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Nostalgia

In fact it was only a year ago, but that’s no reason not to get a little nostalgic so we’ve a little from the 1950s and 60s in this month’s magazine with a wonderful interview with the first lady of the VCB, Margaret Farquhar. From the 1980s we have the custom chop Future Shock, while Blast From The Past revisits 1991. And if you’re prepared to squint a bit the denim clad smallframe Vespa on page 24 does remind of the 1970s.

Back to Future Shock, this month’s cover scooter, which also appeared on the cover of issue 12 of Scootering some 25 years ago. We also have the top custom scooter 300 inside this month too, and I’ll be honest in that it was a tough choice between having 300 on the cover of our 300th issue, or go with the rejuvenated 25-year-old chop.

A coin was flipped and the resto got it. Yes folks, there’s something to consider; this month’s cover scooter is a fine example of a restored Lambretta!

Competitions and more

There’s another chance to win a complete Isle of Wight scooter rally package in this month’s magazine; everything from the ferry tickets to the camping and a VFM weekend pass to all the best parties. Turn to page 28 for more details. Meanwhile on page 123 there’s the chance to win a pair of Hood and a pair of Kyrano motorcycle jeans, which come thoroughly recommended.

As for the future, well we have a number of things planned for the magazine over the coming months that we’re pretty excited about and hope you will be too when you see them. Don’t want to go into it just yet, but all will be revealed soon.

Scooter Parking Tax

Readers following the No To Bike Parking Tax campaign in London will already know that campaigners unfortunately lost their right to appeal in the courts recently. This means that Westminster City Council will be allowed to continue to charge for parking on its bike bays in the West End of the capital. Backed by the likes of the BMF and MAG the No To Bike Parking Tax campaign is considering an appeal in Europe, but until that happens MAG warns that other councils around the country may now see this as the green light to raise revenue from bike parking on their streets. On a recent trip into London (where you now need a mobile telephone and credit card to pay for your parking in Westminster) it didn’t seem obvious that any of the money raised was being spent on increasing bike parking spaces, or security at established locations. Yes some may argue riders don’t deserve to get parking for free, but I and many other would point out that if we all travelled by bus, train or car then those commuting arteries would be instantly clogged up.

Ride safe,

Andy