Petition to halt VAT on bike gear

Biker Steven Hodgson has started an e-petition in a move to halt VAT on motorcycle clothing.

Hodgson estimates a decent kit to cost £606, without VAT the cost would be under £500.


He said: “I am appalled at seeing many young riders wearing totally inappropriate, cheap equipment, the main reason for this, the high cost of good kit.


Using decent kit will decrease injuries and save a great deal of money and services, by reducing the need for extended medical care and emergency services.”


There is already no tax on helmets, but Hodgson is asking the government to go further and classify all bike gear as safety equipment.


The deadline to sign the petition is 15th April, it can be found here.

McGregor Charity Auction

Ewan McGregor auctioned his Moto Guzzi California Vintage motorbike on ebay to raise funds for children’s projects around the world.

McGregors said: “I’m donating my Moto Guzzi motorcycle to UNICEF for auction on eBay. It’s the first of its kind in this colour and one of my favourite bikes. I collected this bike from the Moto Guzzi factory in Italy and rode it back to London. I’ve loved riding it ever since and I know that you will too.”


The auction ended on 7th December after raising £22,100.

Motorbike features heavily in Terminator IV

Terminator 4 will feature Moto-Terminator, a part-motorbike, part-cyborg killing machine.

The film will be released in summer 2009 and stars Christian Bale as John Connor.

See the trailer.

Bike sales rise despite credit crunch

Motorbike and scooter sales for October were up four percent from the same month last year, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association.

This figure contrasts sharply with the 23 percent decline in car sales.

A total of 11,408 mopeds, scooters and motorcycles were registered in October.

Nearly all categories of motorcycles showed gains and there were increases across most engine capacities.

MCI acting chief-executive Steve Kenward said: "The motorcycle industry is not immune to the economic downturn but the resilience of the market this year reinforces the fact that motorcycles and scooters are more relevant than ever."

Britains best selling bike in October was Suzuki's GSX-R1000 sports flagship with 181 new registrations, just ahead of the Yamaha YBR125 commuter's 177.

Bus Lanes in London opened up to motorbikes

Bus lanes in London will be opened up to motorcyclists from January 2009 in an 18-month trial.

The scheme was one of Mayor Boris Johnsons manifesto pledges that he hopes will cut accident rates and reduce congestion in the capital.

Bikers are already able to use cycle lanes in many other cities and in some boroughs in London but until now they have not been able to use the Tfl routes the capital.

Pedal Cyclists have opposed the plans, as they claim it will not increase safety or reduce congestion.

In June this year London Cycling Campaign (LCC) presented the Mayor with a 3,000-name petition asking him to rescind the plans.

William and Harry in Enduro charity ride

Princes William and Harry have been criticized for raising just £1,500 each for the Enduro Africa charity ride they are taking part in.

The other 80 riders in the 1,000-mile ride across South Africa managed to raise an average of £3,500 each.

The grueling eight day off-road ride is intended to raise £250,000 for Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale, Unicef and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

A spokesperson for the Royal pair said: “The princes both donated the minimum required to take part but their presence on the ride raised its profile and we expect more riders to be taking part next year, so it raises more money indirectly.”