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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