Sheffield Advanced Motorcyclists – Weekly Newsletter 8th August 2025
Table of Contents
Editorial
🏍️ Saturday Mornings with SAM: Training, Riding, and Breakfast
If you’ve ever wondered how seriously we take advanced rider training, just drop by on a Saturday morning. Our volunteer Observer Team—led by a Chief Observer, Training Standards Observer, and Observer Assessor—are out every week sharpening their skills and supporting new riders. These are experienced motorcyclists who’ve already helped others reach advanced levels, and they’re still pushing to improve.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your technique, you’ll find expert guidance and a warm welcome. Come say hello—any Saturday, all year round.
Meanwhile, other SAM members and our Patrons head off in small groups to explore favourite routes, discover new ones, and enjoy a proper breakfast or lunch at some of the best spots around. It’s not just about riding—it’s about community.
🌍 Trade Winds: UK–India Deal Opens Doors for Motorcycle Makers
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) has welcomed the new free trade agreement between the UK and India, signed on 24 July 2025. Under the deal, India will reduce import duties on select UK vehicles from over 100% to just 10%, within a quota system. UK tariffs on Indian motorcycle components could also drop to zero.
This is big news for British brands like Triumph and Norton, and for Indian manufacturers such as Royal Enfield and Bajaj, who already have strong ties to the UK market. While some details—especially around electric and hybrid vehicles—are still being worked out, the agreement signals a major boost for the motorcycle sector and the wider L-category industry.
🚫 Drink Driving: IAM Calls for Smarter Messaging
IAM RoadSmart has responded to the latest drink-driving figures by pointing out the obvious road safety dangers and urging a greater emphasis on increased police resources and enforcement. While fatalities linked to drink-driving have declined slightly, the overall trend remains uncertain. There needs to be a rethink in how road safety messages are delivered.
We believe that such a punitive response only leads to “message fatigue”—where repeated warnings lose their impact and audiences tune out. Instead of just repeating the risks, calling for the use of scarce police resources and emphasising punitive actions, there are better ways to get the message across. A healthier approach is celebrating progress and offering clear, positive actions within the retail business selling alcohol and showing how the local community can reinforce socially responsible drinking behaviours. Enforcement remains key, but so does recognising the socially responsible changes by those who choose not to drink and drive; and, encouraging retailers and citizens to help reinforce and support changing drink driving habits.
🧭 Picking the Right Adventure Bike
Choosing an adventure bike isn’t about chasing horsepower or flashy tech—it’s about finding a machine that fits you. That means considering your height, weight, and how the controls feel when you’re stationary, riding slowly, or cruising at speed.
Too often, riders go for what looks cool, what the latest bike magazine advertises, or what their mates recommend. But the only real test is whether you can ride it safely and enjoy the journey. Comfort, control layout, and tyre clearance matter more than the latest gadgets.
🇮🇪 Southern Ireland: Stay Sharp, Stay Secure
If you’re heading to Southern Ireland this summer, be aware: motorcycle theft is on the rise. In Limerick, riders have reported hijackings and attacks by groups armed with hammers. Over 215 motorbikes have already been stolen across Ireland this year, with organised gangs targeting bikes for resale and joyriding.
Police advice is simple: use a cover, lock your bike securely, and never leave the keys in—even for a minute. And if you’re involved in a collision or affected by poor road repairs, make sure you know your rights and have access to legal support.
🛣️ The Road Ahead: Stay Involved, Stay Safe
After a year of policy shifts, market changes, and tech breakthroughs, one thing remains constant—the joy of riding. Whether you’re petrol-powered or electric, solo or in a group, this is the time to stay alert, get involved with your local club, and ride safe.
The next chapter of motorcycling is being written right now. Make sure you’re part of it. Ride safe and happy reading.
PS: Sometimes, unexpected events will put a rider in hospital. To anyone who is having a hard time we are here to give support and to make life a little easier – even if it is only to make you laugh until stitches threaten to pop, share the grapes and tell you what you are missing. Get well soon.
#IAMRoadSmart, #AdvancedRider,
#MotorcycleTraining, #RoadSafety,
#SkillForLife, #IAMObserver,
#IAMTestPass, #RideSafe,
#PostTestTraining, #IAMGroup
Your success is our success!
