On 29 October 2009 Transport Statistics, DfT, issued figures covering all types of two-wheeled motor vehicle transport, with the statistics presented in four sections: Motorcyclists (statistics on motorcycle ownership and training); Motorcycles (information about the vehicles and their characteristics); Journeys made (their number, purpose and characteristics); and Motorcycling safety (statistics on road accidents involving motorcycles). The key findings include:
• In 2008, just under 3% of households had at least one motorcycle, with about 1.3 million licensed motorcycles in Great Britain in 2008
• Of the 105,000 motorcycle tests carried out in 2008/09, 85% were taken by men
• Over a million motorcycles underwent an MOT test in 2008/09. Of these, 81% passed
• The distance driven by motorcycles in 2008 was 5.1 million vehicle kilometres, down 8% on 2007
• In 2008 the number of deaths or serious injuries involving motorcycles was 1,131 per billion kms driven. A decade earlier it was 23% higher
• In 2008, of the motorcycle drivers tested following an accident, only 1.4% failed a breathalyser test - significantly lower than the 2.7% rate for road users as a whole.
For queries concerning this publication, email Vehicle.Stats@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Info from: TRANSPORT STATISTICS USERS GROUP http://www.tsug.org.uk/
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Saturday, 28 November 2009
Friday, 27 November 2009
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Piaggio 'Urban' - More
The concept bike has made the leap from pixels to print, appearing in this week's MCN.
Additional detail suggests - bearing in mind it's only a clay concept bike! - that it will have a top-box option, answering Ian's comment about practicality.
Worth noting though, the hybrid MP3 they've launched looks very different from the styling exercise pictures published 18 months back.
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Additional detail suggests - bearing in mind it's only a clay concept bike! - that it will have a top-box option, answering Ian's comment about practicality.
Worth noting though, the hybrid MP3 they've launched looks very different from the styling exercise pictures published 18 months back.
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Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Roundabouts . . .
Roundabouts.
I 'grew up', as far as riding and driving goes, in Basingstoke (aka 'Donut City' to the CB radio crew) and have never had any concerns about them.
But some folk take things a bit far . . .
Roundabouts of Britain might be seen as an example of this.
As with Riders for Health, this site has a shop too - so plenty of Christmas present ideas!
In the news
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I 'grew up', as far as riding and driving goes, in Basingstoke (aka 'Donut City' to the CB radio crew) and have never had any concerns about them.
But some folk take things a bit far . . .
Roundabouts of Britain might be seen as an example of this.
As with Riders for Health, this site has a shop too - so plenty of Christmas present ideas!
In the news
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Monday, 23 November 2009
BMW C1-E - Electric
While searching Google images for Royce Creasey's Voyager and HiTechati prototypes, I noticed pictures of a BMW C1-E.
Some suggection from a comment that there's a Vectrix motor underpinning it, but I haven't compared it.
Noticable, though, that much of the original C1 'cladding' has gone, including a much-reduced screen - now not needing a windscreen wiper as the rider can see over it.
They've also eliminated the overly-complicated dual-handle stand mechanism. That's not necessarily a good thing - it doesn't appear to have any stand!
The site notes BMW saying it's only a concept.
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Some suggection from a comment that there's a Vectrix motor underpinning it, but I haven't compared it.
Noticable, though, that much of the original C1 'cladding' has gone, including a much-reduced screen - now not needing a windscreen wiper as the rider can see over it.
They've also eliminated the overly-complicated dual-handle stand mechanism. That's not necessarily a good thing - it doesn't appear to have any stand!
The site notes BMW saying it's only a concept.
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Sunday, 22 November 2009
Royce Creasey - He Sees The Future
Actually, he builds it too!!!
Not content with BMW having an uncanny likeness between their original C1 concept and Royce's Voyager prototype:
. . . MCN are reporting on their web site that the Italian company Piaggio have invented the "Urban Sport Bike Concept".
This bears - another! - uncanny resemblance to one of Royce's earlier creations, the HiTechati - itself using an Italian Ducati engine.
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Not content with BMW having an uncanny likeness between their original C1 concept and Royce's Voyager prototype:
. . . MCN are reporting on their web site that the Italian company Piaggio have invented the "Urban Sport Bike Concept".
This bears - another! - uncanny resemblance to one of Royce's earlier creations, the HiTechati - itself using an Italian Ducati engine.
