Comments for Motorcycling Matters http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog The forum for motorcyclists in Bedfordshire and Luton Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:22:28 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on News that a new ‘motorcycles in bus lanes’ trial will be run in London’s red route bus lanes has been met with a cautious welcome by the British Motorcyclists Federation. by Bob Long http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=155&cpage=1#comment-4433 Bob Long Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:22:28 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=155#comment-4433 As I work for London Transport (albeit as a train driver) I have asked numerous bus drivers their opinion of bikes in bus lanes, and I have not had one negative comment. Bikes keep up with traffic, don't slow down the bus and cause no problems whatsoever. Which cannot be said for the cyclists who are just "In the way". I also got a similar response from the black cab drivers, most of whom would prefer the bus lanes to be free of cyclists, but of course that won't happen. My experience of using bus lanes, I regularly use the one in the Euston Road, is they are safe providing the rider keeps in mind that car drivers do not seem to know what their nearside mirror is for when they turn left across the bus lane, and don't see us. Mind you I have heard stories of drivers not seeing a double decker bus on their nearside, so what chance do we have? As I work for London Transport (albeit as a train driver) I have asked numerous bus drivers their opinion of bikes in bus lanes, and I have not had one negative comment. Bikes keep up with traffic, don’t slow down the bus and cause no problems whatsoever. Which cannot be said for the cyclists who are just “In the way”. I also got a similar response from the black cab drivers, most of whom would prefer the bus lanes to be free of cyclists, but of course that won’t happen.

My experience of using bus lanes, I regularly use the one in the Euston Road, is they are safe providing the rider keeps in mind that car drivers do not seem to know what their nearside mirror is for when they turn left across the bus lane, and don’t see us. Mind you I have heard stories of drivers not seeing a double decker bus on their nearside, so what chance do we have?

]]> Comment on News that a new ‘motorcycles in bus lanes’ trial will be run in London’s red route bus lanes has been met with a cautious welcome by the British Motorcyclists Federation. by Chris Motorcycle Merchandise http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=155&cpage=1#comment-4279 Chris Motorcycle Merchandise Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:39:08 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=155#comment-4279 That is a very innovative trial on the usage of the bus lanes for both motorcycles and buses. The statistics speak for itself in terms of quicker times for the various journeys and no increase in fatalities. My opinion is that this should be a permanent fixture. That is a very innovative trial on the usage of the bus lanes for both motorcycles and buses. The statistics speak for itself in terms of quicker times for the various journeys and no increase in fatalities. My opinion is that this should be a permanent fixture.

]]> Comment on News that a new ‘motorcycles in bus lanes’ trial will be run in London’s red route bus lanes has been met with a cautious welcome by the British Motorcyclists Federation. by Florida motorcycle riders, Jose http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=155&cpage=1#comment-4212 Florida motorcycle riders, Jose Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:36:57 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=155#comment-4212 Thank you for your post on the usage of the bus lanes for motorcycles as well. My wife and I have been interested in taking a trip to the UK and enjoying the scenery on a motorcycle. I am somewhat concerned about our safety since we only have experience riding a motorcycle in South Florida. Do you consider it dangerous for an out of the country motorcycle rider, Miami / Fort Lauderdale based riders, to rent and ride your countryside as the main source of transportation? Continued ... http:/www.rickcasehondapowerhouse.com Thank you for your post on the usage of the bus lanes for motorcycles as well. My wife and I have been interested in taking a trip to the UK and enjoying the scenery on a motorcycle. I am somewhat concerned about our safety since we only have experience riding a motorcycle in South Florida. Do you consider it dangerous for an out of the country motorcycle rider, Miami / Fort Lauderdale based riders, to rent and ride your countryside as the main source of transportation? Continued … http:/www.rickcasehondapowerhouse.com

]]> Comment on Chairty Ride Out 7 & 8 August for Air Ambulance by Graham sharp http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=152&cpage=1#comment-4147 Graham sharp Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:52:46 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=152#comment-4147 The main donations page that I have set up for the east anglian air ambulance charity is www.justgiving.com/airambulancemotorcyclerideout The main donations page that I have set up for the east anglian air ambulance charity is http://www.justgiving.com/airambulancemotorcyclerideout

]]> Comment on Chairty Ride Out 7 & 8 August for Air Ambulance by Graham sharp http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=152&cpage=1#comment-4146 Graham sharp Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:56:07 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=152#comment-4146 Hello all, the Saturday will now finish at the White horse ph, newnham avenue, Bedford. Rather than kempston ambulance station...I have today spoken to the landlord and he is more than happy to accomodate us with a barbecue and said he will organise a raffle aswell in aid of the Eaaa charity. Graham Hello all, the Saturday will now finish at the White horse ph, newnham avenue, Bedford. Rather than kempston ambulance station…I have today spoken to the landlord and he is more than happy to accomodate us with a barbecue and said he will organise a raffle aswell in aid of the Eaaa charity.
Graham

]]> Comment on Ride Safe – A personal account by rob http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=134&cpage=1#comment-4116 rob Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:33:46 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=134#comment-4116 I've only been biking for 4 years, and had recently (2 months previous) stepped up from a 125 to a 600, so I thought it was vital for my own safety that i have a riding assessment. I was chuckling to myself reading the original blog, as everything that was said rang true!, but it was well worth the afternoon, and I certainly gained some invaluable knowledge that will help me enjoy riding that little bit more. I’ve only been biking for 4 years, and had recently (2 months previous) stepped up from a 125 to a 600, so I thought it was vital for my own safety that i have a riding assessment. I was chuckling to myself reading the original blog, as everything that was said rang true!, but it was well worth the afternoon, and I certainly gained some invaluable knowledge that will help me enjoy riding that little bit more.

