February 2001

With MAG involving itself in so many complex campaigns and issues a huge pool of volunteers are constantly required to assist in researching various issues, to prepare responses to consultations, to influence local transport plans, to attend meetings around the UK, to monitor campaign progress, to write articles and reports, to staff stands at shows and events, or even to marshall at those events!

Those of us that have been active within the organisation for more than a couple of seasons will have noticed how rapidly MAG is evolving. Look around, at those attending your group or club meeting, and compare it with a mere two or three years ago. Is your attendance increasing or is it diminishing? Are the bikes we ride today improving? What are general conditions like? More or fewer events, incidences of discrimination or crime? Safety, accidents, etc. The list is endless once you start to ask these questions.

If you can volunteer a few hours of your time to help us find answers to some of these issues, to marshall, or maybe just to monitor your regional press, please contact MAG Central on 0870 444 8 448, or call your regional organiser to become one of our active volunteer pool.

Any further comments or suggestions on how we can improve MAG welcomed!

For those of you who wish you had a little more knowledge, or confidence, there are still a few places left at the MAG training seminar in Matlock, Saturday and Sunday March 17th / 18th. A £10 donation via MAG Central will reserve a place. Sorry, no more camping spaces are available - comfy beds only!

MASS LOBBY UPDATE

Due to time constraints and availability of rooms the Mass Lobby of Parliament has been rescheduled for Thursday the 15th March 2001. Please book the time off work and write to your MP to advise him or her that you will be in Parliament on that day, and that you wish to meet. We need at least 200 people to attend, and from as far and wide as possible. With many different political backgrounds and viewpoints in one place our voices need to be heard speaking one message - motorcycling - to ask for a national motorcycling strategy, to take our concerns and issues into account, and to create policy towards motorcycling - something that is currently missing!

With the election date rumoured to be penciled in for early May it is essential that every MP and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate is contacted and that MAG Central is aware of by whom. If you need any help or advice on who your MP or candidate is please call MAG Central and we can advise you.

VIDEO FOOTAGE REQUIRED

Do you have any video footage of motorcycle events, runs, demos, parties, lobbying - anything that shows bikers in a good light - that we could copy onto CD ROM and video for MAG regions, activists and groups to use for promotional purposes?

The band Chumbawumba have agreed to allow us to use their music free of charge and production has been offered free of charge by a MAG member. If you do not have any footage yourself please ask around as this could be your big break!

Please send your videos, any format acceptable, to MAG Central including return details if you ever want to see them again!

U.D.P. GOES TO ENQUIRY

The much-despised Corporation of London has been forced to hold a public enquiry - at great expense - due to the sheer numbers of objections received from bikers.

Alarmed at a series of anti-bike measures contained within their Unitary Development Plan riders have emailed, faxed and written more than 1,500 letters of complaint.

An overview of objection points is enclosed within this issue - for future reference. Remember, what happens in London today will eventually be tried in a town near you tomorrow!

You have been warned!