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
Next SAM Committee Meeting
28th August 2025
Details to be arranged
Online Motorcycling News
General
Documents reveal high-performance electric sports bike
Electric motorcycles haven’t hit the mainstream yet despite the efforts of both major manufacturers and endless startups but there’s a feeling of inevitability about the technology: as soon as lighter, faster-charging and more energy-dense batteries become widely available to bring performance parity with ICE bikes we could see a rapid shift towards electric powertrains.
As such, it’s essential for forward-thinking bike makers to be ready. With developments like solid-state batteries and sodium-ion chemistries expected to become commonplace by 2030, improving energy-density while reducing costs and charging times, the moment when the balance tips in favour of electric motorcycles could come in the next handful of years. Read more.
Electric motorcycles have become more popular on UK roads, and even though the electric market is nowhere near overtaking the combustion engine, they have gained some traction amongst bikers.
And with a quarter of the 21st century gone, let’s see what the state of play is with these newly created machines and what the best models on the market are.The world of electric motorcycles is a somewhat uncanny space for people used to ICE motorcycles. And in terms of numbers sold, VMoto are the current champions of this world, at least in the UK. Their CPX Pro scooter is consistently the UK’s best selling electric two-wheeler, which makes sense given how many people just want a reliable and cheap urban commuter, and don’t necessarily need the kind of power you can get from bigger bikes. Read more.
What are the best motorcycle and kit deals and discounts available right now?
Continuing our regular weekly guides to current biking offers and bargains, we’ve been scouring the marketplace – so you don’t have to!BMW’s brilliant, big boxer-powered new cruiser family, the R18, is a great alternative to traditional, American Harleys and Indians and its Roctane model, being a high-barred ‘bagger’ is the wildest of the lot, and often the one that’s subject to the biggest dealer discounts of all – as is the case here. BMW dealer John Clark of Tayside, Scotland, for example, is currently offering just one, brand new, unregistered example of the bike with a whopping £6205 off its usual price of £24,205 so taking it down now to just £18,000. Read more.
The Front Wheel Lift Control, or whatever name different OEMs give their wheelie systems, on the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is the best that I’ve ever used, and the bike makes an undeniable case for having it. Any motorcycle that produces 94.4 lb-ft of torque at 8,750 rpm, 180.5 hp at 10,750 rpm, and weighs just 439 lbs (wet) needs help keeping its front wheel grounded.
For reference, that’s more torque and less weight than a Ducati Streetfighter V4.
Show me a motorcyclist who doesn’t like wheelies, at least some level, and I’ll show you someone who’s pretending to ride motorcycles. But you don’t want to constantly fight to keep the front wheel down, especially on track, and likewise, if a kid asks you to do a wheelie, you have to do one; it’s the law. This is where Triumph’s Front Wheel Lift Control shows its worth. Read more.
When the government recently introduced planning reforms to shield pubs and music venues from noise complaints, requiring developers to soundproof new builds and sign disclaimers, it felt like a victory for British culture. Great. But a glaring question remains: if we can protect pints in pubs and punk bands, why shouldn’t motorsport venues receive the same protection?
Nowhere is this more urgent than at Donington Park. Developers have unveiled plans for a massive new settlement, Isley Woodhouse, just south-west of East Midlands Airport and Donington Park. It’s a staggering scheme: 4,250 homes, shops, schools, leisure facilities, sports centres, room for some 10,000 new residents. Read more.
There’s something undeniably magical about the open road. The wind rushes past, the landscape unfolds before you, and you feel a sense of freedom on two wheels. Whether you’re carving through mountain passes or cruising along coastal highways, motorcycle riding gives you a unique connection with your surroundings that few experiences can match. Today’s riders are using technology to enhance these journeys without distracting from the ride itself. The right tech can capture memories, improve safety, and connect you with fellow riders while keeping the motorcycle experience at its core.
The Cardo PackTalk Pro represents the height of motorcycle communication technology. This premium headset includes a crash detection system that senses significant impacts and automatically alerts your emergency contacts—a reassuring feature, especially for solo riders on remote roads. The Pro delivers outstanding audio through powerful 45mm JBL speakers, cutting through wind and engine noise to keep your music and conversations crystal clear even at highway speeds. It features an Auto On/Off function that activates as soon as you start riding and conserves battery by shutting down when you’re stopped. Read more.
GARDAÍ are warning motorbike owners after a spate of thefts across Limerick.
Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Aoife Bannon of Henry Street Garda Station said Gardaí have “seen quite a noticeable increase in motorcycle thefts across Limerick recently, and we want to make owners aware and encourage a few simple but effective precautions”.
“C is for Cover — using a motorcycle cover helps keep it out of sight and makes it more difficult and time-consuming to steal.”
Sergeant Bannon continued that “on top of that, we’re encouraging people to always remove the ignition key, even if you’re leaving the bike for just a minute”.
“If you’re parking on the street, secure the bike to a fixed object and choose well-lit areas, ideally with CCTV nearby.” Read more.
Rider Health & 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...
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When Harley-Davidson built its excellent but arguably out-of-place electric bike LiveWire, its complete lack of vibration unnerved test riders. Therefore, to provide some evidence that it was “on” even when not moving, its motor was made to jitter slightly to simulate the vibration of conventional internal combustion engines.At the far end of that vibration spectrum was the 500cc NSU roadrace engine designed by Albert Roder for that company’s return to racing after World War II. The cause of this creative outburst? Roder had just seen the new Gilera four at the Swiss GP. Read more.
In July, Andrew was asked whether compensation can be claimed for injuries and losses resulting from faulty road repairs, rear-end collisions, crashes caused by the actions of others, loss of earnings due to medical treatment or while a bike is off the road, and whether an injured rider is obliged to accept a hire bike after an accident.
If you need representation or legal advice with a biking matter, visit www.bikelawyer.co.uk or email andrew@bikelawyer.co.uk or call 01446 794169.
‘Road repair caused crash’
A few weeks ago I was returning from work along a wet/damp road. As I went around a bend my bike lost traction and I came off. Luckily, I was not seriously injured. I inspected the surface for clues and it looked fairly recently repaired. The seal at the edge of the repair looked a lot wider than normal, being about 10cm wide. I was off work for two weeks and didn’t get paid. Can I claim for my injuries, lost income and for the damage to my bike and riding gear? Read more.
In this clip from the latest episode of the Thinking Transportation podcast from Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Hong Zhang, director of education for the Snell Foundation talks about the importance of the appropriate riding gear to maximise the odds of walking away from a crash. In the full episode, which you can find on the Thinking Transportation homepage, or wherever you get your podcasts, she’s joined by TTI’s Road User Safety Program product specialist Cathy Brooks in discussing the subject in more depth.
Guest info: Cathy Brooks works on multiple motorcyclist safety related projects, including the Texas Department of Transportation Statewide Motorist Awareness and Motorcyclist Safety Education and Outreach, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s efforts to increase rider instructor and rider education participation rates in Texas. Cathy comes from a family of motorcyclists and is a Texas licensed motorcycle safety instructor, Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach and quality assurance specialist, Harley-Davidson Riding Academy coach, and a member of the State Motorcycle Safety Association.
Guest info: For more than 30 years Hong Zhang has worked with the Snell Foundation in the areas of random sample testing, public education, and special grant projects. As director of education, she develops educational materials and head injury prevention programs to increase public awareness of head injury risks and helmet effectiveness. Ms. Zhang finished her undergraduate studies in China and received master’s degree at the University of Rochester in New York. Listen
Adventure & Touring
Adventure motorcycles have established themselves as the go-anywhere, do-anything machines that successfully combine comfortable long-distance travel with rugged off-road capabilities. However, not all ADVs reach the head of the pack. In a market flooded with options, only a handful stand out as true success stories.
What, therefore, makes the best ADVs different from the rest? Is it the components, the pricing, or the timely updates? There’s more to it than just the tip of the iceberg – the following five components are what truly make an ADV successful in our eyes.
1. Build Quality
An ADV is built for abuse; exactly the foundation of every great adventure. Every amazing adventure is built on an ADV, which is designed to be abused. The bikes are intended to withstand difficult, long-distance travel, rough terrain, and everything the road throws at you. As such, build quality is a prerequisite that cannot be compromised.
Some of the most iconic ADVs, like the BMW GS, the Yamaha Ténéré, or the Honda Africa Twin, were deemed reliable not only because of their performance but also owing to how well they endured over time and distance. On an ADV, everything must be built to last, from the suspension and frame to the engine casings and control switches. Quality, precision welding, corrosion-resistant coatings, reinforced subframes, and reliable electronics – all help your confidence on a lone backcountry road. Read more.