]]> Comment on BMF Appoint New Event Organisers by Bob the BMF Bod http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=136&cpage=1#comment-4106 Bob the BMF Bod Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:51:09 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=136#comment-4106 Dates for the 2010 shows are as follows: bmf show 15th - 16th May Gems 12th - 13th June Kelso 10th - 11th July Tailend 18th - 19th September For Tickets call 0844 8445151 or online at www.bmfshows.co.uk See you there? Bob Dates for the 2010 shows are as follows:

bmf show 15th – 16th May
Gems 12th – 13th June
Kelso 10th – 11th July
Tailend 18th – 19th September

For Tickets call 0844 8445151 or online at http://www.bmfshows.co.uk

See you there?
Bob

]]> Comment on Beware – bike thieves by brian holliday http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=88&cpage=1#comment-4103 brian holliday Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:06:09 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=88#comment-4103 Further to my last comment I have just found out that 11 suzuki's were stolen over 2 months around june 09 in milton keynes when my son had his one stolen, this is according to bbc news. So the bike theft epidemic in milton keynes has made national news. This has been going on since LB at had the bike stolen in may 2008 at least I reckon and is still going on. It seems like it's on the increase! Maybe tracker systems should be fitted from new and made compulsory? But due to the lack of policing in most towns and cities how many police officers do you think may be made available to turn on their VHF trackers and actually find the stolen bikes? (very few). They say the suzuki engines are being stripped to fit other bikes? It's more likely that theft on this scale means exported to other countries. And bikers beware! the insurance companies do not want to pay out without a fight! Further to my last comment I have just found out that 11 suzuki’s were stolen over 2 months around june 09 in milton keynes when my son had his one stolen, this is according to bbc news. So the bike theft epidemic in milton keynes has made national news. This has been going on since LB at had the bike stolen in may 2008 at least I reckon and is still going on.
It seems like it’s on the increase! Maybe tracker systems should be fitted from new and made compulsory? But due to the lack of policing in most towns and cities how many police officers do you think may be made available to turn on their VHF trackers and actually find the stolen bikes? (very few). They say the suzuki engines are being stripped to fit other bikes? It’s more likely that theft on this scale means exported to other countries. And bikers beware! the insurance companies do not want to pay out without a fight!

]]> Comment on Beware – bike thieves by brian holliday http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=88&cpage=1#comment-4102 brian holliday Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:50:03 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=88#comment-4102 my son has recently had his suzuki 600 moviestar stolen from outside his flat in milton keynes and today my son in law has had his kawasaki stolen from outside my daughters house. both bikes were locked etc. milton keynes police seem to be doing very little with regard response to these thefts in fact they seem indifferent to a bike theft epidemic on their door step. it is literally hundreds of bikes stolen a year surely they must have some idea where they are going? my son has recently had his suzuki 600 moviestar stolen from outside his flat in milton keynes and today my son in law has had his kawasaki stolen from outside my daughters house. both bikes were locked etc.
milton keynes police seem to be doing very little with regard response to these thefts in fact they seem indifferent to a bike theft epidemic on their door step. it is literally hundreds of bikes stolen a year surely they must have some idea where they are going?

]]> Comment on Ride Safe – A personal account by Dave Fitch http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=134&cpage=1#comment-4083 Dave Fitch Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:25:31 +0000 http://www.motorcyclingmatters.org/blog/?p=134#comment-4083 Hi all i went on the ride safe day as well and it was one of the best things i have done for bike riding as i am back in the saddle after 30+ years.the people who are there are great and serve good tea! After my ride out the police man went through it with me and put my faults across nicely and did not make me stupid, so you can come out of the meeting feeling i did ok but there is some bits i need to work on. Was it worth it! Weel it is free so YES IT IS. i woold personally be willing to pay a donation for the time put in by all concerned. I still agree with Bob it is hard to concentrat with a policeman up your back wheel??? would i do it again Yes with out a problem to me. Well done to all concerned and Thamks. Fitchy.. Hi all i went on the ride safe day as well and it was one of the best things i have done for bike riding as i am back in the saddle after 30+ years.the people who are there are great and serve good tea! After my ride out the police man went through it with me and put my faults across nicely and did not make me stupid, so you can come out of the meeting feeling i did ok but there is some bits i need to work on.
Was it worth it! Weel it is free so YES IT IS. i woold personally be willing to pay a donation for the time put in by all concerned.
I still agree with Bob it is hard to concentrat with a policeman up your back wheel??? would i do it again Yes with out a problem to me.
Well done to all concerned and Thamks. Fitchy..

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