Category: Organisations

1. Irish Bikers Thousands Protest

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 1st Nov 2011

   On Saturday the 29th October the United Bikers of Ireland organised protest ride saw over 3,000 bikers descend on Dublin’s Government buildings, the Dail against proposed new EU Laws from the European Commission’s – Approval and market surveillance of two – or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
    
   Riders rode in from various organised starting points across Ireland from: Clare – Limerick – Cork – Kildare – Donegal – Monaghan – Waterford – Wexford – Galway – Athlone and Dublin itself to voice their opposition.
    
   The United Bikers of Ireland state that, “The EU proposal seeks to introduce a wide range of changes to existing regulations, and at the same time impose a confusing myriad of limitations and restrictions for all motorcyclists in Europe.”
    
   Not only were the thousands of riders met at the Dail by Irish member of Parliament Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD but MEP Phil Prendergast was on the back of a trike all the way in on the Dublin leg of the protest ride, for the first time in her life.
    
   Phil Prendgast sits on the EU IMCO Committee (Internal Market and Consumer Protection) which is at present considering amendments to the European Commission’s proposal to be voted on in November 2011 before being presented to the Europe Parliament.
    
   The United Bikers of Ireland say that Phil Prendgast, “was very impressed with our presence and our points.”
    
   The message from the United Bikers of Ireland is, “Well done to everyone who came out today. It was a great success and we estimate approx 3,000 bikes turned out in total and helped take over a number of streets around Leinster House.
    
   It was so important to make our numbers known to the politicians and decision makers, and despite the bad weather at the start, we put on an amazing show.
    
   Thank you once again to everyone, well done and ride safe.”
    
   Where next for the United Bikers of Ireland committee?
    
   Well they have received an invitation to meet the CEO of the RSA (Road Safety Authority).
    
   United Bikers of Ireland say, “This is indeed a huge step in our efforts as it allows us to meet face-to-face with the RSA governing body and will allow us an opportunity for dialogue and debate.”
    
   At Right To Ride we say, “United Bikers of Ireland are combining lobbying, meeting politicians and authorities with the megaphone diplomacy of protest rides. Congratulations to the committee and all riders in finding a refined balance.”
    
   www.unitedbikersofireland.com

2. United Bikers of Ireland

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 27th Oct 2011

   United Bikers of Ireland is a new group who are all volunteers based in the ROI which aims to try and fight against the new EU Laws which are proposed in the European Commission’s - Approval and market surveillance of two – or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
    
   As a committee United Bikers of Ireland feel that bikers need to unite and work together to try and stop these laws coming into effect.
    
   In order to do this the United Bikers of Ireland feel that to get their point across, they need to meet with and lobby local politicians - TDs (Irish Elected Politicians) and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in order to expose the serious defects in this legislation together with the extortionate cost these new measures will confer on each State, versus the miniscule benefit, if any , that is expected.
    
   The group have already moved forward and met politicians in October at Leinster House to discuss the forthcoming EU legislation proposal. In attendance was the Minister for Transport , Dr  Leo Varadkar, Caoimhghin O Caolain Sinn Fein TD, and motorcycle enthusiasts from across Ireland. Leinster House is the seat of the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland.

   United Bikers of Ireland are combining lobbying and meeting politicians with the megaphone diplomacy of protest rides by organising a large protest which will be run for the benefit of and hopefully with their involvement, all bikers in Ireland.
    
   United Bikers of Ireland say, “We aim to hold a peaceful run to show the government and MEPs that we can be trusted, we do deserve greater freedoms then are being proposed in this EU legislation, we do not deserve to have such stringent controls enforced on us, we are safety conscious, and we deserve to be treated like responsible adults.”
    
   ”The bottom line is that the proposed legislation, is off the mark in the issues it aims to address, is seriously flawed in its approach   to   recommend remedies, and has the potential to create a monster of a legislation which is impractical to implement, extortionately expensive for Europe to administer, and that also has far reaching consequences for all other modes of transport if such a precedent is set”
    
   The motorcycle protest is planned for this Saturday the 29th October, where 5,000 motorcycles from across Ireland will journey from various start points to Dublin, then to descend on the Government buildings of the Dail, for one major protest in a show of unity and expression of disappointment and frustration with this proposed legislation. A petition will also be handed in.
    
   For full details of the United Bikers of Ireland and starting points of the feeder protest rides visit the website at www.unitedbikersofireland.com

3. The EU and Motorcycling - Home Truths

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 24th Oct 2011

   Responding to an increasing number of enquiries over the forthcoming EU Type Approval regulations, the BMF have produced a comprehensive briefing document outlining the current position, explaining the EU process of government, detailing the measures under discussion and by listing a Reality Check, dispelling a few myths over what will and will not reach our home shores.

   The document, ‘Briefing On The EU Type Approval Debate’ explains the all-important differences between the EU Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and also explains the differences between EU Regulations and EU Directives, an understanding of which is crucial for lobbying to be effective say the BMF.

   It points out that the regulation being debated proposes to add or change some requirements and bring all the legislation on motorcycle Type Approval together, voting on which will be on the 22nd November. It is these processes, along with unconnected unilateral measures proposed by other European governments, that have caused confusion say the BMF. 

   While the BMF is supporting a forthcoming demonstration in Brussels against the unpopular requirements of anti-tampering contained in the Type Approval regulations, it says that it’s important to get the position clear, hence the briefing.