History & Custom
From the original T120 Bonneville to the TR6 ridden by Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins in the 1964 International Six Days Trial, Triumph’s modern classics descend from a long line of icons. So when Frontwheel Motors was tasked with customizing a 2013-model Triumph Scrambler for a prominent Indonesian DJ, they had no shortage of inspiration.
The air-cooled Triumph Scrambler is one of those rare machines that looks excellent out of the box, and only gets better the more you modify it. Front wheel kept things simple on this project—focusing on considered mods that reference the Triumphs of yore. Read more.
The Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is the world’s first production motorcycle and the first to be called a ‘motorcycle’. Strictly speaking, they called it a ‘motorrad’ since they were German but I digress…
History
Designed and built by engineers Heinrich Hildebrand and Alois Wolfmüller and their mechanic, Hans Geisenhof, it was launched in 1894. Initially, they were rather successful, building machines in factories across Munich. However, perhaps in their haste to be first, they launched their machine without much in the way of development work. This led to a number of problems, including a tendency to overheat. Sadly, the company didn’t last long and closed it’s doors for good in 1897. Read more.
Kevin Williams
Why don’t riders spot emerging vehicles?
Last time out, in this series which introduces some terms you won’t find in Roadcraft, I explained that If there’s a Zone of Visibility there must be a Zone of Invisibility, a zone that lies outside of our Zone of Vision / Zone of Visibility, a zone into which we cannot see and where hazards that lurk simply can’t be seen, no matter how hard we look. And that took me to the next logical thought and that between the two (“what we can see and what we can’t see” as RoadCraft puts it, there must be a fuzzy third zone, which I called the ‘Schrodinger’s Zone’ where there may or may not be a hazard to worry about, where hazards move in and out of view meaning we may not see them if we look at just the wrong moment.
But you may have noticed that all this talk of Zone of Vision etc, treats the topic of ‘what we can see’ as a one-way deal. We look for a threat such as a car that might turn across us and we see… or we don’t see. Read more.
Rapid rise in hospitalisations from e-stepscooter and e-bike crashes in Canada
[Based on the in-depth piece from yesterday’s Elevenses]
A pair of reports suggest that e-stepscooter and e-bike crashes resulting in hospitalisation for serious injuries including including brain injuries, internal injuries and fractures are on the rise. The data comes from the Canadian Institute for Health Information and Ottawa’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation.
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the number of hospitalisations as a result of these crashes was up 32% on the previous year, with 498 individuals needing treatment.
And for the five to 17 age group, injury crashes rose by a startling 62%.
There was also a 60% increase in hospitalisations of female riders, almost triple the rise for males. That’s an unusual demographic shift, since risk-taking behaviours are usually associated with male riders. Read more.
Learn skills like you use a motorcycle gearbox
Learning a new skill can feel daunting. Any skill can feel overwhelming, particularly when our first experience is failure. I’ve never mastered a tennis serve because my first experience was making up an on-court foursome with three much more experienced players. I was a pretty decent badminton player, so “how hard can it be?” It turned out to be almost impossible to translate what I knew from one game to the other, even though they both involve a racquet, something to hit, a net and half a court on the other side to aim at. That was a horribly embarrassing and rather humbling experience.
Yet many riders continue to think that jumping on a a motorcycle, handling it competently and dealing with the hazards that the roads throws our way, is simply a matter of “get on and go for it”. The same mentality affects drivers too, incidentally. Read more.
Is human error ‘simple’? (July 2015)
I’ve been talking about rider safety and looking at why motorcyclists and the other road users we share the road with sometimes get things wrong for many years. I originally started posting on Facebook as long ago as 2012. Right now, many of the articles I’ve posted since 2014 are up on my www.ko-fi.com/survivalskills archive where my long-running TIPS on TUESDAY and SKILLS on SATURDAY post are all indexed, right up to the end of May this year.
I’m still adding my ‘FOCUS on FRIDAY’ posts, but this one ran in that particular series ten years ago this month. This particular post on human error refers to a statement in a particular press release. In the post I included a link to the RoadSafetyGB article where she was quoted. Unfortunately, whilst the page still exists, the content has been wiped. So you’ll just have to make do with my observations which I think are just as relevant today as they were ten years ago, because in the road safety mind, nothing much has changed. Read more.
