Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025

Table of Contents

Editorial

The warm weather continues and all the warnings about safe riding have been published widely. The requested SAM Photo galleries are slowly being restored, so all riding adventures are being preserved. If any members have any requests of would like to have their photos included in a gallery, just send them to sam-editor@iam-sheffield.bike. Preserving our riding memories is one way in which SAM advanced riders can showcase their services to safer riding, both for the local community and the wider public. The SAM Webmaster’s decision on what images can be included on our website it final!

Noraly Shoemaker (‘Itchy Boots’) the adventure riding YouTube star gave a very informative presentation at the Adventure Bike Riders Festival. Covering her motivations for adventure riding, bike choice and travel history, she admits to enjoying the challenges of problem solving on the road and being a thrill-seeker. She is promoting her book by leaving signed copies of her book (an interesting read) at various locations around the UK. Even an attempt to steal her bike didn’t put her off the trip. Well-hidden air tags helped her to locate it hidden in some bushes.

Green-lane motorcycling in the UK may be targeted by planning officers and environmental groups. Their ire is aimed at the 4-wheeled off-roading, trials and enduro riders impacting the ‘tranquility and rural character of the landscapes’. In Wales, conservationists promoting walking and horse riding, are campaigning to permanently ban motorcycles from the Monks Trod Way. The most often complaint about motorcyclists is the noise and disturbing the peace. With the increased use of near-silent electric vehicles, noise complaints might reduce. The lack of tolerance, prejudice and stigmatising is likely to continue. History shows that it may take mass protest to gain and retain the right to use the countryside responsibly. Legally licensed and taxed motorcyclists have the right to ride green lanes, whatever the views of planners, ramblers, horse riders and members of the public. These unmaintained byways are just the place where adventure riders can learn their skills. 

It’s not just in the UK that public spaces are being restricted. The US Department of Agriculture has announced revoking the ‘Roadless Rule’. This rule prohibits road construction and timber harvesting on 58.5 million acres of National Forest land. Revocation would give access not only to timber, but gas, oil and minerals. Off-road groups are preparing for a fight.

The electric vehicle sector is facing major problems in 2025. The lack of a national charging infrastructure, supply chain disruption and global shortages of semiconductor chips have led to increased costs, production and maintenance delays. All this is complicated by the lack of time to innovate, before the 2050 net zero deadline.  

Following the latest DfT report, IAM RoadSmart have expressed their concern about increases in speeding offences. Whilst the figures show improvement in 30mph zones, IAM RoadSmart calls for more enforcement and traffic calming measures.   

Three lucky SAM IAM members have bagged a FREE track day with the British Superbike School. There are masses of carefully curated content from the world of motorcycling in your newsletter this week. Ride safe and happy reading.

Your success is our success!

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly newsletter 18th October 2024 Advanced riders are safer road users, ride longer, rider further, meet more people and enjoy a healthier, happier life!

For Your Diary

Meetings

Next SAM Club Night
1st September 2025

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

NO SAM Club Night in August!
(We are riding far and wide!)

Next SAM Committee Meeting
3rd July 2025
Details to be arranged

Online Motorcycling News

General

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  A new era beckons for two-wheeled racing as F1 owners set sights on expanding MotoGP’s global reach
Liberty Media’s ambitious acquisition of Dorna Sports S.L., the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, has moved one step closer to completion following unconditional clearance from the European Commission. The green light from Brussels was the final regulatory hurdle, paving the way for Liberty’s full entry into the world of premier motorcycle racing. The deal is expected to be finalised by or before 3 July 2025. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  The minimum age in the UK to ride a 50cc motorcycle is 16, but what are the best first bikes to buy?

It should be noted that you might not want to ride one for long because passing the CBT, which you’ll need to do before you can ride a 50cc bike, kick-starts the two-year timer on when you need to take the full bike test. But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for a sub-par bike during this time.

Here we take a look at some of the best motorcycles, scooters and mopeds for 16-year-olds. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Peter Bourn owes his love of scooters to his dad Arthur, who taught him to ride his Vespa Sportique on a disused airfield in Lincolnshire.

That was way back in the late 1960s when, as a 15-year-old, Peter would go on the back of his dad’s Vespa to the East Kirkby airfield every Sunday after lunch.

‘It was bedlam’
“There were people driving cars, and tearing about racing motorbikes and sidecars, model aircraft – it was bedlam,” he remembers.

