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Congratulations to Bill Todd, Mike Fleming, Kyle Harris & Dave Myers who have passed their IAM Tests this year.
(Bill, Mike & Dave had completed a days BikeWise Training prior to joining the Durham Advanced Motorcyclists)
Congratulations to their observers : Paul Taylor, Richard Clement & Steve Laverick who helped them to achieve the standard required for the test.
All four were examined by our local IAM Examiner (and BikeWise Training Instructor), Bob Brown.
(See Where we Meet on the website for location)
Signing on at 1000hrs for a 1030hrs safety brief/start
If there is any doubt about the weather conditions (Rain/Wet) then please check the Mini Bike Club homepage where a notification will be posted before 0915hrs if the meeting has to be cancelled on safety grounds
Karting NE will be hosting their next Mini Bike session on Monday 14th May (5pm – 8pm) at their Warden Law site
According to an AA survey of eight major insurers, half of them would not quote anyone who has been given three points for the CU80 offence, while the other half would raise their premium by 20%.
Spokesman Ian Crowder said: ‘Insurers are taking mobile phone offences very seriously. Their opinion is a motorist might break a 30mph speed limit without noticing but no one sends a text message, email or makes a phone call behind the wheel by accident.
‘It might seem severe but when operating a mobile phone you don’t have both hands on the steering wheel, you aren’t looking fully at the road and can’t change gears safely.’
More than 170,000 motorists a year in England and Wales are caught using their phones while driving.
Car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using a mobile phone at the wheel – even first-time offenders.
Auto Express magazine has found that some insurers will increase policy prices for offenders even more. A spokesman for Adrian Flux said: “Rises would vary from insurer to insurer, but could be anywhere from 15 per cent to 50 per cent or even a refusal.”
This tough stance extends to other offences, too. The table (below) spells out the AA’s findings, and as you can see, even a minor speeding violation – an SP30 – will send premiums soaring.
Seven of the eight cover providers contacted by the AA admitted that would be enough for a premium rise, and one wouldn’t even offer a quote.
Research suggests that premium hikes for speeders can be far higher than even the 9.3 per cent quoted by the AA.
A spokesman for LV said: “Typically, if a new customer had a speeding conviction in the last year, then their premium could rise by 10-20 per cent.”
The news will surprise many drivers, as traditionally insurers have opted not to penalise those with three points on their licence. A similar AA survey in 2009 found that 50 per cent of insurers would overlook a minor speeding offence.
When companies where asked why motorists’ premiums are now being hiked for this. An AA spokeswoman explained: “When speed cameras were first introduced, everyone was getting caught and insurers took a more lenient view, but now motorists are used to cameras, insurers won’t ignore three points.”
Direct Line said it was down to stats, with a spokesman adding: “Drivers with motoring convictions are 40 per cent more likely to claim than those with no convictions.”
An Association of British Insurers (ABI) spokesman said providers were hardening their view. “With the rising costs of claims, insurers hike premiums even in response to a motorist’s first three points,” he explained.
When asked why motorists caught using their phone at the wheel were penalised more harshly than speeders, even though three points are dished out for both offences. An AA spokesman said: “Anecdotal evidence suggests motorists caught using a mobile are twice as likely to make a claim than with other offences.”
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, added: “Using a mobile phone while driving is a deliberate act. Many drivers may accidentally drift over a 30mph limit without realising. But no one accidentally makes or answers a call or text.”
How convicted drivers are being hit in pocket
The AA obtained quotes from eight unnamed insurers on its panel to see the effect of different offences on premiums. It based the figures on a 40-year-old man driving a Ford Mondeo.
Offence assumptions:
SP30 (speeding) – three points and £60 fine
CU80 (handheld phone) – three points and £60 fine
CD10 (careless driving) – six points and £100 fine
| Insurer | Clean | 1 x SP30 (3pts) | 2 x SP30 (6pts) | 1 x CU80 (3pts) | 1 x CD10 (6pts) |
| A | £298.15 | £332.73 | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| B | £312.79 | £344.07 | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| C | £331.33 | £366.2 | £398.92 | £376.72 | £423.44 |
| D | £378.2 | £395.98 | £509.06 | £499.22 | £504.52 |
| E | £391.5 | £441.22 | £491.33 | No quote | No quote |
| F | £491.28 | £508.63 | £532.55 | £563.99 | £588.55 |
| G | £434.17 | £466.73 | £494.95 | £495.39 | £505.81 |
| H | £434.44 | No quote | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| Avg increase | 9.3% | 23.6% | 18.5% | 24.4% |
According to an AA survey of eight major insurers, half of them would not quote anyone who has been given three points for the CU80 offence, while the other half would raise their premium by 20%.