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Saturday, 21 November 2009
Motorcycling Christmas Gifts
Wondering what Christmas presents to get for the motorcyclist in your family?
Try Riders.org - that's Riders for Health - and their shop for a couple of novel ideas:
£10 A fortnight’s worth of fuel for a health worker
£20 A tool kit for a health worker
£35 A helmet for a health worker
£55 A day’s training for a health worker
There you are: fantastic, novel, and potentially life-saving Christmas gift present ideas for bikers!!!
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Try Riders.org - that's Riders for Health - and their shop for a couple of novel ideas:
£10 A fortnight’s worth of fuel for a health worker
£20 A tool kit for a health worker
£35 A helmet for a health worker
£55 A day’s training for a health worker
There you are: fantastic, novel, and potentially life-saving Christmas gift present ideas for bikers!!!
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Friday, 20 November 2009
Instructor Beware!
This weeks (18th Nov) Motorcycle news reports the case of Ken Clark, who was in court on a speeding charge.
He was caught speeding at 85mph, and would normally have expected a relatively 'mild' fine.
But he was awarded six points, fined, and had to pay £250 costs.
Why? Because he was the lead rider of a group, and although he wasn't substantially exceeding the speed limit , other riders in the group were (allegations of 103mph) - and it was seen that their riding was his responsibility.
This raises, in my mind, concerns over riding instructors being held responsible for the riding of their trainees.
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He was caught speeding at 85mph, and would normally have expected a relatively 'mild' fine.
But he was awarded six points, fined, and had to pay £250 costs.
Why? Because he was the lead rider of a group, and although he wasn't substantially exceeding the speed limit , other riders in the group were (allegations of 103mph) - and it was seen that their riding was his responsibility.
This raises, in my mind, concerns over riding instructors being held responsible for the riding of their trainees.
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Risk & Riders
If you like to read about riding, then this may be of interest:
http://www.writetoride.co.uk/RISK_AND_MOTORCYCLING_161109_v.3.pdf
RISK AND MOTORCYCLES
In the last decade, the risk of motorcycling has become the focus of research and government road safety departments which have identified the need to find solutions to the cause of death and injuries of riders.
A report published in 2006 by the Scottish Executive entitled “Risk and Motorcyclists in Scotland” categorises motorcyclists as “Risk Deniers”, “Optimistic Accepters” and “Realistic Accepters” basing these on the decision of the researcher as to whether the information provided is correct.
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http://www.writetoride.co.uk/RISK_AND_MOTORCYCLING_161109_v.3.pdf
RISK AND MOTORCYCLES
In the last decade, the risk of motorcycling has become the focus of research and government road safety departments which have identified the need to find solutions to the cause of death and injuries of riders.
A report published in 2006 by the Scottish Executive entitled “Risk and Motorcyclists in Scotland” categorises motorcyclists as “Risk Deniers”, “Optimistic Accepters” and “Realistic Accepters” basing these on the decision of the researcher as to whether the information provided is correct.
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Thursday, 19 November 2009
Bugatti Veyron Boat
From here
A US man claims a low-flying pelican caused him to veer off a road and drive his $1m Bugatti Veyron into a salt marsh.
La Marque police Lt. Greg Gilchrist says the man claimed he lost concentration while driving his French-built Bugatti because the bird swooped into sight.
Gilchrist says the driver dropped his phone, reached down to pick it up and strayed into the brackish water in La Marque, about 35 miles southeast of Houston.
Well, I'm just glad it wasn't his fault.
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Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Goodbye, Sir Knight!
We bid farewell to a neighbour.
Well, a neighbour's caravan anyway!
A very rare Coventry 'Knight' caravan, dating from the late 1940s. It's had an interesting life starting off, I understand, as a mobile bank then in later life being used as accomodation for farm workers.
More info on them here here and here, and here if you have access to Google Books.
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Monday, 16 November 2009
I Have Seen . . .
An 'older vehicles' theme this time.
- A 'James Bond' type Aston Martin, in the centre of London. Don't know if it was actually a DB5 or 6 - but it wasn't hanging about. SMERSH on it's tail, perhaps?
- A Moto Guzzi V50, in silver, with the mini-'Spada' three-part fairing. I had a red V50, with a 'California'-style screen & crash bars.
