Think Bike!

A little change of pace now, as today's blog is all about motorcycles. 

Of course, we love all things motorcycle related here at Veloce – a number of the Velocisti regularly ride their bikes into work – so road safety is paramount to us. Sadly, a large number of motorcycle riders around the globe are involved in serious accidents annually, and with the weather getting warmer, it's even more crucial that we all THINK BIKE whilst out on the roads.

Locally, Dorset Police have launched a new campaign in order to encourage motorists to THINK BIKE on a more regular basis. This has involved putting up posters in 'hot spot' areas around the county where serious collisions have occurred involving motorcycle users. It is hoped that these signs will highlight that road users need to pay more attention to motorcycle users. You can see these posters on the following roads:

• B3059 Somerford Road, Christchurch
• A354 Weymouth Way
• A354 Portland Beach Road
• B3073 Christchurch Road between Dudbury and Wet Parley
• A30 Babylon Hill
• A31 just west of lake gates roundabout to just east of Merley roundabout
• A348 Ringwood Road near Langham
• A351 Sandford to Holten Heath

Further afield, Autotalks, the global leader in V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication chipsets, has joined the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC). Autotalks will work with other CMC members to help realise the vision of a uniform motorcycle platform for V2M (Vehicle-to-Motorcycle) communication. Specifically, Autotalks and other CMC members will work together to enhance Cooperative-Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) applications in motorcycles in a way that will help minimise motorcycle accidents.

Autotalks' V2M solution is based on a second generation V2X chipset developed by the company, which allows motorcyclists and other drivers to receive alerts on life threatening situations, in order to avoid road accidents. The V2M enables detection of motorcycles that are not visible to the human eye, cameras, or other sensors. 

To highlight the importance of being aware of motorcycle users on the road, Autotalks' CEO Hagai Zyss points out:
 "Motorcycles have higher chances of being involved in a road traffic accident, meaning motorcycle users are at a greater risk of fatality. Studies show that in approximately one third of motorcycle accidents, the motorbike is not visible to the car driver. Autotalks is committed to minimising motorcycle accidents until there will be zero accidents on our roadways."

Whether you are a motorcycle rider or not, be sure to Think Bike when you are out on the roads!

DORSET’S JURASSIC COAST COMES TO BOURNEMOUTH'S WESTOVER ROAD

August 5 saw the opening of an exhibition of photographs featuring the breath-taking beauty of Dorset’s coastline, but from a different perspective – viewed from the sea.

The evocative images by photographer Steve Belasco take you on a journey from Lyme Regis in the West to Old Harry Rocks in the East – a journey that features some of Dorset’s best known and most secret coastal places.

Steve says:
"When I first arrived in Dorset as a newspaper photographer, I was stunned by the scenery, particularly the drama of the Jurassic coastline. A quarter of a century on, I still am.
"So I decided to combine three of my passions – photography, boats and my adopted home county – to create a collection of photographs taken from Dorset’s best viewpoint... offshore.
"The coast may not be quite as it was 190 million years ago in the Lower Jurassic period, but it’s still pretty spectacular!"

Steve’s book ‘Dorset from the Sea’ (published by Veloce) accompanies the exhibition and is available either as a full size or handy pocket-sized ‘explorers’ edition.

Both are available to purchase at the exhibition, together with ‘miniblocs’ of each of the images which make a unique memento. There is also the opportunity to order limited edition canvases of the images themselves, signed by the photographer.

The exhibition runs from August 5-30, 2015, at the former Tourist Information Centre on the corner of Westover Road and Gervis Place.
This free exhibition is supported by the Meyrick Estate, Langtry Manor, Wood Lodge and Windsor Court Care and a proportion of proceeds from the sale of books and photographs will help to support the tremendous work of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Dame Ellen says:
“It's great to see Steve's exhibition promoting Dorset's Jurassic Coast which, for most people not lucky enough to have seen it from seaward, gives a different perspective to this familiar and beautiful coastline.

“It would be wonderful if these images encourage more people to get out on the water to enjoy it for themselves.
“On the subject of enjoying the water, it's also great that this show is helping support young people recovering from cancer and leukaemia by rebuilding their confidence through sailing. Thank you!”

The building, which has been a prominent sight on the corner of Westover Road for the last 25 years, is soon to take on a new role as a restaurant but is being made available to stage these exhibitions whilst final plans are put in place

George Meyrick, Chairman of the Meyrick Estate says:
"We are delighted to make one of our properties available to this and two other free exhibitions during August and September - offering yet another aspect to Bournemouth’s ever-growing choice of summertime activities".

WATERSTONES BRIDPORT WINDOW DISPLAY OF DORSET FROM THE SEA

Huge thanks to Waterstones bookshop in Bridport for this fantastic nautical-themed window display, featuring Dorset from the sea.

The timing couldn't be better, as this week is love the Jurassic Coast week. Use hashtag #lovethejurassiccoast on Twitter.

The visual feast that is Dorset is enjoyed by millions, visitors, locals, or through printed and virtual media. But few are lucky enough to enjoy the coastline 'from the outside looking in'.
This book has been photographed entirely from the sea by sailor and marine photographer Steve Belasco who has cruised the area in small boats for over 20 years.
His love of Dorset's waters, those who enjoy and the people and creatures that depend on them, comes shining through.



Dorset from the Sea – The Jurassic Coast from Lyme Regis to Old Harry Rocks photographed from its best viewpoint by Steve Belasco is available now in souvenir & large format editions.

FISH & SHIPS 2015

Signed copies of Dorset from the sea by Steve Belasco will be available at Fish & Ships on April 11th & 12th 2015 at Portland Marina in Dorset. Free entry for all!

DORSET FROM THE SEA AVAILABLE NOW

One man and his boat ... and his camera.



The visual feast that is Dorset is enjoyed by millions, visitors, locals, or through printed and virtual media. But few are lucky enough to enjoy the coastline 'from the outside looking in'.
This book has been photographed entirely from the sea by sailor and marine photographer Steve Belasco who has cruised the area in small boats for over 20 years.
His love of Dorset's waters, those who enjoy and the people and creatures that depend on them, comes shining through.

Steve has been a professional photographer since 1982, being awarded Associateships of both the Royal Photographic Society and British Institute of Professional Photography. He has Royal Yachting Association qualifications in sailing and powerboating.
For the past 26 years he has worked for Dorset’s daily and weekly newspapers and monthly magazines as both a photographer and journalist.
Steve has lived in South Dorset for 26 years and he and his wife Josie and sons Louis and Tristan have their own motorboat berthed in Portland Harbour.

Dorset from the sea – The Jurassic Coast from Lyme Regis to Old Harry Rocks photographed from its best viewpoint by Steve Belasco, with a foreword by Dame Ellen MacArthur is available now in large format and souvenir edition.

A proportion of proceeds will be donated to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.