Table of Contents
Editorial
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of SAM Life Member John Hughes, aged 92 years. Our deepest sympathies go to his family and friends at this sad time. Funeral arrangements are detailed below.
It has been another fascinating week in the world of powered-2-wheel transport. Completely Motoring Ltd have entered administration, but overall motorcycle sales have remained stable. Full year registrations still saw 113,589 new bikes sold in 2023, led mainly by adventure and electric motorcycles. So, bikers may either be escaping to travel for more adventurous riding, or saving on the cost of commuting. Motorcycles can be the most cost efficient way to travel.
Transforming the West Bar roundabout into a Dutch-style road layout is intended to make it easier for pedestrians, cyclists and buses. The Dutch 4-lane entry design, two for motorised traffic and two for cyclists, has had a very mixed road safety record. Introduced in the Netherlands in the 1960s it was used in small towns with no major through traffic. When used in larger towns there was a spike in pedestrian and cyclist casualties. Motorcyclists and other powered 2-wheel transport haven’t be considered in the development. There is a one-way, outer segregated cycle track. Having dedicated traffic lanes, in a clockwise direction, with pedestrian crossings at each exit. This assumes that ALL road users will travel within the designated lanes. The obvious problem is, will every motorist stop for pedestrians and cyclists? What if the cycle lane is clear but pedestrians are crossing? Will motorists straddle the cycle lane? Chaos and confusion may rein! A similar roundabout was constructed in Cambridge in 2020. Result: 10 collisions, 3 serious, in three years in a town with a population that’s a quarter the size of Sheffield. Segregating road users is definitely appealing to ease congestion and smooth the flow of traffic. It is the exits from these roundabouts that present the greatest hazard to all road users.
As usual, the Whiteknights have been very busy. They completed a 250+-mile relay ride from Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy down to the Biochemistry Department at Saint James Hospital, Leeds. They transported urgent blood samples for laboratory analysis. In September, the volunteer Blood Bikers saved the NHS £12,126.17 in transport costs. One hiccup on the relay ride was a dodgy battery on one of the bikes. Luckily, someone was around to help get the rider on their way. The Whiteknights are a bit low on volunteer riders, so if you can volunteer, or you are a biker who would like to help this vital service, become an advanced rider.
In this week’s SAM newsletter, there is a poster of 10 things that will save the day for a biker. Yes, post-test training is included! On Mental Health Day, IAM RoadSmart reminded riders that mental health is important and there are many charities providing support for sufferers. Kevin Williams has begun a series of monthly live YouTube video presentations. The first one was last Monday on ‘vision blockers’ and ‘surprise horizons’. It was a chance to review a rider’s hazard perception and management, covering how the brain works and how to respond when what we expect to happen simply doesn’t! With clear examples and well thought out rider strategies, these videos can help us all to ride safely – even when we are certain we know what is going to happen! There are lots more items for for the ‘thinking biker’ in this week’s digest. Happy reading.
PS: There is a new pop-up form for readers to share their thoughts on the content and submit items to include in future issues of YOUR weekly SAM newsletter.
In memory of SAM Members
Life member, John Hughes funeral 23rd October 2024 at 11.30am Grenoside Crematorium. Stopped riding at 74 and died aged 92 years.
Your success is our success!
Well done to Doug Trim on passing his advanced rider test last Saturday. Also, to volunteer Observer Steve Wilds for all his hard work in guiding Doug to success. That’s another advanced rider on the road!
SAM Club Night Report
It was really pleasing to see such a great turnout for the Club Night last Monday 7th October 2024. Everyone had a great time celebrating five Associates becoming advanced riders and their volunteer Observers. All the coaching hard work has really paid off this year. Congratulations to our Associates on achieving a Green Badge and a big thank you to our dedicated Observers.
The speaker for the night was Julie Emmitt from Biketrac Security. The presentation included information about:
- different types of tracker,
- movement tracking,
- recovery rates (95% of stolen bikes with a tracker are recovered! – 40% recovery of untracked bikes.),
- location accuracy,
- police response, disposal of stolen bikes (they are in bits!),
- installation and electrical load,
- the Thatcham rating system,
- insurance discounts and discounts for IAM members,
- cost of installation and monthly fee,
- transferring the bike to a new owner,
- other security hardware (chains, locks, etc.)
- bike covers!
