Many thanks to everyone who passed by our stand for THE BIKER GUIDE this weekend @ the Manchester Bike Show, where a good time was had by all.

It was great to see so many visitors to the website, winners of competitions, new Bikers and especially all those people who gushingly told us how much you 'love' the website, booklet and facebook page/group!

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The publication of a new Green Paper for young drivers is a once in a generation opportunity to help new drivers survive the crucial first six months of driving.  The IAM want to see a system that embeds continuous learning for all new drivers so that once basic skills are learned under supervision they can gain the solo driving experience they need as safely as possible." 

“It makes no sense that the current system abandons new drivers after the test to learn by their often fatal mistakes, but any new approach must be based on saving lives and not reducing insurance premiums warns the IAM. The IAM support post test help for new drivers but we are worried that curfews and restrictions will merely restrict their ability to gain the real world knowledge that will save their lives.  For example, young drivers are most likely to die on rural  roads but these are often missing from test routes.  We have no objection to learners on motorways as they are our safest roads and a minimum learning period may also be useful providing the time can be put to good use.  We look forward with great interest to seeing exactly what the government has planned.”

 

Thousands of bikers are now emerging from winter hibernation and to coincide with the start of the biking season proper, Somerset Road Safety is launching a local Think Bike, Think Biker publicity campaign.

The four-week long “Professionals” campaign will feature actual motorcyclists from Somerset and highlight the work that they each do for the local community, including a fire-fighter, a nurse and a doctor. The hope is that this will cause other road users to look out for moped, scooter and motorcycle riders if they can associate with a real person beneath the crash helmet.

Head of Road Safety for Somerset, Terry Beale, explains; “Research for the Department for Transport has shown that road users who personally know bikers – as friends, relatives, or work colleagues for example, are much more likely to be respectful and watching out for motorcyclists in general. We want to remove the anonymity of motorcyclists and to try and reduce the number of collisions in which they are involved. ‘Sorry Mate, I didn’t see you’, isn’t an excuse when you put someone else in danger; nor is ‘Sorry Mate, I didn’t know you“.

The campaign starts on the 26th of March and will use bus back advertising on Somerset roads, where higher than average numbers of collisions involving bikers have occurred in recent years. It is also timed to follow on from the national ‘Think Bike, Think Biker’ campaign that is using television, radio and outdoor media to highlight the same message.

Free campaign posters are available to any business, college or other organisation in Somerset that wishes to display them. Please contact Jim Newman at Somerset Road Safety on (01823) 423 430 or email [email protected]

For more information about the work of Somerset Road Safety, go to www.somersetroadsafety.org

THE BIKER GUIDE will be @ The Manchester Bike Show, 23rd - 24th March on stands 243 - 244...

Come and pass by to say Hi, enter into free to enter competitions for a a weekend for two @ The Glen Guest House in Kendal, an On Any Sunday dvd and tickets to Stormin the Castle, admire our new sexy signage, grab a free lolly and a good bit of banter is ensured!

Until then...THE BIKER GUIDE®

Last summer over one hundred Surrey bikers took to the country lanes for the Wheels For Troops event, raising well over £1,000 for charities benefitting troops.

This year, organiser Mandy Jenkins is planning a bigger and better event. Over the weekend of 13-14 July 2013, bikers, cyclists and any other ‘wheel riders’ from around the county are invited join forces for a weekend of activities at the Fox Revived pub in Horley to raise funds.

On Saturday the main focus will once again be upon the many motorbike riders, with a 25mile ride out through Surrey show respect for the fallen at points along the route. Starting at 10am on the Saturday, participants will meet at The Fox Revived and enjoy a warm welcome with bacon butties available before the ride-out, before returning to the pub for a day of live music, great food, drink, craft stalls, fun and games which will continue on the Sunday, along with other types of Wheeled Transport, whilst events and activities in the large pub garden continue. Royal British Legion Riders will marshal Saturday’s ride-out. Participants are asked to make a £10 donation to take part in the ride and in return will receive a commemorative t-shirt.

Riders are asked to pre-register via email on [email protected].

Mandy Jenkins, organiser commented: “The charities are close to my family’s hearts, as my eldest son is currently serving in The Princes of Wales Royal Regiment, so I am particularly dedicated to this event, especially after the success of last year. I’m delighted that Jon and Paula from The Fox Revived have agreed to help us once again with the event – I’m sure it’s going to be a really special weekend and one that will raise much needed funds.” Jon Briscoe, who along with his wife, Paula, owns the Fox Revived pub, said: “Wheels For Troops was an amazing event last year; I was even persuaded to dust the leathers off and join in! When Mandy approached us about the event again for this year we were delighted to help. We’ve built a business here that’s about the community and the level of support we’ve seen for this event shows that the community cares – it will be an honour to help facilitate this and we’re really looking forward to it being bigger and better!”

www.wheelsfortroops.co.uk

www.facebook.com/wheelsfrotroops