secure parking, advertising as bike-friendly and extending promotion in the right areas could easily increase the number of motorcyclists and capitalise on a growing market.

Number of Visitors - 23,000 international riders visit the UK  compared to around 100,000 independent riders from the UK who take tourism related motorcycling trips abroad each year, so with the right promotion and marketing there is a lot of potential to attract more non UK tourists.

Current Spend of Overseas Tourists - Overseas motorcycling tourists are estimated to account for £17 million of motorcycling-related tourism (2008 prices) - which gives rise to an additional net additional economic impact at the national level.  This excludes expenditures of overseas visitors at UK sports and leisure events.

Supporting Jobs - The total tourism spending associated with motorcycling supports more than 13,000 tourism jobs in the UK, of which approximately 400 are supported by expenditure from overseas 'motorcycling' visitors.

Steve Kenward, MCIs CEO commented, ' This survey has shown us that the UK tourist industry is making important financial gains from motorcyclists. At the moment, there are certain areas in the UK that are seeing bigger gains, but there is a huge untapped market for the tourist industry to tap into.

"Currently, we only receive about one quarter of the number of riders that travel abroad from the UK, so we should be looking to attract more overseas visitors as well as improving the ' tourist' experience for British motorcyclists. Providing secure parking, offering discounts for groups, creating links with sporting events and generally offering a bike- friendly environment will lead to longer stays, more spending and happier customers."

Motorcycling road safety initiative RideSafe BackSafe is urging any motorcyclists planning a long distance tour this summer to be properly prepared and plan ahead. It is estimated that nearly 1.5 million people in Great Britain own a motorcycle. The highest number since the early Eighties and many of them will head off for European holidays on two wheels during the next few months.  

Motorcycling holidays or ‘tours’ require as much preparation as any other holiday, as RideSafe BackSafe Communications Manager, Emma Kelly, explains;  “ Everybody going abroad needs to take the basics, such as a valid passport, tickets, suitable travel insurance and so on, but there is much more to it for motorcyclists. Wearing the right protective clothing, servicing the machine before hand and travelling light are all important. We know of a few incidences of motorcyclists being injured, simply as a result of luggage and straps working loose, getting entangled in the rear wheel and causing them to crash. Securing luggage properly, keeping the centre of gravity low by how you pack the heavy items and adjusting tyre pressures for a fully laden bike are just a few of the unique prerequisites for safer travel on two wheels “.

Some motorcyclists will organise just one or two holiday tours a year and the way the bike behaves with a rider and a pillion passenger and holiday luggage on board can be unfamiliar. The RideSafe BackSafe team are recommending that owners visit their local motorcycle dealership to take expert advice and ensure that they have covered everything from headlight adjustment to suspension settings.                                                                                                         

Emma Kelly continues;  “Motorcycling enthusiasts will regularly just hop on and enjoy a short ride-out during the summer months, but taking a week to ride up to 2,000 miles across five countries and mountain ranges is an adventure that needs careful planning“.

For more dedicated road safety advice and to view a 25-point Motorcycle Tour Planner, go to www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk

News that a new ‘motorcycles in bus lanes’ trial will be run in London’s red route bus lanes has been met with a cautious welcome by the British Motorcyclists Federation.

Having actively campaigned for wider bus lane use for over fifteen years, London’s current eighteen-month trial, ending on July 5th, followed a commitment from Mr Johnson given to the bmf in the run up to the Mayoral elections, so while pleased at the trial’s qualified success, the bmf is nevertheless disappointed that yet another trial is being introduced and the effective this will have on other local authorities.

The bmf knows that many local authorities with bus lanes are already cautious over opening them up to motorcycles and this further trial will do nothing to encourage them to introduce bus lane use. The independent report on the existing trial, carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), found that ninety-three per cent of motorcyclists and 51 per cent of cyclists and car and van drivers supported the ‘Motorcycles in Bus Lanes’ trial and that fears of an increase in cyclist collisions with motorcyclists were unfounded.

