Getting a license

The first thing to consider when getting a motorbike is to make sure you’ve got the right license. Unlike driving a car, there are various classifications, and each type comes with restrictions and requirements. For a start, you must have a provisional licence in place – as you cannot begin learning to ride a motorbike without one. Then there’s Compulsory Basic Training: without completing it you can’t legally ride a bike on the road. From there it goes on to a direct access route, progressive route, engine size, age, and plenty more – see the RAC handy guide here.

Buying insurance

Just as you can’t ride a motorbike legally without the right license, you’ll need the right insurance, too, with it being a legal requirement to obtain a minimum of third-party-only insurance. This provides cover for any damage you could cause to a third party’s person or property, but has no cover for your own. Then there’s third party, fire and theft: including everything under third party but also allowing you to claim off your own policy if your bike’s stolen or damaged as a result of fire. We say go fully comprehensive, meaning you can claim for accidental and malicious damage, including vandalism, a single-vehicle incident, or flood damage. Want more info? Click here.

Motorcycle gear

Now you’ve sorted your license and motorbike, it’s time to choose your riding gear. First up is a helmet, legally required on the road. A full-face helmet is considered safest, and you can also choose half and three-quarter face-covering options. And while helmets are the only equipment riders are legally required to wear, consider other protective gear such as boots, gloves, and leathers. We’re not talking a full MotoGP-style bodysuit, but leathers, suitable footwear and durable gloves are must-buys for protection when you’re out on the road.

The best bike for you

Bikes are typically divided into standard, cruiser, sport, touring, dual-purpose and off-road categories. Motoress advises you consider the roads and time you’ll be spending on the bike, as well as speed, handling, budget, storage, and fuel economy. The most common is standard, great for getting about opposed to style. Cruisers are American-style choppers – think Harley-Davidson rider along Route 66 – while sport focus on speed and handling. Tourers are larger and designed for comfort; off roaders mainly used for motorsports; while dual-purpose bikes are a hybrid of off-road and sports bikes.

Safety on the road

First up, never exceed the speed limit, especially when you realise there were 343 motorcycle fatalities in 2024. Keeping safe on the road is critical, with many campaigns warning motorcyclists of the dangers that occur from not staying safe. What are the dos and don’ts? Asides sticking to the speed limit, these top 10 motorcycle safety tips include car drivers looking twice before changing lanes. For motorcyclists, watch the weather, avoiding driving in the rain whenever’s possible; and ride within your skills. Sure, you might want to keep up with who you’re heading out with – but is it really worth it when they been driving a motorbike for much longer than you?

The post Things to know before buying your first motorbike appeared first on Checklists.

If we have learnt anything from the events of the past couple of years, it’s that good hygiene is crucial. In this respect, it is fair to say that washing our hands is a basic requirement, but it might not be enough. As we hit the road more regularly, how will we be contaminating the interior of our vehicles?

The truth is that our cars are much dirtier than what we’d ever expect. In fact, each car harbours over 3,862 units of germs and bacteria per square inch. To put things into perspective, that’s 19 times the number of bacteria you’d generally find on a toilet seat.

However, by taking some simple and straightforward steps, you can make sure that your car is as clean as can be. Here, Checklist collaborates with leading car dealership Motorparks, to detail easy ways in which you can take good care of the interior of your vehicle.

Throw protective clothing on

Before you get to wiping and dusting, make sure to wear appropriate clothing. From aprons to rubber gloves, there are several garments you can throw on to protect yourself from potential bacteria and germs.

Get rid of any rubbish and hoover

First things first, hoover both hairs and dirt from the interior of the vehicle, starting from the corners of the mats. Once that is done, remove and soak them in a bowl of hot water with soap or detergent. Allow the mats to stay in the water for around 30 minutes before taking them out and drying them.

What’s more, make sure you don’t forget about the boot. This usually acts as a storage space for shopping bags and other foreign objects and can therefore be brimming with germs.