“I’ll never forget the day we stopped and he said ‘I think you’re good enough to go round the perimeter track on your own’. Afterwards, I looked at the milometer and it was just over seven miles. And that’s how I learned.” Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  RideTo, a Brighton-based motorcycle training platform, completed a 900-mile charity journey from Brighton to John O’Groats on 125cc motorcycles, raising funds for Two Wheels for Life
RideTo, the UK’s #1 platform for motorcycle training, has completed an ambitious four-day ride from Brighton to John O’Groats on 125cc motorcycles, raising over £2,500 (and counting) for the charity Two Wheels for Life. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Organisers of the annual Longest Day Challenge are toasting another successful year of fund raising, having generated over £100,000 in donations, plus an additional £18,800 in Gift Aid payments for Cancer Research UK.

This year’s run was the 13th in succession and saw 48 riders leave Land’s End for John o’ Groats on machines brought for £600 or less. At the time of writing, the overall total raised sits at £119,158.58 with donations continuing to come in.

Taking place on the June 21 summer solstice, each participant raised money prior to and during the ride – with this year’s cash injection bringing the overall running total to around £650,000 for good causes since the very start of the event. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th June 2025  Despite already raking in over £200 million annually, the Dart Charge will increase for the first time in more than a decade, bumping car fees to £3.50 per crossing – up £1 – with steeper hikes for heavier vehicles. But it’s business as usual for riders, with motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes still exempt, 24/7.The Department for Transport say the rise tackles spiralling congestion at the Thames crossing, which now sees up to 180,000 vehicles daily. Peak-time use is being targeted, but all-night crossings (10pm-6am) will remain free for every vehicle.  Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  The Malle Mile festival returns to Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire, from July 18 to 20, promising a packed three-day schedule of inappropriate racing action and more.

Now in its 11th year, the weekender includes the original 1/8-mile Sprint, head-to-head Hill Climb, and the Malle500 – a one-mile off-road race with a Le Mans-style running start.

There’s also the Dash speed trial, Derby knockout finale, and off-beat events like Motopolo, the Malle-Go-Round, the five-stage Scramble, and the Art of Sprint showcase. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  You get a lot of strong opinions whenever the conversation turns to electric motorcycles. Fans love ’em for their face-melting torque, nearly maintenance-free design, and silent, stealthy operation. Haters will tell you to come and take their ICE bikes from their cold, dead hands, or whenever range and recharge times get anywhere close to gasoline equivalency. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Earlier this week, the Trump Administration’s US Department of Agriculture announced that it would be revoking the “Roadless Rule,” and a certain group of supposed off-road advocates that may or may not have ties to Utah’s Senator Mike Lee, who’s crusade against public lands will mark him as one of the most hated figures in modern American politics, is calling the revocation a win.

It’s not.

The original Roadless Rule “establishes prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting on 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System land,” which basically means that the federal government can’t just plop a road onto any parcel of public lands it wants to. That, however, is now out the door, as it’s become one of the battlegrounds for public land advocates as the administration, as well as those like Mike Lee, want to open it up for timber harvesting and throwing in new roads to access mineral, gas, and oil deposits located on public lands. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Motorbike theft is a serious problem in many places, not the least of which is the UK. What possibly sucks worse than getting your motorbike stolen, though? Getting it stolen while you’re on a big journey, far away from home.

That’s what almost happened to Noraly Schoenmaker, aka Itchy Boots. To be fair, this isn’t the first time she’s had to deal with thieves trying to make off with her bike. But once again, it showcases the value of hiding a tracker very well somewhere on your bike to help locate it if unscrupulous folks try to make off with it. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  A powerful movement is taking place within the motorcycle community as women are not just riding alongside men but are leading the way, breaking barriers, and dismantling long-held stereotypes. For various stakeholders, from riders to professionals like a Glendale motorcycle accident attorney, understanding this shift is important. This article explores the inspiring stories of female motorcyclists who are redefining the landscape of a traditionally male-dominated realm.