The report actually found that there was a fall in the cyclist collision rate across trial bus lanes and despite 51 per cent of motorcyclists switching to bus lane use, there were no fatal accidents over the period of the trial. It was also found that motorcycle journeys were now more than 10 per cent quicker than those not using bus lanes and 36 per cent quicker than cars.

Against the positives, the report found that there was a slight increase in the rate of motorcyclist collisions, predominantly with cars turning into or out of side roads, hence says Transport for London, the need for a new trial with greater education of other road users.  Driver awareness is blamed as a key factor and says the bmf, if bus lane access was more widespread across the UK, drivers would become more aware and thus reduce accidents.

Commenting on the report the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said that the initial trial has shown some positive results and that “the chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialised and, as I suspected would be the case, we have found substantial support for the measure.”

The bmf’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder commented: “While we’re pleased with a continuation of bus lane use, the bmf are keen for other local authorities to allow motorcycles access to bus lanes and therefore to change expectations of who or what might be there. We are however pleased to see that the Mayor has decided to address this problem with a better awareness advertising campaign."

For the TfL report

Mayor Boris Johnson has today announced he will continue to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes, operated by Transport for London (TfL), for the time being. Johnson observed, ' The chaos that was predicted by some doomsayers has clearly not materialized and, as I suspected would be the case, we have found substantial support for the measure."

An 18-month experiment was carried out to see if a permanent arrangement would improve road safety and the various studies reveled:

.       More than half (51 per cent) of motorcyclists switched from riding on the outside of the road to the bus lanes   

.       Fears of an increase in cyclist collisions with motorcyclists were unfounded  

.       Journeys made by motorcycles using bus lanes were, on average more than 10 per cent quicker than those not using bus lanes and 36 per cent quicker than cars

Rides are Voters (RAV) welcomed the news but warned that riders, TfL and other road users must all play their part in making bus lanes safe for riders everyone

The Mayor has done the right thing after taking this opportunity to look at the real causes of collisions. Once again it has been shown that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes has created no greater risk for riders and other vulnerable road users.

"However, the findings seem to show that both motorcycle users and pedal-cyclists may be bearing the brunt of falling driving standards." said MAG General Secretary, Nich Brown

RAV supports TfL advice that drivers need to be sure they are not putting anyone at risk, especially when turning across bus-lanes at junctions. However, the group warned that simply relying on an appeal for better driving and enforcement of motorcycle speeding offences will not address the fundamental problem of poor junction design where collisions have increased.

Riders are Voters are calling on TfL to investigate low-cost improvements and new junction designs. Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry commented " This news of continued access to bus lanes is a positive step in the right direction.  Bus Lane access has worked well across the country and if TfL are willing to look at improving junction design on some of the busiest roads in the UK, then riders and other road users outside of the Capital will also benefit.."

Chris Hodder of the British Motorcyclists Federation (bmf) said. "Continued access to bus lanes for riders in London is fantastic news.  The comprehensive refutation of many of the claims of those opposed shows that arguments against allowing motorcycles into bus lanes are rapidly evaporating under close scrutiny.  Obviously there is still a problem with driver awareness, but we are pleased to see that the Mayor has decided to? address this with better advertising as a first step."

RAV has also called on the DfT to support the extension of motorcycle access to bus lanes everywhere. Nich Brown said:  "The efforts made by TfL to get things right should be supported by all local councils who operate bus lanes. In particular, those London boroughs who currently deny access for motorcycles should consider the adverse effect they are having on road safety by creating confusion and lack of consistency. Road safety will be maximised once all road users know to expect to see bikes legitimately using all bus lanes"

The sixth edition of World Ducati Week, the massive event that unites and excites the Ducati community, has finished after four incredible days with a record-breaking attendance of 60,000 motorcyclists. Held at the Misano World Circuit on the Adriatic Riviera, the celebration - entitled the ‘Red Planet Returns’  - ran in soaring temperatures from Thursday, 10th to Sunday, 13th June to become one of the best ever in the event’s history.

