Thousands of motorcycle and scooter owners across the country will be heading to work on two wheels as part of a National Motorcycle Week organised by the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI).
Ride to Work Day, part of National Motorcycle Week, has been highlighting the number of motorcyclists in the UK and the social, environmental and economic benefits of two-wheeled powered vehicles since it was first created by the MCI in 1999.
The squad of riders will be descending on London to celebrate all things two wheels. The squad is supported by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), Bikesafe, The RAC and manufacturers including Piaggio, Honda, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki , BMW, Suzuki and Barrus.
MCI’s Craig Carey-Clinch said: “We want to raise awareness of the benefits of using motorcycles as a transport mode that can help cut congestion and improve journey time, while also highlighting the important issue of bikes in bus lanes. The squad wants to promote the benefits of getting on two wheels in order to motivate those who don’t have a full motorcycle licence to get one now.
“Our annual campaign research highlighted the amount of time and money that people in this country waste driving to work in cars every day. The research also revealed that commuters are jealous of the motorcyclists who pass them in commuter traffic every day. The idea today is to persuade them that rather than sitting in traffic feeling frustrated, they should take their bike test and join them!”
The campaign has already received support from high profile motorcyclists including;
Comedian Paddy McGuiness famous for ‘Phoenix Nights’ and ‘Max & Paddy's Road to Nowhere’... who is now on his own sell out comedy tour of the UK rides a white Kawasaki Z1000 said, "Biking for me is freedom, freedom from work, freedom from the stresses of everyday life and most importantly, freedom from traffic jams."
Dominic Littlewood, TV presenter and consumer champion said;"Being a car lover all my life I have recently been reunited with my passion for motorbikes. I stopped riding bikes when I turned 18 after eight years of very exciting junior scrambling."
"Boy, I wish I had come back to two wheels years ago! Living in London and getting that 'being raped by the government' feeling on taxes, congestion costs, road tax, fuel prices and parking restrictions, it is like a breath of fresh air to the system."
When I join the inevitable daily traffic jam now, I smile rather than frown and curse. All I have to decide is whether to go to the front of the queue via the inside or the outside lane, big deal eh? The evident look of frustration on the stationary car drivers' faces now passes me by."
"The bikes are incredibly sexy, stylish and works of art. I ride the Yamaha MT03 and get that excited to be on it every day I ride. That feeling in a car left me years ago."
Legendary DJ and record producer Carl Cox, commented; "My first experiences with bikes was as a teenager, when I was the owner of a Yamaha FSE-1 along with many of my friends. I was a petrolhead for many years, but it wasn't until three years ago that I got back into biking."
”I'd bought a house in Australia and inspired by the scenery, the roads and amazing tales from other bikers I decided it was time to take my test, which I passed in Australia. It was a huge learning curve developing new skills and re-learning old ones, but I enjoyed being trained to ride correctly and safely.
”I knew I wanted to ride again and I was excited about getting back on two-wheels as I felt I had been denying myself an extra bit of happiness that I enjoy now.”
“I had to retake my test on returning to the UK , which due to work commitments and more training took about six months, but I was committed to it. Some people want to ride because it saves money or is easier to get from A to B and others for pleasure. There is so much to be gained from riding but it is important that people who start the training now approach it with a positive and responsible attitude so they learn to be riders who can safely enjoy their bikes to their full potential."
More information about Ride to Work Day can be found at
www.mcia.co.uk