- An NSU RO80. Sadly, this was rather decrepit, and on the back of a lorry. Hopefully, going to a caring place & owner.
Not an older vehicle, but heading West along the M4 late at night, a Bently with the registration 'D11SCO'. John Travolta, perhaps? Or Gloria gaynor?
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- A 'James Bond' type Aston Martin, in the centre of London. Don't know if it was actually a DB5 or 6 - but it wasn't hanging about. SMERSH on it's tail, perhaps?
- A Moto Guzzi V50, in silver, with the mini-'Spada' three-part fairing. I had a red V50, with a 'California'-style screen & crash bars.
- An NSU RO80. Sadly, this was rather decrepit, and on the back of a lorry. Hopefully, going to a caring place & owner.
Not an older vehicle, but heading West along the M4 late at night, a Bently with the registration 'D11SCO'. John Travolta, perhaps? Or Gloria gaynor?
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Sunday, 15 November 2009
Motorcycle-Related Research - Recent Publications
A variety to peruse:
Research Reports published by TRL on behalf of DfT/DSA, all available at: http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/latest_publications.
• A review of motorcycle training
• Updating the motorcycle test for 2009: exploring the training requirements for off-road manoeuvres
• Passion, performance, practicality: motorcyclists’ motivations and attitudes to safety
A summary findings on the latter report is available on the DfT site at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme2/attitidestosafety/
(Posted & Linked yesterday)
The statistical release Motorcycling Compendium available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/motorcycling/motorcyclingstats2009.
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Research Reports published by TRL on behalf of DfT/DSA, all available at: http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/latest_publications.
• A review of motorcycle training
• Updating the motorcycle test for 2009: exploring the training requirements for off-road manoeuvres
• Passion, performance, practicality: motorcyclists’ motivations and attitudes to safety
A summary findings on the latter report is available on the DfT site at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme2/attitidestosafety/
(Posted & Linked yesterday)
The statistical release Motorcycling Compendium available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/motorcycling/motorcyclingstats2009.
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Saturday, 14 November 2009
What Type of Rider are You?
Are you one of these:
• Performance disciples: precautionary fatalism: see risk as unavoidable negative of riding but tend not to think about it all the time – emphasis on personal skill and armour as responses to risk.
• Performance hobbyists: cautious attraction: see risk as part of what makes riding fun, but very circumspect about own abilities to deal with risks, leading to caution in behaviour.
• Riding disciples: active management of risks: highly conscious of potential risk in riding, take active steps to manage it by responsible riding behaviour and use of gear.
• Riding hobbyists: personal responsibility for avoiding risk: highly conscious of risk, tendency to avoid potentially risky situations altogether, and to emphasise rider’s responsibility for risks.
• Car rejecters: high awareness and high unhappiness: very sensitive to the risks of riding, and see this as a strong argument against riding.
• Car aspirants: low awareness but high educability: tend not to think about the risks of riding and as a result may not take steps to manage them; but signs that they will take steps when the risks are pointed out to them.
• Look-at-me enthusiasts: blasé confidence: recognise risks of riding in general, but see themselves as relatively safe; plus strong tendency to see risk as part of what makes riding fun, and to engage in risky behaviours.
More here
And more research stuff tomorrow
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• Performance disciples: precautionary fatalism: see risk as unavoidable negative of riding but tend not to think about it all the time – emphasis on personal skill and armour as responses to risk.
• Performance hobbyists: cautious attraction: see risk as part of what makes riding fun, but very circumspect about own abilities to deal with risks, leading to caution in behaviour.
• Riding disciples: active management of risks: highly conscious of potential risk in riding, take active steps to manage it by responsible riding behaviour and use of gear.
• Riding hobbyists: personal responsibility for avoiding risk: highly conscious of risk, tendency to avoid potentially risky situations altogether, and to emphasise rider’s responsibility for risks.
• Car rejecters: high awareness and high unhappiness: very sensitive to the risks of riding, and see this as a strong argument against riding.
• Car aspirants: low awareness but high educability: tend not to think about the risks of riding and as a result may not take steps to manage them; but signs that they will take steps when the risks are pointed out to them.
• Look-at-me enthusiasts: blasé confidence: recognise risks of riding in general, but see themselves as relatively safe; plus strong tendency to see risk as part of what makes riding fun, and to engage in risky behaviours.
More here
And more research stuff tomorrow
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