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April 2000 |
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Corporation of London to Ban Bikes
The Corporation of London is currently updating its Plan for the City and is the first UK council to miserably fail to understand MAG's recent points about motorcycling by indicating that it intends taking motorcycle parking off street and making it short term. The Corporation has now responded to our concerns and will be including MAG and other concerned respondents in its autumn consultations and public inquiry on the matter! MAG'S Email Army The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is expanding our political lobbying effort using email technology. MAG currently has an 'email army' of over 200 individuals who have volunteered to write to politicians, civil servants, newspaper editors etc when requested to do so by MAG. There is no compulsion to respond to every request. If a particular issue that MAG mails the volunteers about is of interest to them then they are encouraged to contact the authority in question. MAG will supply addresses and outline the arguments. To join this virtual army send an Email with the word 'subscribe' in the body to: mag-uk-info-request@meng.ucl.ac.uk New Website PACTS, the Parliamentary Council for Transport Safety has announced a new Website at: www.pacts.org.uk This site is dedicated to transport safety and is an information source for statistics, news, parliamentary briefings and articles, links to other website documents related to current policy developments (including the Road Safety Strategy and the Transport Bill) and details of current research. Pacts also offer a free Email service with updates on any new press releases, policy links, or research briefings. To subscribe to this list send your e-mail address (headed 'add to e-mail update list') to mail@pacts.org.uk Milk'n Beans Apparently Milton Keynes is about to start trialing a 50mph limit on two of the main dual carriageways through the city, with the idea of applying the limit to the whole grid. For those of you who don't know MK, it is made up of a grid of NSL dual and single carriageways. Peds and cycles are encourage to keep well clear by an extensive set of 'redways' which include under/over passes across the grid roads. All the estates are within the squares of the grids and are all 30mph, many with speed humps, and other standard traffic calming bits. So why are MK going to drop the speed limit on roads that have no peds, cycles, bends (apart from roundabouts) or parked cars anywhere on them? Apparently, because they will get more money from the Government for the maintenance of roads with a 50mph limit than they currently do for the NSL roads.
Watch out for more moneymaking incentives to reduce speed limits coming
to a town near you soon.
From MAG Member Spencer Cullen It is important that as many people as possible take part in this campaign to get as good an effect as possible (messages are circulating around Europe). The action is against the raises in petrol and diesel prices and is based on no one filling up the tank on April 30, 2000. The prices increase with an insane speed; it is time to do something about it, it is crazy with such high prices while there are millions of litres of oil in the oil storage's. The oil producers have decided to decrease the oil production to make more money, not to save the environment. If we do not buy petrol during a whole day, the oil market would be destabilised, although only for a short time. With our means of communication it is very easy to reach a lot of people, so send this message to everyone you know: If you must have petrol, make sure to fill up the day before or the day after. Make sure you show that we exist, even if this may seem a small action, imagine that approx. 50 litres petrol/diesel in a quarter of the vehicles in Europe (approx. 200 million vehicles x 50 litres make about 10 milliard litres) that would hurt the producers cash flow. This would also make the media react. As you will understand this message will also be sent to all central media. CRoW Bill With the publication of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, Central Government has effectively killed off any chance of improvements to rights of way. While Mr Meacher describes the Bill as "the most radical improvement to rights of way for many years", access users wonder if he understands the implications of his own legislation. The 'radical improvements' that he is proposing actually undermine the very foundation of the public's rights. Riders, mountain bikers, carriage drivers, motorised users and walkers are horrified that their views have been completely ignored in order to pacify landowners for the open access legislation. There is nothing within the legislation of benefit to the millions of horse riders and cyclists who were promised improved bridleway and byway networks. There is nothing except exclusion and restriction in the proposals for motorised recreational users. The only beneficiaries are landowners, under-performing local Authorities and a very small minority of ramblers. The Bill is an immediate and serious threat to all rights of way as Central Government rushes to legislate new powers for easier closure and diversion of our historic paths. WE MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS Additional proposals which have not yet been published include measures to cap the definitive map and to divert paths for land management and conservation. We ask that all access users act now to ensure Mr. Meacher reconsiders this ill-advised, incomplete and premature legislation. Please contact your MP as a matter of urgency and ask him/her to write Mr. Meacher expressing your dismay at