Tougher tests for motorbike riders

Tougher licence tests and more specific training is on the way for motorcycle and moped riders.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the government has moved to tackle the growing issue of motorcycle and moped safety with a number of actions aimed at better training for novice and returning riders.

"Cabinet has approved changes that will ensure people have a range of safe skills when they start riding motorcycles and mopeds. These are of part of a package completing first actions from the Safer Journeys road safety strategy," said Joyce.

Actions to improve motorcycle and moped safety are:

• Strengthen motorcycle licence tests and make them more motorcycle specific. 
• Remove the option for motorcyclists to complete an approved driving course (Defensive Driving or Street Talk) to reduce their time on a restricted motorcycle licence and introduce motorcycle-specific training as an alternative to the standard testing regime. 
• Require all novice motorcyclists, regardless of age, to be subject to the same minimum time requirements at the restricted licence stage. Currently, over 25 year olds have a shorter time requirement on the restricted licence before they may progress to a full licence. 
• Require all moped riders to complete a moped-specific basic handling skills test along with a motorcycle learner theory test to obtain a new Class 6M licence (to be phased in over three years). 
• Introduce a power-to-weight restriction for novice riders. 
• Develop appropriate refresher training for returning riders and encourage uptake. 
• Promote the benefits of high-visibility and protective clothing.

A power-to-weight restriction for novices replaces the current cc restrictions, as there are now high performance bikes available with a low cc.

"Power-to-weight restrictions would allow novice riders a greater range of bikes that are suited to their skill levels. Promoting refresher training and protective clothing will help improve the safety of both novices and returning riders," said Joyce.

Motorcyclists are 20 times more at risk of being involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than car drivers per kilometre driven, he said.

"With more new riders every day, these steps are vital to keep riders safe on the road."

Since declining in the late 1990s, motorcycle related deaths have increased by 68% since 2004, said Joyce. This had coincided with a quadrupling of motorcycle registrations.

Actions for improving the safety of moped and motorcycle riders will be included in a Driver Licensing Amendment Rule and consultation on the rule will start shortly.

Source: tvnz.co.nz

 

Three wheels good. Scooters are taking over London’s pavements

 

WITH hindsight, some strange fads marked the dawning of this millennium. There was the Y2K bug, and, for much of the year 2000, the spectacle of adults teetering about London on aluminium scooters. The craze ended swiftly: it wasn’t really becoming for grown-ups to scoot down pavements, scattering pedestrians. They also looked silly. A decade on, scooters have returned to London, this time powered by children. And some surprising folk, from school heads to local councils, are keen on them.

Many of the scooters in question are light three-wheelers, which even three-year-olds can ride with (alarming) confidence, and which offer a useful alternative to both bicycles (not pavement-friendly), and walking (not always popular among children). These were being imported to Britain in minuscule quantities until Anna Gibson, a former lawyer with three children of her own, spotted one in a park and began selling them from home. She and her friend Philippa Gogarty talked Micro Mobility Systems, the Swiss manufacturer, whose main interest was adult scooters, into granting them sole distribution rights in Britain.

The pair’s first order from a big department store, John Lewis, in 2005, was for 600 units; despite a price tag of up to L90 ($140), their scooters are now John Lewis’s bestselling toy. Last year, they sold 120,000 in Britain. They also hold distribution rights for America.

The devices and their proliferating cheaper imitations have drawbacks. At school-run times, some London pavements resemble racing tracks, as tiny speedsters weave and zoom. Parents subjected to intense nagging may not be altogether grateful to Mrs Gibson and Mrs Gogarty. But the benign impact on traffic and carbon emissions may offset such annoyances.

At Oxford Gardens, a diverse primary school in the inner-London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the number of scooting pupils has risen from fewer than one in 100 in 2005 to almost one in seven—while the proportion of children arriving by car has fallen from 20% to 16%. Half a dozen schools in the borough report scooter-commuting rates of over 30%. Transport for London (TfL), the capital’s transport overseer, is to begin collecting separate data on scooter use (it was previously bundled together with walking), to check whether scooters are replacing car journeys or other sorts.

The machines may also have a role in chivvying along reluctant pupils. Oxford Gardens won praise from TfL for its “Scooter Scoop” programme, aimed at children with poor attendance records or bad timekeeping. The school loans such pupils scooters, then sends teaching assistants (on adultscooters) to gather them into convoys in the mornings. When the children and the scooters have assembled, they trundle to school.

Source: economist.com

 

Nemo Scooters

British engineers to build world’s fastest motorbike

A team of British engineers will be in London this week to talk of their dream to build the world's fastest motorbike.

Members of the Angelic Bulldog project will be at the IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) on Thursday 23 September to tell their inspirational story. 