In summary, Julie gave us the following advice:
- if you find your stolen bike, unattended, in a public place, you can take it home,
- DON’T try to tackle thieves on your own – they are quick to use violence and weapons,
- a covered bike is more secure as thief has to think about any hidden security,
- in the shed or garage, ground anchors are more secure when attached to the wall – the chain hangs and is more difficult to cut,
- chains and locks are better on the rear wheel,
- a D-lock through the rear wheel, sprocket and chain is a better deterrent
- DON’T worry about setting off the movement sensor, it happens all the time and security is happy to respond,
- Tracking companies have a good relationship with the majority of UK Police forces
- some countries, e.g. Switzerland, are turn off 2G, so trackers won’t work in those countries,
- trackers have to be fitted by authorised technicians and issue an installation certificate to satisfy insurance companies,
- trackers are safer if fitted into the wiring loom as thieves know where to find plug-in devices,
- if a stolen bike is located on private property or in a container, Securitas will keep watch until the Police arrive, Live tracking can also be shared with the Police when a bike is being moved.
- cost of a Biketrac unit is £299 plus a monthly fee of £2.99,
- cost of fitting, it takes about an hour, will be up to the installer and naked bikes will be cheaper than fully faired ones!
- lastly, put an old phone on your bike for navigation and carry your shiny new phone in you jacket pocket. If you have a spill you will be able to call for help. The bike on the phone is probably hidden in the undergrowth or broken.
Our grateful thanks to Julie and Biktrac for providing such an engaging and informative presentation. Thank you to all the members who showed their support for an interesting and informative SAM Club Night.
SAM's Autumn Celebration
Advanced Riding - Safeguarding our Reputation
We all enjoy meeting down at Meadowhall Retail Park, whether it be to take out an associate, go for a ride with friends or just to socialise.
As IAM and SAM members we are part of a charity that promotes road safety and it is crucial that the way we ride is in line with this aim. Public perception of how we ride is really important, as we can be part of the solution to stereotypes about motorcyclists riding dangerously and causing stress or annoyance to other motorists. We should never ride in a way that might reinforce that stereotype or cause danger to ourselves or anyone else. Every member can reflect on the impression they leave on every ride.
Group riding can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of motorcycling when it’s done responsibly. However there are also some common problems created by riding in a group:
- Allowing others to dictate your riding style: Being influenced by others in the group can lead to impulsive overtakes or riding beyond your comfort level without proper assessment of road conditions.
- Riding too fast for your experience: The fear of embarrassment or being left behind can pressure riders to exceed their capabilities, compromising safety.
- Failing to scan the road ahead: Focusing solely on the bike in front can limit your ability to anticipate hazards and react accordingly.
Remember, each time you ride in a group you are representing SAM. Enjoy yourself, be safe and leave a good impression on those you meet along the way.
SAM's End of Summer Weekend Ride
Online Motorcycling News
General
Derwent and Hope Valleys Group of Advanced Motorists NEWSLETTER October – November 2o24
This issue features:
- What is AdBlue and how does it work?
- How clean is your car?
- “Sorry Mate I didn’t see you”
Rob Quartermain on Vespas and the mod revival
Hanging out on Carnaby Street, being blown away by the Quadrophenia album, seeing The Jam in ‘78, The Who in ‘79, and riding a little Italian shopping bike all over Europe.
Rob Quartermain was in at the birth of the mod revival, revelling in its sense of anarchy, of a youth culture with an edge where the kids were in charge.
He witnessed its rise and fall, but stuck with the ever-evolving scooter scene while others drifted off to rave culture, eventually becoming president of the Vespa Club of Britain (VCB). Read more…
Motorcycles with sidecars are an endangered species.
You rarely see one in the wild – or on the road.
I think I’ve seen about 3 of them out and about in my whole life.
Back in the day, they were way more common.
They were often a practical form of family transport.
Cars were much more expensive, so motorcycle sidecars were budget friendly.
And of course back then, no-one had to be wrapped in cotton wool to keep them safe from everyday life.
Dad would usually ride, mom would be on the back, and the kids would be in the motorcycle sidecar (holding the groceries, no doubt).
But things are different now.
They’re not quite extinct, but motorcycles with sidecars (often known as ‘outfits’, and the actual sidecar itself is called the ‘chair’) are at least a protected species.
They mostly live in motorcycle museums after being lovingly restored.
Motorcycles with sidecars or ‘chairs’, are hardly ever seen outside of a museum.
That’s why getting up close to these rare beasts was such an adventure.
Chances are there’s no other way to see these vintage motorcycles in the flesh! Read more…
This African EV Startup Is Crazy About Solar, and Wants To Prove a Point
Roam Electric’s embarking on a 3,700-mile adventure through Africa using nothing but solar power. We all have different ideas of the future of mobility. While a lot of us purists wish with all our might that things would stay the way they are—that is, gasoline-powered internal combustion—it’s clear that society is transitioning to more sustainable alternatives. Read more…
Lane Filtering Actually Works, Says French Moto Safety Instructor
Paris changed a speed limit and effectively banned lane filtering, and riders aren’t happy.