Information flow – push promotes monetisation
Over the last couple of weeks we’ve seen how information flow has changed, from the ‘push’ of ‘gatekept’ information held mostly by governments and institutions distributed via a strictly-limited number of channels, to the early internet’s ‘pull’ democracy where we searched for what we wanted, and how the flow of information has once again changed to ‘push’ thanks to social media algorithms deciding what we’re going to watch.
As promised last week, today I’ll show you some tips to filter out the junk that has been designed to go viral.
The other day I came across the Instagram account of ‘everydaysuccessteam’, a ‘one-stop shop’ for sales and marketing. Checking their website, edst.com, they are proud to tell us their aim is all about ‘digital wealth creation’. That caught my attention and is a pretty clear summary of their aims, so I read on. What I found was a real eye-opener. Read more.
You’ve seen – now DO and make it count!
Right from our first moments riding we’re told to ‘observe’. Observation is part of the OSM-PSL riding system taught to novice riders. Gathering information by observing makes up a significant chunk of Chapter Three in my latest version of ‘Motorcycle Roadcraft’. And on page 30, the IAM RoadSmart handbook says: “perfecting your vision and observation will keep you out of trouble on Britain’s busy roads”.
As I’ve said many times, observation is not a passive process. It involves active scanning. That’s why I have spent time discussing the structure of the human eye, the difference between peripheral and foveal vision, and how the eye and the brain between them place a significant filter on the information that reaches our consciousness – the eye is not a camera, and the brain is not a computer screen. Only a fraction of what COULD be seen is CONSCIOUSLY registered. Read more.
Whiteknights Blood Bikes
Happy Yorkshire Day from Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes.
A Kings Award for Voluntary Service designated charity.
#bloodbikes #YorkshireDay
South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
Getting ready for the commute home?
Take extra time to look for other road users – some are more visible than others!
Let’s make it a safe one.
#VisionZero #barnsleyisbrill #doncasterisgreat #sheffieldissuper #rotherhamiswonderful #commute
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
IAM RoadSmart
Has it been a while since you passed your Advanced test? 
Following the publication of the Reported road casualties in Great Britain, involving illegal alcohol levels: 2023 data, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes said:
“Drink driving can have devastating consequences. While the latest drink-drive related fatality figures have declined compared to the previous year, the trend over the past decade is troubling and shows that we are stuck in a dangerous rut. We must redouble our efforts on enforcement, providing the police with the necessary tools to clamp down on drink drivers while reviewing our approach to both first time and repeat offenders.” Read more.
Are you aware of the OAP framework when out riding? 
ACEM
New motorcycle registrations in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) reached 542.361 units during the six first months of 2025. This represents a decrease of approximately -11,3% compared to 2024 (611.145 units).
Motorcycle registration volumes increase in Spain (111.363 units, +5% year-on-year), while in other countries, the market has generally shrunk: in Italy (195.025 units, -4,2%), France (98.499 units, -14,8%), UK (47.464 units, -19,8%) and in Germany (90.010 units, -29%).
Moped registrations reached a total volume of 68.690 units in the six European moped markets monitored by ACEM (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This registration volume represents a reduction of -19,2% in comparison to last year (84.974 units). All markets are with a previsible decrease, Spain (5.628, -2%), Germany followed (8.333 units, -5,9%), Belgium (13.304 units, -9,7%), Netherlands (13.199 units, -17,4%) , France (21.607 units -27,7%) and Italy (6.619 units, -32,4%). Read more.
Motorcycle Industries Association
As a key part of the nation’s advanced manufacturing landscape—exporting globally and supporting highly skilled jobs— the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) welcomes last week’s announcement by the Government regarding the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India.
Early information suggests that under the deal, India will reduce its import duties on select UK vehicles from over 100% to 10% within a quota system, although liberalisation is phased and some sub-segments (such as certain hybrid/electric vehicles) face different timelines. UK duties on Indian component exports could also be reduced to 0% from their current 4–16%. However, it remains to be seen what constitutes ‘automotive’ from the UK Government’s point of view and, therefore, the extent to which the UK motorcycle and wider L-Category industry can benefit.
The signing of the agreement was marked by a high-profile visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Norton Motorcycles, a member of MCIA. Their visit highlighted the world-class capability of UK motorcycle manufacturing and the prominence of British brands on the global stage. Read more.
National Motorcycle Dealers Association
“Consumer confidence continues to affect the motorcycle market” said Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), commenting on the latest figures published by MCIA.