this legislation. Copies to: Chris Mullin (Under Secretary for Environment, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA One Year Ban Finally Dies The Government finally announced the details of how it intends to take forward the commitments in Tomorrow's roads - Safer for everyone relating to improving rider safety. Following consultation by the Driving Standards Agency last year, Ministers have decided to make significant improvements to the provisional motorcycle licence rules, and to the training and testing arrangements for learner motorcyclists and moped riders. In response to a parliamentary question, Lord Whitty, the Minister with special responsibility for road safety, said, "We are removing unnecessary restrictions whilst improving training and testing for learner riders. We shall abolish the rule that means learner riders lose their provisional licence after 2 years, and we shall improve the training they receive. New licences will be valid until age 70 years, providing the rider holds a current training certificate. New car drivers will have basic safety training before riding a moped." Other changes include: - setting the validity period for a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate at 2 years. - encouraging structured training for learner riders beyond CBT. - requiring all learner riders and car drivers to take the theory test. - stopping the issue of a full licence to drive a lightweight car as a result of passing a motorcycle test. - promoting voluntary familiarisation training for riders returning to motorcycling after a number of years. - raising the instruction standards for those involved in motorcycle training. - The changes are expected to be implemented in October 2000. DSA To Monitor Advanced Tests The Driving Standards Agency is to monitor advanced driving tests as a way of making sure that agreed standards are being met throughout the country. Advanced driving tests are carried out by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), DIAmond Advanced Motorists and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Many people, for personal or professional reasons, wish to enhance their driving skills by taking advanced driver training or an advanced test. The Government believes that there could be a wider role for these services as part of developing a safe driving culture - as published in its Road Safety Strategy last month. Until now there has been no generally accepted industry standard. Following discussions with advanced driving test providers, DSA has agreed a benchmark for advanced driving. Agreement has been reached between the Agency and both DIAmond Advanced Motorists and RoSPA to allow quality assurance of the advanced tests that they offer. Talks with IAM are at an advanced stage. Robin Cummins, DSA's Chief Driving Examiner, said: "We are delighted to be working with other organisations on creating an overall standard for the advanced driving test. The Agency feels that people should continue to develop their driving skills after they have passed a driving test and an advanced test is part of that development. Our examiners will be monitoring tests so that drivers can be assured that they are being tested to a minimum quality of standard." The move coincides with the Agency's tenth birthday and the Government's decision to widen the Agency's remit as far as road safety is concerned. The introduction of hazard perception testing was also announced in the Road Safety Strategy and it will be introduced as part of the theory driving test in the year 2002. DSA news: http://www.driving-tests.co.uk VED Remains! The Treasury announced in this month's budget that Vehicle Excise Duty rates for motorcycles will remain unchanged. BICYCLES, TRICYCLES
Motorcycles
(with or without sidecar)
Hazard Perception Training Tomorrow's Roads - Safer For Everyone recognises the importance that improvements in driver training, testing and behaviour can have in reducing accidents. And it backs the introduction of hazard perception as part of all types of driving theory tests. Robin Cummins, DSA's Chief Driving Examiner, said: "Hazard perception involves being able to recognise potential dangers on the roads. It has been the subject of a three"year study by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) for the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. Research has shown that experienced drivers, and those with good accident records, score well on hazard perception tests. Learner drivers and those with poor accident records get much lower scores. TRL have developed prototype tests which distinguish between experienced and novice drivers." As part of the project, DSA developed a training package that enabled researchers to establish that hazard perception skills can be taught to learner drivers. Candidates will be able to enhance these skills in a number of ways, using either professional driving instructors or one of a new range of multi-media products currently being developed. It is intended that candidates will take the hazard perception test at the same time as the theory test and it will be introduced by theYear 2002. It will consist of a series of digitised video clips, to which the candidate must respond. "This initiative is intended, as part of the overall package, to reduce the disproportionate number of accidents that new drivers are involved in during the early months after passing the practical test. New technology brought in for the touch screen theory test in Januaryhas enabled hazard perception testing to become a reality," said Mr Cummins. Clearer number plates? As outlined in Network last year the format of Britain's vehicle number plates is to change, to make them easier to read and memorise. The new number