Biker bits, news and views from Mark Pugh.
The KillSpills campaign, set up to counter the menace of diesel spillage and particularly, the danger it presents to motorcyclists, will hold its final ride on Saturday 20th September .The final ‘617 Ride’ (so called because it represents the total number of killed and seriously injured diesel accidents for all road users between 2000 and 2005), is by invitation only and will be limited to 100 bikes, including marshals. Although the BMF are continuing to sponsor the KillSpills campaign, the Institute of Advanced Motorists have also agreed to sponsor KillSpills for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009, something the BMF welcomes as recognition of the valuable work KillSpills has done over the past four years. The ride assembles at the Ace Café at 10:30, leaves for Number 10 Downing Street at 11:00 to hand in the KS Annual Report then rides to Peterborough via the Ace Café, arriving at the Showground at 15:30 hrs. The campaign has made significant progress over the past five years, most recently being responsible for revisions to the Highway Code highlighting the dangers of diesel spills. KillSpills has also obtained funding from the DfT for 200,000 anti diesel spill leaflets and saw the Highways Agency launch their own anti diesel spill message for which they received the BMF/KillSpills award 2007 for ‘Achievement in Reducing Diesel Spills.’Check out the BMF website for more info: www.bmf.co.uk