Tag Archives: pandemic

Will motorcycles be a pandemic survivor?

The motorcycle industry, like many others, is struggling during the pandemic, but we wonder whether motorcycling will be a victim or a survivor when the travel restrictions finally lift and the pandemic risk fades?

Will motorcycles continue to struggle in the ensuing economic downturn or will they thrive in the “new world order”?

Victim: A pessimistic outlook

The Last Motorcycle on Earth! panic omittedScene from the fictional film The Last Motorcycle on Earth!

Most motorcycle factories around the world have been on lockdown for several weeks.

However, some will this week begin production again after having disinfected and reorganised assembly lines to provide more distance between workers.

Catching up with orders will be difficult because of the broken supply chain of components and experts predict a catch-up that could take several months.

Not that orders are expected to be strong with the economic ramifications of the lockdown and the rising tide of unemployment expected to have a huge impact on leisure spending such as premium motorcycles.

That was the experience after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

Motorcycle sales still hadn’t recovered from that hit before they were hammered in the past couple of years by the credit squeeze and a lack of interest among millennials.

Now, unemployment is expected to take a further toll on the motorcycle industry.

Experts are predicting that the coming wave of electric motorcycles which was expected to breathe life into the motorcycle industry and attract younger riders, might also suffer.

They say start-ups are particularly vulnerable to the crash in shares and investment, so nascent electric motorcycle companies could starve for funds.

Survivor: An optimistic outlook

Harley-Davidson

But it’s not all doom and gloom and motorcycling could be a survivor from this crisis.

Transport experts predict a shift from public transport to personal transport because of the contagion fears of being jammed together on packed buses trains.

Yet few will desire to return to one-person-per-car traffic jams, which could mean commuters opting for bicycles and powered- two-wheelers.

Lyft, an American ride-sharing company, believes life after the pandemic will be different with opportunities for motorcycles and scooters.

As we look to the reopening of cities, people will be looking for affordable, reliable ways to stay socially distant while commuting, including turning to transportation options such as ride share, bike share, and scooters,” says spokesman Michael Masserman.

There will also be an opportunity for local governments, as well as key advocates and stakeholders, to consider reshaping our cities to be built around people and not cars.”

Avi Meir, cofounder and CEO of Travel management company TravelPerk agrees.

Countries and regions will emerge from lockdown at different paces, leading to ‘corridors of travel’ between destinations opening back up one by one,” Avi says.

“We’re already beginning to see early signs of a modest pickup in travel again in Asia Pacific, as the local pressure of the virus lessens.

“When travel does begin to resume, domestic travel will be first.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Blood Bikes Australia ready to volunteer

Volunteer riders at Blood Bikes Australia are offering to deliver to healthcare organisations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Founder Peter Davis established the Australian arm of Blood Bikes in Brisbane in September 2019 delivering blood supplies to Mater hospitals in the city.

Earlier this month we published his called for more volunteers to extend their services to other states and help in the fight against coronavirus.

His plan is to deliver medical equipment, personal protection equipment, gloves, masks, medicine, ventilators and other urgent necessities to hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.

Peter says he was inundated with inquires around the country and now has three back-up volunteer riders in Brisbane and more in other capital and regional cities.

Blood Bikes Australia volunteers pandemic coronavirus covid-19Volunteers his the streets

“Our main challenge now is getting healthcare organisations, laboratories and pathology companies to realise the advantages in adding Blood Bikes Australia volunteers as part of their delivery and transport alternatives,” he says.

“If you are a decision-maker in one of these organisations, then contact Blood Bikes Australia. We have volunteers in cities and regional Australia ready to help.

“The key point is that Blood Bikes Australia does not aim to be a primary pathology transport service provider but we aim to offer an alternative to getting an expensive taxi when all usual methods are exhausted.”

Volunteer orientation

Blood Bikes Australia volunteers pandemic coronavirus covid-19Peter Davis (left) wth volunteers Phil, Peter and Jay

Peter took his Brisbane volunteers on an orientation ride last week to show them where to deliver blood and medical supplies.  