plates, including a two-letter regional identifier, two- number age identifier and standard typeface, follow consultation with the industry, police and public. We will need a new system because the existing format, which starts with a letter to identify the date when a vehicle is first registered, runs out next year. Provision will also be made for the voluntary and optional use of the GB Euro-symbol on the left hand side of the plate (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background), and a new British Standard will also apply to number plates, to make them more durable. Lord Whitty said: "This is good news for motorists and good news for crime fighting. Number plates should be easy to read and easy to remember. The new format includes regional and age tags. This will mean that people can identify with their locality. They can also help the police by remembering just one or two letters or numbers. " "The new rules will also end confusion by making it clear what is legal and what is not, and will ensure that number plates can be better read by enforcement cameras. They will also make plates last longer, and will allow people - if they wish - to use the GB Euro symbol to make travelling abroad easier." Backing the changes, Executive Director of the RAC Foundation Edmund King, said: "We welcome these regulations. They are needed to deter those who seek to obscure their registration mark to cameras. We also support giving motorists the choice to use Euro-plates - some may prefer this to using a GB sticker when taking their vehicles abroad." The AA has also expressed support for the introduction of these new regulations. ACPO Traffic Committee member John Owen, Deputy Chief Constable of North Wales Police, commented: "The police welcome these new regulations. There are times when the ability of a witness to identify a vehicle is vital in bringing offenders to justice. It is therefore essential that number plates are easy to read." "In recent years there has been an increase in the use of illegal fonts and fixing bolts to change the shape of letters and numbers. Motorists prosecuted for displaying such plates often don't know that they are committing an offence. But the new rules are clear, enabling motorists to fully comply, which should reduce the need for enforcement." The current number plate format, which starts with a letter to denote the initial vehicle registration date, will run out of letters at the end of August 2001. From then on, the new format will use two letters followed by two numbers to show the area and date of initial registration respectively (the new age identifier will continue to change twice a year in March and September). These four characters will be followed by a space and then three random letters. This retains the seven-character profile, and the regional and age identifiers should act as memory tags. A list of the two-letter regional identifiers is attached. These were chosen following public consultation last year. From 1 March 2001, a mandatory typeface will apply (based on the 'Charles Wright' font), as well as a new British Standard for the manufacture of plates. The overall width of characters will be reduced from 57 to 50mm for all non-motorcycle size plates. All other measurements will remain unchanged. Customised number plates using unusual fonts and layouts will have to be replaced. Provision is also made for the optional display of the GB Euro-symbol on plates, allowing motorists to dispense with the GB sticker when travelling abroad - if they wish. The new rules will apply to new plates only, throughout the UK (except that the new registration format will not apply in Northern Ireland). The existing number plate provisions are contained in the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 (No. 450), as amended. The Government announced in June 1998 that a new registration format would be introduced from September 2001 (DETR press release 451 of 1998). The new format has been chosen following research and consultation. Local identifiers for new number plate format to apply from 1 September 2001
Identifier Region / DVLA office(s) £950,000 is to be spent on three new schemes to tackle car crime. The schemes, which have been developed by the National Criminal Intelligence Service, will help provide a dedicated national response to vehicle crime problems. The three projects will specifically seek to cut the number of cars stolen for resale, both in the UK and overseas, and will also tackle the rising number of motorcycle thefts and apprehend offenders. Announcing the awards at a conference on tackling vehicle crime, Home Office Minister Charles Clarke said: "Over 400,000 cars are stolen in Britain every year. That is unacceptable and the NCIS schemes will make a considerable contribution to cutting that figure and help achieve the Government's target to reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent over five years. "Tackling vehicle crime is important. It is a high volume crime causing obvious distress to victims and costing us all at least #3.5 billion a year. Vehicle crime is a large and complex problem and needs to be tackled from a variety of angles and we all have a part to play. "A significant part of car theft is undertaken by organised criminals with a detailed knowledge of the car market. These gangs often use sophisticated methods to launder vehicles in the UK and abroad. These new NCIS schemes will provide a valuable weapon in our campaign and lead to the arrest of organised vehicle thieves. The three schemes will target:
1. Ringers.
2. Export of stolen vehicles The scheme will enable NCIS to develop better working practices with the shipping and freight-forwarding industries and support existing Police and Customs networks.