Wipe every surface

At this stage, you are ready to clean all surfaces inside the car. Get hold of a damp rag to prevent excess grunge from spreading to other areas. Where should you start from? What areas do you and your passengers generally touch?

Prioritise the steering wheel and the vehicle’s door handles – both inside and outside. The former, in particular, is thought to be home to millions of units of bacteria. Then move onto the gearstick, the handbrake, the ignition button, the window switches, the dials on the dashboard, and the keys.

Finally, wipe all the remaining surfaces, as well as all the seats of the car. But what should you use to make your four-wheeled companion shine?

Store-bought cleaner

Interior car cleaners will do the trick. Specifically, Autoglym Interior Shampoo is one of the best options on the market. It allows you to cleanse both the inside and outside of your car, including the germ-packed steering wheel and the grill.

However, make sure to keep it away from leather. If your car features leather upholstery, a specialist leather cleaner will offer a way more satisfying result.

Homemade cleaner

Struggling to spot a car cleaner that suits your needs? Can’t find any quality ones on supermarket shelves at the moment? The good news is that you can make your own! But how?

For an upholstery and carpet stain remover, simply mix baking soda and white vinegar to generate a paste. Then, scrub the stain off with a toothbrush, and vacuum up once the blotch has gone. If you have no vinegar in your cupboard, soap and water will do the job just fine. Do not use too much water, though – it can be dangerous when cleaning around electrics.

If you need a window cleaner, spray vinegar onto the glass surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes. After a little while, wipe the vinegar off the windows with a sheet of newspaper and enjoy the sparkling result.

That said though, consider what materials are inside your car. If you are not sure, have a quick Google or get in contact with the manufacturer – this will help you choose what products you can use to safely clean your vehicle.

Disinfect your vehicle

Once hoovering, dusting, and wiping are ticked off your cleaning list, it is time to disinfect the interior of your car. Pick an alcohol-based disinfectant, get hold of a sponge, and get to rubbing the most touched areas of the vehicle. Out of alcohol-based disinfectants? Bleach-free alternatives are also a very valid option.

Be careful not to use products such as ammonia and peroxide. They are excellent to get rid of germs but can have a detrimental effect on your car. In fact, they can damage plastic and vinyl, and possibly even discolour the interior of your vehicle.

What’s more, bleach can weaken the material and fabric of seatbelts, putting both you and your passengers at risk when on the road. Finally, do not use spraying glass cleaners to polish displays – you may end up ruining their anti-glare coatings

Are you eager to journey on road trips and adventures? Make sure your car is ready to cruise you safely towards your next destination. By following these simple steps, your vehicle will always be as clean and hygienic as can be.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post No germs at the wheel: How to properly clean the inside of your car appeared first on Checklists.

New UK car registrations dropped by 22% in August, while demand for the latest battery electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles surged up 32.2%, 45.7% and 72.1% respectively, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In fact, demand for PHEVs has outpaced BEVs in five of the last six months since changes to the Plug-in Car Grant, affecting BEVs, were introduced back in March. There are now some 130 plug-in models on the market, with the range ever-increasing.

In all, 68,033 units were registered in what is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year for new car registrations ahead of the important plate change in September.

The monthly performance was the weakest since August 2013, and down 7.6% against the average recorded over the last decade, due in part to constrained supply as the global shortage of semiconductors, an issue born of the pandemic, continues to undermine production volumes.

Private activity held up better, registrations dropping 15.2% to 33,771 units, meaning that just shy of half (49.6%) of all sales in August were driven by private consumers.

The ‘mini’ bodystyle of car was the only car type to see growth, up 30.7%, showing that those still unsure about making the switch to an EV, or EV variant, are looking to downsize, to more economical vehicles.

So far this year, UK new car registrations remain up 20.3%, to 1,101,302 registrations, an increase of 185,687 units with BEVs and PHEVs at 8.4% and 6.6% market share respectively.

