Interview by Toby Stokes
Have you heard of the ‘Right for Rides’ campaign? No? Well we hadn’t either. Unless you fancy paying to use the roads that you so fondly ride your bike on at the weekends, pay the congestion charge for your motorcycle, or think that the latest call from Transport 2000 and other like-minded party poopers to the Government to restrict motorcycles’ power, weight and speed is right, then can I suggest that you read on...
At 1pm on the 20th of October at Wembley Stadium, MCN will be joining the motorcycle campaign group RiderConnect on the ‘Ride to Rights’ mass ride-out through the centre of London. This social gathering will be aiming to celebrate motorcycling, as well as confront questionable shifts in which we could see all bikers having to cough up for national pay-as-you-go-style fees to use the roads we so lovingly ride.
Our very own Toby Stokes caught up with MCN’s Acting Editor of News Ben Purvis, to find about how he sees the state of biking in the UK and to find out more about the Ride to Rights Campaign...
Toby Wan: Ben Purvis, as the News Editor for MCN, can you give us a snapshot of the current biking climate in Britain. Is it a growing phenomena? Has it stabilised? What’s the current situation?
Ben: Well first I’d like to clear up that I’m currently the Acting Editor of News.
Toby Wan: Sorry about that, my mistake (doh!)
Ben: Biking’s in quite a healthy state at the moment. It is a seasonal past time, so that obviously has an effect. There have always been a people who will ride for the love of riding, but for many people it’s more of a hobby.
Toby Wan: There was a particular boom in London because of the introduction of the Congestion Charge and bike’s being made exempt from this charge. Has this boom occurred throughout the rest of the UK?
Ben: Actually not so much, there have always been people in the country into their bikes but that’s more of a hard core, more for leisure than for say …
Toby Wan: A commuting option?
Ben: Yeah, as you say the Congestion Charge has caused an increase in those people turning to motorbikes in London and that’s what’s caused the apparent growth in interest, but for much of the rest of the country, growth’s been quite steady. I’d say motorbiking is in quite a healthy state in Britain right now.
Toby Wan: It’s an interesting topic right now. I saw in MCN there’s a big event, the ‘Ride for Rights’ event that’s coming up looking at congestion charging and road pricing. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
Ben: Firstly I’d like to stress it’s not really about congestion charging, the ‘Ride for Rights’ event is about road-pricing. MCN campaigned hard to help stop bikes from being included in the congestion charging schemes and was quite successful in that venture, but the plans that are currently under review are covering large areas of the country which threaten more than just cities with the new proposed road pricing schemes. Proposals for pilot schemes are being submitted and the aim is to help reduce congestion. But at MCN we believe that bikes should be exempt from congestion related charges. If the schemes are being introduced to reduce congestion then they definitely shouldn’t include bikes.
Toby Wan: From the perspective of a London biker who loves riding but doesn’t really want to be paying more to do it, when do you think these plans may come into effect? Are we talking 6 months from now? How far advanced are these plans?
Ben: Well, it’s hard to say at this stage. Things are definitely in progress. Nine regions, are working on pilot schemes for the government to assess and the aim is to introduce comprehensive road pricing plans which currently would appear to include bikes. These proposals have to be in by the beginning of September, so just a few days from now. ‘Ride for Rights’ is an initiative we’re working on to try and get bikers aware and active on this subject because it affects all of us. The more publicity we can drum up for this cause the better.
Toby Wan: So, where would Londonbikers go if they wanted to find out more about this event?
Ben: Well all the details are up on our website… that’s motorcyclenews.com. And like I said, the more publicity and support we can get the better.
Toby Wan: OK, now, as someone who works in the media at MCN and with access to all the information you have what would you say is the most exciting thing in the motorbiking industry in Britain at the moment?
Ben: I’d say some of the most interesting stuff at the moment in terms of bikes and what’s being developed is the electronics. You only have to look at MotoGP and the development of companies like Honda and what they’re bringing to new designs and technology to see that.
Toby Wan: Are we talking Traction Control here, engine mapping? That kind of thing?
Ben: Exactly, there was a time about 10 years ago when no cars had Traction Control, but now you could probably say that almost every car sold today has some form of electronic management to help with traction. It’s almost standard now and that’s a good thing from a safety perspective. This is going to start being introduced more and more in bikes.
Toby Wan: You raise an interesting point there. Everyone’s looking for safer ways to improve riding for all those involved, but doesn’t adding Traction Control to a street bike, encourage, no sorry, that’s the wrong word, doesn’t it suggest that you can use more power which may be unsafe?
Ben: No I don’t think so; it is more to do with the safety side of things. I mean for riders as most of them would probably agree, if you were coming home one night and hit a diesel spill I’m sure all of them would be more than happy to have some kind of electrical assistance to get them through that situation.
Toby Wan: Now on a lighter note, the MotoGP is looking like its coming to a conclusion pretty soon. Do you have a personal favourite rider that you follow?
Ben: Well I probably shouldn’t say but I am looking forward to next year’s season when we have a proper chance with our British rider in the series (referring to James Toseland and his recently confirmed Tech 3 Yamaha ride for the 2008 MotoGP season)
Toby Wan: Fair enough, so tell me as the Acting News Editor, what kind of bike do you ride right now?
Ben: Actually I haven’t got one.
Toby Wan: No? Is there anything on your shopping list?
Ben: Well I’m looking around right now, there’s one or two but I haven’t made up my mind just yet. I’m still looking.
Toby Wan: Ben Purvis thanks very much for your time.
If you’d like to know more about the Ride for Rights day which is scheduled for the 20th of October, then please log on to www.rider-connect.com to find out more. It’s in your interest too.
Ride for Rights 2007 will leave Wembley Stadium at 1pm on October 20 for a ride through the centre of London and back again, passing through Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square.
A registration fee of £5 per rider will be split between charity and organisation costs - £2 will be split between Riders for Health and UK Air Ambulance charities and the other £3 will pay costs such as venue hire and marshalling.
Ride for Rights 2007 - Registration opens today at www.rider-connect.com from September 12th.
Directions:
Follow small brown Wembley logo signs - A406 North Circular Road turn off at IKEA superstore - Follow Wembley signs along Drury Way - Great Central Way - South Way - Then park in Green Car Park as directed by marshals - Nearest GPS postcode location - HA9 0JD
Related News