3. Motorcycle theft. Director of the National Criminal Intelligence Service John Abbott said: "The aim of these projects is to seriously undermine vehicle crime, and assist in ensuring the Government achieve its target of a 30% reduction in vehicle crime. "The funding will enable us to recruit the best officers and permanently disrupt the organisations involved in national and transitional crime. "In the UK domestic criminals have an intimate knowledge of the domestic vehicle market and the way they can launder the goods. "Funding at this level is a clear indication of the high standard of work undertaken by the NCIS Organised Vehicle Crime Section and the impact this has on reducing vehicle crime." The Government established the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT) in September 1998 to develop and implement a practical strategy to meet the Government's 30% vehicle crime reduction target. Chairman of the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team Mike Wear added: "Tackling vehicle crime is a partnership responsibility which must be shared by all. "I warmly welcome these initiatives and the funds that enable the National Criminal Intelligence Service to implement them." This is the latest measure in the Government's declared crackdown on car crime. In addition the Government has: - Awarded #150 million for CCTV with a significant proportion going towards improving car park security; - Set up the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team to bring together government, industry and law enforcement agencies to work on a national strategy to cut car crime; - Joined forces with the car industry to encourage manufacturers to fit deadlocks, to laminate side and rear glazing and to promote the use of immobilisers, locking wheel nuts vehicle identification numbers (VIN). Scottish Executive Support Bikers! The Scottish Executive has announced its proposals for motorcycle and pedal cycle parking Section 63 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 enables local authorities to provide stands or racks for bicycles, both in, on and off-street. Bicycle is not defined; however, it is generally understood to include pedal cycles but not motorcycles, so at present, local authorities do not have explicit powers to provide stands and racks for motorcycles. It is therefore proposed to amend section 63 so as to give powers to authorities to provide devices for securing bicycles and motorcycles. As well as stands or racks, these devices could be in the form of a bar to which a motorcycle or bicycle could be fastened. Sandwell Strategy adopted Following several years research and consultation the long awaited Sandwell Strategy for Motorcycles has finally been adopted at a full council meeting on Monday 6th March. This is the first time a UK local authority has produced such a positive document outlining a vision of how PTW's will integrate into its future transport plans. The strategy is now expected to be adopted by other West Midlands authorities whilst Leicester City Council, an adjoining authority, have already convened a similar motorcycling group to represent riders interests in the transport planning processes. Manchester City Council, in particular, are looking with interest, and riders around the UK now have positive ammunition to argue for similar arrangements in their own areas. A graphic illustration of just how important these strategies are for motorcycling was recently made when Sandwell Development Engineers had a meeting with Mick Keyte, Police Crime Prevention Officer, to discuss car park security. Mick who is a member of Sandwell Motorcyclists Forum queried what provision was being made for PTW parking. Following this meeting Engineers contacted us giving details of the car parks being laid out and their number of spaces. Using the 5 per cent guideline in the Strategy they worked out the number of PTW spaces in each car park required. In some cases it was not worth providing any spaces e.g. those car parks on the edge of the town centre. In total 38 new PTW parking bays are to be provided all marked out and with anchor points. This is in addition to the 12 already in the multi storey car park. Sandwell Motorcyclist Forum were consulted on the proposals at the recent meeting and gave their full support even offering to make anchor points themselves. In the event the Council is supplying them. There will be no charge for PTW parking. Many other UK local authorities need very little encouragement to create their own motorcycle forums as they have shown interest within their own draft local transport plans. Please ring MAG Central on 0870 444 8 448 for your own copy of Sandwell's Strategy and we will be delighted to post, or Email you a copy free of charge. GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY BILL The Government announced in the 1998 Queen's speech, its intention to create a new Greater London Authority made up of a directly elected Mayor and a separately elected Assembly. There will be a range of powers to help make London a world class city, including powers to tackle road congestion and improve public transport. The referendum held on 7 May 1998 strongly backed the idea of a Mayor and Assembly for the capital - 72% of Londoners who voted, backed the plans. The Mayor and Assembly will be chosen in separate ballots on 4 May 2000. Elections will then take place at four yearly intervals. A Mayor and Assembly for London, consisting