The 50-strong team of engineers will be attempting to smash the Motorbike Land Speed Record and smash the 400mph barriers in either 2011 or 2012, but need to secure L100,000. 

If they are successful, they will return the land speed record on two wheels to the UK for the first time since 1937. 

Details known so far include that the bike will be a streamliner with a groundbreaking supercharged engine delivering around 700bhp. 

The project will utilise British design, manufacturing, engineering, products and services, and, according to the team, also aims to restore Britain's heritage of outstanding engineering achievements and inspire the next generation of engineers through its educational programmes. 

Chief engineer Jim Brown, a Chartered Engineer, gave up his job at Siemens Gas Turbines to devote more time on the project, and is the only full-time member of staff. 

"The UK has a great track record in engineering, which is so often ignored. We hope this inspirational project will help achieve global recognition for British engineering skills and talent," says Brown. 

Located across the UK, the team has expertise from Formula 1, 24 Hour Le Mans, as well as other successful UK land speed record teams. 

 

Tank Scooters Are Making A Comeback

Chinese scooters took a lot of flak after several complaints and hate blogs flooded the internet. The latest news about Chinese scooters has it that these are now meeting the stringent requirements of the DOT and the EPA in the United States. This is welcome news indeed, since Tank scooters are really nifty and low-priced, and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Satisfied tank scooters customers admit that there are better but expensive brands, but still tank scooters are taking strides to be at par with its other Asian and European counterparts.  Since these scooters are ideal for short trips, these must serve the purpose adequately.

Competitive Edge

If one particular Chinese scooter brand has made a boo-boo, then Tank scooters are out to prove that Chinese scooters can be at par with better or expensive brands. In California, Tank scooters are CARB approved for use. However, batteries of all Chinese scooter brands though, including Tank scooters should be fully charged before it can be used.

The tank scooters’ fluid lines suggest a brilliant blend of design and technology. It has amazing power for a small body. It seats comfortably, has a remote start, alarm, radio and a battery charging indicator. Tank scooters have compartments to hold tools and other knick-knacks of your trade.

Tank has 50cc riders that can go at a speed of 35 mph. Their 150 cc and 250cc scooters can score 68 mph and 78 mph respectively. The scooters have a 36 months warranty. The warranties are issued when the tank scooters are given the once over by authorized mechanics.

A Little of the Downside

Like the rest of the scooters shipped in from China, these have to be assembled at the warehouses. The advice to check out the nuts and bolts of assembled scooters is valid then.

The only remaining hitch with tank scooters are the incomprehensible manufacturer’s manual, although written in English. Because of this oversight, many customers who have purchased Tank scooters remain in the dark about the use of the alarm system that is part of the sophisticated features of the Tank scooters.

As tank scooters have shown improvement along quality, several positive comments have been posted in the internet. It may take time though before Chinese scooters can recover from the setback.

The Upside

The efforts of the Tank scooter manufacturer do not go unnoticed, and the scooter is getting the approval of regulatory boards across some States. As a matter of proof, several Tank scooters sightings have been reported. Before everybody can notice, these scooters might be giving stiff competition to name brands.

There may be some apprehensions for getting these scooters. This is understandable in light of complaints from previous shipments or models. However if tank scooters are purchased from reputable suppliers, who can provide repair and replacement of spare parts, it would make sense. Why not? Tank scooters have the looks, the power, and the unbeatable low price. It is indeed making a comeback.

Scooter Photos

Scooters photos

Electric scooters and motorcycles

This is still at the pioneering stage, with none of the major players even participating, leaving the field open for a motley collection of strange brands, rebadging, a very wide mix of quality and no clear leader or single growing force.

That's not to say everything looks like it's come out of a garden shed, but equally it's unrealistic to expect the levels of design sophistication or build quality you'd find in a Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki or Yamaha.

Only two electric motorcycles are available and sales of these still register in the dozens so you're as unlikely to see one as hear one.

The rest are scooters, the majority Chinese built (which generally bodes ill for quality) and the handful of different models come with a multitude of brand names that seem to come and go. In other words, while there are some reasonable products out there, beware.

Do I need a special licence to ride one?

The licence requirements for an electric motorcycle depend on the category in which it is classed, in line with conventional two-wheelers. Most electric scooters are counted as mopeds, which means a top speed of no more than 30mph.

These can be ridden on a car licence without L-plates if you passed your test before February 2001, otherwise a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate is required, but still no L-plates. Mopeds are not allowed on motorways.

A 125cc equivalent demands a motorcycle licence, either the full class A or the A1 light motorcycle class, or it can be ridden with L-plates after CBT has been passed (as long as a provisional A or A1 category is on the licence).

Note that passing a test on an electric two-wheeler will restrict you to automatic motorcycles or scooters only.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

MINI and Smart to unveil electric scooter concepts in Paris

Scooters seem to the in thing at Smart and BMW-owned MINI, as they both announced the presentation of electric models in Paris, at the end of the month.

