Biker News - Regularly updated

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Category: Organisations

  1. Mass Lobby of Parliament - Riders Are Voters campaign

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    The Riders Are Voters campaign organisations have called for Mass Lobby of Parliament on Monday 8th November 2010.
     
    The Mass Lobby is not a street demo, it is a rare opportunity for riders from across the UK to gather at Parliament and tell the politicians how best they can serve the riding public.
     
    There is plenty for the riders to say to their elected representatives and the governing parties:
     
    • The cost and bureaucratic complexity of getting a licence is spiraling out of control, while DSA has slashed the number of driving test centres.

    • Road conditions are worsening - road design and repair must become bike-friendly if cuts in public spending are not to result in avoidable danger to riders.

    • The UK Parliament must resist European proposals to restrict rider choice - current proposals for a new 'Multi-Directive' threaten to restrict riders carrying out basic maintenance task or modifying their own bike to suit their needs.  Mandating the use of expensive anti-lock brakes and electronics will add further cost and complexity to biking.  Mandating permanently lit headlamps on all new bikes may do more harm than good.

    • Riders are paying too much for too little in return - many bikes pay higher amounts of road tax than do less fuel-efficient cars.

    • The Bike industry has been left to sink or swim as Government bail-outs for the Car industry and public money to develop more environmentally-friendly vehicles are not available for two-wheelers.

    • Many Bus Lanes are still closed to bikes despite the advantages of opening them.

    • Motorcycle Sport is under pressure from agricultural policies that deter landowners and planning rules that threaten to close circuits.
     
     Taking part in the Mass Lobby is very easy and free of charge, but you must register your details with Riders Are Voters if you want to attend.
     
    You can register by emailing MAG at [email protected] or Phoning the Riders Are Voters office on 0800 9883193 (rider registration is being co-ordinated by MAG on behalf of the RAV campaign organisations).
     
    You will need to tell us:

    • Your name and home address including the postcode (we will need to check details for your constituency and MP).

    • Your e-mail address and telephone contact details (we will need to confirm your registration and may need to tell you about final arrangements for the day).

    • Which motorcycle organisations you are a member of, if any (RAV is a coalition of groups working for a better deal for riders).
     
    RAV will send you further information about arrangements for the day, including travel information.
     
    Riders who are not able to take part in the Mass Lobby at Parliament can still support the campaign by making an appointment to see their MP at one of their local constituency ‘surgeries’ - ideally before the 8th of November. 
     
    www.ridersarevoters.org
     

    or phone 0800 9883193 for further information.

    This is your opportunity – meet your MP where they work for you.

    Hear what lies ahead for biking in the UK - Say what should be done.

    Be a part of it, let your voice be heard.


    www.maguk.org

  2. More interference in biking from Brussels - MAG Press Release

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    • Mandatory anti-lock brakes.
    • Anti tampering measures.
    • Mandatory daytime headlight use.
     
    All the above are threatened by Brussels in a new wave of legislation which bureaucrats think will cut motorcycle accidents.
     
    The current proposals suggest medium and high powered bikes be routinely fitted with anti-lock brakes, while linked systems to ensure broth brakes are applied, are proposed as an option for low powered machines.
     
    A raft of anti-tampering design features to obstruct owner modification in pursuit of higher power is being promoted for all bikes.
     
    MAG President Ian Mutch said: “The Commission is trying to address complex road safety issues with ‘sledge hammer’ tactics yet again.  
     
    “Rider groups defeated anti tamper legislation in the 1990s and now we have to respond to the threat once more. The benefits of anti-lock braking systems are as unproven as the use of headlights in daytime and yet these supposed panaceas are being re-floated in lieu of sensible efforts to develop better attitudes and consideration among all road users.
     
    “Worse still, the EU is handing over responsibility for these issues to
    technical experts appointed by the United Nations, thus robbing European citizens of a voice in the future of motorcycle construction and use.
     
    “The resilience to logic of these irrational demands underscores the need for an articulate voice for motorcycling. MAG will work  to inform the debate among the  technical specialists if the politicians cannot be persuaded against abandoning their responsibility.”
     

  3. RideSafe BackSafe support for motorcycling grows

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    As well as recently joining the MCIA, RideSafe BackSafe has now expanded to include Cumbria Road Safety Partnership with immediate effect. Britain’s second largest county is a magnet for many motorcyclists who are drawn to beautiful countryside, wide open roads and sweeping bends. And Cumbria has the same concerns for the well-being of both local and visiting bikers as they travel through the county.