of a directly elected Mayor, and a separately elected Assembly of 25 people will have responsibility for transport, environment, police and health. The GLA will also oversee four "functional bodies" in the capital: The Metropolitan Police Authority, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the London Development Agency and Transport for London. The GLA will be led by the Mayor who will be responsible for devising strategies, the budget, and co-ordination. The Assembly will act as a check on the Mayor, debate strategy and will be able to amend the budget. The GLA will not have law-making or tax varying powers and will not be able to extend its remit by referendum. The GLA will have a budget of over #3 billion (This figure is based on 1997/8 total spending on functions which would transfer to the new Authority) and the Government estimates the GLA will cost #20 million per year to run. The Bill states that the London Mayor will hold an annual, public, state of London debate and will attend a monthly question time to allow Assembly members to enquire into actions and policies. The Mayor will also hold a twice yearly public meeting with the assembly called a 'People's Question Time'. The White Paper, 'A Mayor and Assembly for London' recognises the validity of the suggestion to establish a Civic Forum to exist alongside the GLA. However, it rejects any such formal statutory obligation to consult with outside bodies and instead recommends a "general duty to consult interested parties". The Mayor of London will be elected by the Supplementary Vote system, if there are 3 or more candidates. Under SV, voters mark their first and second choice of candidate. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, all candidates, except the top two, are eliminated. The second choices of the eliminated candidates are examined and redistributed amongst the remaining candidates. The winning candidate is the one with the most votes after redistribution of second choices.
The 25 member Assembly will be elected by the Additional Member MAG is asking every Mayoral and Assembly candidate a set of motorcycling related questions to ascertain their views and to educate and inform them on motorcycling and related matters. If you require questionnaires, or Bikers are Voters leaflets let us know - 0870 444 8 448. Motorways to use hard shoulder as an extra lane The Highways Agency have announced that they're going ahead with plans to start turning selected motorway hard shoulders into extra lanes. They're planning to shrink the hard shoulder from 3.3metres wide to just 1metre wide, thus creating an extra lane on the inside. Now this is going to be a narrower lane than the others already there, and it's going to be on the inside. There are so many reasons why tthis simply will not work, bu here's a couple to chew on: (1) People for whatever reason, generally don't use the inside lane anyway, except for trucks. A wide truck won't fit in a narrow lane so the trucks will still be in the same lane they are at the moment. (2) There are already some extraordinary number of people killed and injured on the hard shoulder every year - and that's whilst it's a full 3.3m wide. (3) You cannot fit a broken down vehicle into a 1m wide lane - it's physically impossible. So broken down cars on the hard shoulder will cause obstructions where they don't now. Lobby Week FEMA are organising a lobby week 17th - 20th April, details below. We require 2/3 experienced people from MAG UK to attend on behalf of the organisation and will refund travelling and accommodation expenses, also pay up to #10 per day subsistence allowance for the successful candidates. Please note: This event runs into the Easter break so could easily be extended into a holiday. Despite Europe being quiet for a long time there are issues concerning UK riders, and the fact that we have some good friends we want to keep in the British delegation of the EP makes it worthwhile having representatives from MAG spending a couple days in Brussels. Whether to register your concerns about ITS, or to prepare the ground for the campaign on the driving license Directive, globalisation of standards through Geneva and the fact that we have little influence, there is much of concern that can be expressed to the MEPs. Indeed, European legislators are increasingly implementing UN directives with no consultation of democratically elected representatives. Can you approach your reps and ask for volunteers for this exciting and unusual event and let me know who wishes to attend? Motorcycle Lobby Week in the European Parliament
The Activist's Action pack The week chosen is from the 17 to 20 of April. The MEPs will be in Brussels, working in committees which is the best moment to get in touch with them. This should also be seen in the context of the MEP ride, which will take place on the 15th of June. The MEPs Ride is a very different event, in the way that it is not a lobby; action but a PR exercise. However, being present or sending a representative of your organisation at, at least, one of these two events should be seen as a priority. Nonetheless, I understand, that for organisations from far away countries and/or with limited resources, it can be difficult. Appointments should be made with relevant persons from appropriate committees with the coordination of FEMA office. CAREFUL: MEPs are rarely there on Monday morning or Friday afternoon. Plus Friday 20th April is Good Friday.
