New London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has pledged to support further rollouts of 20mph limits across London.

Brake, the road safety charity, is pleased to see that new London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has pledged to support further rollouts of 20mph limits across London. In his election manifesto, Mr Khan said, “I will encourage the rollout of 20mph zones across the city.”

London has followed many other progressive cities, such as Bristol, in bringing in 20mph limits in urban areas. Currently nine of the 12 inner London boroughs have 20mph limits, compared to just two in 2013, and 20mph limits now cover a third of London’s population.

In previous research conducted by Brake on 20mph limits, reducing the limit from 30 to 20mph has been shown to reduce casualties [1] as drivers have more time to react. At 30mph, if a child runs out three car lengths ahead, you will hit the child at almost full speed, with a high chance of killing or injuring them. At 20mph you should be able to stop in time. Children also benefit from slower speed limits because they struggle to judge the speed of vehicles over 20mph, so often make mistakes crossing roads with faster traffic [2].

In 2014 a Brake survey found that eight in 10 people (78%) think 20mph should be the norm around schools, on residential streets, and in village, town and city centres [3].

Gary Rae, director of communications and campaigns, said: “It’s fantastic to see that 20mph speed limits are now being widely endorsed by high-profile politicians. Mr Khan’s backing clearly shows that he recognises that 20mph limits can enable people to get around their neighbourhoods, towns and city centres more safely, whilst promoting a healthy and sustainable environment.

“We at Brake believe everyone should be able to walk and cycle in their communities without being put in danger. By lowering speed limits to 20mph from 30mph, we can protect the most vulnerable in society such as disabled people, children and anyone on bicycle or on foot.”

GO 20 Coalition

Through its GO 20 campaign, Brake is part of a broad coalition of charities calling for 20mph limits to become the norm in our cities, towns and villages. Ultimately, we want the government to change the national default urban speed limit from 30 to 20mph. In the meantime, we are calling on local authorities to GO 20 by implementing widespread 20mph limits in their own areas; and on drivers to help make our roads safer by slowing down to 20mph or below around homes, schools and shops, even where the limit is still 30mph.

[ENDS]

Dainese continues to support British racers in 2014

Dainese is pleased to announce its continuing support of UK riders in British Superbike, World Superbike and road racing.

In the British Superbike Championship Tommy Bridewell will be flying the Dainese flag in his quest to lift the 2014 BSB trophy. Bridewell will also wear and help with the development of the new D-air Racing Thorax.

D-air Racing Thorax is a development of the original system, which extends to protect the trunk. The entire system has been redesigned to increase the area protected without sacrificing the ergonomics, a crucial aspect for professional riders. The size and geometry of the airbags has changed to extend to ‘hug’ the riders trunk, while a larger capacity gas generator has been introduced to maintain high inflation pressure.

Dainese will also continue in its role as the Official Safety Partner of the British Superbike Championship.

MCE BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs explained:

I am delighted to see that Dainese and Tommy Bridewell have continued their partnership into the 2014 season, which has the foundations for being his biggest opportunity to challenge for the title to date.

In terms of the Championship it is fantastic to see the D-air Thorax system utilised by one of our leading riders as we have been working very closely with our safety partner Dainese on the recent evolution to the D-air system. We have already seen from riders in the MotoGP World Championship classes that the D-air has proved extremely effective and this announcement shows Dainese’s latest commitment to rider safety within the MCE BSB Championship.

Tommy Bridewell, also commented:

It’s very special for me to be associated with Dainese. It was the first suit I wore when I first started racing and I really believe they offer the best protection in the world. The new suits with the D-air system are so technically advanced and I'm very proud to be involved with the development of the new versions with the Thorax and upper body protection. To be part of the same R&D team as Valentino Rossi feels amazing and I’m stoked to be part of this very unique family called Dainese.

In SBK Dainese will again back Tom Sykes, who will be defending his 2013 World Superbike Championship title, and Leon Haslam, who will compete aboard the Pata Honda SBK machine. Both riders will wear Dainese’s D-air Racing suit during the season. 

The Italian brand will also continue its support for road racing stars Guy Martin, Conor Cummins and James Hillier as they tackle the famous 37.5-mile mountain course at the Isle of Man TT, as well as the North West 200, Southern 100 and other road racing events. Dainese will also continue as the TT’s Official Safety Partner.

Aside form the UK contingent; Dainese will still support Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Stefan Bradl, Pol Espargaro and Andrea Iannone in their MotoGP assaults. Supported Moto2 riders include Franco Morbidelli, Luis Salom and Sandro Cortese, and in Moto3 Romano Fenati, Francesco Bagnaia and Niccolo Antonelli will all wear Dainese. 

Like Sykes and Halsam, all MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 riders will wear D-air Racing, with the exception of Espargaro, Salom and Fenati who, along with Bridewell, will continue to develop the new D-air Thorax system.

Dainese riders will continue their development role with D-air Racing, while also being protected by the system. Launched on the market three years ago, D-air Racing is a revolutionary airbag system fitted into a leather suit. The airbag works on internal equipment reading the track conditions and recognises when the bike starts to slide. The system is deployed within 45 millieseconds and takes just 10 seconds to deflate. 

To date all Dainese riders who have crashed wearing the D-air Racing system have escaped without neck, shoulder or collar bone injuries.