January 2000

Hope you all had a safe and happy new year and since the world didn't come to an end he other night it's back to business as usual. Nobody was more relieved than yours truly when all MAG's computers returned to Y2K service without glitches. There have been large numbers of enquirers asking for the dates of MAG's 2000 events, so you must already be planning the annual holidays. The events listing in this edition is more comprehensive than ever before and includes all MAG's major rallies and shows, most of which offer substantial discounts to members and lesser, but not insignificant discounts to affiliated clubs.

The beginning of the new millennium is the obvious time to reflect and consider our position so you will notice a chronology of legislation from the first hundred years of biking. It is said that you can often predict the future from looking at the past, and from taking this opportunity to reflect and consider where we are now, noting legislative activity increasing at a disproportionate rate during the 1980's and 90's, we must prepare ourselves for the oncoming onslaught of state interference that obviously awaits us around every new corner.

However, all is not as bleak as it would have been without the formation of MAG some 27 years ago. With the cooperation and support of an increasing number of business partners and affiliated organisations MAG will continue to be at the forefront of biking issues representing the views and concerns of UK riders, and will continue to expand accordingly, to match the growth of the legislative environment we increasingly find ourselves facing and modifying.

As the new century unfolds, and judging from recent sales trends, biking is again returning to mass popularity and respect. Not long ago riders fought blinkered Government departments, Police, Local Authorities and others we classed as 'the system' - now we are part of it - being regularly represented and consulted at all levels, both here in the UK and Europe. However, this level of democratic representation does require us, the motorcycling community, to be increasingly involved ourselves and vigilant, or to further support an organisation that can do it on our behalf - MAG!

Bikes, services and accessories are now better than any time before. Clothing that claims to be protective, warm and dry does exactly what it says on the label. Rogue dealers are increasingly rare and bought to book, whilst the machines themselves may be faster but handle, brake and perform better, safer and with more consistency than previous generations could ever have imagined. The next hundred years will bring change at an ever-increasing rate; as long as this change is managed responsibly biking can look forward to a great future!

Ride into the future, safely.

The Phil Neale