Over a hundred bikes are set to take to the streets on July 14th to raise money for our troops.

The event, organised by Mandy Jenkins, who’s eldest son (19) is currently serving in The Princes of Wales Royal Regiment and has just returned from a 7 month tour of duty in Afghanistan, has dedicated vast efforts to make sure our lads and lasses, past and present, get the support they deserve on overseas operations and support is extended to the families they leave behind.

Commenting, Mandy said: “Unfortunately the returning lads and lasses from the latest tour will not be able to have a public show of celebration and thanks within the Regimental Area of Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire due to Jubilee and Olympic commitments. It has been a hard tour for them with the death of one of their number and several major injuries. But the regiment have achieved their aim and been highly praised, hence the fact we are planning this celebratory event. All money raised during the day will be split between three charities; these being The Poppy Appeal, Tigers Benevolent (Charity Registration No. 1024418)and Support our Soldiers (Registered Charity: 1120684), the three charities are close to my families hearts and have and will continue to support the Tigers in years to come. I’m delighted that Jon and Paula from The Fox Revived have agreed to help us with the event – I’m sure it’s going to be a really special day and one that will raise much needed funds.”

Riders from The Royal British Legion Riders Branch and Support our Soldiers will all join forces on the day, which starts at The Fox Revived, Norwood Hill, near Horley at 11:00 on Saturday July 15th. Riders and non riders can enjoy a warm welcome at The Fox, with bacon butties available before the ride (23 miles around the local area), before returning to the pub for a day of live music, great food, drink, craft stalls, fun and games.

The route passes the war memorial at Shaw’s Corner and at this point the riders will pay their respects to the fallen of past and present conflicts. The salute will be taken by parents of the Fallen from Afghanistan.

www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk

tel: 07597 737264

e-mail: [email protected]

IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced motorcyclist, Peter Rodger, is advising on sharing the road with horse riders.
 • Riders are reluctant to take their horse onto a grass verge because long grass can hide hazards. Give them plenty of room so they don’t need to.
• Horses are unpredictable; don’t risk startling them by rushing up or making sudden noises when passing.
• If the horse reacts to the vehicle ahead, let it settle down before you try to pass.
• If you catch a horse up but have to wait behind, make sure the horse can see you.
• Horse box drivers will avoid stopping to give their passengers a smoother ride, and will leave longer following distances. Be patient and avoid cutting them up.
• Many riders will try to communicate with you, so make eye contact and keep an eye on their body language throughout the manoeuvre.
 
Rodger said: “At this time of the year, there are higher numbers of vulnerable road users – especially on rural roads – including cyclists and horse riders.
 
“Bear in mind that around every bend you could come across one of them, and keep your speed down, and scan the road well ahead for signs of their presence.”

www.iam.org.uk

In December 2011 I had the painful duty of writing a press release announcing the suspension of the NABD Adaption Grant system.

In essence demand had outstripped resources and in the first seven months of the 2011-2012 financial-year we had already awarded more than £74,000 in grants, which was more than the previous record for any full financial-year.

I am now very pleased to announce that the NABD grants system is now up-and-running once again, thanks to an upsurge in support from clubs, individuals and companies, following the publication of that press release.

At the June meeting of the NABD trustees grants were awarded to help 14 disabled riders to adapt bikes and/or trikes totalling just over £10,000.

We have also now restructured the grants system so that it should never again have to be suspended.

There is still something of a backlog in applications but these will be dealt with in the order they were received and it is our hope that, with the continued support of bikers, we should have cleared that backlog by September.

I would like once again to assure all supporters that 100% of every donation is used solely to fund adaption grants.  Not one penny is taken for running costs or wages.  This is a fact that is easily checked because as a Registered Charity our accounts are made publicly available every year via the Charities Commission and they show that in the over the last decade we have awarded almost £35,500 more in grants than we have received in donations (the difference being funded by our own direct fund raising events etc.)

The NABD has helped more than 10,000 disabled bikers in its 21 years of existence and it is only with the continued support of bikers that we will be able to continue this work.

How can you help?

If your club is having a party, why not make it a fund-raiser for the NABD?  Why not ask your local bikers pub to run a raffle or a party to raise funds for the NABD?  Or you could simply become a member of the NABD for £20 (you don't have to be disabled to join and support our aims).  You can also buy “NABD supporter” patches and other NABD merchandise via the shop on www.nabd.org.uk

We also have Autumn Nabd’ness rally (Oxfordshire, September 7th – 9th) tickets for sale via www.nabd.org.uk or by calling 0844 415 4849.

The NABD is the biker’s charity and bikers are the only people who make it all work.

Donations can be sent to: NABD, Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TE.  Or you can donate on line www.nabd.org.uk or by phone 0844 415 4849

The NABD is a biker's charity run by bikers for bikers.

Rick Hulse

NABD Chairman

On September 25th 2011, MAG organised a Demo against new anti-motorcycle legislation proposed by Europe. It was the biggest mass ride-out of bikes this country had ever seen, with a total in excess of 40,000! 

This time the rides will coincide with each of the 12 EU Parliamentary Constituencies in the UK. All rides leave their start point at 1pm prompt. Some rides have dispersal points, some have finish points where you can park up and chat about the amazing event you have just been a part of. We are not trying to 'beat' the turnout from last September, we are targeting the constituencies of MEPs who can vote in Europe and make a difference.

Start points nationwide. See list on interactive map.
www.mag-uk.org
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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