As you may be aware or not, a European Directive (3rd European Driving Licence Directive) is to  be implemented across Europe by 19th January 2013 which includes a raft of changes to the motorcycle licence and testing requirements.
 
The directive was adopted in the European Parliament in 2006 and aims to harmonise licences across Europe and will see:
 
introducing enhanced security features on driving licences;
harmonising definitions of vehicle sub-categories and rules on the duration of the validity of a licence;
formal testing or training for younger motorcyclists wishing to progress to larger and more powerful machines;
introducing minimum standards for driving examiners; and aiming to ensure that no one can, at any one time, possess more than one licence issued by an EU or European Economic Area (EEA) state.

 
Northern Ireland will see the introduction of this directive.  A public consultation was undertaken by the DOE (Department of the Environment), which Right To Ride responded to in April 2010.
 
In January of this year the DOE published a Summary of Consultation Responses, the Department’s Response, and Next Steps including the drafting of the necessary legislation.
 
The DOE also stated that a communication plan would be put in place to keep stakeholders and interested parties informed of the changes being made and the implementation of the directive here in Northern Ireland.
 
At Right To Ride we can report that we attended on Tuesday 6th December, the first meeting of a stakeholder’s group which will not only advise members of the group of the implementation aspects of the Directive prior to 19th January 2013, but will be a two way communication on the issues.
 
The Stakeholder Group will:
 
help identify and resolve problems and issues arising from the introduction of the Directive;
help to quality assure the accuracy of information gathered by DVA in relation to the implementation of the Directive;
feed views to the policy making process;

Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird says, “Although we are a bit between a rock and a hard place as regards what the directive says must be implemented, there is some flexibility to get the best out of the directive for Northern Ireland riders. We welcome the opportunity to be part of this stakeholders group to put our views and those of the motorcycle community across.”
 
You can view our information on the directive at http://www.righttoride.co.uk/?page_id=964

 
You can also leave comments to this article on the website at http://www.righttoride.co.uk/?p=8410

Designated drivers will be rewarded in more than 8,000 pubs and student union bars across the country as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

This year's THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign will include radio advertising, posters in pub washrooms, online search activity and targeted Facebook advertising to remind drivers of the personal consequences of a drink drive conviction. THINK! have also teamed up with Coca-Cola's Designated Driver campaign to offer drivers across the country free soft drinks at venues this Christmas as part of the Driver Friendly campaign.

Drivers will be able to find participating venues using the Coca-Cola 'Pub Finder' tool, either online or via their smart phones.

THINK! campaign activity will be aimed at young men aged 17 - 29, who are consistently over-represented in drink drive casualty figures.

Mike Penning said: "The number of drink drive deaths has fallen by more than 75% since 1979, but drink driving is still devastating lives with around 250 people killed in collisions where a driver was over the limit last year.

"Our THINK! campaign makes it clear that drivers who get behind the wheel over the limit risk losing their licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence. We are also teaming up with Coca-Cola and pub chains across the country to reward designated drivers as part of our Drive Friendly initiative, as well as reminding people of the consequences of getting a drink drive conviction. No one wants to spend their Christmas in a police cell. My message is clear: don't drink and drive."

Jon Woods, General Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland said: "The holiday period is coming around quickly and everyone is beginning to make their plans. With the majority of adults preparing to visit a pub or bar over the festive period we are proud to be partnering the Government's THINK! Initiative to reward responsible drivers. Designated Drivers provide a fantastic service by helping their friends and family get home safely at the end of a night out. That's why we think it is so important to recognise and reward them. To do this we will be offering a free Coke or Diet Coke to drivers, ensuring they have a good night too and to encourage others to do the right thing."

The THINK! drink drive campaign runs from 1st December 2011 to 1st January 2012. For more information and the facts, visit: www.think.direct.gov.uk/drink-driving.html

Designated drivers should ask at the bar about how to take advantage of the buy one, get one free offer on Coca-Cola or Diet Coke at participating venues from 9th December 2011.

The IAM is reducing its Skill for Life advanced driving and riding programmes by ten per cent this Christmas, to £125 from £139, on special Christmas gift voucher purchases.
 
Skill for Life is available for car drivers and motorcyclists, and consists of regular coaching sessions with one of 200 regional volunteer groups. Your group allocates a local observer who, when you’re ready, will put you forward for the advanced test. Eighty-five per cent of drivers and riders pass first time.
 
Passing the advanced test also qualifies you for insurance discounts from IAM Surety, which beats other competitive quotes in 93 per cent of cases for IAM members. IAM membership also offers a host of other benefits, from breakdown cover through to discounts on weekend breaks. You’ll also learn green driving techniques, which save up to 15 per cent on fuel costs.
 