However, this performance is measured against the Covid-hit 2020 market, when showrooms were closed for much of the year. Total registrations in 2021 are 25.3% below the 10 year average for the period January to August, illustrating the ongoing and wide-ranging impact of the pandemic on automotive retail.

Mike Hawes, SMMT’s chief executive, said: “While August is normally one of the quietest months for UK new car registrations these figures are still disappointing, albeit not wholly surprising. The global shortage of semiconductors has affected UK, and indeed global, car production volumes so new car registrations will inevitably be undermined. Government can help by continuing the supportive Covid measures in place currently, especially the furlough scheme which has proven invaluable to so many businesses

“As we enter the important September plate-change month with an ever-increasing range of electrified models and attractive deals, buyers in the market for the new 71 plate can be reassured manufacturers are doing all they can to ensure prompt deliveries.”

Alex Buttle, director of used car marketplace motorway.co.uk, said: “New electric car registrations are once again a bright spot, with BEV and PHEV sales up 32% and 72% respectively in August compared to 2020 figures. But ongoing production issues continue to blight new car sales, stifling supply and stretching delivery times.

“With every manufacturer facing different difficulties, these are complex issues that aren’t going to be fixed overnight. The ongoing microchip shortage is unlikely to be resolved until well into 2022. Even then, normal production levels are unlikely to resume at the press of a button.

“In the meantime, many buyers who would typically buy new are being driven away by long wait times, and are pointing their wallets instead towards the second-hand car market, where they can buy nearly-new online and secure a vehicle for collection or delivery the same day.”

He added: “The used car market is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the frustration buyers are feeling at having to wait months, or even up to a year in some cases, to take delivery of their new car.

“As a result of this shift in buyer sentiment, demand for used cars is at an all-time high, pushing prices up significantly across the spectrum of makes, models and price brackets.”

So, it seems for now that with clean air zones, cheaper running costs, and environmental considerations an ongoing reason for many buyers to upgrade their car, the used car market is enabling buyers, who may not be ready to switch to electric, to switch out of higher polluting cars that would otherwise remain on UK roads.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Are EVs becoming more popular than petrol and diesel? appeared first on Checklists.

As the country is now on track to ban new petrol and diesel cars, motorists, car manufacturers, and the transport industry are racing to be ahead of the game. However, it’s not just vehicles themselves that will be changing.

Some of the major changes will occur in metropolitan areas such as London and Manchester, with the introduction of clean air zones. The look of the streets will begin to change as increasing numbers of on-street chargers and EV (electric vehicle) charging stations are introduced in order to keep up with demand.

Here we’ll take a look at some of the biggest changes that are already underway.

What’s happening in London?

To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now operates in London, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Christmas Day. Now imposed within the same area of central London as the Congestion Charge, most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. The zone is due to be expanded this year up to the North and South Circular routes in October 2021.

In a recent survey of Londoners by an insurance broker, Bikesure, it shows that 72% of drivers are considering changing their vehicle as the 2021 ULEZ expansion looms, with 20% switching to an EV or low-emission cars.

Although 84% of people will continue to ride or drive in the ULEZ following its expansion, 18.6% are set to choose two wheels over four, while 20% will switch to an EV (electric vehicle) or low-emission car.

Accessible for all?

‘Range anxiety’ and access to charging points are oft-touted as barriers to EV adoption, but projects, such as one being undertaken in the Borough of Lambeth, aim to demonstrate how affordable and accessible public EV charging infrastructure can be deployed to tackle EV inequality and drive greater EV adoption amongst those communities traditionally under-represented in the EV transition.

With EV ownership skyrocketing – UK registrations are up 117% in 2021 compared to last year – those living in urban centres, high-rise flats and council estates are significantly less likely to have access to a private driveway, making it difficult to install home charging solutions.

As a result, households which have access to a driveway make up 80% of EV owners, with the remaining 20% owned by those in houses or flats with no access to off-street parking.