We’re now 10 days into October as I write this. That also means we’re 10 days into the term of a new speed limit on the ring road that goes around the city of Paris, France.
It’s now limited to a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour, or about 30 miles per hour, according to a decision announced in September by Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Rider Safety
Do you ride a motorcycle or know someone who does? If so, you’ll know that riding a motorcycle has some risks. In fact, statistics show that motorcyclists are much more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal accident than car drivers. This is why it’s important to take steps to reduce the risks and the Biker I.C.E. Card is one of the most effective solutions available.
The Biker I.C.E. Card is a simple, yet vital tool. It contains your contact details and essential medical information. In the event of an accident, emergency services staff can quickly access this information to help them decide on the right treatment for you. By carrying a Biker I.C.E. Card, you can ensure that emergency services staff have the information they need to take account of any ongoing health problems you have and any current treatments that you are receiving. This can make their job easier and your emergency care safer. Read more...
Most drivers – nearly 9 out of 10 – of vehicles that are equipped with lane departure warning and prevention systems keep them switched on, and 7 out of 10 drivers of vehicles that give visual alerts when they exceed the speed limit also keep that feature running.
Those findings were announced in a new study released on Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit financed by the insurance industry. Read more…
Bosch Can Stop and Start Your Motorcycle Automatically
New Advanced Rider Assistance Systems has a stop-and-go function, group cruise, emergency braking. I’m following a Toyota hatchback at Bosch’s Shiobara, Japan, proving ground with the adaptive cruise control set. My prototype Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT) equipped 2025 KTM Super Adventure S follows at a safe distance adjusting speed as the driver speeds up and slows down. This is nothing new; radar-based adaptive cruise control made it to production on the 2021 Multistrada V4 S, followed by several more models from Yamaha, Triumph, BMW, Kawasaki, and KTM. Many riders, including myself, have come to trust highly refined ACC systems when riding highways as a relaxing way to go with the flow. Read more…
I’ve been using the LiteLok X3 Moto for the past year and now I don’t want to test other security
The LiteLok X3 Moto is a D-shackle type portable security device that is designed to repel angle grinder attack. It’s got the highest Sold Secure rating of Diamond for powered cycles (which is their new motorbike category), something only five other D-locks can boast – including another version of the LiteLok. So how does is perform as motorcycle security?
The Best Motorcycle Boots | Motorbike Boots Buyer’s Guide
We pick some of the best bike boots you can buy for touring/adventure, sports and around town use. Choosing the best motorcycle boots isn’t easy but is very important. Not only do you have to consider your budget and the features that are most important (protection, style, comfort etc) you also have to take into account the type of riding you want them for: are you a long-distance touring rider or maybe an adventure rider who needs some off-road ruggedness? Are you a sports bike fan wanting the best racy boots for road or track? Or do you want something you can use on and off bike around town that looks good, is comfortable but also offers some protection for those short hops? Read more…
Adventure & Touring
How to Stay Safe While Camping in the Wild
So, before I know it, I’m craving the freedom of beautifully wild nature and stunning vistas, far from anyone else. Out there, you must take care of our own safety. But it’s free, and I have yet to find a hotel that beats camping under the stars in the desert or listening to the waves lap at the beach in the silver moonlight.
With that in mind, here are a few pointers on wild camping that my riding partner Aidan and I have learned over the years while exploring the world on our motorcycles. Read more…
5 invaluable lessons from the youngest person to ride around the world
Exploring the world by motorcycle wasn’t always an obvious life choice for Bridget McCutchen, who hails from the small town of Ashland, Wisconsin, USA. Having grown up being home-schooled on a farm, the young adventurer had, in her own words, been “literally nowhere” by the age of 19.
Three years later, she became the youngest person to ever circumnavigate the globe by motorcycle, aged just 22 years and 362 days. Read more…
“Way Back Then” Adventure Motorcycling
1969 found me selling a Yamaha “Big Bear Scrambler” in the U.S., and heading off for a job in New Zealand. There I bought a surplus police bike, a Triumph Trophy (650 twin with single carburetor).
One day a friend came back from a ride on his Triumph Daytona and muttered something along the lines of “that was great, I could do that all day.” I’d been fantasizing about riding overland to Europe, so in a fit of bravado said, “Well, how about a trip through Asia to Europe?” His reply was, “You’re on!” So began one of the most fun parts of motorcycling—trip planning.
