Biking boom on the way, say AA

This could be a good thing as drivers learn to look for PTW's after experiencing what it is like to be on the receiving end.  The only real issue though is to remove automatic rights to riding a 50cc moped for pre2000 licences and really beef up the CBT tests to ensure that 125 scooter riders actually get a decent standard of training.  Needs to be a two day "test" at the least. 

Parking needs to be carefully monitored in terms of damage being done (I've got off street secured parking so am not affected anymore)!  All in all this could prove to be good for motorcyclists.

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 09:52

Yep, I see more bikes and less cars as a positive move generally.

The majority of cars I pass have one driver and 3 empty seats.

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 10:08

Bike shops appear to be selling loads of scooters , and plenty of riders appear to be trying to beat the rush to avoid the new style test in October.

If manufactureres could now produce a good looking motorcycle with decent levels of fuel economy(80+mpg) and performance they might well be onto a winner..

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 11:47

gedge wrote (see)

If manufactureres could now produce a good looking motorcycle with decent levels of fuel economy(80+mpg) and performance they might well be onto a winner..

....or produce an electric scooter/bike with decent range & speed.

The Vectrix. ...

http://www.vectrix.com/live/uk.php  

 ....whilst ok,  doesn't quite cut the mustard IMHO.

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 12:57

I went to beat the October deadline.......

Am looking forward to the joys of filtering and beating the rush hour, My problem at the moment though is which is the best bike to buy economically...

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 12:59

Hampshire RPU like them for town use....

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 13:07

hmmm no carbon emmisions so they have created electric with no emissions

yea right remember all our utility bills are on the rise how much will it cost here to charge ??

but i do wonder would it need to be registered or taxed or insured and moted when 3 yrs old ???

 and the weight it huge !

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 19:27

Alternative fuel vehicle are the near future, get used to it, the internal combustion engine is on its last legs.

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 19:35

T509Speedy wrote (see)

Alternative fuel vehicle are the near future, get used to it, the internal combustion engine is on its last legs.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 20:04

oh, i'm a visionary

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 20:29

sidekick wrote (see)

T509Speedy wrote (see)

Alternative fuel vehicle are the near future, get used to it, the internal combustion engine is on its last legs.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

+1 

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 20:30

falcorob wrote (see)

sidekick wrote (see)

T509Speedy wrote (see)

Alternative fuel vehicle are the near future, get used to it, the internal combustion engine is on its last legs.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

+1 

Did you count the "o"s Rob?

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 20:35

whys that loon, are we running out of 'o's aswell? nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 20:37

So long as there's enough to go at the end of my pay cheque every month I'm happy

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 20:40

Jammy ....... wrote (see)

hmmm no carbon emmisions so they have created electric with no emissions

yea right remember all our utility bills are on the rise how much will it cost here to charge ??

but i do wonder would it need to be registered or taxed or insured and moted when 3 yrs old ???

 and the weight it huge !

The Vectrix costs pennies to charge and running costs are soething like a penny a mile..of course they disregard the emissions used in creating the electricity to charge it with butas it uses so little it stil makes it very economical to run.

It can do around 60 miles an hour and has enough charge to last a tour of duty around the city..its classed a s motorcycle due to its power and needs to be taxed and registered and insured, and after 3 yrs it will need an MOT.

Despite its weight the acceleration is as good as most scooters and better than most cars...

Once they make one that will do 90mph and 120 miles between charges we will all have one for commuting

Posted: 04/06/2008 at 22:59

Gedge, I'm in agreement on that one.  The range is an issue and so is the speed.  They do accellerate fast though and will kill the need for loud cans, you'll just have to go to Opera classes to practice screaming at pedestrians and cars that pull out on you.  Vocal Projection is a cool technique.

Posted: 05/06/2008 at 06:06

I rode one, and was very impressed. Performance on par with my 400 Burgman, and the 'regenerative' brake is brilliant, and a big advantage with electric traction, as is the torque.

The only problem for me, is it's range.  

 As Gedge says,  "Once they make one that will do 90mph and 120 miles between charges we will all have one".

I certainly will.

I could live with it's top speed (60mph), but for someone like me who lives in the sticks, a decent range is a must. 

Come on manufacturers, it's the 21st century. 

Posted: 05/06/2008 at 09:38