Spokesman Ian Crowder said: ‘Insurers are taking mobile phone offences very seriously. Their opinion is a motorist might break a 30mph speed limit without noticing but no one sends a text message, email or makes a phone call behind the wheel by accident.
‘It might seem severe but when operating a mobile phone you don’t have both hands on the steering wheel, you aren’t looking fully at the road and can’t change gears safely.’
More than 170,000 motorists a year in England and Wales are caught using their phones while driving.
Car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using a mobile phone at the wheel – even first-time offenders.
Auto Express magazine has found that some insurers will increase policy prices for offenders even more. A spokesman for Adrian Flux said: “Rises would vary from insurer to insurer, but could be anywhere from 15 per cent to 50 per cent or even a refusal.”
This tough stance extends to other offences, too. The table (below) spells out the AA’s findings, and as you can see, even a minor speeding violation – an SP30 – will send premiums soaring.
Seven of the eight cover providers contacted by the AA admitted that would be enough for a premium rise, and one wouldn’t even offer a quote.
Research suggests that premium hikes for speeders can be far higher than even the 9.3 per cent quoted by the AA.
A spokesman for LV said: “Typically, if a new customer had a speeding conviction in the last year, then their premium could rise by 10-20 per cent.”
The news will surprise many drivers, as traditionally insurers have opted not to penalise those with three points on their licence. A similar AA survey in 2009 found that 50 per cent of insurers would overlook a minor speeding offence.
When companies where asked why motorists’ premiums are now being hiked for this. An AA spokeswoman explained: “When speed cameras were first introduced, everyone was getting caught and insurers took a more lenient view, but now motorists are used to cameras, insurers won’t ignore three points.”
Direct Line said it was down to stats, with a spokesman adding: “Drivers with motoring convictions are 40 per cent more likely to claim than those with no convictions.”
An Association of British Insurers (ABI) spokesman said providers were hardening their view. “With the rising costs of claims, insurers hike premiums even in response to a motorist’s first three points,” he explained.
When asked why motorists caught using their phone at the wheel were penalised more harshly than speeders, even though three points are dished out for both offences. An AA spokesman said: “Anecdotal evidence suggests motorists caught using a mobile are twice as likely to make a claim than with other offences.”
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, added: “Using a mobile phone while driving is a deliberate act. Many drivers may accidentally drift over a 30mph limit without realising. But no one accidentally makes or answers a call or text.”
How convicted drivers are being hit in pocket
The AA obtained quotes from eight unnamed insurers on its panel to see the effect of different offences on premiums. It based the figures on a 40-year-old man driving a Ford Mondeo.
Offence assumptions:
SP30 (speeding) – three points and £60 fine
CU80 (handheld phone) – three points and £60 fine
CD10 (careless driving) – six points and £100 fine
| Insurer | Clean | 1 x SP30 (3pts) | 2 x SP30 (6pts) | 1 x CU80 (3pts) | 1 x CD10 (6pts) |
| A | £298.15 | £332.73 | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| B | £312.79 | £344.07 | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| C | £331.33 | £366.2 | £398.92 | £376.72 | £423.44 |
| D | £378.2 | £395.98 | £509.06 | £499.22 | £504.52 |
| E | £391.5 | £441.22 | £491.33 | No quote | No quote |
| F | £491.28 | £508.63 | £532.55 | £563.99 | £588.55 |
| G | £434.17 | £466.73 | £494.95 | £495.39 | £505.81 |
| H | £434.44 | No quote | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| Avg increase | 9.3% | 23.6% | 18.5% | 24.4% |
Grampian PC Mark Robinson appealed to all UK forces on behalf of the trust to supply a plaque to be auctioned for the charity which supports serving and retired Royal Marines and their dependents.
While undertaking a 10-day solo motorbike ride he called at Aykley Heads where Durham motorcycle Sergeant Iain Rodgers presented him with the plaque.
During his mission, PC Robinson travelled more than 3,000 miles, visiting forces across the UK. He ended his journey at New Scotland Yard where he was met by TV presenter Lorraine Kelly (charity ambassador) and representatives of the COMMANDO999 charity.
Further information about the event can be found on the COMMANDO999 website.
Donations can be made at : bmycharity.com/GOINGTHEEXTRAMILE2012 link.
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Congratulations to Adam Lowe, Brian Walls, Craig Cummings, Dale Clement, Dave Hardy, David Harland, Eric Burn, Jerry Wilson, Mark Hancill, Scott Gaunt & Tony McAndrew who have been out with Mick & Bob during the last few weeks and completed a days BikeWise Training.
