News

British drivers: Third from top in European poll

April 17, 2015

Europeans consider the most responsible drivers to be from Sweden, followed by Germany and Britain. The least responsible drivers are considered to be from Italy, Greece and Poland. A survey carried out for the Foundation for Responsible Driving by IPSOS examined the behaviour of drivers from ten European countries. Some of the results are...

Breakdown

London Undergound secrets revealed: WWII shelter open to public

April 16, 2015

There will be the rare opportunity to visit a secret part of subterranean London this October when a deep-level WWII bomb shelter opens to the public. The Clapham South shelter is a network of tube tunnels 180 steps below ground and beside the underground station. First opened to the public in July 1944, and one of eight deep level shelters...

General News

Pedal-powered Bicycle of Death theme park

April 14, 2015

Patrons of a restaurant in Italy called Ai Pioppi can forgo antipasto in favour of free entry to a giant, human-powered, theme park built by the owner. Rides include the Bicycle of Death. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] The incredible rides include a pedal-powered roller coaster and the Bicycle of Death, a safer - if more exhausting take on...

Cycling

Self-driving mobility scooter

April 10, 2015

With almost a quarter of the Japanese population over 65, engineers at Hitachi have focussed on the needs of the elderly by developing an autonomous mobility scooter that drives itself. The Robot for Personal Intelligent Transport System (ROBITS) operates on pavements, just like a conventional mobility scooter, but uses a range of sensors...

Breakdown

Festival must-have: The insulated tent

April 10, 2015

With the music festival season on the near horizon, camping enthusiast Derek O'Sullivan has developed what promises to be the world's first correctly insulated tent. Little beats sleeping under canvas, but conventional tents have a few drawbacks. Once the air temperature drops, tents cool very quickly inside and, conversely, in direct...

Environment

Volvo Life Paint for cyclists

April 1, 2015

Volvo Life Paint for cyclists is highly reflective coating that can be applied to any surface. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] Car maker Volvo this week distributed 2,000 cans among London bike shops to gauge reaction from cyclists. They were gone within days. According to Volvo: LifePaint is a unique reflective safety spray. Invisible by...

Cycling

Hubcap creatures

April 1, 2015

What becomes of the decorative plastic wheel trims that fall off car wheels and end up lying in the gutter? The answer for a lucky few is a new life as hubcap creatures. Hubcap creatures Hub caps are almost a thing of the past because most cars now sport lightweight alloy wheels, but for those that remain, and are lost, another life awaits...

Breakdown

Speed limits for pedestrians on pavements in the rain

March 31, 2015

Speed limits for pedestrians when it rains will not be respected and will hamper the promotion of sustainable travel, according to the Environmental Transport Association. Pavements across Britain are to be painted with speed limit signs that are visible only when it rains. Amid concern that pedestrians are not taking enough care in wet...

Air Travel

Bicycle brake lights

March 27, 2015

The Nano Duo is a bicycle brake light suitable for any cable brake system. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] Bicycle brake lights The Duo is small warning system that combines brake light and rear light functions. The light function can be installed on any cable brake system and weighs only 12g. In most riding situations, cyclists have little...

Cycling

BMW's new electric HGV

March 27, 2015

It’s not nearly as luxurious as the other vehicles in its line-up, but BMW's new electric HGV promises to be one of the cleanest car delivery trucks in the world when it takes to the roads this summer. The 40-ton electric truck will drive between the logistics company SCHERM and the BMW plant in Munich eight times a day. BMW will become the...

Breakdown