New registrations in June dropped -18.6%, which is down 6.3% compared to May’s -12.3% figure. Meanwhile, the figures “year-to-date” total at -20.1%, highlighting the market as being significantly below 2024 levels.
Symon Cook concluded: “We are concerned by such a sharp decline, particularly during a period of warm weather, which typically acts as a conduit for higher motorcycle sales and registrations. This makes June’s result even more surprising and concerning for the sector.
Like the wider automotive industry, the motorcycle market faces economic uncertainty and many dealers are struggling to match the volumes seen in 2024. With Q2 closing negatively, we anticipate this month will prove to be an outlier and that the market will resume its upward trend.” Read more.
National Motorcyclists Council
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…
In response to the Government’s announcement of a new Electric Car Grant , the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is today calling on the Government to both renew the Grant when it comes up for review early next year and to increase the level and scope of support that it provides for buyers of alternative propulsion motorcycles.
The current motorcycle grant was launched in 2016 to help ‘bridge the price gap between the cost of zero emission and petrol motorcycles’. Originally, the grant was 20% of the cost of an electric motorcycle up to a maximum of £1,500. But in 2022, at the same time that the old plug-in grant for cars was abolished, the motorcycle grant was reduced to up to £150 for mopeds and £500 for motorcycles, as long as the recommended retail price was £10,000 or below. The moped grant was abolished in 2024 and in February this year, the Government extended the £500 grant for a further year, but only for motorcycles. Read more.
FEMA
A new study is sounding the alarm on the hidden threat all motorcyclists are aware of: the steel safety barriers lining thousands of kilometres of roads.
Motorcyclists across Europe are familiar with the dangers of slippery curves and unexpected obstacles. Researchers confirm that these barriers, designed primarily to protect car occupants, are a serious risk to motorcyclists in a specific type of accident: upright crashes. When a rider hits a barrier in an upright position, their chest or abdomen often slams directly into the sharp upper edge of the guardrail. The research paper calls for better guardrails to protect motorcyclists in these upright crashes. Read more.
British Motorcyclists Federation
Thefts of powered two-wheelers of all types totalled 2064 in June 2025, slightly down (by 72) compared to May. According to statistics compiled by Bennetts, and sponsored by Datatool and BikeTrac, this overall figure hid some big regional variations, with some police authority areas reporting an increase in thefts.
In Warwickshire, thefts soared by 76% (up from 21 in May to 37 in June) while Hampshire (from 53 to 80) and Staffordshire (50 to 71) were also hard hit. Some areas saw huge percentage increases, but this was down to the small number of cases involved – thefts were up in Northern Ireland by 700%, but only because the eight cases in June dwarfed that of May, when just a single bike was recorded as stolen. Read more.
Remember the Adventure Travel Film Festival? It ran for over a decade, showing a weekend of travel films at various sites in the UK, ostensibly about all forms of travel but often focusing on bikes. The last ATFF was held in 2023, but now a successor is close to launching, and it will concentrate solely on motorcycle travel.
The Adventure Motorcycle Film Festival will debut on 28th February 2026 at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, Cumbria. Sponsored by gear specialists Adventure Spec, the one-day festival has been organised by podcasters Clive Barber (Trail and Adventure Motorbike Podcast) and Simon Josey (Reel Riders Podcast). Read more.
Motorcycle Action Group
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is calling for urgent action. The Government must properly consider motorcycles in national parking policy. This follows the launch of the latest consultation on the Private Parking Code of Practice. However, MAG highlights a persistent problem: the lack of engagement with motorcyclists’ needs. This continues despite years of professional advocacy and clear evidence of under-provision.MAG has consistently raised concerns about motorcycle parking with Government. This includes a detailed letter to Angela Rayner MP in August 2024. That letter highlighted several key issues. First, the flaws of emissions-based charging for motorcycles. Second, the inadequacy of DVLA emissions data. Third, the need for secure, fair provision for riders. 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.
The National Young Rider Forum has joined forces with Phoenix Motorcycle Training to offer 300 young people the chance to ride a motorcycle for just £20*.
The Try Ride sessions are available to 16-24 year-olds across the country, with more than 20 locations to choose from.
It’s as simple as this:
Sign up to the course for £40
Take two short online modules to prepare you
Enjoy your riding experience & give some quick feedback
Receive £20 back upon completion* Read more.
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…