A warning for any welders out there..

An interesting bit of chemistry that can occur when using argon and cleaning solvents.

Phosgene was used in World War 1 as well as Chlorine & Mustard Gas - a chemical to steer well clear of!

The next big thing?

Whilst mooching around the Autosport show at the NEC I came across an advert for a product called "Eject".

In simple terms, this is a small, folded, inflatable blabber that you place inside your helmet, in the event of an accident the bladder can then be inflated and your helmet removed without any additional pressure on you neck.

The bladder is inflated either by a manual bulb (similar to those used in blood pressure cuffs) or by a small CO2 cylinder device (like those tyre inflation cylinders).

The helmet then comes off your head without the need to manipulate the head or helmet.

It's an American invention that I'd never come across before, so quiet how widely known it is in the UK I'm not sure. It does seem to be a very simple solution to a problem that we all hope we never have!

Web link.

YouTube Video

News on French biking laws.

The French Gov has finally confirmed how it will implement new regulations for bikers regarding reflective clothing and number plates.

As of 1st Jan 2013 it will be an offence, punishable through a fine and the loss of points, (in France you lose them, don't gain them) not to wear at least 150cm2 of reflective clothing between the waist and the shoulders and not to be using an enlarged number plate.

You may remember that this was first mooted as an accident reduction issue, but most accidents involve 125cc bikes and below, and these are exempt from the new rules.

Riders in France must already use their headlights all the time and carry reflective stickers on their helmets.

You may also remember that the French Government then said the regulations were to ensure other motorists could see  if riders were lying in the middle of the road at night...

FFMC's Frederic Jeorge said "It will be considered almost as bad as driving without a helmet, even if you are wearing full leather armour, on a bike with the headlights on and knowing that our helmets already have 4 mandatory reflective

stickers...

Also, it will NOT include the mopeds and 125cc, where's the logic?"

Logic? I'm not sure that's generally considered when creating

legislation for motorcyclists.

Kind regards

Paddy Tyson

Campaigns Co-ordinator

MAG (UK) - Motorcycle Action Group

How does your helmet choice effect your riding?

Recently I'd become concerned with the noise from my Shoei Multitec and the opportunity came along to try a Schuberth C2, Schuberth lids have the reputation for being the quietest helmets on the market, so I've taken the plunge a bought a C2.


The conventional checks when buying a helmet are to confirm the fit and ensure the helmet matches your head profile - I've never managed to get on with Arai products, but always found Shoei more suitable to my skull shape.


I've never given much though in the past to head checks and wind noise, but since riding with the C2 I've noticed a significant impact on my riding from both of these factors.

Noise.


The Schuberth has lived up the marketing hype - the noise levels from the helmet are significantly lower than the Shoei.  Ear plugs are still required but I don't feel that I'm damaging my hearing when wearing the C2, whereas the Shoei always gave me that impression.


The issue of noise is a problem with my bike's screen design, it's a very fine line between good wind protection and buffeting around the helmet (which seems to create the noise issue inside the shell).


So, wearing the C2 I set out for a spin to hear the difference.  The result?  Approaching corners too fast!!
I'd never realised that my perception of speed was so dependent on the noise I heard inside the lid.  The quieter environment of the C2 caused me to perceive my speed to be lower than it actually was and a quick re-learning exercise was required to get my perception to match reality...


Vision.


The second major difference has been with the peripheral vision - especially shoulder checking.  The C2 has a more "substantial" chin piece compared to the Shoei, and this means a shoulder check requires my head to dip & turn, rather than just turning the head to the side.


Comparing the two helmets side by side, the Schuberth seems to have a wider aperture, which you would thing would give better peripheral vision, but the angle that this aperture forms seems to be most critical - the Shoei has a broader aperture, whereas the C2 is narrower.


Although this isn't a major issue, it's again something that I've needed to relearn!


I still wear both helmets, and changing between the two can be quiet an interesting experience.


When you're buying a new helmet - consider these two factors along with you normal fut checks!!

CRASH Cards

CRASH Card is a scheme in which motorcyclists place a card inside their crash helmet as a medic alert. The details which the rider has written on the card provide vital information for attending ambulance crews if the motorcyclist is injured in an road traffic collision. Saving valuable time and helping treatment especially if the rider is either unconscious or unable to communicate.

This scheme, which has been in use for nearly two years in some parts of England, was created by the committee of the Ambulance Motorcycle Club a group of experienced Paramedics and ambulance staff who are passionate about motorcycling.

The card also has a mnemonic “CRASH” which gives helpful advice if a rider comes across a road traffic collision. Ian Burrell Chairman Ambulance Motorcycle Club comments:  “We know that riders are more likely than any other road user to stop at the scene of an accident and offer to help.  CRASH is an excellent way of helping the emergency services get the right resources to the scene as quickly as possible and we hope riders who stop to help will use their own card to provide information when calling 999.”

Hayden Newton, Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service, is delighted to be backing the initiative and being a keen biker himself said “I am thrilled that the ambulance service is supporting such an excellent initiative, both from a professional point of view and as a keen motorcyclist myself.”

