Covec back on track after sea disaster

Welcome news from the Motorcycle Action Group this month, as the riders’ rights group reports a positive result from a meeting with government and police. This time it was a meeting with a member of the Scottish Parliament, Daniel Johnson, Police Scotland and City of Edinburgh council, which supplied the good news. Police Scotland had previously launched an anti-bike theft campaign over the summer, Operation Soteria, which resulted in 36 arrests and the recovery of 131 motorcycles between June and September.

Daniel Johnson, Labour MSP for the Edinburgh Southern constituency, spoke in favour of more action. “Motorcycle theft and motorcycleenabled crime is a growing problem in our capital city,” he said. “It’s crucial that we treat this issue seriously and put a coordinated system in place that helps tackle it.”

And councillor Scott Arthur, convener of Edinburgh council’s transport committee, tweeted afterwards about the event. “Many thanks to @DJohnsonMSP for hosting a meeting on motorcycle thefts in Edinburgh. I was quite shocked to hear details of some

quite brazen thefts of motorcycles in Edinburgh. This has had a huge impact on Edinburgh’s biker community. Given the seriousness of the situation, I was happy to give @MAGUKCentral an assurance that I would request a review of secure motorcycle parking in Edinburgh.” MAG’s director of campaigns and political engagement, Colin Brown, said: “I was pleased to take part in this important meeting. There was much It resulted in ground covered and some tangible action points 36 arrests and came from the meeting. We the recovery know the issue will not be solved easily, but I am glad of 131 to report that the need is recognised and the will to motorcycles get results is there.” MAG has also recommended a full review of the UK’s motorcycle licencing regime. According to the group, British riders are passing their full bike test later than car drivers – aged 24 compared with 17 – and for every five CBT certificates, only one full licence is issued. The result is a suppression of rider numbers as people move on to cars, and as MAG points out, it’s hard to refute a connection with the higher casualty rates for younger riders as compared with younger drivers.

Covec back on course after a disaster at sea

SOUTHAMPTON-BASED BIKE KIT FIRM COVEC HAD a bit of an ocean-going calamity earlier this year when a container of protective riding jeans sprung a leak at sea. The shipping unit took in seawater during its voyage from the far east, ruining the entire consignment of Bull-It denim. The firm was insured, so it has ‘weathered the storm’, and now has full stocks of all its CE-approved kit, ready for dealers to order.

“A load of stock was wrecked due to a leaky container, around 1500 pairs of jeans, and many of these had been on backorder. Dealers were waiting for them, which makes it immensely disappointing as it greatly impacted our service,” said Covec sales manager Elliot Bloxsome. “It was stock that would have sold over summer, so new stock had to be made to fulfil dealer orders – Covec would like to thank its dealers for their patience and loyalty.” 01489 582 707; info@bull-it.com

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