 Jay Mair of Walloon who rides a Suzuki C50 says she wanted to “do something that is important and a good excuse to get on the bike”.

The Scouts volunteer has been riding since she was 17.

Peter Cabot on a BMW R 1200 GS has good motivation to volunteer.

“My sister is an ER doctor and I have another sister who is a pharmacist in a hospital,” he says. “I wanted to help and make a difference.”

Riding instructor Phillip Bates on a BMW R 1200 RT is used to volunteering as he was involved in the original Blood Bikes in the UK.

Vital service

Peter delivers blood supplies to the Mater Hospital Peter delivers blood supplies to the Mater Hospital

Blood delivered by Blood Bikes Australia has been used in surgery as well as transfusions for cancer patients.

Peter says he has started discussing the possibility of extending the service to delivering breast milk, medicines and other medical products.

“Recent discussions with the Mater are now looking into ways in which Blood Bikes Australia can help especially in these difficult times,” he says.

“Blood Bikes Australia is entirely voluntary. We volunteer our time, fuel and motorcycles.

“We are not an emergency service and abide by all the road rules and speed limits. We are not police or ambulance ‘wannabes’.

“We are just motorcycle enthusiasts who want to make our passion for riding available to do some good in the community.”

As an essential medical service, urgent deliveries would also be exempt from any travel restrictions during the current pandemic.

Volunteer callBlood Bikes Australia Peter Davis

Peter says he now has volunteers in Central Queensland, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Gosford, Newcastle, Sydney, Ballarat, Geelong, Werribee, Launceston, Adelaide and Perth.

“More volunteers would be always welcome,” says Peter.

“People are ready to volunteer, but the difficult part can be getting healthcare organisations, hospitals and blood banks to appreciate and understand how useful Bloodbikes can be.

“That’s what we need more than anything.”

If you are interested in Blood Bikes Australia, visit their Facebook page where you can private message Peter or email him directly here.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Commuting during coronavirus pandemic

Commuting to work is one legitimate way to ride and avoid the pandemic lockdown and travel bans, yet some riders are either scared for their safety or find it inconvenient.

Motorcycle commuting is not only fun and challenging, but also handy for parking, faster than cars because of lane filtering and more convenient than public transport.

Commuting safetylane filter filtering splitting traffic commute commuting congestion Brisbane

However, many riders find the biggest drawback is safety.

Commuting traffic is fraught with danger from inattentive motorists on the phone, eating breakfast, getting dressed, putting on lipstick, reading the paper, changing channels on the radio or Spotify … anything but paying attention to riders.

Peak hour radio traffic reports frequently include motorcycle crashes involving cars, buses and trucks.

Riders can be understandably concerned.

So here are five safety tips for riding in heavy traffic:

  1. Ride as if you can’t be seen. Move around in your lane, try to stay out of blind spots, blow the horn or blip your throttle to alert drivers and wear something bright.
  2. Look at indicators and drivers for their intention to suddenly change lanes. They don’t always indicate, but you can sometimes see them move the steering wheel or their head as if they are about to swap lanes.
  3. Filter to the front of traffic at the lights, stay in gear with the clutch in and plan your exit route in case you hear screeching tyres behind you!
  4. Avoid filtering next to or around trucks and buses as they have limited visibility of small riders.
  5. Practise slow and balanced riding in a deserted carpark at the weekend, slipping the clutch, using the rear brake, keeping your head up and your eyes forward.

Inconvenient truth

Henty Wingman Backpack for commutersBuy a Henty commuter backpack now!

Even those who are confident in traffic may find commuting inconvenient because of the weather or because they have to wear a suit, well-ironed dress or carry a laptop and other gear.