The CRASH card is accompanied by an explanatory letter which contains a self adhesive green dot. The letter explains that riders should affix the dot to the right hand side of their helmets or visor to help alert the attending medical staff to the presence of the card.

The letter also shows how to fill out the card and explains that only trained professionals should remove an injured rider’s crash helmet.

The cards are available at a variety of bike related events throughout the year, for information visit :

www.ambulancemotorcycleclub.150m.com

The scheme recently won the Prince Michael Road Safety Award for 2011, the same award the Durham BikeWise won in 2009.

Reduction in Red Tape for Drivers announced by DfT.

Thanks for Paul Dowson for bringing this press release to our attention:

Drivers are to be released from reams of red tape currently required by government, Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced today.

As a result of the Road Transport Red Tape Challenge – the government wide process to get rid of unnecessary, burdensome and overcomplicated regulation - the Department for Transport is:

• Scrapping the regulation requiring motorists to hold a paper counterpart to their driving licence by 2015 – saving drivers up to £8m.
• Improving the regulation surrounding the notification process for vehicles that are not in use on the road (Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN). Once drivers have notified the DVLA that their vehicle is SORN, they will no longer have the burden of annual SORN renewal.
• Only issuing hard-copies of V5C vehicle registration certificates for fleet operators when needed, with the potential to be rolled out to private motorists.
• Introducing a limited exemption from drivers’ hours rules so that those who also drive as Territorial Army reservists in their own time can continue to do so.

Following a vigorous process of challenge, both by the public and within Whitehall, a total of 142 road transport regulations will now be scrapped or improved.

Justine Greening said;

“Motorists shouldn’t have to keep numerous bits of paper just to prove they can drive and have bought insurance – we live in digital age and we need to embrace that.

“Reducing the number of rules and regulations in our life is absolutely vital to removing barriers to economic growth and increasing individual freedoms. This whole process just proves that there’s so much sitting on our statute books that at the very least needs a good spring clean or can be scrapped entirely.”

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

“I'm delighted that so many motoring regulations will be scrapped or improved, particularly those that affect business.

“The Red Tape Challenge has built up real momentum since it was launched in April. Overall, of over 1200 regulations considered so far, we have agreed to scrap or improve well over 50 per cent.

“We have already published regulations covering 12 themes, and there are 13 themes to come, so there remains huge scope for reducing the burden of regulation on business and individuals even further.”

Other proposed changes to road transport regulations include:

• Removing the need for an insurance certificate. The Department for Transport will work with the insurance industry on removing the need for motorists to have to hold an insurance certificate.
• Abolishing the requirement for drivers to prove they have insurance when applying for tax meaning 600000 more people will be able to tax their car online. This has been made possible by new checks of existing databases for insurance under new Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules. The DVLA’s records are compared regularly with the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to identify registered keepers of vehicles that appear to have no insurance.
• We will look at experience in other countries on driver Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC) - the qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. In particular, to see if we could remove the need for some sectors, such as farmers who drive stock to market, from needing a CPC.
• Local Authorities will now have to ensure business interests are properly considered as part of any future proposed Workplace Parking Levy scheme. They must show they have properly and effectively consulted local businesses, have addressed any proper concerns raised and secured support from the local business community.
• Abolishing the regulations on the treatment of lost property on buses. Bus companies currently have to wait 48 hours before they can throw away perishable items left on the bus.

Congratulations!

Making yet another guest appearance on the DAM Blog, Ali Bonar was kind enough to present IAM certificates to DAM's latest successful members, Dave Trotter and Ross McKenzie.

Thanks to all our Observers for their tireless work in coaching the associates.

DAM 2011 AGM

The DAM Annual General Meeting was a well attended event on 29th November at the Bowburn Hall Hotel.


The formalities (Committee officers reports, election of new officers etc) was carried out in good time enabling the members attending to avail themselves of the buffet and make the most of the socialising opportunity.


As in previous years, DAM has received financial support from Durham Police (this is in addition to the extensive support we receive for training & support) to the tune of a £500 donation from the BikeWise proceeds.


Here is a picture of Ali Bonar (again!) presenting the cheque to out very pleased treasurer, Don Russell.

   
DAM annual subscriptions remain at the current level (only £5.00 per year) the the welcome donation from BikeWise enables us to continue to keep the subs at this level whilst maintaining our high standards of social and training activities.

Latest congratulations.

Congratulations to our latest test passes, Dave Trotter and Andrew Watson.

Andrew was present at the recent social evening and was presented with his IAM Certificate by PC Ali Bonar before her presentation to the Club.

Micro climates.

At this time of year, look out for for micro climates which can cause frost and wet patches to linger in some areas after they have disappeared elsewhere.

Landscape features such as valley bottoms, shaded hillsides and shaded slopes can create these micro climates.

At 2pm today, the sun was shining (although the air temperature was cold!) and the roads were dry, except when taking the back road from Garrigill over to Nenthead the shading of the trees created a classic micro climate - frost remaining on the verge and road, even at that time.

The frost on the verge was very picturesque, especially with the glorious sunshine backdrop [something my mobile phone camera couldn't cope with!] but the road was still damp and slippy.

So make sure you're looking ahead for these shaded areas and ensure micro climates are in your observations!