The first issue was money. New Zealand was a wonderful place but wages were low and it was difficult to take money out of the country. So, off to Australia we went to find jobs in the outback where the money was better and there was no place to spend it.
You might think that the size of your motorcycle will largely dictate just how well prepared you can be for a night or two in the bush, and in some ways that’s true. But careful planning and efficient packing means that even LAMS-approved non-adventure style machines will ferry you effectively to a few nights under the stars.
TOP ROADS: Derbyshire
The Peak District’s long been a popular place for bikers looking for their fix of stunning scenery and winding roads – and while riders of a sporty disposition might not have the same freedom as they did back in the day, it’s still worth making the trip and ticking off these excellent roads. Read more…
History & Custom
Charlie’s a wild man with a long flapping gray beard. At 65 he screams through the black hills of South Dakota on and 1946 Knucklehead trying to out run the winter. He hit a rusting, riveted guard rail recently, shattering his leg, which was pinned but wouldn’t heal. The doc pulled the pin, yet the painful leg refused to heal and Charlie snubbed the notion to quit riding. A year later, on the teetering, aching calf he hit another galvanized guard rail on a notorious mountain curve and slit his hand open, more pins. He’s still riding. “I’m trying to pay attention,” Charlie said.
Pre-War Powerhouse: 1939 BMW RS M255 Kompressor
Classic motorcycles attain desirability for any number of reasons, but every once in a while we come across one that checks every conceivable box—in this case—the BMW RS M255 Kompressor. At its core, we’re talking about a Grand Prix-winning motorcycle of staggering mechanical specification—designed with lightweight magnesium hubs and engine cases, and a vane-type supercharger…Read more
Full Chat podcast: James Toseland on his career ending accident and winning the World Superbike Championship
Two-time World Superbike champion James Toseland is the latest guest on the second series of motorcycling podcast Full Chat.
He is joined by hosts Iwan Thomas and footballer-turned-presenter David Prutton to discuss his World Superbike Championship career, pivoting to music with his band and his thoughts on Carl Fogarty and Valentino Rossi.
Toseland is best known for winning the World Superbike Championship in 2004 for Ducati and 2007 with Honda.
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
Today three Blood Bike groups have taken part in a national relay of samples.
Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes would like to again thank the many Ladies groups across Yorkshire who recognise the value of our work and our charity’s remarkable volunteers.
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
What are you up to this evening?
World Mental Health DayEvery death and serious injury on the road is a preventable tragedy. Yet, on average, five people die every day on the road in the UK and 82 are seriously injured (10-year average from 2013-2022). This has to change. Help us by sticking to the rules of the road. Brake, the road safety charity
Kevin Williams
Some things never change…
…so isn’t it time they did? This particular photo went up on my newly-minted Facebook page fourteen years ago, almost to the day. By October 2014, I’d been delivering the Science Of Being Seen #SOBS presentation for over two and a half years as the third ‘accident prevention’ module of Biker Down. We’d won a Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award, as well as picked up another award from the insurance industry. Read more...
Why take an ONLINE COACHING SESSION? Pt 3
As I have been explaining over the last two week, though motorcyclists are often early adopters of technology, we can also be real stick-in-the-muds and one of the areas we’ve been very slow accept new approaches is when it comes to training. Many still believe the only way to learn biking skills is sat on their bikes, even though a good chunk of the current riding population will have sat through the classroom sessions on CBT and even BikeSafe!
[Based on an item in yesterday’s Elevenses live webcast]
Stories have hit the headlines in the last few days claiming that the EU “wants to ban popular helmet type” with the target being the jet or open-face helmet. The reports say “Spain has already done so” and explain that the European Commission wants to follow suit.
The source for the story appears to be a French-language sports website from Belgium, DHnet.be, DH being La Dernière Heure or ‘last hour’. Read more…
Braking in the rain revisited – part five
In the last part of my quick revision of how we should be braking in the rain, I’m looking at an essential modification to the basic training approach to controlled braking:
:: gently on the front brake
:: gently on the rear brake
:: build pressure on the front progressively
:: ease off both brake as the bike stops or the speed comes down to where we want it
The theory is that we want to get over the idea that we don’t snatch at the brakes because that could trigger a front wheel skid. Even when the bike has ABS, it’s a bit disconcerting when it kicks in, and if we haven’t got it, the front wheel is going to slide. So, we build power progressively instead.
This is OK as far as it goes but sometimes riders take the ‘build pressure progressively’ rather too far, and and take so long to build pressure that the bike doesn’t actually lose much in the way of speed.