The Growing Influence of Women in Motorcycling
In recent years, women have been making significant inroads into the world of motorcycling. No longer content to ride as passengers, they are increasingly taking the handlebars, a shift that represents more than just growing numbers; it is a cultural transformation. Women are seizing the narrative, influencing design, events, and even the marketing strategies of major motorcycle brands. Read more

Rider Health & Safety

It's FREE! from Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Ride safe.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... 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Patent shows simple system to move the bars and pegs on-the-fly
A motorcycle that can transform on the move from race-rep crouch to a comfortable upright riding position has been something manufacturers have imagined for decades – at least going back to the 1989 Yamaha Morpho concept demonstrated precisely that – but there’s still no showroom offering that can actually achieve that goal. Now CFMOTO has filed patent applications for a system that could finally bring an adaptable riding position to production models without a ground-up redesign and vast price tag. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  In my over 73 years of riding motorcycles, I have ridden in just about every kind of weather condition I can think of. I also have tried many items to help me be comfortable, stay dry, warm or cool and to be able to see. More than once, I have said I wished my windshield or helmet face shield contained a wiper.

Well, someone must have been listening, because I found out about a helmet face shield wiper made by a company named BIKERGUARD. They are in Slovenia which is a country in Central Europe.

The company is run by two engineers who ride motorcycles Andrej and Peter and like all who ride they kept getting caught in the rain, so in 2016 they designed and made a mini wiper specifically for a helmet face shield. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Adding a motorcycle GPS to your riding repertoire can expand your horizons beyond your imagination. There are products on the market to suit every rider’s needs, whether off-road, on-road, or adventure. All the units covered here are specific motorcycle GPS products or units otherwise lend themselves very well to use on a bike. Your typical automotive GPS units aren’t built to the same standard as motorcycle GPS units and the often harsh environments we find ourselves in. While it’s important to compare features of the units themselves, two key elements to maximizing the benefit of motorcycle GPS units are the mapping products available and the computer or mobile device user interface. As you get deeper into this technology, you will find yourself spending more time on your mobile device or computer laying out your next ride, exploring with Google Earth, and ultimately, downloading and editing tracks you’ve actually recorded on the ground. Choosing a motorcycle GPS with the type of maps you want and the pre- and post-ride user environment are key considerations before purchasing a specific unit. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  For motorcyclists, helmets can range in importance from their most essential piece of riding kit to a mere afterthought. The drivers for this may be complex, but our guess is that the more serious you are about riding, the more serious you are about helmets. And conversely, if you treat riding lightly (perhaps as only a secondary activity), a helmet may register as no more important than a backpack, sunglasses, or shoes. Read more

Adventure & Touring

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Held in the stunning grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickshire, on the weekend of 27-29 June 2025, the Adventure Bike Rider Festival is the world’s greatest celebration of adventure motorcycling and the UK’s biggest bike festival.

It’s where thousands of like-minded riders and the motorcycle industry come together to make new memories and friends and experience three action-packed days of biking action and festival entertainment. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  The BBC reports that planning officers have raised concerns about impacts on the “tranquillity and rural character of the landscapes” and “potential damage to sensitive ecological sites” as a result of the event.

That particular event is centred around four-wheeled vehicles, but it’s not hard to imagine similar challenges and concerns being raised about two-wheeled events – trials or enduro, for example.

Across the border in Wales, a number of conservationists are hoping to make permanent a temporary motorbike ban on the Monks Trod byway, which links 12th Century abbeys at Abbeycwmhir near Llandrindod and Strata Florida near Pontrhydfendigaid. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Backed by lush orchestration, the opening credits of the 1969 John Wayne film, True Grit, reveal a beautiful farmstead nestled in a green valley beneath craggy 10,000-plus-foot mountains. The scene is meant to depict the Yellville, Arkansas, home of main character, Mattie Ross. But even as a child watching the film for the first time, I knew that this location could not possibly be Arkansas, where the Charles Portis novel is set and whose highest peaks are barely over 2,700 feet. Why, I wondered, was it not filmed in a more accurate setting? (I should add that I am often accused of being overly literal.) Read more

History & Custom

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  All Thrills, No Frills: A Carbureted Triumph Scrambler by 2LOUD

Motorcycle tech has evolved exponentially over the past two decades—making today’s bikes easier to ride, but harder to customize. Complex wiring harnesses are a nightmare to navigate, and CAN bus systems limit what you can unplug without risking a bricked ECU. Luckily, the 2006 Triumph Scrambler sidesteps these modern afflictions. Triumph’s current crop of modern…Read more »

Kevin Williams

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Inquiry finds ‘serious failings in Harry Dunn case

[BASED ON AN ITEM IN YESTERDAY’S ELEVENSES LIVE WEBCAST]

An independent inquiry has found serious failings by police and the Home Office in the case of teenage motorcyclist, Harry Dunn.