    Road Safety Co-ordinator for Cumbria Road Safety Partnership, Chris Broadbent explains: “During the last six years the total number of fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic collisions has reduced in Cumbria, but motorcyclists and especially young riders, still represent a disproportionately high number of casualties. RideSafe BackSafe is established, friendly and trusted by motorcycling enthusiasts because it is run ‘by bikers, for bikers’. By joining a well-known initiative that already works well in neighbouring Lancashire, as well as Greater Manchester and Merseyside, Cumbria is reinforcing its commitment to the motorcycling community“.

    RideSafe BackSafe does not manage safety cameras and is not police-led; although police motorcyclists and BikeSafe, together with IAM, BMF, MAG and KillSpills, play a part in its promotional activities.

    The initiative focuses on the vulnerability of bikers and promotes the benefits of ‘post-test’ training and rider assessment schemes, as well as the need for all bikers to wear proper kit and body armour. This is achieved by building relationships with motorcycle dealers, meeting bikers socially at bike meets, shows and dealer open days and by working closely with the motorcycle industry as whole.

    The RideSafe BackSafe team is well aware that bikers are not always at fault when collisions occur and therefore, promoting the “THINK BIKE, THINK BIKER” campaign to other road users is of equal importance.           

    More information, advice, news and events are featured at www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk

  4. Stricter MOTs

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    The European Commission has launched an internet consultation to gauge reaction to the idea of a standardised EU MOT which might be far more demanding than the British one.  
     
    They are also considering increasing the frequency of inspections and a requirement to have vehicles re-inspected if they have been modified since being tested or if the vehicle is sold.  
     
    Road-side spot-checks specifically for motorcycles are also under consideration.
     
    Harmonisation to the harshest test conditions currently found in any member state is an option being considered. Currently the most severe test regime is endured by Germany where riders face a far more stringent regime of testing and restriction than the UK enforces.
     
    Nich Brown, General Secretary of MAG(UK), said “The scope of this consultation confirms that the EU is contemplating a draconian and expensive burden on riders. All riders need to act now to challenge the potential excesses of yet another pan-European system that fails to meet the needs of individual nations.”
     
    The questions in the on-line consultation form are pitched in a suspicious manner which suggests that its architects have assumed the merit of such an initiative. It is also worrying that the consultation is published only in English whereas most of the countries who currently have no MOT equivalent test and so will be most affected, are not English speaking. Worse still, only three weeks have been allowed for stakeholders to respond.
     
    The worst scenario option which the questionnaire encourages participants to support, contradicts the claim by the EU that they wish to reduce the burdens on citizens.
     
    Nich Brown added
    “Since vehicle defects are implicated in less than1% of motorcycle crashes in Great Britain and many of that 1% are simply down to under-inflated tyres this whole plan has the look of an expensive red herring.”
     
    MAG is encouraging riders to complete the survey and opt for the ‘no change’ to present system option.
     
    The consultation runs until 24th September 2010
    http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=roadworthiness

  5. MAG Back In NI

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    The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) has reported that on a bracing Bank Holiday Monday evening there was the first gathering for some time, of MAG members in Northern Ireland.

    The venue chosen by local riders was the Dirty Duck pub in Holywood and the evening saw an interesting array of bikes and an enthusiasm from those attending to get things going again in the Province.

    The first gathering was organised by Molly and the MAG UK Campaigns Co-ordinator Paddy Tyson popped over from MAG “Central”, Paddy is originally from County Fermanagh.

    Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird said, “Although a MAG UK member, the report of the meeting came as a surprise, especially as we are in discussions with MAG UK about some form of collaboration to get MAG started again here. In the past, first as the Regional Rep for Northern Ireland and then General Secretary of MAG UK, I know that when the motorcycle community works together for the benefit of riders, we all win”.

    Our hand at Right To Right (and we are sure our supporters will agree), is extended in friendship to MAG on the various raft of issues we face as riders in Northern Ireland that come either internally or externally from the rest of the UK to Europe.

    Let’s hope together both the “new” MAG in Northern Ireland and Right To Ride can work in collaboration with the same co-operation that was extended to us by the local BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) representative, who we worked together with recently on the introduction of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) here in Northern Ireland.

    At Right To Ride we look forward to arranging an initial meeting and offer MAG in NI our support and good will and hope that they will reciprocate.

    Ride Free but Ride Together!