For further details about BikeWise Training please Click Here & to read what the riders thought of their Training Day, please Click Here
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BikeWise Mini Bike Club has been presented with the Durham County Council Chairman's Medal.
The Chairman's Medal is the council's highest honour. It is presented to individuals, groups and organisations throughout County Durham to recognise significant achievement and outstanding effort in all walks of life.
The very first Chairman’s Medal was presented to Durham County Cricket Club in recognition of their success in winning the prestigious ‘Friends Provident Trophy’ in 2007.
Since then the medal has been presented to numerous organisations and people from all walks of life.
The award, for Motorcycle & Road Safety in County Durham, was presented by The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Dennis Morgan and was received on behalf of the club by Dale Clement who has been a member of the club since it’s formation in April of 2007.
Dale is a perfect example of what the clubs aspirations where, when it was formed.
He has attended virtually every meeting of the club with his grandfather Dave (who helps to marshal the meetings) and has subsequently on reaching 16yrs obtained his first driving licence and took to the roads on his moped after first completing his CBT via an ACE Scholarship (Provided by Jim Rimmer of ACE Motorcycle Training). Dale has travelled to and from college on his bike and now that he is 17yrs has gone on after further instruction at ACE, to pass his full motorcycle test and now rides a Honda 400cc motorcycle.
Dale recently completed a day’s post test training on our own BikeWise Training and as a result will soon progress to take his Institute of Advanced Motorists test with DAM in the near future.
BikeWise intends to ‘sponsor’ Dale and future members of the club who take to the roads on two wheels to help them achieve the IAM standard which will give them the skills / knowledge to be safe riders for the rest of their lives.
The photo shows Dale with Councillor Morgan and others from the club who all attend voluntarily to help run it.
Back Row – John Bowman, Donald Waller & Stuart Williamson
Middle Row – Bob Brown, Dale Clement, Councillor Dennis Morgan & Iain Rodgers
Front Row – Joan Davison, Dave Clement & Gary Ward
For further details of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club, Please CLICK HERE
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Twister are a young, four piece, energetic pop/rock band based in Durham. Twister have been together for about 6 years, and in November 2009 released their debut album ' Someone's Gotta Lie'. In 2010 Twister entered the Surface Unsigned festival in which they came second out of 12,000 bands at the national final at the IndigO2 in London. At the beginning of 2011 Twister decided to release a brand new track and give all the proceeds to charity. Now 2012 is here!!! and Twister have big plans for this year. a new album is currently in the process of being recorded and a new plan is being formed... keep your eyes and ears peeled because they're going for it...
Twister performed at BikeWise 2011 and we are pleased to welcome them back to rock you at BikeWise 2012
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It has been reported that reported that from 1 July this year all drivers would need to carry a breathalyser kit, as French drivers will have to, but new information dictates that this €11 fine is applicable to all road users including motorcyclists, but excluding mopeds.
With a start date for the new measure of 1 July 2012, the rules will apply to anyone travelling to or through France by motor vehicle in the summer holiday season, even just for a day trip. This measure won't actually be enforced until the 1 November 2012, giving road users time to prepare for the change.
Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France. It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit.
The advice to all road users travelling in France is to have at least two breathalysers at all times, so that if one is used you still have one to produce for the police if you are stopped.
Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Motorcyclists should carry extra bulbs. Additionally UK motorists and motorcyclists must display a GB plate, and cars should have their headlights adjusted to the right.
The French drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - much lower than in the UK where the limit is 80mg.
Motorists found with between 50mg and 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood can be fined 135 euros (£112) and lose six out of 12 points on their driving licence.
Above that, a driver could be fined 4,500 euros (£3,744), lose their licence and be sent to prison for up to two years.
If a motorist carries the luminous vest in their boot rather than the main section of the car they can still be fined.
British motorists must display a GB plate and have their headlights adjusted to the right.
Drivers are not obliged to carry a spare set of lights, but if one of their bulbs goes and they do not have a replacement ready they can be fined.
A fire extinguisher and first aid kit could also be required in the case of an emergency so not to fall foul of a law about assisting in the event of an accident.
Last month, the French introduced a new law banning satellite navigation systems that show the location of speed cameras. Those caught can be fined 1,500 euros even if the device is not in use…
Still going to France ??
World Superbikes were at the Assen circuit for the third round of the season last weekend.
The first event on the weekend schedule, before the traditional afternoon Open Paddock, was the inauguration of the Assen Junior TT Circuit, built in record time at the entrance and designed to help Dutch youngsters enter the world of bike racing.
