Recent motorcycle:
The motorcycle accident that killed two people Sunday highlights the need for motorcyclists, and the drivers who share the roads with them.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Ladies Bike
Learning to ride a motorcycle for women
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What age are you? What type of bike do you want to ride?
Find your nearest
DSA’s range of ‘find your nearest’ services has moved to Directgov. This includes your nearest theory and practical test centres, and test routes
Find your nearest
DSA’s range of ‘find your nearest’ services has moved to Directgov. This includes your nearest theory and practical test centres, and test routes
CBT certificates are valid for two years, if after that time you still wish to ride a motorcycle as a learner, then you will need to retake your CBT (after 2 years and every 2 years). You should aim to pass the full motorcycle test even if you don't want to ride a bigger bike as your insurance is typically cheaper and you wont need to keep retaking your CBT.
There are basically three types of full motorcycle licence (A1, A restricted and A), depending on the size of bike you take your test on. All tests are exactly the same and now require a theory test pass before you can take the practical test. There is now a Hazard Perception test which you will take with your theory test. This will take an extra 15 minutes to complete.
How is a Ladies Bicycle Different From the Others?
by Nic in Bicycle Types
A ladies bicycle can be a very different machine to one used by a man – think sloping top bar, upright sitting position of the rider, perhaps a small basket on the front of the handlebars containing a small puppy or bunch of flowers. How very twee. On the other hand, many modern ladies bicycles do not live up to that mawkish gender stereotype, and a casual passer-by might not realise the bike is designed specifically for the girls, as it looks so similar to the men’s version. The important thing when choosing a bicycle is that it is right for you, whether you are a girl or a boy. For you, a nice ladies bicycle with basket might be a dream come true. Or you might prefer to get togged up in a racing skinsuit and helmet and burn up the road!Whatever your age and cycling preferences, one lady that cannot be fought against is Mother Nature. By design, women tend to have shorter arms and a shorter torso than men, so the best ladies bicycle will have features built into it which take account of this. Specifically, the distance between the handlebars and the saddle tends to be shorter; this allows the female rider to control the bike better without overstretching, and of course this also helps to prevent any needless injuries and muscle strains.
On vintage ladies bicycles – the old, heavy ones with the baskets – the top tube slopes diagonally downwards from handlebars to seat tube. Incidentally, you can still get this design today, because whatever your age, you might simply want to ride for pleasure or to get from A to B. In this case you will not want to get dressed up in racing lycra, but prefer to keep the long skirt, and hey presto! That’s why there are bikes with the diagonal top tube. From a design point of view, it also helps to close the gap between saddle and handlebars, and allows the rider to sit upright rather than having to lean forwards when cycling.Specialized bicycles for ladies will also have other features that distinguish them from the men’s models. Usually the handlebars are slightly narrower to accommodate the girls’ smaller shoulder width; smaller hands mean that short-reach brake levers are a must for safety. Ladies bicycle saddles tend to be wider, often with a central cutout, and some are padded, whereas others achieve extra comfort by the use of rear shocks, smoothing out a road otherwise covered in cracks and potholes!
Oh, and finally, it is a brave guy who would venture out on a pink bicycle decorated with little pretty flowers – so we are back at that gender stereotype again! Color schemes are one of the marketing, and let’s face it, cosmetic differences between men’s and ladies bicycles. As mentioned above, this is a matter of personal taste, and “girly” girls will love the funky bright, sparkly colors. Whereas other girls love to get in the dirt preferring the idea of off-roading in the mud with their ladies mountain bicycle!A quick tip though: do not be fooled by the colors. You do not want to end up with what is basically a man’s bike painted a pretty color. Look for bicycles with some of the woman-specific design changes in their frame construction, and you’ll have a much more comfortable time.
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Baby Motorcycles
What does a father do for his children?
Father’s Day is quickly approaching - and what would be a better gift then enjoying the two things you love together: your bike and your children. At first, this seems like a great idea. However, without the proper protection and knowledge, both you and your child are at risk. By taking simple steps to ensure safety, you two will have a fun ride.
- A proper fit helmet. It might seem obvious that your child needs to wear a helmet, however, a proper fit is key. A loose helmet can fall off during an accident. A proper fit should fit comfortably; not too loose or too tight. In Wisconsin, a helmet is required for anyone under 18.
- Protective Clothing. It’s also important to dress your children in protective clothing. Several leather companies have started to sell children’s sizes. According to whybike.com having your children properly dressed means “they have long pants (denim or chaps), long sleeves (denim and leather jackets work best), full finger gloves, good sturdy shoes, and a properly fitted D.O.T. helmet.” Proper eye protection such as sunglasses helps prevent damage from the sun.
- Children ride behind. Another important aspect of riding with your child is having them ride behind you. It can be dangerous for your child to ride in front because they don’t have a safe place to hold on to and they also can slide off easily during an accident according to motorcyclecruiser.com. One solution is to purchase a belt that fits around the rider and has handholds for the passenger. There are several models to choose from and allow your child to hold on with ease.
- Communicate. Knowing when to let your children ride should be made with an informed decision. According to the American Motorcyclists Association, the decision should be made with your head; not your heart. Also talk to your children to see if they are ready and to discuss any concerns. Riding with your children can become bonding for the two of you, but it is important not to rush. Many parents will wait until their child can reach the foot pedals before taking them on a ride. An introduction to what they can expect followed by a brief ride will allow you both to make a more informed decision.
Father's Day: Keeping yourbaby safe
Father’s Day is quickly approaching - and what would be a better gift then enjoying the two things you love together: your bike and your children. At first, this seems like a great idea. However, without the proper protection and knowledge, both you and your child are at risk. By taking simple steps to ensure safety, you two will have a fun ride.