The project in Lambeth includes 22 on-street EV chargers across 11 council estates in the borough to provide easy access to public charging, even for those without off-street parking. It forms part of the council’s wider strategy to work with multiple charge point operators to install more than 200 charge points by 2022, with the aim of ensuring every household with no access to off-street parking is within a five-minute walk of their nearest charge point.

What’s happening in Manchester?

Meanwhile in Manchester, a £120m Financial Support Scheme has begun as part of the work underway to get ready for the Greater Manchester-wide CAZ (Clean Air Zone), launching on 30 May 2022, with the first Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras now installed, and a Financial Support Scheme due to launch in November.

All 10 Greater Manchester local authorities have approved the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, which includes a government-directed ‘Category C’ charging CAZ.

Greater Manchester’s £120m government funding will help local businesses, people and organisations to upgrade to cleaner vehicles, so they can travel in a GM-wide CAZ without incurring a daily charge.

The CAZ is a key component of Greater Manchester’s green revolution, helping to tackle the problem of air pollution, which contributes towards at least 1,200 deaths per year in the city-region.

New developments

Manchester will soon be home to the very first electric vehicle only forecourt and valeting centre dedicated solely to ultra-rapid chargers in the north-west of England. This is part of the owner’s, Motor Fuel Group’s, next stage of dual-fuel strategy to serve electric vehicle customers as part of its drive to become a major charge point operator in the UK.

Not only is this MFG’s first EV-only charging hub, but this is Greater Manchester’s first dedicated ultra-rapid charging forecourt, catering to all manufacturers of electric vehicles – helping to support mayor Andy Burnham’s plans of doubling the size of the region’s EV charging network as set out in his inaugural Green Summit in March this year.

The site will have eight dedicated ultra-rapid 150kW EV charging bays which can give 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes of charging.

What’s happening in Oxford?

For those making the switch, or intending to make the switch to low emission vehicles, cities such as Oxford are also leading the way with the introduction of large-scale EV charging hubs. Oxford will soon be hosting Europe’s most powerful electric vehicle charging hub, and work to install a high-powered underground cable that will deliver electricity to the UK’s largest public charging hub at Oxford’s Redbridge Park & Ride has already begun. This EV charging hub will help to decarbonise transport across Oxford.

Oxford City Council, Pivot Power, Fastned (a European electric vehicle EV fast-charging company), Tesla Superchargers and Wenea (one of the largest EV charging services providers in Europe) have teamed up to deliver the hub 100% renewable energy to EV drivers day and night.

The hub, initially featuring 38 fast and ultra-rapid chargers in a single site, is the most powerful in Europe – with up to 10MW of power on-site – and will scale up to help meet the need for EV charging in the area for the next 30 years.

It is the first of up to 40 similar sites planned across the UK to help deliver the charging infrastructure needed for the estimated 36 million EVs by 2040.

It’s this kind of development and forward planning, that will hopefully keep apace with the country’s transport decarbonisation plans.

As Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, recently said: “As we begin the road to recovery from Covid-19 and rebuild our economy and infrastructure I am clear we can’t just go back to how we were before.

“We have the opportunity to create a more prosperous, stronger and greener country and transport will be at the heart of that.”

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post What changes are being made towards greener motoring? appeared first on Checklists.

As more and more people switch to travelling, and especially commuting, under their own (powered) steam, the demand for e-bikes is predicted to continue, as increasing numbers of us switch to electrified personal transport and realise its benefits.

At their core, e-bikes are a regular push bike that feature a battery-powered electric motor to provide drive to the wheels. They can either operate via ‘pedal assist’– where the motor activates when the pedals are in motion – or by simply adding power when required via the controls, and driving it a bit like a moped. They can be charged by simply plugging into a wall socket or they can partially charge via the dynamo action of the pedalling (often known as a ‘recovery function’).

Although e-bikes are derided by some serious cyclists as ‘cheating’, the fact that one can let the machine take the strain when needed makes travel by bike even more accessible to a wider section of the population – and especially those who may find their own fitness a barrier.