Harry Dunn was just 19 when he died following a collision outside an RAF airbase with a car being driven by American national Anne Sacoolas. Sacoolas exited RAF Croughton onto the incorrect side of the road and collided with Harry’s motorcycle.

Sacoolas fled the country claiming diplomatic immunity. She eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, and stood trial at the Old Bailey via video link in December 2022. She was found guilty, and given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  What’s in your toolkit? Here’s mine! Part One

Years ago when I was a courier, I nearly always had a spare clutch cable in the top box but it’s been ages since I’d had one snap, so when the Suzuki’s cable let go towards the end of a training run to mid-Wales, I had to use my emergency repair using the bolt-up pliers I talked about a few ToT posts back. As it happened, we’d pulled up just outside a house where a chap was cleaning his Laverda Jota.

He wandered over to see what the problem was, looked at my fix, nodded and said “very clever, but I think I can do better than that for you – pass me the lever”.

Ten minutes later, I had a custom-made emergency nipple – he’d machined a piece of brass to the right size, drilled one hole for the cable to pass through, then drilled and tapped a second hold for a lock screw to bear down on the cable. Two more minutes, and the cable was back in place. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Perception and why I was out riding and saw a black bear

I’m sure that many times you’ve heard someone talking about how we “should believe the evidence of our own eyes”. The phrase is often invoked in legal and everyday contexts to imply something directly seen and therefore unquestionably true. In courtrooms, eyewitness testimony – statements by individuals who say they saw a person, event, or detail first-hand – is one of the most powerful forms of evidence.

Jurors and judges alike often find eyewitness statements compelling because they seem straightforward and reliable. “I saw him do it” carries an emotional and cognitive weight; it feels like direct, personal knowledge. Unlike hearsay or circumstantial evidence, an eyewitness account suggests immediacy and personal experience and the law in many countries – including the UK – treats such testimony as admissible. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Understanding claim, argument and counter-claim

Recently I’ve been using this series to discuss meanings of words and phrases, attitudes and ways of thinking, which means we’ve veered some way from standard motorcycle fare and into the realm of philosophy.

It may seem a strange rabbit hole to disappear down, but the longer I’ve been working trying to explain how science – my own college background – applies to motorcycling – my personal work history – the more I’ve realised that being able to construct a reasoned argument, support it with credible evidence, then deliver it logically to an audience, really matters. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  The Killing Zone – what every biker should know

Over the last few weeks, I’ve introduced you to two absolutely crucial concepts that simply don’t get the front page coverage that they should. First, there’s the ‘Vision Blocker’ that we CAN see but hides what’s behind it. That could be a hedge, a building at the side of the road or even an HGV coming the other way. The second is the ‘Surprise Horizon’, the blind spot created by the Vision Blocker that may hide something about to emerge into our path. Now I’m going to explain a third concept I think you should know about – the ‘Killing Zone’. And I’ll explain how it connects with a logical paradox about speed and stopping distance.

Discussions around junction collisions where the driver sets it up for the biker to ride into it almost always bog down in debates about who was ‘at fault’. Since it’s the rider who almost always comes off worst, let’s put that particular issue to one side. Read more

Whiteknights Blood Bikes

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 04 July 2025


We believe we have saved the NHS in Yorkshire over £14,000 in out-of-hours transport costs.
If you are inspired by our remarkable voluntary service please consider becoming a Whiteknight.
We are especially recruiting in South Yorkshire this summer.
We would like to hear from potential Riders for Blood Bikes and drivers of our Blood Response Car.
We offer flexible volunteering on a shift basis. For further information dm through Facebook to send your contact details.
You could also email us at: info@whiteknights.org.uk
We’d love to have you on the team. Thank you.

#bloodbikes #nhs #NHSJobs 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 04 July 2025

Today the Whiteknights South Yorkshire Team are exhibiting at the Lowedges Fire Station Open Day.
Come along and try our mini-moto for size. We have BMW F800GT and Skoda fleet vehicles on display.

 

South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 27th June 2025  Red Xs are there for a reason and can be the difference between life and death.

Ignoring red X signs on a live motorway poses a risk to those involved in a breakdown or working on the carriageway.

Today (12 June) at 1.35pm, roads policing officers responded to a collision on M1, closing three lanes of the motorway.