Aim Putting a face on a name is also an excellent way to promote further contacts. Once you've met in Parliament, you'll find it easier to contact them and get answers. They might also take initiatives to contact you whenever a motorcycle-related subject arises, or ease your access to official documents.
Outside Activities
Traveling details and housing arrangements
The prices are 820bef for a single room (from memory, there are 62 bef to a pound) Motorway Madness From the BBC - if anyone can help, please email this gent directly at this address: David Hutt david.hutt@bbc.co.uk We're making a 50-minute special for BBC1, concentrating on the madness that is Easter Bank Holiday. The programme will look at many different aspects of motorway traffic jams - the science behind standing waves, the psychology of drivers caught up in jams (and all the tactics they employ - does the inside lane really move faster in a jam? We'll try and find out using cars filmed from helicopters). We'll be filming with the police, the motoring organisations, and also putting cameras into holidaymakers' cars. We're concentrating on the M6 - M5 corridor, looking at people who will be making the journey from the Manchester/Liverpool area on Thurs. 20th or Fri 21st April (Good Friday), travelling down to Devon and Cornwall. Do you happen to know of anyone who will be making this journey then? Thanks in advance. Six Wheel Rescue Dear All, Please note that we have a new, improved 6 wheel rescue European facility from Eastgate, the people who provide the present bike/UK only, 25 pound scheme. The reason for this is Eastgate are willing and able to cover the bike and car so in theory two people get the same cover as one person on two vehicles. AMBA have been unable to do this and my priority has been to get and maintain the best deals for MAG Members. I will expand on the details at April's NC meeting, but should anybody wish to speak to me please give me a call. The AMBA scheme will be finishing as it has not worked "for our Members" with only 250 people taking it out. The Eastgate scheme (25 pound bike only in the UK) has hundreds. Members will also be able to join through Central over the telephone so all in all it is a better deal. So please let everybody know that with immediate effect they can contact MAG Rugby and be on cover in 48 hours. All for just #59.50 per annum! Ogri Opens New Riding in Action Website Riding in Action, the UK's premier Motorcycle Instructor Training Organisation launches its new web site, www.ridernet.co.uk designed to cater for the needs of all motorcyclists. The site will be officially opened on Monday May 1st by 'Ogri', the cartoon motorcycle hero created by Paul Sample. The site, which uses the latest Internet technology allows users to search for jobs in the Motorcycle Industry, Advertise their motorcycles for sale, update an event diary about group and club events and submit news items that are of interest to them for publication. Using the sites powerful 'Locator' users are able to search the entire UK database for motorcycle related products and services. If an item is not immediately available, the web site will continue to search the Internet for up to six months notifying the user by Email when it has been located. Riders looking for that special something: from tickets to the Grand Prix to a tank badge will even be able to search the site using their mobile phone. Riders will be able to purchase products, services and training online in a secure e-commerce environment, and best of all, the site is free of charge to all private users. In addition to a direct link with the MAG UK site, the Motorcycle Action Group will have an Extranet facility on the new site where users will be able to search press releases and documents for information relating to MAG campaigns, and users will be able to complete questionnaires on various motorcycling issues. If you would like to know more about this site, contact Claire Lingard, Commercial Director of Riding in Action on 01980 844 003, or e-mail . Wanted - Movie Stars This chap is currently filming a major ITV series about motoring and wishes to hear from bikers with unusual anecdotes and feature them in the program. If you have a story to tell, please contact him directly. LWT are currently making a six part magazine documentary series about motoring. The series is due to be broadcast in June/ July at a prime time slot 7.30 or 8 pm on ITV. The series will have both serious and light hearted elements, but will be predominately character led. Some of the issues we are already dealing with include road rage, unfair clamping, phobic drivers, illegal parking, boy racers and strange driving journeys. I am very interested in covering motorcycles as much as possible as they are such an integral part of motoring in the UK. If you can be of any assistance it would be greatly appreciated and I am sure we can work in some tie in with the stories before they go out. Here are a few ideas of the type of stories I think may work, but of course your members may have fascinating stories I have never thought about.