Along with a few sketches of the concept electric model, MINI has revealed plans of showcasing the scooters in three different trims. One will even feature a design similar to the MINI E project, their plug-in electric Cooper.

No other details about the scooter have been released, but speculation has pointed to the use of lithium ion batteries in MINI’s bikes.

Similarly, apart from a few sketches of their scooter concept, Smart has revealed very little of its electric concept. 

Red Arrows marathon charity scooter ride

A Lincolnshire Red Arrows pilot who was seriously injured in a mid-air collision earlier this year is planning a marathon charity scooter ride.

Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling will swop his Hawk jet for a Vespa scooter for the 1,000 mile journey from Lands End to John O' Groats later this month.

He'll be joined by 13 other pilots and crew from the Red Arrows and the BBMF to raise money for charities including Help for Heroes and Whizz-kidz.

Flight Lieutenant Ling had to eject from his aircraft after it collided with another Red Arrows jet during a training exercise in Crete in March.

He said: "The forces charities are close to all our hearts, but I am especially keen to help organisations like Whizz-kidz and Fly2help - especially as I've spent time in a wheelchair myself and appreciate the great work these charities do to help people get around and fulfil their ambitions."

As well as raising money, the ride will promote Get on, a campaign offering free taster sessions to encourage more people to ride scooters and mopeds.

The team will set off from Lands End on the 30 September and aim to cover the distance in four days, a journey which would take about an hour in a Hawk jet.

Source: www.news.bbc.co.uk

Scooters still create parking headache: Students want more spaces

Scooters may seem small, but when it comes to parking on campus, they may not be small enough.

The scooter parking lots, or “corrals,” that dot the University campus have proven insufficient for several student scooter drivers.

Students must park their scooter or moped — which must be under 50 cubic centimeters to be considered a scooter — on the brick pad of a corral and not on the sidewalk or grass if they do not want to be issued a ticket.

Scooter or motorcycle drivers pay $10 each month for a parking permit, according to the Parking Services website.

This allows drivers of these vehicles to park in any corral designated specifically for scooters and mopeds.

One student scooter driver said there simply is not enough parking space for the number of scooters on campus.

“They have cut back on scooter parking dramatically,” said Ricky Lowe, a junior biology major. “If you look at any of these parking places, everyone is really clamoring for a spot.”

Another student, Alex Vagasi, a freshman from Lilburn, said many of the most populated parts of campus are devoid of scooter parking.

“A lot of places that students go to — like the dining halls and the science buildings — don’t have scooter parking,” she said. “And where they do have parking, it’s too small and it’s always overflowing.”

The problem of overcrowded lots for scooters has been on the minds of parking services for some time now.

Earlier this year, The Red & Black reported on a proposal which would eliminate small and crowded scooter parking corrals located in the central areas of campus and move them to larger lots found on the outer edges of the University.

The proposal was laid out by Parking Services and a scooter task force — a committee made up of Parking Services, University Police, scooter riders, motorcyclists and University faculty.

The group worked to help eliminate the safety issues and parking issues caused by scooters and mopeds and enforce existing rules about these vehicles.

University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said he receives frequent reports about moped misconduct.

“I get complaints daily about scooters and scooter riders,” he said.

For instance, scooter drivers may use the sidewalk to access some of the scooter corrals on campus.

This puts the pedestrians using those thoroughfares in danger.

However, the scooter parking proposal, which was created to help put these issues to rest, has yet to take effect.

“Nothing has changed — it’s exactly the same,” said Don Walter, parking services manager.

For student scooter drivers, this means the crowded parking corrals will remain the status quo.

Even if the proposal became policy, the change would be unwelcome.

“I got a moped to go from class to class, and if they passed this proposal it would defeat the purpose of having a moped,” Vagasi said.

Of the 13 scooter and moped parking corrals located across campus, only a few of them — such as the Fine Arts building and the south side of Myers dormitory — might be considered centrally located.

And for Lowe, this isn’t good enough.

“There’s 50 people trying to clamor for those few places that are worth parking at,” he said. “Its unfair that they sell way too many parking permits than they can handle.”

With the increasing number of scooters piling up at each corral, the potential for scooters being knocked over or students’ legs being burned by hot exhaust pipes is much higher, Lowe said.

Though the scooter parking proposal has yet to take effect, the call for more scooter and moped parking on campus is still on the minds of employees at Parking Services.

“More scooter parking is being discussed,” Walter said.

Source: www.redandblack.com

Scooter India Attracts Tata And Piaggio

First, it was Mahindra and Atul Auto, which were known to have had interest in Scooters India stake. Now, its Tata and Piaggio, who are likely to join the stake buying race.