Road closures were put in place for safety, as officers worked to ensure those involved in the collision received the treatment they needed, and that evidence required for an investigation was obtained.

They are also used to enable emergency services to get to the scene.

While working, officers continued to see drivers ignore the ‘Red X’ and put everyone in danger.

Roads Policing Inspector Matt Collings said: “Being a police officer carries risk, but officers should not experience greater dangers because of impatient, selfish drivers.

“We understand majority of people do adhere to the rules and appreciate the fact that we are working as quickly as we can to get the roads re-opened and motorists moving.

“Those who fail to stop and wait, may think they won’t face the consequences, but they can expect to receive a letter of prosecution.

“We are doing all we can to create safer roads, and reduce risk, but we need you to do your part.”

Penalties can carry three licence points and up to a £100 fine.

The end of lane closures will be marked on motorway gantries with ‘end’ or a speed limit sign.

For more information about adhering to Red X signs, please see the Highway Code Rule 258. See less 

Every 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

Motorcycling Organisations

Auto-Cycle Union

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  The Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) is continuing its efforts to enhance the safety around motorcycle racing, after purchasing 50 automated external defibrillators (AED) in a bid to support event organisers across the UK.

The ACU has played a key role in supporting a variety of racing events, from motocross and enduro, all the way to MotoGP and World Superbike, as well as the Isle of Man TT.

Now, thanks to this latest initiative the ACU is hoping to improve the medical service that’s already provided at ACU-permitted events. Each AED is weatherproof, easy to use, and suitable for adult and youth patients.

The ACU says that it hopes that by having defibrillators on-site it will provide extra reassurance in the event of a competitor or spectator medical emergency. The governing body has also installed an AED at its headquarters in Rugby, in support of staff workers and visitors. Read more

IAM RoadSmart
Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly newsletter 11th October 2024 Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 📆
Our Advanced Refresher course allows drivers and riders to brush up on their skills with one of our dedicated Observers, so you can ensure you’re still driving or riding at an Advanced level!
 
 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  REACTION: IAM RoadSmart responds to the latest Department for Transport data on speeding

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said: “Excessive speed is one of the biggest causes of fatalities on our roads, which resulted in more than 300 deaths in 2023. These latest figures on speed compliance paint an improving picture on 30mph-limited roads. However, the proportion exceeding 20mph limits remains astonishingly high. This further shows that speed limit changes alone are not sufficient and that enforcement and traffic-calming measures in these zones are imperative.” Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly newsletter 6th September 2024

Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 🏍️

Incorporating Observe, Anticipate, Plan, when on the roads, can help educate and upskill riders to ensure safer journeys. Learn more 
National Motorcyclists Council

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly newsletter 31st January 2025  The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has welcomed news that the Department for Transport (DfT) is considering options for reviewing the current training, testing and licensing regime. The NMC, along several motorcycling organisations and other road safety stakeholders were told the news by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood MP who attended a round table meeting of the Government’s Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group on January 20th to discuss licensing and other aspects of motorcycle safety and policy. Read more… 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 27th June 2025  The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is today expressing its concern that the Government’s proposal to ‘fast track’ pilots of self-driving taxi and bus-like services could risk compromising motorcycle safety unless the Autonomous Vehicles Act and its key ‘Statement of Safety Principles’ is fully implemented first.

This month, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, announced that ‘the government will fast-track pilots to spring 2026, introducing self-driving commercial pilots on England’s roads.

Firms will be able to pilot small scale ‘taxi- and bus-like’ services without a safety driver for the first time – which could be available to members of the public to book via an app – before a potential wider rollout when the full Automated Vehicles Act becomes law from the second half of 2027.’ Read more

FEMA

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 27th June 2025  Icelandic motorcycling association BLS is planning a protest against a proposal to introduce road pricing. Kristrún Tryggvadóttir, BLS’s delegate to FEMA and member of the FEMA Board, explains what is happening:

BLS – a member of FEMA – held a meeting with its members to discuss the government’s plans to introduce road pricing, paying per kilometre. This will financially disadvantage motorcyclists.

Kristrún Tryggvadóttir: “This tendency by lawmakers and road administrators to not take us into account is discriminatory and unjust.” (photo: Wim Taal).