For drivers or motorcyclists who want a refresher, DriveCheckPlus or RideCheckPlus is a short on-road assessment with an IAM examiner. This one-hour course improves confidence by identifying what you’re doing well and where you can develop. For those who have held their licence for a bit longer, DriveCheck55 gives older drivers an opportunity to check their driving is still up to scratch.
 
Momentum is a two part assessment for young drivers, online and on-road with an IAM examiner. It raises awareness of dangers and improves the experience of our highest-risk road users. And for riders of scooters, mopeds or sub-125cc machines there is RoadRider Plus – a half-day assessment  which gives a clear indication of current skills and abilities, and is a great way of progressing after the essential Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).
 
The IAM cycling membership gift voucher costs £15 (normally £19.99) and includes the How to be a better cyclist book – a comprehensive guide to better, safer and more confident cycling – and a range of benefits including cycle insurance cover. How to be a better cyclist can be bought separately for £9.99, and makes a great stocking filler. We also offer three levels of cycle training to suit anyone from the real beginner, to those wanting to increase their confidence in busy traffic.
 
And if improving your driving or riding while learning more about the limits of your vehicle is your thing, why not try one of our Skills Days? These events are held at five major circuits around the UK and include at least six separate 'on-track' sessions with the focus on anticipation, cornering, planning, smoothness and understanding how your vehicle performs in a variety of situations.
 
IAM Christmas gift vouchers are available from your local IAM group or can be purchased at www.iam.org.uk/xmas

Motorcycle Show, the long-awaited dates and location for the World Ducati Week 2012 event are now confirmed for passionate Ducati fans all over the world as 21-24 June, 2012 at the circuit of Misano in Italy.

First organised in 1998, WDW successfully brought together ‘Ducatisti’ from all over the world to celebrate their shared passion for the legendary Italian-made motorcycles. The event has since attracted an ever-increasing attendance of people who enjoy the high-powered fun and community spirit of the iconic brand, with a record-breaking attendance of 60,000 fans from 5 continents and 28 countries recorded at the last event in 2010.

WDW2012 is sure to follow the tried and tested formula of race track events, shows, top riders, competitions and great music all combined with the incredible atmosphere created by thousands of motorcycles arriving from all around the globe.

As the event’s massive attendance is sure to invade the entire Riviera Romagnola, Ducati’s WDW2012 organisation has enjoyed the close cooperation and special partnership of authorities such as the Province of Rimini, Municipality of Misano, Municipality of Cattolica, Municipality of Riccione and the Republic of San Marino. Continued cooperation with the Leardini Group has also underlined the region’s Misano circuit venue as the ‘theatre’ for WDW, an event further supported by APT Emilia Romagna, promoting a region of Italy famously known as ‘Motor Valley’.

Ducati offer further information at www.ducati.com

The first annual Prescott Bike Festival in 2011 was successful beyond expectations. The one-day event attracted in excess of 5,500 visitors, 100 exhibitors and some unforgettable opportunities to celebrate all things two and three wheeled. Most importantly, it raised more than £52,000 for charities.

The Prescott Bike Festival was born out of the need to raise awareness and funds for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and one of its member groups, Severn Freewheelers. For Sunday 22nd April 2012 (a new date to avoid a clash with major bike motor sport events), the Prescott Bike Festival will be bigger and even better. It will hopefully generate even more money for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes than in 2011.

Set at one of the most prestigious hill climb venues in the UK against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswold countryside, the Prescott Bike Festival aims to provide something for everyone; a relaxed family atmosphere, a huge variety of entertainment and a rare opportunity to ‘Run the Hill’ on your own motorcycle.

Well supported by the bike industry, highlights of the 2011 event included the UK debut of the Morgan 3 Wheeler, classic machinery from the Brooklands Museum, helicopter rides, live bands, the opportunity to meet the stars of the British Superbike Championship and riders aged from 8 to 81 taking to the hill.

In 2012, the Festival will feature the addition of a new Race Bikes Thru’ the Ages display. Never before will such an extensive collection of bikes have been brought together. Here, festival goers will not only be able to get up close with rare exotica, early pioneering machinery, modern MotoGP bikes and more but they will see many of them in action, ridden by race riders. Of particular note is support from competitors in the Lansdowne Classic Series, who will display some of the most prestigious race bikes of the 1950s and 1960s. The 2012 Festival also promises a new Orchard Food & Bar Village, a Run the Hill Fancy Dress competition and much more. One of the most amusing new features for the Prescott Bike Festival 2012 was inspired by the unexpected entry of Superman in the 2011 Run the Hill. For 2012, entrants can choose to tackle the hill climb in fancy dress to raise money for the Blood Bike charities and for the chance of winning a fantastic prize for the best costume of the day!

www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk has just been launched to provide more details of what will be in store and give riders the opportunity to purchase advance tickets and secure their place to Run the Hill. There are just 200 places available to Run the Hill, so it’s best to book early!