Why take an ONLINE COACHING SESSION? Pt 2
As I explained last week, though motorcyclists are often early adopters of technology, when it comes to skills improvement we can be real stick-in-the-muds. It took decades for post-test training to become a widely accepted way of improving riding. I set up Survival Skills back in 1997 when there was just one other post-test training school operating in the entire county of Kent but now advanced rider training is pretty mainstream… Read more…
Braking in the rain revisited – part four
Is slowing down the right choice on wet roads? How many time have you been heard that the correct action is to slow down when the surface is wet? Quite a few times, I’m fairly certain. For example, the National Highways page ‘Travelling when it’s raining’ says: “If it’s time for your wipers, it’s time to slow down.” The RAC’s advice for driving in heavy rain and floods is “slow down”. And other pages with the same ‘slow down’ message range from Pirelli to Halfords. In France, they even have lower speed limits on autoroutes when it’s wet.
But the fact is, in many ways that advice leaves a lot to be desired. Read more…
Motorcycling Organsiations
IAM RoadSmart
Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 
Did you know? Last year, thanks to our amazing supporters who ticked the Gift Aid box, IAM RoadSmart claimed over £500,000 to fuel our life-saving road safety work! 
Every tick makes a huge difference in making our roads safer for everyone. 
Update your status now and drive change on our roads! Every little bit counts toward making a BIG impact.
As summer fades into Autumn, the days are getting shorter so it’s important to adjust driving preparation and style to match the hazards that autumn can bring. IAM Roadsmart has some top tips for drivers dealing with the changing seasons.
Winter has arrived, so get ready for months of rain, ice and snow. The colder months in the UK typically bring with them hazardous driving conditions that make it easy to lose control of your car.
This is where bespoke driving courses, which can give you all the techniques you might need if you ever find yourself behind the wheel in inclement weather, are a massive help.
We take a look at five of the best from across the country…Read more…
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
National Motorcyclists Council
Positive discussions at the Department for Transport yesterday, meeting Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood. This was a first stage session to discuss the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy and Ministers brought together a great range of different orgnaisations to share views and initial thoughts. The NMC and its member organisations looks forward to working with the DfT as the strategy develops. (Pic DfT)
FEMA
Are the French allowed to ride A1 motorcycles with a car licence? From what age can Germans ride a heavy motorcycle? What is an A2 motorcycle?British Motorcyclists Federation
The Government’s proposed reforms to the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework have one big flaw: they fail to mention motorbikes!
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) has responded to the Government’s Consultation on “Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the UK planning system”, which are designed to unleash significant environmental, social and economic benefits for UK plc.
Unfortunately, the Government’s proposals as they stand fail to take into account the widely recognised benefits to be derived from the promotion and support of Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs) as an accessible, low-cost and low-polluting solution to the UK’s future transport needs. Read more…
We need your help to help support the mental health of bikers and their families across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Island.
The BMF has welcomed news that Keir Starmer’s Government is to launch an independent investigation into glare from ultra-bright modern headlights. The issue, which was already being looked at by the previous administration, appears to be one of increasing concern. Research by the RAC suggests that 91% of drivers get dazzled while driving – nearly three-quarters said this was a regular occurrence.
There’s no suggestion that illegal headlights are to blame, but modern LED lights are brighter and more piercing which can lead to problems for oncoming road users. It can be a particularly serious issue for motorcyclists, especially in the wet when peering through a rain spattered visor. Lilian Greenwood, the new Minister for the Future of Roads at the DfT, confirmed that an independent investigation will begin immediately. Read more…
Drink-driving fatalities are on the increase in the UK, according to latest figures from the Department for Transport. It seems surprising, given the long-term change in attitudes to drink-driving, but fatalities in 2022 were at their highest levels since 2009, with alcohol involved in 17% – nearly 1 in 5 – of all road deaths. Overall, the DfT estimates that in 2022 6800 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, up 1% from 6740 the previous year. Read more…
New Rider Hub
What is Ridefree?
Ridefree is an award-winning enhancement to compulsory basic training (CBT), consisting of pre-course eLearning modules. Its aim is to help you prepare for your CBT and riding on the road.
How can it help me?
CBT should be an enjoyable experience. But there’s a lot to learn, and it’s normal to feel anxious about your first bike ride. The good news is that Ridefree will help you become a better and more confident rider…Read more.
Next SAM Club Night
4th November 2024
Speaker: Kevin Williams – Survival Skills Training UK
How not to Crash!
7.30pm start for meeting at 8pm. Gives you time to catch up on what you’ve missed!
Treeton Miners Welfare Club
Arundel Street
Treeton
Rotherham S60 5PW
Next SAM Committee Meeting
30th October 2024
Details to be arranged