Have a click on this: it’s a new presentation about Biker-Mate, outlining the problem, the concept and test results. Don’t forget to let us know your thoughts.
Biker-Mate Presentation
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Speed limits – would changes save lives?
This month, we’ve seen two interesting articles in a highways magazine referring to UK speed limits and their impact on road user safety.
Firstly, we were told, the UK government is “on the verge of a major consultation about raising the speed limit on motorways to 80mph”. Reporting magazine Thinking Highways cited 2010 DfT figures which claimed that 48% of motorcyclists exceed the 70mph limit on motorways, and 20% go even faster to exceed 80mph. On the following page, the publication commented on more congested areas, and the DfT’s encouragement for 20mph zones in situations where “there is a particular risk to vulnerable road users”.
At the time of writing, a quick web search for news about “speed limit” in the UK came up with 869 results. Several news articles commented on the implementation of the proposed 20mph speed limit. One notable story from the Manchester Evening News described how a 20mph speed limit was to be introduced on all non-major residential roads in the Northern city – a move which received “cross party backing among city councillors” and was expected to help cut accidents.
What are your opinions on proposed changes to road speed limits? Would it have much of an impact on safety for road users, particularly those on two wheels? Leave your thoughts below.
Energy absorbing crash cushion acknowledged for innovation in safety
Huntingdon-manufactured crash cushion, Biker-Mate, has been nominated for a national ‘greatness’ award.
The product, which has been developed and manufactured by local company Euro Road Safety, has been included in the Great Exhibition 2012, a list of people and companies offering products which have a positive impact on British life.
An energy-absorbing cushion which fixes to roadside objects, Biker-Mate works to reduce the chances of motorcyclist fatalities or serious injuries occurring from collisions.
The product has been deployed in accident blackspots from Norway to Australia. In the UK, units can currently be found protecting bikers in counties including Durham, Lincolnshire and Cumbria.
The nomination is just one of many recent recognitions for Biker-Mate. The road safety solution was also recently selected by Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly to represent the Huntingdon constituency in the ‘Made by Britain‘ campaign, launched in the summer by Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary Vince Cable.
The latest news was welcomed by Euro Road Safety Business Development Executive Peter Hudson, who said:
“Biker-Mate is a module which is strapped to the base of objects such as lamp posts and road signposts. It works to reduce the intensity of collisions between motorcyclists and roadside objects.
“Comprehensive tests show that Biker-Mate has a 30% absorption capacity of the impact energy generated in a collision. Put simply, Biker-Mates have the potential to save bikers’ lives.
“We’re very proud to be nominated for the Great Exhibition and want to thank everyone that has voted for us so far in the competition.”
Euro Road Safety now hopes to continue to roll the product out across the remainder of the country and, of course, to gain more votes in the Great Exhibition list, establishing itself as a true Great British product.
If you would like to vote for Biker-Mate in the Great Exhibition 2012, visit http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats/euro-road-safety.
Biker-Mate features in Made by Britain
Biker-Mate has been selected by local MP Jonathon Djanogly to represent his constituency in the ‘Made by Britain’ campaign.
The initiative was launched in the summer by Business Innovation and Skills Secretary Vince Cable who challenged all 650 MPs to nominate examples of manufacturing excellence from their constituencies.
It is a great achievement for ERS to have Biker-Mate recognised in this way, and it now appears alongside such prestigious and well-known brands including Bentley, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Ercol, Crown Paints, Aston Martin and Morgan.
Here’s a copy of the full story, as featured in the Huntingdon Town Crier…
Biker-Mate Down Under
3 units of Biker-Mate have been installed at a major accident black-spot in New South Wales, Australia. Sign Post Solutions have been marketing Biker-Mate through their contacts worldwide and we are starting to see interest across the continents.
Biker-Mate Endorsed by Durham Police
Biker-Mate continues to receive positive feedback, and has been praised by police, councils and MPs alike for its innovative approach to reducing the dangers of motorcycle accidents on our roads.
Following the very recent ‘Made by Britain’ nomination by Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly, the Biker-Mate concept has now received acclaim from Durham Constabulary Motorcycle Section.
Sgt Iain Rodgers said:
“The simplicity of the Biker Mate concept in many ways underscores its strength in that it offers a flexible and easily installed product that can be readily integrated into the road network whilst at the same time offering the real possibility of being able to reduce injuries and save lives.
It has certainly been well received by riders in our area as it presents them with a visible engineering investment by the highways authority aimed specifically at offering them protection should the worst happen.“
The newest endorsement is great news for the campaign so well done all involved and keep checking back for more news!
‘Innovative’ Biker-Mate added to Made By Britain map
A great new development in the campaign; Biker-Mate has been nominated by MP Jonathan Djanogly for inclusion in the Associate Parlimentary Manufacturing Group’s ‘Made By Britain’ map.The objective of the UK wide project is to draw up a comprehensive picture of contemporary British industry.
The system was put forward by the Huntingdon MP for it’s “unique approach to improving safety on our roads” and will now be displayed on the map alongside other leading products from around the UK, such as Bentley, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Ercol, Crown Paints, Aston Martin and Morgan.
The campaign was launched in the summer by Business Innovation and Skills Secretary Vince Cable. He challenged all 650 MPs to nominate examples of manufacturing excellence from their constituencies, with the products being showcased by Parliament, 160 years on from the Great Exhibition of 1851.
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