So here are five tips to get around motorcycle commuting inconveniences:

  1. Fit panniers, top box and/or tank/tail bag to carry a change of clothes and gear such as a laptop;
  2. If not, then invest in a really strong but lightweight backpack (some even fold out like a suit carrier);
  3. If you are lucky enough to be able to shower at work, leave a towel and a couple of changes of clothes at work;
  4. Invest in high-quality airflow gear and carry a change of clothes;
  5. Invest in a high quality rain suit or separate waterproof jacket and pants that overlap.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Dear Prof Murphy: Please let us ride!

Dear Chief Medical Officer, please let us ride again.

You look like a reasonable man. And we know you and everybody’s dear ol’ dad ScoMo are seriously considering relaxing the restrictions during this horrible pandemic.

So please let us ride.

Your own coronavirus hotline and every state and territory heath department thinks riding a motorcycle is exercise. We just need you to remind the cops! 

So please, please let us ride.

We understand you are concerned with our health. Thanks for that. We sincerely appreciate your concern.

But please remember our mental health as well.

Data and analytics company GlobalData says the enforced social isolation rules, along with the death threat from Covid-19 and financial disruption will increase mental disorders such as depression lead ing to a major increase in sales of drugs for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder for many years to come.

You don’t want an epidemic of depression and suicide to follow this epidemic, do you?

So pretty please won’t you just let us ride to exercise our bodies and minds!

If you do …

We promise:

  • To socially distance, even keeping 1.5 metres from cyclists!
  • To not carry a pillion unless they are from our household with whom we’ve been in home detention these past fifty million weeks or so.
  • We won’t take off our gloves when we refuel our bikes … heck, we won’t even take off our helmets when we go inside the servo to pay!
  • We won’t go to crowded beaches, parks or shops, but head off into the lonely hills and valleys.
  • Unlike cyclists, we won’t treat our suburban streets as our own personal race track, leaving a vapour trail of coronavirus sweat behind us to infect passersby.
  • And finally, we promise to do the rider wave rather than the Ulysses secret handshake!Motorcycle wave heart

If you will please just let us ride again!

Yours sincerely,

Motorbike Writer

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Troy Bayliss talks on Ducati livestream

Troy Bayliss will feature in the first of a series of Ducati Corse Official Instagram livestream interviews wth racers to entertain riders on “home detention” during the pandemic.

The Aussie three-time World Superbike champion will star on the @ducaticorse Instagram page tonight at 8pm (AEST or noon Italian time).

The following two Thursdays will feature American Champion Ben Bostrom and Ducati Corse eSport rider Andrea Saveri.

Italian presenter DJ Ringo will interview his guests interacting with the viewers through the comments left during the live stream.

Ducati and other motorcycle companies are gearing up to reopen their factories and dealerships around the world, whereas Australian dealerships have not closed during the pandemic.

Troy Bayliss checks Ducati Scramblers dirt tracker workersTroy Bayliss tours the Ducati factory in Thailand

Ducati says they will open dealerships with a program of special cleaning, customer distancing, masks and other precautions developed by a special task force, says Ducati spokesman Francesco Milicia.

“It is now clear to everyone that the virus won’t disappear from our lives any time soon,” Francesco says.

“We will have to learn to deal with it, putting in place all possible actions to protect ourselves, allowing us to return to live our lives again.

“It is in this context that, by capitalising on the experiences gathered by our internal Task Force as well as some of our Asian dealers, we have developed the Ducati Cares program to support our dealer network all over the world.

“It will allow our dealers to welcome our customers in the safest and most practical way.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Insurers should offer pandemic discount

Insurers should be offering a discount or extension on premiums because people are not able to use their motorcycles and cars as much.

We already suggested registration, warranty, roadside assistance and servicing offers should be extended and that met with approval among many readers.

So far, the only Australian motorcycle company coming to the party is Ural Australia who have extended warranties by three months.

Now QBE insurers have made a token gesture with a $50 gift card for private car owners and only $25 for motorcycle owners. They will contact customers soon with details of how to access the benefit.

They tell us gift cards will be able to be used for a “wide variety of goods and services including supermarket shopping, petrol, and at a host of other retail outlets”.

