NEW BIKE-FRIENDLY ROAD STUDS IN DEVELOPMENT:New, flush-mounted road studs are being developed by a British company to make the roads safer for all road users.
The "Astucia SolarLite" doesn't just reduce the danger to motorcyclists who risk being thrown off course if they hit traditional road studs, it also offers a ten-fold improvement in night-time road visibility. The new "SolarLite" stud stores solar energy during the day, then automatically illuminate its LEDs from dusk to dawn, providing drivers with up to 900 metres of visibility, 10 times the distance of traditional, reflective cat's eyes. The SolarLite protrudes only 4mm above the road surface and is 112 mm in diameter, making them quieter, safer and less prone to damage.
DESMOSEDICI AVAILABLE TO RENT
One of the world's most desirable motorcycles, the Ducati Desmosedici, is available to rent. A Californian motorcycle rental company offers the Ducati, and a host of other exotic bikes including the Travertson V-Rex and three-wheel Can-Am Spyder, to punters who meet their rental criteria. Naturally, you have to have a motorcycle licence, but the company also wants "a résumé showing your riding history and experience level, a recent photograph of yourself standing next to your current motorcycle, a statement of net worth showing $100,000-plus (about €69,810), and a letter of recommendation from a reputable source", such as a Ducati dealer. Those special enough to be allowed ride the bike aren't allowed take it out of California. If the bike is stolen while in the renter's possession, they're liable for $75,000 (some €51,600). Oh, and track riding isn't allowed, you have to weigh less than 18-stone fully suited, be reasonably fit, ride a Kawasaki ZX10 around to show that you are familiar with riding a sport-bike, and leave a $25,000 (about €17,200) credit card deposit. The rental itself costs $600 (€413) a day or $3,800 (about €2,615) for an entire week. If you're interested contact werentmotorcycles.com.
VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Harley Davidson never lets a merchandising opportunity slip by and now the company is putting its stamp on Valentine's day. The firm's range of romantic gifts includes belt buckes, jewellery, leather jackets, key fobs and even ladies underwear, with Harley-Davidsons embossed tank tops and under-shorts available for bike-mad ladies.
ELTON JOHN SENDS BIKES TO AFRICA
Elton John's crusade against the spread of Aids continues as the last of the 120 Honda CTX200s he donated make their way to Lesotho in Africa. The Elton John Aids Foundation provides the bikes to help medical staff get around one of Africa's poorest and least accessible regions, and another charity organisation, Riders for Health, is helping to train medics to ride the bikes, and maintain the machines. The bikes will deliver medicine to HIV, Aids and TB sufferers.
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