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

Babel Bike vs Faraday Porteur electric bike

April 17, 2015

Both the Faraday Porteur and Sinclair Babel Bike are new electric bicycles born from crowd funding, but each is radically different from the other. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] The Faraday Porteur is designed to look and ride just like a familiar, high-quality bicycle. As with most electric bicycles, the Faraday lets you put in as much,...

Cycling

Remote control bicycle lights

April 17, 2015

The Bontrager Transmitr is a wireless system that allows you to control up to seven bicycle lights via a handlebar-mounted remote. The small device displays battery life, controls all lights from one button and allows you to use a pair of rear lights as indicators. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] Remote control bicycle lights The Transmitr...

Cycling

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

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

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

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

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

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