- A proper fit helmet. It might seem obvious that your child needs to wear a helmet, however, a proper fit is key. A loose helmet can fall off during an accident, according to motorcyclecruiser.com. A proper fit should fit comfortably; not too loose or too tight. In Wisconsin, a helmet is required for anyone under 18. To see if your children need to wear a helmet and other motorcycle laws.
- Protective Clothing. It’s also important to dress your children in protective clothing. Several leather companies have started to sell children’s sizes. According to whybike.com having your children properly dressed means “they have long pants (denim or chaps), long sleeves (denim and leather jackets work best), full finger gloves, good sturdy shoes, and a properly fitted D.O.T. helmet.” Proper eye protection such as sunglasses helps prevent damage from the sun.Tip: According topolycarbonate plastic lenses are the most shatter-resistant. Also look for sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB.
- Children ride behind. Another important aspect of riding with your child is having them ride behind you. It can be dangerous for your child to ride in front because they don’t have a safe place to hold on to and they also can slide off easily during an accident according to motorcyclecruiser.com. One solution is to purchase a belt that fits around the rider and has handholds for the passenger. There are several models to choose from and allow your child to hold on with ease.
- Communicate. Knowing when to let your children ride should be made with an informed decision. According to the American Motorcyclists Association, the decision should be made with your head; not your heart. Also talk to your children to see if they are ready and to discuss any concerns. Riding with your children can become bonding for the two of you, but it is important not to rush. Many parents will wait until their child can reach the foot pedals before taking them on a ride. An introduction to what they can expect followed by a brief ride will allow you both to make a more informed decision.
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Monday, April 25, 2011
Recent Motorcycles of the World
Introduction to Bike:
Do you remember learning to ride a bike? I do and I bet the memories are similar to lots of your experiences. With one of your parents guiding you, you wobbled around the driveway a few times until you finally got the hang of peddling, steering and staying upright. It was quite an accomplishment.
I'm starting this blog with that early riding experience in mind and hoping that this is the start of a new riding and bicycle experience for Andover. Certainly the time is right for considering the bicycle as an equal partner to all those cars and trucks now on our roads. Andover is a great town and has done an outstanding job of preserving open space, providing walking paths and showing an environmental concern while maintaining growth. Wouldn't it be great for us to build on those efforts and make the town a community tied together through safe, comprehensive bicycle paths, clearly marked roadways used by responsible and educated bicycle riders.
Despite significant gains since the enactment of Federal motor vehicle and highway safety legislation in the mid 1960's, the annual toll of traffic crashes remains tragically high. In 2001, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration�s (NHTSA�s) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and General Estimates System (GES) revealed that approximately 42,116 people were killed and another 3.03 million were injured on our Nation�s roadways. Traffic crashes continue to account for 95 percent of all transportation fatalities and 99 percent of injuries, and represent the leading cause of death for individuals ages 4 through 33. The large number of crashes has placed a considerable burden on our Nation's health care system affecting the economy � reaching $230.6 billion a year, or an average of $820 for every person living in the United States. [2]
Recent data indicate that deaths and injuries attributable to motorcycle crashes are becoming a larger portion of this grave public health problem. Motorcycle crash-related fatalities have been increasing since 1997, while injuries have been increasing since 1999. More than 100,000 motorcyclists have died in traffic crashes since the enactment of the Highway Safety Act and the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. Like other road users who are urged to protect themselves from injury or death by wearing safety belts, driving unimpaired, and observing traffic rules, many motorcycle deaths could be prevented if motorcyclists would take responsibility for ensuring they have done everything possible to make the ride safe by taking operator training, wearing protective gear, and riding sober.
The effects of a crash involving a motorcycle can often be devastating. While 20 percent of passenger vehicle crashes result in injury or death, an astounding 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death. According to NHTSA's data, while total traffic deaths increased by four tenths of a percent in 2001, motorcycle deaths were up by 10 percent, compared to 2000. Motorcyclist fatalities have increased each year since reaching an historic low of 2,116 fatalities in 1997. In 2001, 3,181 motorcyclists were killed, an increase of over 50 percent between 1997 and 2001. Without this substantial increase in motorcyclist fatalities between 1997 and 2001, overall highway fatalities would have experienced a marked reduction of about 2.5 percent over this same time period, see Table 1.
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Sunday, April 24, 2011
Mountain Bike
Modern Bikes
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Introduction To Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, or just have fun. Racing down the side of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can also be quite dangerous. Even though it’s dangerous, if you ride with caution, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Styles of mountain biking: Mountain biking can best be characterized into three different styles - downhill, free riding, and cross country. Even though the different styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills. The style that you pick will determine the type of bike you get.
Locations for mountain biking: The sport can best be thought of as biking on an unpaved surface. Many areas throughout North America have specific locations designed for mountain biking. Before you decide to go down a trail, you should always check with your local park to get the routes, regulations, and any rules that they may have.
You can also find groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. You can look on the internet or even in a local paper and see exactly what’s available in your area. You may be able to find groups for the more advanced riders as well as beginners.
Becoming a great biker: Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain biker. It will also take ambition and practice to succeed as well as conquer the course. Like all other sports, it takes time and practice. Those just beginning will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling off the bike.
Selecting your mountain bike: The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing. Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices, which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult indeed.
You should use the internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase. Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first. A great mountain biker will become one with his or her own bike. When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.
Staying safe when riding: Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier. Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow pads. If you are following a group or riding in the woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well. Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.
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