1) Any motorcyclist who has been the victim of road rage by other
motorcyclists or car drivers especially if there is any video footage Hope this makes sense. The issues we are tackling are mainly popularist themes but we are attracting a 10 million plus audience. However at LWT we treat are subjects with respect and film quality stories in style. That is why we get so many prime time commissions. Although sometimes light hearted we are only trying to reflect the more interesting aspects of motoring and themes most people would like to involve themselves in if they felt they could. Many thanks Andy Gordon (senior researcher LWT) You or anyone else can e mail me: andy.gordon@granadamedia.com Telephone me direct 0171 261 3584 What is MAG?? This is something I've roughed out as a sheet to give to all staff manning MAG stands. It's the kind of stuff I would like to see people coming out with when someone asks 'so what's MAG all about then?' I've get it deliberately short so that people can take it all in and then use their own words. Impressions? We're a lobbying group for bikers that's our main purpose. We keep an eye on every possible piece of legislation that could affect motorcycling and we make sure that the biker's case is well represented. It's not all defensive, we co-operate a lot, they even employ two MAG officers full time now. Together with them we promote motorcycling, we reckon that the more people there are on bikes the more notice will be taken of us. Right now we're trying to get local councils to let bikes use bus lanes, increase motorcycle parking and make sure bikes don't get hit with congestion charging if that comes in. We want motorcycles to be given priority transport status. We've lobbied on the parallel imports issue and we fought the power limit and won, we fought the leg protector issue and won. We're all about keeping the fun in biking and putting the brakes on anything that threatens our enjoyment of bikes. We promote safety too. We promoted and financed the Bikesafe 2000 initiative but we won't accept safety at any price, you do that and you have to agree to banning motorcycles. We try and push the environmental benefits of motorcycles and were meeting with more success. Powerful bodies like the London Chamber of Commerce agree with us and are helping us promote that message. Besides the political side we offer a lot of financial benefits. You can get a European break down deal for your bike and your car for #59.50 a year. Through MAG you can get motorcycle insurance, home contents insurance, health care, legal help, discounts at many bike shops. You can get a MAG credit card. If you join MAG you can get a load of deals that will save you a lot more than your annual sub and instead of all the profit going into some fat cat's pocket you know that a percentage is going back into biking to protect your interests and make biking better. What we've done is taken a look at all the main ways bikers spend money and done deals with businesses so that if you spend your money through MAG's partners, you'll get some of it back by way of representation and discounts. We also have around 200 groups nation-wide and we organise rallies all over the country. You don't get ripped off if you go to MAG rallies and you've got the satisfaction of knowing that you're pumping more money back into biking. MAG is all about bikers taking control of their own destiny. MAG Annual General Conference 16th September 2000, Exeter. More information will be provided on this as we approach the time of the Conference, but please book time off in advance, and note to avoid conflicting events. Any manifestos or proposals can be made to the addresses/numbers below, as can any trade stand or other enquiries. Date - 16th September 2000, starting at 11am. Place - Amory Building, Exeter University, Exeter, Devon. Accommodation - either B&B in the University's rooms, or camping at the site of the party, about 6 miles East of Exeter. Booking for B&B must be made in advance. Entertainment - this will be provided at Crealy Park on the evenings of Friday 15th and Saturday 16th September. Delegates to the conference are, of course, free to find their own entertainment if they prefer. Transport - delegates staying at the University will be provided with a mini-bus to take them to and from Crealy Park on Saturday night, at a cost of #2 per person. Directions - Crealy Park is signposted from the M5: Exeter University signposts start as you head towards the City Centre. Easy, or what? Further Details:
Telephone or fax: MAG Central on 0870 444 8 448, Fax 0870 444 8 449 Addresses; Nik Macve, 2 The Cottages, Withen Lane, Aylesbeare, Devon, EX5 2JQ, or MAG Central Office, PO Box 750, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3ZR. E-mail nicolette@nikmacve.force9.co.uk See you all there! Bloody Hel! I don't know if any of you know this already, but it is worth noting - it might save you some money and hopefully encourage the company to continue advertising in Streetbiker... Hel Performance Products (they advertise Stainless steel brake lines and the like) will give a 25% MAG discount, as I discovered when I rang up for a quote for SO bike. Their phone number is 01392 811601.
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