QBE Australia Pacific CEO Vivek Bhatia says the gift card represents about 25% of the average private-use motor insurance policy from April to June.

However, motorcycle insurance is often more expensive, so it may be a smaller percentage.

Still, it’s better than nothing.

We have heard that some other insurers are offering discounts for private cars, but we have not yet been able to confirm any discounts for riders.

Some people can still ride to work, to get grocers, visit the doctor or for a few other valid reasons.

For all other riders, their bike is just up on the stand in the garage on the trickle charger, burning registration money, wasting insurance premium and running down the warranty period.

Dynamoto motorcycle standCheck out the amazing Aussie-made Dynamoto stands

Insurance should surely be extended or discounted because there is little risk of a crash while it is in the garage up on its stand.

The only risks are that it could be stolen or destroyed in a house fire.

Extended warranty

We notice that in India, KTM, Royal Enfield and Benelli are extending warranties and free service offers for all models, while Benelli is also extending its roadside assistance program.

Royal Enfield is matching the offer in the UK so we asked Royal Enfield Australia if they would offer it here, but they have not replied.

Ural Australia has extended warranties by three months for all new motorcycles sold up to 30 June 2020 on top of the standard two-year manufacturer warranty.

2017 Ural Australia

What a great move to ensure the loyalty of customers.

Be aware that just because your bike may be idle and not racking up the kilometres to the next scheduled service, it may still need a service. Check your bike’s manual for the maximum time interval between services.

If you don’t rack up the distance, it probably still advises an annual service.

Click here for more details on how to hibernate your motorcycle.

Extend regoBenzina number anti-theft plate holder plate scam cloning

As for registration, it is made up of an insurance component and a payment to help maintain our roads.

If you are not riding, you are not an insurance risk and you are not doing any damage to the roads (not that motorcycles do much road damage anyway!).

So state governments should offer an extension of registration periods for these mandatory lay-offs they have enforced.

In New Zealand, they are extending vehicle registrations and warrants of fitness (annual roadworthy certificate) for six months.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Where will you ride when lockdown ends?

Riders may have to cool their engines for some time yet, but that doesn’t stop us dreaming of where we will go when the lockdown ends.

Protest groups around the world are demanding the lockdown ends now but we know that won’t be happening.

However, that doesn’t stop us dreaming of the day the travel bans are lifted and the borders are reopened.

Hopefully, you have hibernated your bike properly, had it on a trickle charger and have a full tank of very cheap petrol ready to go.

If you have, check this article to find out how to safely bring it out of hibernation.

Meanwhile, you can dream about where you are going to ride when the bans are lifted and how long you will be away.

Making ends meetHarley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

I’m lucky enough to be able to continue to ride for my work, testing bikes (such as the Harley-Davidson Softail Standard above) and gear to make ends meet.

However, I have been responsible and limited my rides to short trips.

So my first ride after the lockdown will be a long trip with overnight stays … so long as that is allowed!

No doubt it will still be important to continue practising social distancing and safe hygiene.

That means:

  • Riding solo or in a small group;
  • Limiting stops along the way;
  • Carrying spare disposable gloves for refuelling, etc;
  • Paying by credit card, not cash;
  • Practising social distancing;
  • Maybe camping out rather than staying in hotels;
  • Eating takeaway or cooking my own meals; 
  • Frequent hand washing and carrying my own sanitiser; and
  • Carrying a thermometer for a daily temperature check.

Now I just have to stick a pin in a map of Australia and start planning the road trip.

No doubt anywhere will welcome the motorcycle tourism dollar after a tough period of drought, bushfires, floods and pandemic.

Where will you ride when lockdown ends? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle dealers still open in lockdown

Despite the pandemic lockdown, motorcycle dealers across Australia are still open and you should be able to legitimately ride there.

We spoke to several dealers who say they are still trading, still buying and selling motorcycles and still selling accessories and rider gear.

However, they do say trade is down because many riders either think they are closed and/or don’t think they can legitimately ride to a dealership during the lockdown.