A recent survey of 2,000 people in the UK by bike specialists, Tredz (tredz.co.uk), reported that as of 2021 one in 20 people in the UK own an e-bikes and nearly 40% of people in the UK say that they would cycle more if they had an e-bike.

The survey went on to further state that almost four in every 10 people in the UK (38.88%) would cycle more if they had an electric bike, with 35 to 44-year-olds being the largest age group saying they’d cycle significantly more if they had an e-bike.

In Europe, by 2030, it is projected that there will be around 15 million e-bikes sales per year.

The impact of the pandemic lockdown on our exercise and habits cannot be underestimated, with sales of sporting equipment and health and fitness equipment skyrocketing.

So why e-bikes in particular?

Transport for London’s Cycling Action Plan recently reported that 20% of London residents choose not to cycle to get about as they feel they are either not fit enough or simply too old, two factors which would both lend themselves to the specific benefits of an e-bike.

In addition to this, 28% of e-bike buyers bought their e-bike as a substitute for a car and journeys on e-bike were around 21% faster than a traditional bicycle. Halfords has also reported that it sells 65% of its e-bikes to those aged 55 and over, highlighting the fact that old age is one of the primary reasons why people consider riding an e-bike.

Other major reasons for riding e-bikes include replacing a car, riding up hills, saving energy, improving health and fitness, and spending more time out and about with friends and family.

So what are the benefits?

E-bikes can propel a rider at greater speed and with less effort than a regular bike. On most, pedalling action is still required, but the excessive strain is taken away by the motor. This allows the rider to still get a workout, but with an added effort-boost when needed to make difficult sections of the ride easier.

In terms of drawbacks over a regular bike, e-bikes are much heavier due to the battery and extra components, so extra planning is required for long journeys so you can keep them charged up; pedalling a flat e-bike home may be quite an arduous process!

E-bikes can also be prohibitively expensive for some, most are around three figures but increasingly cheaper options are available as the cost of the technology comes down.

So, its clear to see why e-bikes are seeing a massive uplift in popularity at the moment. With climate change in the zeitgeist and the government’s ban on petrol and diesel vehicles looming (and the subsequent promotion of electric vehicles in general), many towns and cities are wanting to create safer cleaner environments – such as London’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), and are installing more bike lanes and safety measures for cyclists.

Maybe it’s time to get on your e-bike?

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post It is time to get on your e-bike! appeared first on Checklists.

However, in 2021 it is amongst several pilot schemes for the Events Research Programme running until 11 July and returns, better than ever. Here are 5 famous faces who have attended in the past and have helped to construct the Festival of Speed into the event that it is today.

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz

The iconic F1 McLaren duo who raced together for two years, visited fans at the festival in 2019. Norris and Sainz drove Bruce McLaren’s legendary M8D and much to fan’s delight, showed off their raw, racing talent up Goodwood’s famous hill climb. Both drivers had a memorable time racing together, yet the start of the 2021 season saw Carlos jump ship to rival team Ferrari. Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo took his place at McLaren with teammate Lando Norris completing the pair.

Instagram @landonorris

Sir Jackie Stewart

The ex-racing driver who rose to success in the late 1960’s and went on to win three F1 Championships attended the Festival of Speed in 2019. At 80 years young, he is acclaimed for his achievements within the world of motorsport for what he has accomplished not only on the circuit, but on the outside of the confines of his car. He pushed for the increased safety precautions within Formula 1 races, promoting the importance of having medical teams on standby after his near fatal accident in the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, 1966.

Jodie Kidd

TV personality, model and race car driver Jodie Kidd attended the festival in 2017. Alongside commentating legend Murry Walker, she assisted in presenting and made the appearance at Goodwood with BMW as a friend of the brand, sprinting the futuristic and hybrid BMW i8 up the hill climb’s ascent. Kidd has a collection of beloved cars, ranging from a Jaguar F-Type Coupé R to a 1970’s Land Rover Defender.

