Motorcyclists of all levels took part in the latest Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnerships motorcycle training event held on Sunday 21st June at Shefford Fire Station.
Novice riders took part in the “1st Ride” Course to learn the basics of motorcycle controls and safety in preparation for their CBT. More experienced riders took a “RideSafe” assessment with a police motorcyclists.
More “1st Ride” courses and “RideSafe” assessments will be taking place on 19th July and 23rd August. For details on how to book a space or if you want more info regarding “1st Ride” or “RideSafe” visit the Motorcycle Training Matters section of this website.
Over 1000 people attended the open days held at Dunstable Community Fire Station on the 21st March and Bedford Community Fire Station on the 29th March to help kick off the Motorcycle Training Matters initative.
Carl Fogarty attended the first open day held in Dunstable and said “I was really pleased to come along and support the event and to help spread the word that “training matters”. It doesn’t matter whether you ride on the race track or on the roads – it’s training that makes you a better rider and makes you less likely of being involved in an accident”.
Many thanks to Shaun Masters, everyone who helped organise the events, the exhibitors and all who took part.
We hope to do more of the same in the future.
A post from Simon Deards (Chairman, Motorcycling Matters Forum)
I was deeply sorry to hear the news that Peter Cox died on Wednesday. I first met Peter through the Bedfordshire and Luton Motorcycle forum, which he supported very actively. His keen eye for detail and passion for motorcycling helped us to develop the work of the group and improve how we do things. He was heavily involved in promoting the BloodRunners service to Bedford Hospital, which started up just a few weeks ago. Peter’s valuable contribution to the development of motorcycling locally will be sadly missed and my personal sincere condolences go out to his family.
Bedfordshire Highways are considering the retro-fitting of motorcycle safety rail to some existing safety barrier installations in selected locations on the Network.
This does not include the A5, A1, or A421 as these are Trunk Roads and are the responsibility of the Highways Agency.
We would appreciate your comments regarding:-
- Have you been involved in a collision that included an impact with a safety barrier and if so, where was the location?
- Are you aware of any locations in Bedfordshire were a motorcyclist has been involved in a collision with a safety barrier?
- In your view which locations in Bedfordshire with safety barriers could benefit from this installation?
- Any further comments regarding the use of motorcycle safety rail in Bedfordshire?
Please also see the consulting riders section found on the hompage of this website.
Unity Riders
As you can see we have already managed to set a date for Unity IV.
We are again this year working with the ‘Children in Need’ charity and also with ‘The Transplant Trust’ to encourage more people to carry donor cards and participate in the NHS organ donor scheme.
We have far more planning time than we had last year, so hopefully we can improve on what we managed to achieve at Unity III. ExCel have offered us a 19 acre site nearby, to do with as we wish, but to fully utilise this space we need to expand our organisation team. So if you have expertise in promotion, exhibitions and events, motorcycle related entertainment, would like to organise a ride-in, help us with printing, T-shirt production or simply want to assist with the marshalling or parking then please contact us ASAP.
We have also managed to ‘blag’ a stand at the Ally Pally Bike Show this weekend so please drop by to say hello help us promote The Unity Ride and let us have your ideas! Or simply email them to:
admin@unityride.co.uk
The Unity Team
Last week Transport for London opened up its restricted bus lanes to motorcyclists for an 18-month trial, in a bid to reduce congestion.
If you ride in London and have started using the bus lanes, how was it for you? Is it clear which lanes you can ride in? Are other road users looking out for bikes, do you think? What has it done to your journey time?
Share your experiences by leaving comments here.
Post from Caryl…
Last week I was invited to attend a press launch of the new Service By Emergency Rider Volunteers - aka the Blood Runners - at Bedford Hospital. This is a new local service where volunteer riders are on call to collect blood (and other blood products) from London and deliver it Bedford Hospital in the event of an emergency outside of normal delivery hours.
The service started on 10th January. When we met on 13th January, they had not yet received an emergency call, however, months of preparation means they are fully geared up to respond when the first call comes in.
I spoke to Peter Cox (a representative on the Motorcycling Matters forum) who is also the secretary and training coordinator for SERV. He told me that they are recruiting for more volunteers to join the team of riders and that there are other supporting roles for volunteers as well.
Briefly, to become a SERV volunteer rider you will need a full driving licence and a motorcycle that is capable of reaching the national speed limit. You will need to volunteer your time - outside of normal working hours - and be willing to respond to a call out at very short notice. You will ride your own bike, on your own insurance and pay for your own fuel. Full training will be given.
To find out more, contact: Duncan Neill, the Coordinator on 07807 186 456 or herts-beds@serv.org.uk
For more information visit www.serv.org.uk
Click here to view the SERV recruitment ads (this is a pdf file):
SERV
Congratulations must go to all currently involved in setting up this service. Do keep us posted with your news!
Update from the Unity Team…..
“Unity Riders
Sorry it’s taken so long to contact you all after this year’s event but at last we have some great news for you.
Firstly, we managed to raise £2600 for each of our charities, ‘Children in Need’ and ‘SERV’, and still have enough in the kitty for Unity IV.
Our aim is to have a short cheque presentation ceremony for the charities after the Ace Cafe Toy Run on December 14th.
The Unity Team”
Click this link for a short film of the Unity Ride III. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LkmG_ovf3EU
Details of the Ace Cafe Toy Run are on the events section of this website.
A message from Bedfordshire Highways Road Safety Engineers…
Many thanks to everyone who took part in the A507 Safety Ride on Saturday August 16th.
A total of 38 riders joined highway safety engineers from Bedfordshire Highways, rode the route and noted their feedback. Thanks also to those of you who didn’t attend on the day but who have completed feedback forms that appear on this site.
The cut off date for feedback is 30th September. We now have a wealth of information that can be used to help devise safety improvements along the road. When all the feedback has been collated and anaylsed a summary of the findings will be published on this website together with updates on any work that may take place to address concerns raised.
As an interim measure, Bedfordshire Highways will be placing Think Bike signs along the A507 as a reminder to other road users to look out for motorcylists.
Thanks again to all who took part.
Motorcycle simulator unveiled
A motorcycle simulator has been unveiled by researchers in the UK. Its creators say the machine will be used to monitor rider behaviour, leading to advances in road safety and bike design.
The project has been led by Dr Alex Stedmon, at the University of Nottingham. He said the machine is the first of its kind, combining elements not seen in previous simulators.
Dr Stedmon said: “It is going to be a fantastic research facility. It’s the first full-sized, moveable simulator that’s linked to a projection screen and reconfigurable software. On the simulator we don’t have to worry about the safety of riders or the weather (because it is indoors).”
The bike - built with the chassis of a real Triumph Daytona - is linked to software previously used for car simulators. A team of four students worked on the project, integrating the bike and software. The bike leans left and right, pushed by four pneumatic actuators. A road environment, including traffic, is projected onto a large screen in front of the bike.
Click here to read the full BBC News report.