Dealers open in lockdown

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has taken the initiative to release a statement advising motorists that motorcycle and car dealerships are still open for sales and service.

In fact, some dealerships are offering a free pick-up-and-delivery service for motorcycles to get them serviced or repaired.

The FCAI, the peak body for the automotive industry in Australia, says it is important that dealerships remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, personal transport has increased in importance as it provides a secure, socially distanced manner of commuting to important engagements, such as health care appointments, shopping for essential items, or travelling to work (where necessary),” their press release says.

“To ensure commuters’ vehicles are in prime operating order, dealerships from all brands around Australia have opted to remain open to provide sales support and essential maintenance services.

“This allows customers to safely replace their current vehicle or motorcycle should the need arise.  To facilitate the purchasing process, the Chamber understands that short evaluation or test drives/rides are permissible for prospective customers wishing to purchase a vehicle for their essential commuting requirements. 

“In addition, available after-sales facilities ensure customers are able to have their car or motorcycle professionally serviced to ensure it remains in prime operating condition.”

While strictly observing all requisite pre-existing hygiene practices, many dealers across the country have included additional precautions to safeguard their customers.  

These include:

  • Virtual sales and service consultations;
  • Contact-free drop off and pick up of serviced vehicles;
  • Contact-free delivery of vehicles for evaluation drives;
  • Enhanced detailing and disinfecting practices; and
  • Physical distancing in sales and service facilities.

Legitimate excuse

rona riders Travel bans Will pandemic travel bans ever end? incriminate lockdownMBW asks a police officer about the travel restrictions

In states where travel restrictions are in place, riders should still have legitimate reasons to ride to their local dealership.

If stopped by police, you should advise them you need to buy riding gear or a part for your motorcycle which you need to get to work, visit a doctor or go shopping.

Or you could argue that you are buying a new or upgraded bike to ride to work.

Make sure it is a legitimate, though!

It worked for this rider who had to travel nearly 400km to pick up a bike he was buying to ride to work.

Police ok drive to buy motorcyclePolice allowed Elliot Redward to travel 400km to pick up his bike

Police may not accept your excuse, especially if you are not riding to a local dealership.

But at least you have given them a legitimate reason.

If they say it’s not a valid excuse, don’t argue. Simply turn around and go home.

Judging by the daily notifications we receive from police about the issuing of Personal Infringement Notices (PINs), it seems they are now providing warnings in the first instance.

Some riders have suggested that you reserve your “right to silence” if pulled over by police.

However, Brisbane lawyer Andrew Evans says not offering an excuse would immediately incriminate you.

Click here for more details on how riders can handle this situation.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Riders divided over coronavirus tracing app

Freedom-loving motorcycle riders appear evenly divided about the planned coronavirus tracing app with slightly more than half saying they would download it.

The result comes from our quick online survey which attracted 228 respondents, 98% of which were in Australia.

Divided results

Our survey found 51% say they will download the app to help the health authorities trace people with COVID-19 and alert those who have had contact with them.

However, those who will download the app are also divided with 29% saying they would download it regardless.

The remainder ticked “maybe”.

When asked what conditions they would require before downloading, they were divided between fewer travel restrictions (82%) and privacy assurances (63%). Other inducements attracted negligible responses.

The result appears good news for the government which says it needs 40% take-up rate to be effective.

If more than half of the freedom-loving motorcycle riders in our survey say they will download the app, then the government may be on course to reach their desired take-up rate.

But they may need to offer assurances on privacy and may need to offer the inducement of fewer travel restrictions.

There has been talk that if the app doesn’t reach 40%, the government would make it mandatory, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to have quashed that notion.

Some of the other comments by respondents who said yes or maybe to downloading the app include: ability to remove the app; anonymity; time limited and displaying where infected individuals live

TraceTogether app

The app will be based on the Singapore TraceTogether app that has only had a 20% take-up rate.

Since the app development has not yet been completed, there are no details about how ours will vary from the Singapore app and how privacy would be protected.