While Italian Ducatisti made up 60% of the total attendance at WDW2010, the remaining passionate Ducati fans travelled from 28 nations and five continents to underline the huge international appeal of the Ducati brand. Owners from Europe, USA, Australia, Russia and India, united with those from Brazil, China, Malaysia and even Gabon and Nepal to celebrate their shared passion and loyalty to the Ducati brand.

Four sun-drenched Ducati days peaked on Saturday, 12th June when the full program of events climaxed in a spectacular knock-out drag race competition that featured Ducati MotoGP and Superbike team riders aboard asphalt-ripping Ducati Streetfighters. True to form, the eight riders – Battaini, Bayliss, Byrne, Checa, Fabrizio, Haga, Hayden and Stoner - put on a fantastic show from the moment they left the pit garages, playing to the crowds that filled Misano's paddock terraces. World Superbike Ducati Xerox Team rider, Noriyuki Haga won the photo-finish final, just  fractions of a second ahead of American former MotoGP Champion and current Ducati MotoGP Team rider, Nicky Hayden, with Troy Bayliss in 3rd and Casey Stoner in 4th.

Immediately after the all-star drag race, the riders joined Ducati’s top management - Gabriele Del Torchio, Claudio Domenicali and Filippo Preziosi – on stage before a stunning light and sound show pushed the evening’s excitement even further into the red.

The packed four-day program provided both entertainment and interaction for the 60,000 visitors, including events on the track and courses in the “Ducati University” presented by Ducati engineers, riders and managers from the Bologna-based manufacturer. While the Mangusta helicopter aerobatics display provided an incredible show in the air, stunt shows, vintage bike shows, motocross freestyle displays, dragsters and race track demonstrations by the Ducati Xerox Team provided the same on the ground. The event also staged concerts by four Ducati Bands, chosen from a list of local artists submitted by Ducatisti in the run-up to the event.

The massive WDW event has now become so big, it attracts sponsors and partners happy to  associate their name and image in such a dynamic environment. In addition to the Generali group, who already enjoy the prestige of being a Ducati MotoGP Team sponsor, AMG-Mercedes also took the opportunity to use the event for the presentation of their new Mercedes SLK ‘Naked’, a model inspired by the Ducati Monster, the icon of naked motorcycles.

 
Other significant brand names and companies involved in the success of WDW2010 included, Finance Planet Compass, who are part of the Mediobanca group and provided individual financial consultation for those wishing to buy their dream Ducati.

Italwin displayed and provided a testing area for their range of new Ducati licensed electric bicycles including the ‘Ducati City Pearl’ and  NCR presented their stunning new ‘NCR Millona 16’ alongside a range of NCR Ducatis and special parts produced in sophisticated materials such as titanium and carbon.

Taft, a dynamic range of Testanera professional hair products, organised a competition called ‘Style 'n' GO!’, while Toshiba presented the ‘Ducati Edition’ range of laptops and video cameras. Cartorama, the Italian leader in the field of stationery and school items, and Colombini, Italy's largest producer of children’s furniture both displayed their ‘Ducati range’ of products alongside KeyLine SpA, the leader in key-making technology, and DHL the world-famous package delivery service.

While WDW was entertaining people in Misano, Italy, the rest of the world enjoyed a virtual WDW online by connecting to the official website www.wdw2010.ducati.com, where more than 200 official photographs and 30 videos were uploaded in real time from the event. During the four days of WDW, a record 400,000 visits were also recorded on Ducati’s official Facebook page and over 60,000 people watched the action moment-by-moment by viewing videos on Ducati’s YouTube channel, making it the world’s most followed automotive channel that week.

WDW record-breaking numbers over 4 days:

•    60,000 visitors!
•    38 million km covered by Ducatisti in order to reach Misano - 80 times the distance between the earth and the moon!
•    21,000 traditional ‘piadinas’ eaten!
•    1.2 tons of sausages eaten!
•    8,600 litres of cold drinks and over 50,000 litres of mineral water consumed!
•    56,000 photographs taken by staff photographers!