Six WSB riders were present at the event: Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike), John Hopkins (Crescent FIXI Suzuki), Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport), Carlos Checa (Ducati Althea), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team), who posed for photographs and signed autographs.
Rea, Hopkins and Haslam did a couple of laps of the track together with the youngsters. The first two were on mini-bikes, while Haslam was on an even smaller pocket-bike.
Also present at the inauguration were Barry Veneman, the ex-IDM, World Supersport and wild-card Superbike rider last year at Assen, now coach for the Dutch Motorcycle Federation's youth sector, Paolo Ciabatti (SBK Superbike Director), the Mayor of Assen, the Governor of the Province of Drenthe, the President of the Dutch National Olympic Committee, the Board of Directors of the TT Circuit and the KNMV (Dutch National Motorcycling Federation).
That’s how to do it !!
Although we do have one or two special ‘faces’ on our own BikeWise Mini Bike Club’s bike’s over the years !!
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Photo’s are now online from the latest meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club which was held outdoor at Carrville Park & Ride, Durham on Sunday 22nd April .
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The weather was very kind to us as it appeared to be raining heavily, everywhere in the County apart from Carrville !!
Some new members were welcomed and one or two new bikes on display
As always, ‘Many Thanks’ to all who helped build (and take down) the track, for signing riders on and marshalling throughout the day – your help and support is greatly appreciated as we couldn't run the events without you.
Next opportunity to ride a mini moto is at Karting North East at Warden Law on Monday 30th April 2012 from 5pm – 8pm
Cost of these sessions (which are not run by the mini bike club or under ACU Rules/regs) are £15.
BikeWise Mini Bike Club members will receive a £3 discount on this price on production of their ACU licence when signing on.
To view the pictures of the Carrville meeting, please CLICK HERE and then click on the relevant thumbnail image.
After the success of the 2011 Yorkshire Ride of Honour that took place on 03/04/11 the event organisers, Chris and Mike have decided to make the ride an annual event. This years Ride of Honour will take place on Saturday 9th June 2012 .
There will be 3 rides: Squires to Catterick Garrison, a new North East ride from Washington Services to Catterick Garrison and finally a sub 125cc and Learners who cannot use Motorways ride from The Sun Inn to Catterick.
The North East contingent will be setting off from Washington Services, County Durham and heading south down the A1 to Catterick Garrison. This ride will be running along the A1(M) in places and as such is not open to 125cc and learner riders!
Ride of Honour 2012 - Washington Services to Catterick - Cost GBP 15.00
Further details and online registration at : http://www.rideofhonour.co.uk/2012/
Starting in Workington, Cumbria on Thursday 19th April they will be travelling 140 miles in three days, finishing at Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear on Saturday 21st April.
Over the three days the route will take them along Main Roads (4%), Minor Roads (50%), Cyclepaths / Off-Road (46%) and will include some very hilly climbs, the highest point being 609 metres above Sea Level.
At first they wanted to do this “just for the hell of it” but soon realised that they would be using up a lot of energy for nothing more than personal satisfaction and bragging rights.
Therefore, they decided to take on the challenge as a “Charity Event”, so that their efforts can raise money for some very worthwhile causes.
Merit Merrell Technology is very lucky to have close links with the Biking Community and are delighted to announce that Bradley Smith, Brent Nichol, Taylor MacKenzie and Niall MacKenzie will be joining them for the last day of the “C2C Challenge”.
Bradley is competing for the 2nd year in the Moto2 Class before graduating to MotoGP next season on a Yamaha. Taylor competed on the world stage last year in the 125cc Class and will be competing in the British Supersport Championship this season.
Niall MacKenzie is Taylor’s father and is the only person to have won the British Superbike Championship 3 years in succession after competing for most of his career on Factory 500cc bikes in the World Championship. .
For more details please click on this link : http://www.meritmerrell-charityevents.co.uk/
There’s only one or two (thousand),left to sort out and upload and they will be spread out over a number of albums over the next couple of weeks , so it might take you a little while to look at them all and see your smiling faces (not half as long as it is taking us to put them on the internet !!)
So, click on the this link to PHOTOBOX and you will be able to view all the pictures
You can also order prints, direct from there and they will be delivered to your home usually within 24/48hours - so you could be ‘hung’, in a frame, on the wall of your house, on your pride and joy..... before you know it !
(Any commission received from these photo's will go towards the running cost's of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club which is run by volunteers)
If you know of anybody who was on the run, then please send them a link to let them know where the photo’s are.
Once again THANKS for making it a special ‘BikeWise’ day.. the costumes, helmet and bike decorations and smiling faces really make it 'special' to be part of the biking community up here in the North East.
