IMBA Update 57: January 2009

Welcome to the first IMBA UK update of 2009. If you have information, news or events for the next email update, please by Monday 23 February.

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Survey: Cycle Insurance Cover

IMBA-UK has never formally advised members on the need to hold any cycle insurance, but with the Christmas period now over, is it time to consider how you are protecting your perhaps shiny new bike? Latest figures suggest that a bicycle is stolen every 71 seconds in England and new figures show nearly 440,000 were reported stolen last year.

IMBA UK are considering the needs of our members, and we need your help to see if Insurance is of concern to you.

To help us, would you mind sharing with IMBA some thoughts on insurance and cycle cover?

• Do you have cover for your bicycle?
• Is it a separate policy or is it held as part of your household contents?
• Are you aware of its full terms and conditions?
• Have you had problems settling a claim?
• What sort of cover would you like to see provided?
• What terms and conditions do you consider acceptable?
• What sort of cost would you be prepared to pay for that?
• Is there a best buy out there?

If you can spare a few moments to answer, that would be great.

 

Scottish MTB Consortium Meeting

IMBA UK has been invited to be a member of this important, strategic group and the first meeting takes place on Friday 30 January. Kenny Wilson will represent IMBA at this meeting.

 

New Bike Shop in Pickering

Big Bear Active are opening a new shop in Pickering this weekend, 23-25 January, called Big Bear Bikes. The shop is owned and managed by mountain bike riders for mountain bike riders, offering a genuine welcome and friendly advice for riders of all abilities.

They are able to offer an amazing range of bikes from top end custom build Pace bikes, a market leading range of bikes from Trek, some funky steel bikes from Genesis and great entry level bikes for kids from Ridgeback. They'll also have most if not all of the main MTB component and spares brands.

The shop will have a full service and repair set up for those of you who have better things to do than spend hours twisting screwdrivers and scratching your heads and teaching the kids bad words.

Big Bear Bikes is on Southgate in Pickering next to Coopers and PCX. Postcode is YO18 8BL for sat navs.

For more info visit www.bigbearactive.co.uk.

 

Northern Ireland: A Pedalling Paradise

Cycling in Northern Ireland has just got easier. January saw the launch of the NEW Cycle Northern Ireland Brochure and Website: cycleni.com.

The 51 page brochure has been produced by the Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) in partnership with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) and includes everything you need whether you are looking for a day out with the family or a lung busting spin through the mountains - whether it be a day, weekend or even longer.

The brochure was launched on the Outdoor NI Stand (M25) at the Belfast Adventure Sports Show earlier this month. OutdoorNI.com is your definitive guide to outdoor activities in Northern Ireland.

The brochure is complemented by the new website cycleni.com. This website is your definitive guide to cycling in Northern Ireland, giving excellent information on cycle routes for both the touring cyclist and for those who want to take a short bike ride.

Cycle through Northern Ireland and you will be rewarded with incredible views of vast and varied landscapes, from dramatic coasts to patchwork fields that blanket the rolling hills. The dramatic coastline is among the most breathtaking in the world. The scenic lakes are stunning, mountains spectacular and the beaches fantastic. Add in the exciting rivers, extensive country parks and vast forests, and what you have is the ultimate cycling experience! All you need to decide is how you're going to make it happen for you.

It's all here. It's easily accessible and the best thing is all you need to get involved is a bike. If you prefer a guided trip, the brochure includes an extensive directory of cycling providers just waiting to help you start your adventure.

 

World Mountain Bike Conference and Original Bicycle Festival

Work is well underway on the WMB Conference in Dumfries, taking place 12 - 15 May 2009. This is the first time the conference has been held outside of North America and a new website has been set up to keep folks informed of progress, content and registration. Log on to worldmountainbikeconference.com for more details.

Alongside the conference there will be a major, two-week long cycling and mountain biking festival called The Original Bicycle Festival. The name is in recognition of Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a Dumfriesshire blacksmith who is credited with inventing the bicycle in 1839.

The programme will run from the 9th - 24th May and will include everything from a Bike Expo to cycle film series, cycling criteriums (races held over short courses) and an international mtb event all wrapped up in a local music and food celebration package. More details will be posted soon.

 

Coveted Mountain Bike Event Returns To Scotland

The award-winning Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, a major fixture in Scotland's sporting calendar, will take place in 2009 on the 6th and 7th June at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

Global stars on the mountain biking circuit will descend on Fort William for the eighth annual extreme free sports event - internationally recognised as the world's best showcase of mountain bike competition and high-speed action.

The Nevis Range Ski Area, 9km from Fort William, will once again provide the backdrop to the event's Downhill and 4 Cross contests, with reigning British World Champions Gee Atherton (Elite Men), Rachel Atherton (Elite Women) and Josh Bryceland (Junior Men) amongst those set to thrill the crowds.

Last year's event attracted more than 400 riders from 35 different countries, and over 16,000 spectators. As host to rounds of the World Cup series since 2002, Fort William has established itself as one of the best international mountain bike competition venues in the world regularly winning the Best UCI (International Cycling Union) World Cup Event, IMTTO (International Mountainbike Teams, Technical Support and Organisers) Best Mountain Bike Event in the World and Singletrack Best UK Mountain Bike Event.

Tickets for the event will be available from the 23rd March. Find out more or register for email updates at fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk.

 

Consultation: Changes To Pedal Bicycle Regulations

A consultation is under way on proposed changes to the Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 2003.

From the DEFRA Website -

1. This document puts forward the case for new Regulations to replace the Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 2003. Changes are necessary following the adoption, by British Standards, of new European (EN) standards which refer to the construction requirements of certain types of pedal bicycles. The EN standards came into force from November 2006.
2. The British Standard referred to in the 2003 Regulations has been listed as obsolescent. This leaves the 2003 Regulations largely redundant, as the key standard to which the Regulations refer will no longer exist.
3. This document details the rationale behind the proposed amendment and provides for comments on any aspect of the proposed amendments that affect your organisation or business.

Details can be found at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/consulpedalbicycles/pedalbicyclesconsultation

The consultation period began on 5th January 2009 and will run until 30th March 2009.

More information / comments?

Last update: 02 Nov 2009