Editorial
Lots of news for SAM members this week. Fran Thompson (Chair) and Aid Latham (Secretary), supported by the rest of the small SAM Committee, have been very busy organising events. West Yorkshire Advanced Motorcyclists (WYAMs) sent an invitation to all SAM members asking for your support for a talk, given by speakers from the University of Leeds, on the Psychology of Reasoning and the Science of Being Seen. SAM members can help by understanding what these road safety researchers are studying and sharing your real life riding experiences with them. This event takes place on the 22nd June 2023 (NOT the 23rd as given in your email! My typo, sorry.) Click the link to learn more.
A really interesting SAM event is our Summer Picnic on Saturday, 15th July 2023. I know, you’ll have to miss the usual Biker’s Breakfast, but it’s FREE FOOD and a chance to get together with all your SAM friends. Click the link and complete the form to give us an idea of numbers and the business can get enough food to feed us all!
Your Editor has been busy as usual. There are some changes to the SAM website. These update the code, layout and content. The code meets the latest web standards. The layout helps visitors to navigate the website more easily. Redundant content has been removed and the text updated. The ‘Motorcycle News’ page (Your Club → Motorcycle News) has new RSS feeds. Updated every hour, 24/7, these give you the latest details of what’s happening in the worlds of bikes, bikers and biking. So, whether you’re interested in the latest motorcycle racing results, bike developments, rides, or bike bling, you’ll find it here.
A further innovation for the SAM is our Digital Business Card and Digital Pamphlet. It’s for all SAM members to use. It provides an easy way for you to pass on information to anyone who is interested in what we offer. It’s eco-friendly as there are no cards of paper to hand out. It is easy to share, through a QR code, to another person’s phone and it is convenient as there is no delay when sharing information about what we do. Instructions on how to access the SAM Digital Business Card and Digital Pamphlet have been circulated. It works on both Android and IOS devices. Note that the design may be updated, but the location and functions will always remain the same. If you have any thoughts on how this innovation might be developed further, just share them with a member of the SAM Committee. I know that many members have already used it to help others. If you are stuck, just ask a fellow SAM member, or contact sam-editor@iam-sheffield.bike.
In the rest of your SAM newsletter this week, how quickly can a motorcycle be stolen. Watch and find out how to prevent it happening to you. If electric motorcycle manufacturers want to sell new bikes, there must be a better way of advertising them. Showing a riding on a beach, with only a helmet for protection and taking the dog for a walk seems to send the wrong message. Treating motorcycles as toys is only going to add, when the inevitable crash happens, to NHS service pressures.
Talking of clothing, Kevin Williams has written a series of articles about how motorcycling gear is tested. So, there is an article about choosing the right riding jacket. As it’s Summer, some information about Furygan’s new mesh jacket.
Also, you can find information about the scooter museum in Preston, how BMW is looking to develop a bike that steers with both wheels, how you can carry absolutely anything on a motorcycle, using fuel cleaner and a couple of motorcycle stories. Happy reading.
Helping the Whiteknights Blood Bikes
We are stepping up our partnership with the Whiteknights Blood Bikes. When attending promotional events, the Whiteknights often get people wanting to volunteer to be a Blood Biker. Of course, they always steer them to the SAM Group to complete advanced rider training. The Whiteknights need help from SAM members to explain, encourage and support potential Associates to take up advanced rider training. SAM Members can you help out? We need volunteers to help out at the following events.
Date | Event |
17th June 2023 | Braithwell Classic Car & Bike |
1st July 2023 | Bike Fest – Outwood Academy |
Ways to stay in touch with your Club!
It’s really easy to stay in touch with your Club! We provide emails, a website and use social media accounts for you to contact us. All of which is free of any cost to the Club. If you are not getting the Club information circulated, or simply want to tell us something, just let us know at sam-editor@iam-sheffield.bike. We’ll be happy to ensure that we stay in touch with you. You can also now sign up for Club emails on the SAM website. Paul Conway
Editor & Webmaster, Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists