Motorcycle Trouble

A very roadworthy Honda Goldwing

March the First is the beginning of Valencia's month for Las Fallas. Everyday at 2pm there is a massive firework display in the central square outside of City Hall that is attended by thousands. They are there for the noise because during the day there are no beautiful coloured explosions. If you have never attended a Mascleta it is really something to experience. It doesn't last long, about five to seven minutes, but it is the most violent five to seven minutes you could ever hope to be involved in. Even serving soldiers have said that it puts real live fire in the battle arena in the shade.

Las Fallas culminates with monuments that are planted in the streets on the 15th, and they remain until the 19th, when they are simplly set on fire. Many of these monuments cost the equivalent of building a house.

The First of March is also traditionally the start of the Valencia police campaign to focus on motorcycles. There are check points set up exclusively for this purpose in various parts of the community to examine motorcycles with a fine tooth comb. Recently, the law has made motorcycles subject to the annual roadworthy examination, but not everybody has got into the swing of it. If you are found to be operating your bike without having renewed your bike's certificate you are fined euros 500, and depending on the state of the bike, it may be taken into the impound centre.

Strictly speaking, every vehicle that does not have a current certificate should be pulled off the road because no-one can know whether it is roadworthy, and if it is the cause of an accident chances are that the insurers may not want to pay out.

So, while everybody else will be having a fun time with fireworks, making as much noise as they can, you are reminded to attend to your bike's papers. 

Ride safely, Ride well, and wear a reflective jacket to be seen to be safe.

Copyright (c) 2012   Eugene Carmichael