The members were in agreement: enough is enough. We motorcyclists pay taxes, but our views and needs are not taken into account when designing or maintaining roads. This needs to change and the latest tax is just another clear indication of the problem. Read more

British Motorcyclists Federation
Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly newsletter 31st January 2025 Paul Varnsverry, the highly respected motorcycling clothing expert, is launching a campaign aimed at eliminating uncertified and potentially unsafe bike kit, currently being imported into the UK and offered for sale online. Varnsverry, Technical Director of clothing consultant at  PVA-PPE, is started a petition aimed at alerting Government to the dangers of untested kit. In conversation with MCN, he praised the efforts of Trading Standards in the last three years, in checking bike shows and high street shops for sub-standard kit. But he added that clothing offered online is attempting to circumvent these checks. Read more… 
This petition closes on the 6th July 2025. Sign it NOW and help to keep bikers safer! Thank you. 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 4th July 2025  Up to 40,000 bikers come together to celebrate the life of former “Hairy Biker” Dave Myers.

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of riders rode to Barrow, Dave’s home town, to celebrate Dave’s life and to raise money for charity as part of “Dave Day 2.”

Dave’s widow Liliana Myers, speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, said:

“ It was so uplifting and so wonderful to see so many people coming from all parts of the country to pay tribute to Dave. The impact Dave had on biking is his legacy. He wanted people to live their lives and have fun. He was an inspiration.”

Dave’s life-long friend, and fellow Hairy Biker, Si King said: “ Dave Day 2 was a joyous celebration of me best mate and a culmination of what motorcycles are all about – community, friendship and fellowship.”

Last year’s “Dave Day” event raised £127,000 for charities the NSPCC and the Institute of Cancer Research. Read more

Motorcycle Action Group

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 27th June 2025  The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) launched their “Learn – Ride – Enjoy – Repeat” campaign in April 2025, with support from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), urging motorcyclists to embrace advanced training. Here in the UK, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) backs this with its Elite Rider Hub—an online directory of training courses. These initiatives highlight a stark reality: motorcyclists face disproportionate risks on our roads, and progress remains slow or non-existent. Encouraging skill development is a logical step, and the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) welcomes the intent behind ACEM, FIM, and MCIA’s efforts. 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. 

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly Newsletter 27th June 2025  Welcome to our Highway Code film series, designed specifically for young and new riders aged 16- 20 riding in an urban environment!

Our goal is to highlight the most important signs, rules, and regulations from the Highway Code that are crucial for your safety. Each short film will highlight the importance of specific Highway Code signs and show you how to follow them in real urban environments. By understanding and following these rules, you’ll not only protect yourself but also contribute to the safety of everyone on the road. Most importantly for you, by staying on top of these rules, you’ll not get fines and points on your licence, keeping you on the road without any legal hassles. Read more

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists - Weekly newsletter 24th January 2025  Look after your bike/moped and it will look after you.  Carrying out a few simple checks before each ride could save your life. Use POWDERS

Petrol

  • Do you have enough for your journey?
  • Is the reserve tap off?
  • Check there are no leaks Read more… 

Contact SAM Newsletter Editor

Got something to share? Want to comment on an item in this newsletter? Fill in this form and we will be very happy to hear from you. Happy reading.

Free Assessed Ride

Want to try before you buy? Fill in the form below and arrange the FREE ride assessment when it’s convenient for you.  Or just ride down to Meadowhall Retail Park, Sheffield S9 1EP, 9am any Saturday morning.

Be safe - ALWAYS carry your Biker I.C.E card!

Riding a motorcycle comes with risks. In an accident, motorcyclists’ injuries are likely to be more serious than those of other road users. To reduce these risks, the Biker I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) Card is a simple but essential tool for riders. It’s easy to use and convenient to carry. It can be folded to fit in your wallet and handed to anyone who needs it, not just accident responders.

The Biker I.C.E. Card contains all necessary information. It has contact information, important health, medical and doctor’s details, a list of medications and your doctor’s contact. If you’re in an accident, emergency services can use the card to quickly understand your health and medical needs t0 provide you with the best care possible.

Just fill in your email address below. We will keep you updated of any design changes. The card is given as FREE public service that you can use and share as many times as you like. You simply add details like your NHS or travel insurance numbers, as these can help emergency responders access your healthcare records or handle costs when travelling abroad.

Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists, well known for our quality assured advanced rider training, support the use of this card. It can be a critical safety tool. While training improves road safety, the card ensures you get the right help should things go wrong.

Download your Biker I.C.E. Card NOW, for safer rides and peace of mind!