Many Thanks to all the photographers who took the photo's, recording the day's events and in particular all from the Durham Photographic Society : http://www.d-p-s.org.uk/
Remember to put the 1st July in your diary - BikeWise 2012 and also try and keep the afternoon of Sunday 10th June free, when there’s another BikeWise event you might want to come along to (Our younger riders will be racing in the 3rd round of the Scottish Mini Moto Championship at NE Karting at Warden Law – and its better than watching BSB, WSB or Moto GP)
We’ve now uploaded six video’s from this years Egg Run.
If you CLICK HERE or on the picture it will take you through to the website page where you can view the video’s and try and find yourself !!
Photo’s will go online over the next couple of weeks – we’ve quite a few !! so we’ll let you know when they are online
The first of the BikeWise Egg Run 2012 video’s has gone online.
This was taken at South Road, Durham, more video’s will be uploaded over the next couple of weeks so keeping checking back.
If you want to view all our Egg Run videos from this and previous years then Please Click On This Link
Junior A - saw Owen Mellor and Shay Simpson taking part and Shay came 1st
Junior B - Jack Hoy was 2nd & Rishon Hickey 3rd
Junior C – James Alderson was 2nd and Andrew Thornton 3rd
Featherweights – James Alderson 2nd
Middleweights – Kai Simpson was 1st
If the season continues like this we’ll need ‘Securicor’ to bring all the trophies back over the border !!
Two rounds of the championship are planned for this year at Karting North East at Warden Law, on Sunday 10th June & Sunday 9th September,
so put them in your diary and come along and see our local riders racing – it’s free to watch and you can get a cup of tea or coffee in the cafe.
Firstly a BIG – THANK YOU – for making our eighth Easter Egg Run the biggest yet.
The weather wasn't so good this year, however thanks to the six hundred and eighty eight (688) of you, with internet access, who took the time to pre-register on our website. It made it much easier for ourselves (and hopefully for you) at the start and we will also now be able to keep you informed via email as to ‘What’s Happening in the BikeWise world’ in future. With those of you who registered on the morning we had over 800 bikes out on the road.
A fantastic mix of riders on the day, with quite a few new ‘L’ riders joining in the ‘fun’ as well as some nice trike’s.
Some riders put some quite serious mileage in, to get to Durham for the ride and we really appreciate your support.
Yesterday we raised almost £900 for the Meningitis Research Foundation, that means since our first Egg Run in March of 2005 we have raised over £9500 for the Meningitis Research Foundation and is a testament to the generosity of YOU – the bikers involved quite apart from the hundreds of Easter Eggs handed in, which we will distribute in the coming week.
In addition, it was fantastic to see so many people ‘camped out’ at the side of the road to cheer and wave to riders on many with deck chairs in place, clearly set up to enjoy the spectacle!
It’s great that the Easter Egg Run is becoming a social event not only for the motorcycle community, but also for the people of County Durham and Darlington who come out in force to cheer us on our way.
We were joined at HQ by as many as we could accommodate and riders were given a short road safety presentation by PC Ali Bonar of the Durham Police Motorcycle Section, who invited riders to sign up to BikeWise Training and Durham Advanced Motorcyclists to enhance their riding skills. Keith Fisher also presented a certificate of Appreciation to the Motorcycle Section from the Boundary 500 Group.
The Easter Egg Run is organised by the BikeWise team, but we couldn’t do it without the support of the Cleveland Bike Section, Durham Advanced Motorcyclists, Darlington based stunt rider Dave Coates, all the volunteers who help prepare police HQ and serve the teas and coffees, members of the Durham Photographic Society and of course our own Chief Constable Jon Stoddart and the executive team of Durham Constabulary who have always supported the aims of BikeWise.
Please keep checking the website for photo’s and video’s of the event – we are working ‘feverishly in the background to get these uploaded onto the internet but it will take time and we cannot go any faster than our bandwidth allows !!
But the biggest thank you is to those of you who took part; your generosity is beyond doubt and without you none of this would happen, so once again - thank you all you all for your support and look forward to seeing you at BikeWise 2012 on Sunday 1st July at the Police HQ.
It’s Carrville Park and Ride on the Junction of the A1(M) and the A690 Roads on the outskirts of Durham.
If you click on this link it will take you to a Google Map of the location and you will be able to click on the top left where it says Get Directions to find a route from your home.
(Please don’t worry that the map says BikeWise Mini Bike Club – This is one of the locations that we use when we run our club for our younger riders)
See you all on Sunday – The BikeWise Team
