Easter is now behind us and after the chocolate eggs, small furry animals and daffodils we can hear the distinctive growl of bikes emerging from hibernation! The long and unusually nasty winter is now firmly banished to Scotland, where it belongs, so machines that have been pampered and closeted in garages across the south will be rolled out to the sunshine and clear skies of spring in the south east.
We are very fortunate to be in one of the best biking parts of the country, with a great coastline and spectacular roads along the South Downs. Finding a biker friendly café or country pub to visit couldn’t be easier – ask anyone on two wheels and they’ll name a handful of places within an easy ride of where you are.
Throughout spring and summer there are plenty of organised rides and events, most of which are free to attend and run by local clubs – you’re welcome to come along and you won’t be disappointed! As the old joke goes… “How can you spot a happy biker?” They’re the one with flies between their teeth! Okay, in these risk averse “Elf n Safety” days, most of the bugs are stuck to the outside of our bulletproof visors but the grin inside our lids is just as big. And that cuts right through all our politically correct and carefully rehearsed arguments of why we ride bikes – it’s because we really enjoy it!
With fuel costs spiraling ever upwards, our logic is becoming more valid, bikes are a cheaper means of transport than cars, take up less road space and are very easy to park. So why aren’t we given more credit by those in “Authority” when it comes to legislation and traffic planning? In Brighton recently, I know of two cases where bikes have had parking fines slapped on them for being correctly parked in a bay – with valid tickets clearly on display! WHY??? On appeal, and in both cases, the fines were cancelled but the over zealous wardens were excused their actions because the bikes were deemed to be “inappropriate vehicles” for the use of those precious parking spaces. It seems that now, in Brighton at least, we have to qualify for the privilege of paying to leave our bikes unattended!
The general election is approaching rapidly. If you spot a passing politician, desperately seeking your vote, ask them about your favourite biking complaints and see them squirm. Most of them will need the issue drawn out in pretty crayons to make any sense, but bear with them – after all, they’ll be running the country in a couple of weeks
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
