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INTERNAL MAG UK CAMPAIGN
Campaign to secure MAG representation on every Transport planning and Road Safety forum across the UK.
Introduction
Threats to the freedom to ride motorcycles come from many directions, from European, national and local government.
At the European level our interests are being defended by FEMA and our very own General Secretary Trevor Baird.
At the UK National level Campaigns Manager David Short is engaged with government and non governmental organisations.
There is however much to be done at the regional and local level and with the best will in the world neither Trevor nor I can cover all angles all the time.
This is where regional and local MAG involvement is so crucial. Local activists provide the ‘eyes and ears’ of MAG, acting as conduits of information on developments which impact on our enjoyment of motorcycling.
Local involvement is also crucial to ensure that policies agreed at the national level are embedded in local transport strategies and policies.
The Big issues
The lists of all those issues which detract from the enjoyment of motorcycling are endless. To address each and every one would split our resources and energies too far and is no guarantee of success. If however, we look at the raft of issues which affect biking they can be distilled into two key areas;
Bad driving
Bad driving on the part of others, in particular car drivers who account for 60% of motorcycle accidents is being addressed at the European and national level through changes in the driving test, a commitment to introduce road safety onto the national curriculum, publicity campaigns and enforcement campaigns against drink driving etc. This is a long game process and will take time.
Bad road environment
This is where regional and local MAG activists can really make a difference. If we consider what constitutes bad roads we could list the following and no doubt many more;
Road pricing,
Access to bus lanes,
Pot holes,
Slippery manhole covers,
Diesel spills,
Road side furniture, steel rope crash barriers, traffic signs etc.
Poor and insecure parking facilities.
Most of these issues are dealt with at the regional or local level by Unitary or Local Authority transport planning and road safety forums.
Intention
To achieve 100% MAG involvement with regional or local transport planning and road safety forums across the UK.
Methodology
Unitary and local authorities are responsible for delivering national policies and strategies at the local level. Each of them will have a forum or for a made up of stakeholders who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring local delivery of national policy. This includes road safety casualty reduction, which, contrary to popular belief is the statutory responsibility of the Unitary/local authority not the police.
So, how do you get involved?
Quite simply by making some phone calls and getting yourself invited onto the forum/for a. There is a big incentive for Unitary/local authorities to invite you as they have to demonstrate inclusivity, diversity and by definition this means consultation with stakeholders such as motorcyclists.
The main contacts are your;
Unitary/Local authority County Hall or City Council
Police Force.
It will depend on how the force is structured as to whether the Road Safety portfolio is managed by the Roads Policing department or the Community Safety department. Always start with the Roads Policing department, especially if the force runs a Bike Safe scheme, (most do). There will be an officer, usually an Inspector or Sergeant who will have overall responsibility for Bike Safe.
How to find out who to contact?
The most comprehensive source of local information is, http://www.upmystreet.com
Simply type in your post code and explore the drop down menu relating to local police, councils etc. Addresses and telephone numbers are all provided.
Member of Parliament
Members of Parliament can be a most useful ally as they can often unlock intransigence by the local council, police or other agency. Contrary to popular belief they are in the main people who genuinely want to make a difference for the better. It is up to us to ensure that that means persuading them to act in our best interests. Every MP holds local ‘surgeries’ on a regular basis.
These surgeries provide the opportunity for constituents to meet them one to one and discuss problems which the MP can take forward on their behalf.
Find out when and where your MP is holding his/her next surgery and go along and introduce yourself. You need do nothing more at the first meeting than meet, greet and let them know that if there are any issues on which they want help or informed advice on matters involving motorcycling then you are their local point of contact.
How do I find out who my MP is?
The best source of information is http://www.theyworkforyou.com
Simply insert your post code, press send and this will bring up details of your MP. You can do your homework on the MP before your meeting by checking out their voting history and a host of other information which will help inform your visit.
There is excellent advice in the MAG reps handbook on how to conduct yourself at your meeting,
http://reps-handbook.mag-uk.org/guidemp.html
Where do I find sources of information?
You can access a most comprehensive library which is archived on the MAG website the following links are the most appropriate for quick reference.
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/virtual_library.html
http://bikersarevoters.mag-uk.org/bavcampaigns.html
http://bikersarevoters.mag-uk.org/bavmanifesto2005.html
Conclusion
It is at this Unitary/local authority level where most of the attacks on motorcycling can be headed off.
If we can achieve 100% MAG attendance on every Unitary/Local authority transport planning and road safety we really will be in strong position to make a difference.
There is no need to be too daunted and overwhelmed by information overload.
The first objective is to get yourself invited and to go along to a meeting, listen, make allies and promote motorcycling.
Where there are issues which you are not comfortable with then Trevor and I are only a phone call away. Keep us updated with who is doing what so that we can maximise our support to you.
You are not alone in this. Good luck!
David Short, Campaigns Manager
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