According to top officials of the Heavy Industries Ministry, Piaggio and Tata Motors feel like purchasing the 74 percent of stake in the Lucknow-based three wheeler company Scooters India, which once produced the Lamby scooters in India. The officials further say that the four companies, Mahindra, Atul Auto, Tata and Piaggio, have already given indication that the formal Expression of Interest (EoI) can only be made after the Cabinet approval. Many companies see huge potential in SIL because they expect a strong growth from the north Indian and Uttar Pradesh markets.

The company which will buy the majority stakes of Scooters India, will be allowed to use the 150 acre land and equipment. The turnaround plan for the PSU has also made clear that the old debts of the sick company, amounting to about Rs 100 crore, while any fresh investment will have to be made by the new private partner.

The ministry officials, have stated that nearly 800 out of the 1200 strong work force will retire in the next two years, which will be a welcome change for Scooter India's sales. In 1996, the union tried to sell the stakes, but then, labor was a big issue for the private players. 

The Ministry hopes that the cabinet approval and the sales process will surely take place by the end of this month.

Source: living.oneindia.in

Scooter speed limit 'ridiculous'

A SSuggestion by Maryborough MP Chris Foley to reduce the speed limit for mobility scooters to 5kmh has been labelled “ridiculous” by Fraser Coast scooter users.

The current speed limit is 10kmh.

Safe Scooter education sessions are held regularly in Hervey Bay.

Torquay man Greg Sweeney has attended one and was also instructed on scooter safety when he bought his scooter.

“Dropping the speed limit down to 5kmh is absolutely ridiculous,” he said.

“I’ve got one of the bigger scooters and I ride around the mobility corridor at about 10kmh.

“On footpaths around town I slow down and inside shopping centres I go at a minimum speed.

“It’s a bit like a car – you have to ride to the conditions.

“I’ve never crashed my scooter but I have nearly been taken out by motorists a couple of times.

“The scooter is basically a motorised wheelchair for people who can’t walk and most riders I see are very responsible.”

One Maryborough woman said the real issue was making footpaths safer for mobility scooter users.

The woman did not want to be named because she had already suffered abuse.

“I’ve been verbally abused because people think I’m not disabled,” she said.

“This scooter only does up to 9kmh and I go about as quick as an Olympic walker.”

She said a reduced speed limit for mobility scooters was not needed.

“If people are educated properly in the first place it’s not necessary,” she said.

“You can easily tip these things. The three-wheelers tip very easily.

“I am careful and when my scooter was donated to me I was shown all the dos and don’ts.”

Mr Foley suggested reducing the speed limit for scooters after receiving complaints from residents about “irresponsible” scooter riders causing accidents and injury to pedestrians.

He asked Transport Minister Rachel Nolan to consider introducing a speed limit of 5kmh – the average pedestrian speed – and restricting the maximum speed of the machines to 10kmh.

Beauty and the bike

A girl meandering her way through the traffic on a bright-coloured scooter not only makes for a pretty picture, but exudes a lot of confident too. While the small town-girls in India, somehow, have been a trend setter in this, their more stylish counterparts in the metros are fast picking up the trend.

Reasons to ride
“It was impossible for me travel on a public bus at office time,” says Asha Bhowmick, an insurance consultant, who rides a TVS Rdeo. “And I can’t afford an auto every time I step out. So, a scooter was perfect for me,” adds the Vasant Vihar resident.

Affordability is not the only issue here. While the comfort of a car can’t be replaced, when it comes to staying hassle free, nothing can beat a two-wheeler. “I had to walk nearly a kilometre from the parking space to my office, so I got a scooter, which I can park at office as it takes less space,” says media professional Richa Sharma.

Femme power
“We wanted a scooter only for girls, and not one of those unisex models,” says Anil Dua, senior VP, marketing and sales for Hero Honda. “After all, why should boys have all the fun.”

The otherwise slackening scooter market got a shot in the arm — the growth has been about 48 per cent from the last year — due to these cuties on road. And makers are in no mood to slow down. “It’s actually very exciting to be selling two-wheelers for girls in the present scenario,” says Devendra Shinde, senior VP, Mahindra Two-wheelers.

And for this, the auto giants, that have been taking care of robust motorbikes and vromming torques all these while, have no qualms in thinking about lipsticks now. “Scooters for girls are designed to carry everything that a girl may need,” says Dua.

On asking whether riding a two wheeler is a safe option in the metros, the reply seems readymade. “Point me one place that’s secured in in this city,” says Tshering Gyaltsen, a DU student. “Atleast on my scooty, I’m in control.”

• Two wheelers for girls are usually light in weight
• Colours plays an important role with Pink, Red and Black being hot favourites
• Auto-start and front fuelling are the latest features to make riding easy for girls
• Gearless and electric scooters are in demand too
• Companies even have special classes for beginners

Source: hindustantimes.com