For example, the Singapore app uses Bluetooth only, but there is talk that the Australian version will also use GPS tracking.

Facebook comments

Interestingly, the comments on our Facebook posts about the app had a substantially different result to our online poll.

Our two Facebook posts reached 4800 of our 20,000+ Facebook followers and attracted only 37 likes.

Of the 160+ comments, about 80% were against downloading the app, citing concerns about privacy and a government conspiracy.

Critics of Facebook may suggest this is an example of how social media attracts a skew of negative comments and conspiracy theorists.

Please note: This poll sampled n=223 Australian respondents which may not be representative of the wider Australian population at large.

If you would like the raw data from our survey, please send me an email and I will forward it to you.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Should COVID-19 fines link to income?

Should the COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) or on-the-spot fines be linked to your income as speeding fines are in some countries?

After all, a motorcyclist on a $15,000 bike who goes for a leisure ride risks copping the same on-the-spot fine under the Health Act as a rich driver in an expensive supercar.

The issue surfaced today when NSW Police issued a $1000 PIN to the driver of a McLaren 650S worth about $440,000.

This is how Police Media reported the incident:

Just after midnight, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command stopped a McLaren 650S travelling on Ward Avenue, Potts Point. The driver, a 43-year-old Fairfield man, told officers he was driving to Woolloomooloo to get petrol. After being warned, he informed officers driving is a form of exercise. The man and his 60-year-old passenger were each issued a $1000 PIN. The driver allegedly told police “do what you want mate, I don’t care. This $1000 fine won’t hurt with my $15 million.

Australia’s COVID-19 fines appear to be among the highest in the world, starting at $1000 in NSW.

In Italy, where more than 23,000 have died from coronavirus, the fine for disobeying a stay-at-home order is €200 (about $A340).

Consequently tens of thousands have copped fines.

That could be one of the reasons the spread is so rampant in Italy.

Linking these fines to income could be the answer.

Speeding fines linked to incomespeed camera radar speeding fines rich rich

Similarly, Australia’s speeding fines are among the highest in the world.

According to British website GoCompare, Australians rank sixth in the world with the highest fines and 10th in relation to their average wage.

Ours is supposed to be an egalitarian and fair society, but how can it be fair for a motorist on a low wage to pay the same fine as a millionaire?

The average Aussie speeding fine for 21km/h over the limit is $401. South Australia leads with $771 fine, followed by NSW ($472), Queensland ($435), Western Australia ($400), Victoria ($332) and Tasmania ($163).

Top 10 fines for speeding 20km/h+

  1. Norway $1028
  2. Iceland $750
  3. Estonia $626
  4. United Kingdom $595
  5. Sweden $412
  6. Australia $401
  7. Switzerland $362
  8. Israel $282
  9. Netherlands $278
  10. Canada $275

Rich cop higher fines cops speed speeding radar fast speed camera licence rich

Several countries, such as Britain, Finland and Switzerland, have a system where speeding fines are linked to their wages.

The UK has introduced a system where fines for excessive speeding have increased to 150% of their weekly income. It is capped at £1000 ($A1770), or £2500 ($A4435) if caught on a motorway.

After all, they argue that a rich pro footballer, celebrity or wealthy aristocrat would not be deterred by the average UK speeding fine of £188 ($A333).

Meanwhile, the UK has retained their minimum speeding fine of £100 ($A177) and motorists can chose to reduce that further by attending a speed awareness course.

Switzerland and Finland are much tougher on their rich speeders.

Finland uses a “day fine” system of half the offender’s daily disposable income with the percentage increasing according to their speed over the limit.

In 2002, former Nokia director Anssi Vanjoki copped a $A190,000 fine for riding his motorcycle 75km/h in a 50km/h zone.

But that’s not the world record speeding fine which was handed out in Switzerland in 2010 to a Swedish motorist caught driving at 290km/h.

He was fined 3600 Swiss francs per day for 300 days which worked out to almost $A1.5m.

Click here for our tips on riding in Europe.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com