December 2000

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has decided that bikes will be Exempt from the forthcoming congestion charges. The fantastic news came as stunning vindication of the unassailable logic of MAG's campaign to promote motorcycles as part of the solution to the capitol's congestion and pollution problems.

Thousands of you have inundated the Corporation of London, Westminster City Council, TfL and the Mayor's Office on several occasions this year with letters of complaint at various 'crackpot' measures, including reducing the number of motorcycle parking bays, charging mopeds and motorcycles for access to Central London and for charging our space-efficient motorcycles for parking.

'This is a major victory for MAG and demonstrates the significance of working with all interested parties to ensure that common sense prevails. However, we are not yet high and dry, as the draft policy still has to be agreed and adopted by the London Assembly before it becomes law. On top of this at least 15 other UK local authorities, including Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff, have expressed interest in introducing congestion charging measures from which motorcycles are not yet exempt.

MAG now urges all bikers to support the organisation in its efforts to build on this initial victory and reinforce the identity of motorcycling as not only a valid but also a preferred choice of personal transport.

MAG's Bikers are Voters campaign contains a question on exempting motorcycles from congestion charging. From London's response so far it is obvious that mass letter writing does have an effect so please ensure these are sent to your MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates and that these people are made to hear what we are telling them.

All MAG affiliated clubs please note that your affiliation renewal fee is due on January 1st. A membership form with current rates was enclosed in last month's Network or you can renew by Email, fax, phone, carrier pigeon or post and pay by cheque, postal order, credit card, standing order, or good 'ol cash. Call 0870 444 8 448 for further details.

Those affiliate members wishing to upgrade should be quick. Our individual membership fee will be increasing from 16 pounds to 20 from January 1st. with joint memberships increasing from 24 pounds to 30. All affiliated members are eligible for a 2 pound discount off these rates.

If you are stuck for ideas why not give MAG membership as a Christmas present? If required we can post date any memberships to any future date