Natalie Pinkham

The Sky Sports presenter arguably has an avid Formula 1 fan’s dream job. Not only has she befriended old and new drivers alike, but travels the world reporting the latest, live from the F1 grid. Natalie attended the Festival of Speed in 2015 and helped set a new world record with a stunt driver Terry Grant, driving a car on two wheels.

Chris Evans

The TV presenter, radio DJ and hardcore car enthusiast is a familiar face at Goodwood Festival of Speed. In 2011, for Children in Need, Chris along with BBC Radio 2 attended the event with ‘Magnificent Seven’ Ferrari’s. Bidders battled to win one of seven spots to travel the South East of England in one of the supercars and in the process, raised a huge £1.1million for the charity, proving to be a huge fundraising success.

The post The 5 famous faces of Goodwood Festival of Speed appeared first on Checklists.

Online vehicle sales were a rapidly growing market even before the age of lockdowns and social distancing. Online-only marketplaces like Cazoo and Carwow were big business, and even traditional dealers were getting in on the act.

Then the pandemic hit, and it became more or less the only way to buy a new car, van or motorbike. We may all have been at home most of the time, but cars have a shelf life, they depreciate, and they need replacing. There’s always demand for cars – whether new or used, owned or leased.

If you’ve found yourself needing a new motor, but have ever bought them the ‘traditional’ way, fear not. Here’s a quick summary of what it’s like, how to maximise the benefits and avoid the pitfalls:

Pros and cons of buying online

Of course, going online is the number one option in terms of safety, since it limits contact with other people. But what online car sales have long been renowned for is convenience. You can browse retailers’ stock any time, at your own pace, and without the pressure of a dealership sales rep hitting you with their best pitch. It also opens up a wider variety of models – you can search cars anywhere and aren’t limited to what’s in a nearby forecourt.

On the other hand, the biggest downside is fairly obvious: you won’t be able to see the car and do your in-person due diligence. The ‘test drive’ is an integral part of any in-person car purchase, but right now, you’ll have to forget about it: while lockdown restrictions persist, car dealers aren’t able to offer any form of test drive.

It’s worth noting that you get more protection if you buy online: you’re covered by the Consumer Contracts Regulations, which notably mean you’re entitled to a refund within 14 days of ordering the car. If that’s not enough peace of mind, you’ll have to do what you’ve done for everything else in your life, and take it virtual. Most dealerships will now offer to do a video call and give you a ‘virtual tour’ of your prospective new set of wheels.

Where and how to do it

You can look for cars in several places. Alongside the online car supermarkets listed above, the established car dealerships tend to offer online sales too, having spent time in lockdown reworking their systems and adding e-commerce to their websites. On top of that, some car brands have started selling through their own websites. The different finance options will vary from brand to brand, so be sure to do your research.

Most commonly, you’ll be buying a car that gets delivered straight to your house, though a few dealers may offer ‘click and collect’ at their premises. If it’s a new car you’re buying, make sure you check the delivery time. A built-to-order car will take weeks, not days, to arrive. It’s possible to buy used cars online as well – most commercial dealerships will also deliver these and will provide a thorough cleaning service beforehand. If you’re going private, you may have to travel to pick the car up.

Our tips for a smooth, worry-free online buying process? Take your time to read listings carefully. Compare models, as well as the detail offered in different adverts – if buying used, you want to buy from an enthusiast who has cared well for their car. A listing should have a comprehensive selection of photos – if there are only one or two, they may be hiding flaws. There is nothing wrong with contacting sellers and asking for more information, images, or a call to go through all the details. It’s worth spending a few quid on a history check from a provider such as RAC – if it reveals a hidden issue, it’ll save you a lot more money. Finally, always pay through a dealership or car supermarket’s official online channel.

Essentially, it’s a case of doing your research and following good sense. Do that, and you can be confident in getting the right outcome from buying online: a good-value car and a sales process that fits around you.

The post Essential tips for first-time online car buyers appeared first on Checklists.