   THE REALITY CHECK–LIST 

   Anti-Tampering – Powers to make changes more difficult to the engine and drive train of motorcycles

   Myth busting reality:

   It will not be illegal to change components on a motorcycle

   There will not be spot checks of motorcycles on the road

   It will only apply to new motorcycles

   ABS - Commission wants powers to specify minimum safety equipment for motorcycles including mandatory ABS on larger bikes or CBS on smaller bikes as well as Automatic Headlights On (AHO) on all bikes

   Myth busting reality:

   Original text excludes enduro and trail bikes

   Off switch probably up to manufacturer discretion

   AHO already on nearly all bikes sold in EU

   On Board Diagnostics (OBD) - will be compulsory in two stages OBD 1 and 2

   Myth busting reality:

   Not an onboard tracking device – only shows component failure or component out of tolerance

   Will not stop bike working

   Emissions - Bring pollutant limits for bikes in line with cars in three stages over the next decade. Bikes must remain compliant for 50,000km (less for smaller bikes)

   Myth busting reality:

   Bikes release a much higher amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons than cars

   Catalytic converters can be fitted to motorcycles and routinely are

   Bikes over 7 years old will not be banned from entering town centres

   Measures Outside of Type Approval

   There is nothing in the proposed regulation on the wearing of compulsory high visibility clothing; town centre bans for old motorcycles; power limits or European wide MOTs. Some other EU countries have proposed such things, but not the EU and they are not being proposed in the UK either says the BMF.

   The BMF have a long record of lobbying on EU matters and working through FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) and the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), as well as having discussions with the UK government, the BMF have made the case for British motorcycling.

   BMF Government relations Executive Chris Hodder said: “This is about perspective. There are benefits in Type Approval where high quality standards for original equipment and performance are concerned and where barriers to trade are removed, but the BMF is vehemently opposed to any regulation restricting an individual's freedom to modify or improve their own motorcycle.”

   BMF EU Type Approval Briefing document

4. BMF Means Business

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 11th Oct 2011

   A leaner, meaner BMF with clear objectives, set the theme for the BMF’s AGM on Saturday.

   Held at the Harefield Community Association, Uxbridge, Middlesex, the meeting heard from outgoing chairman Anna Zee that while individual membership numbers had fallen slightly, affiliated club membership remained buoyant and that the BMF’s portfolio of shows, a key source of income for the BMF, although now more professionally presented, had no doubt been hit by the current economic situation.

   Speaking on BMF finances, Finance Director Howard Anderson said that while office overheads had been considerably reduced during the year, the work load was still there and he asked for more volunteers to help spread the load. The good news was however that Archant Dialogue, the producers of the BMF’s magazine Motorcycle Rider, had not only cut costs dramatically and increased advertising revenue he said, but were also upgrading the BMF’s website.

   This financial theme was continued when it came to the BMF’s shows’ portfolio. For 2012 and beyond, a new contract had been entered into with The Mulberry Group, the organisers of BMF shows for the past two years, whereby they would now take on full responsibility for the shows both functionally and financially.

   Martin Chick, Mulberry Group MD, said that while overall he had been happy with the content of the shows, he was not happy with their financial performance. He said that the move of the Tailend show to Lincoln had been a worthwhile experiment, but was not a financial success and therefore, having taken into account public and trader views and discussed it with the BMF’s Management Team, Tailend, with improved contract terms, will be moved back to Peterborough for 2012. “We clearly got the moving of the Tailend show wrong, but we did it for the right reasons” said Martin. “As we’ve said all along, we’ll listen to traders, BMF members and attendees. They’ve all said Lincoln isn’t right for them, hence the move back to Peterborough."

   Martin also said that his team were in negotiations with a new sponsor for the shows, which would help defray expenses and increase profitability. 

   The show dates for 2012 were announced as:

   BMF Show, Peterborough, 18-20 May

   BMF Bikefest Kelso, 6-8 July

   BMF Tailend, Peterborough, 14-16 September

   Amy Nicholson from Archant Dialogue then spoke about Marketing and Communications, specifically about the growth and development of Motorcycle Rider magazine. Advertising revenues had risen she said and there was a new confidence from advertisers, one of whom had already booked for the forthcoming four issues. She noted that with the development of the BMF’s website there would be a further increase in revenues, but as the development had to be self-funding, this would not be overnight.

   The BMF’s Government Relations Executive, Chris Hodder, then spoke about lobbying and government relations. He said that the motorcycle training review was still ongoing and he outlined the Euro demonstration planned for Brussels in November against anti-motorcycling proposals. He stressed the need to concentrate on real and not imagined threats and went on to talk about European type approval regulations, in particular dispelling some myths about roadside checks, on-board diagnostics and compulsory ABS.

   When it came to BMF elections, Peter Laidlaw was re-elected as Director of Member Services while two new volunteer directors, Tom Duncan and Roger Ellis were co-opted on to the Management Team.

   After five years at the helm, outgoing chairman Anna Zee said that for personal reasons she would be standing down but hoped to continue to participate in the Federation’s activities wherever she could and wished everyone well for the future. A vote of thanks was given for the tireless work Anna had performed over the past five, very difficult years.

   www.bmf.co.uk

5. MAG achieves local success

   Posted on 12:00am Sunday 18th Sep 2011

   Humber Bridge motorcycle toll to be scrapped!

   Tell your friends but just as important tell them that it was MAG that got it.