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Report MAG UK National Committee Meeting – 10th June 2006
Including Updates
Trevor Baird Director Of Public Affairs (MAG UK
Overview
A European Flavour – Un Sapore Europeo
As the title states there is a definite European flavour to this report from hurtling across France, through Belgium and dealing with the main issue of the dastardly 3rd European Driving Licence Directive that has been taking the majority of my “political” time.
A shorter brief on the issues can be found in the latest issue of “The Road” and more detailed responses are always in Network.
It’s been a steady round of this European flavour with FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) meetings in April and June. In April I was part of the panel for the two interview stages for a new General Secretary with candidates of a high standard from across Europe including the UK. We have picked a suitable replacement for the outgoing General Secretary Antonio Perlot who is Aline Delhaye.
Aline comes to FEMA from ACEM the motorcycle industry representative organization in Europe. The interview process over two separate weekends saw four candidates interviewed, from the initial eighty candidates that originally applied. One point that Aline voiced that stood out for me from the other candidates was that the position would be a, “Real opportunity to defend motorcycling”. Aline has the commitment and skills to defend riders rights and most importantly the right attitude.
Travelling to the FEMA meeting in Nice while detouring through the Alps, I was struck with a “foreign” object in the eye which caused excruciating pain. After a long wait of all of five minutes in a French hospital I was ushered to the eye specialist, propped against a Frankenstein–ish contraption, and an insect’s wing removed from under my eyelid.
The cost, on flashing my new European Health Insurance Card was the grand sum of 7Euros.
So, Europe’s not all bad and the recommendation at the very least when travelling in Europe apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary healthcare during a visit to an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. (Details at www.ehic.org.uk)
The spring FEMA meeting is always held in one of the member organisations country. As above this year this was in Nice, France and hosted by FFMC. The meetings as you will see below, are constructive and set the agenda surrounding issues in Europe that ultimately will effect motorcycling in the UK.
The only part of Nice that myself and Elaine Hardy (MAG National Research Officer and MAG FEMA Representative) saw were the confines of a Butlins type holiday stalag camp but a very “Nice” camp.
We were joined in Nice by newly elected MAG Chairman Jane Chisholm. It was good to have Jane’s support and it gave her the opportunity to meet other FEMA representatives and to see that MAG is in good hands at FEMA.
The work at FEMA continues between meetings through email communication with the twenty two national riders organizations, with this “workhouse” of communication culminating in the meetings.
As you can imagine with this diversity of nationalities and the language of FEMA conducted in English some complicated issues can get lost in the presenting and understanding of these issues. The use of our “mother” tongue has to astute at times so that FEMA can have that European flavour.
However back to business.
3rd Driving Licence Directive
The main time has been taken up with the 3 DLD which has led to the decision to incorporate a Demo on the DLD with the established West Midlands regions 29th Brum Demo.
I won’t dwell on the issues of the DLD as they are set out extensively in Network, on the MAG website and the dedicated campaign website which can be accessed from the main MAG websites:
www.network.mag-uk.org
www.mag-uk.org
www.magsport.com
http://bikersarevoters.mag-uk.org
The lobby/demo pack is also available through these websites and gives you the tools to continue lobbying and to hit the streets at the demo.
We have used the phrase, “Endangered Species - Possible Extinction of a Rare Breed” for the demo, endangered species was used previously by MAG through MAG Sport regarding the multi directive in the nineties. This can be seen to give riders a chance to identify the complexities of the DLD with an easily recognisable out come if the directive goes through.
We have also designed a t shirt for the demo which will be available to purchase. Thanks to John Mitchell for the design.
To reiterate we are at the last chance to sway amendments. The DLD has not been agreed in the European Parliament (EP), the Council of Ministers, representatives of governments have agreed a common position but the directive has still to receive a Second Reading by MEPs in the EP, possibly in September.
This is my main concentration on getting amendments put forward and thanks to the lobbying I have been able to build up a portfolio of MEPs.
At present I am trawling through the replies from the politicians’ and Transport Minister to answer their questions and repudiate incorrect statements. I will produce a file to assist you to respond to these for a next round of lobbying in the campaign.
I will be visiting MEPs in June in the EP concentrating on those that are involved in the Transport Committee.
At the FEMA meeting in May, the National Organisations (NO’s) agreed that FEMA would lobby for the removal of the motorcycle part from the third Driving Licence Directive proposal, and have it replaced with the text from the second proposal. And ask as a fall back position the Direct Access to the A category at 21 years instead of 24 years, the withdrawal of training/testing requirements in between A2 and A.
Also to refer back to the Second Driving Licence Directive (which in the UK is to be implemented by 2008) with consideration of data collated by Elaine Hardy MAG.s National Research Officer, the other NOs in FEMA and the results of accident causation surveys carried out in Europe.
This has been the position that MAG UK and other NO’s have been trying to get FEMA to accept for over a year.
The UK Government appears to have given up the ghost on fighting the directive even though our Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman made the governments concerns known in Europe. The officials appear to be lining up to implement the directive in the UK and we can only expect “Gold Plating” of the licence system as appears to have happened with the Second Directive two part test to be implemented in 2008. Simple exercises on manoeuvring a motorcycle off the stand to gymnastic feats of labour.
If the Directive in its present form reaches these shores we are formulating with other motorcycle representatives in the UK, yes another day of meetings for what I would describe as a super fall back position,. This is in preparation of the promised consultation by the UK government and will contain a few surprises a bit like a cream pie in the face.
Simple actions for present are join the National Demo, Sat 1st July 2006 Birmingham - lobby your MP and MEP - Sign the on line MAG petition.
Update
By the time you read this the Demo will be done and dusted and we will be moving on to the next stage in this long draw out affair.
We will have the specific amendments that we will be asking for formalised.
Through the contacts from your lobbying and at the FEMA MEP Ride in Brussels in June I have been in contact with MEPs that sit on the Transport Committee and at present we are working together on these amendments.
With the demo and its megaphone diplomacy of riders on the streets we can use this as a powerful tool.
Don’t forget to sign the petition on the campaign website.
2nd Driving Licence Directive
I will be attending a “display” of how the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) will implement the 2 DLD in the UK.
This is a two part test consisting of a “road test” and a normal on road test.
The previous display of the off road part of the test in 2002 included:
Taking the motorcycle off its centre stand or side stand (whichever suits the candidate), wheeling it backward around a corner and putting it on the centre stand or side stand.
Riding a low-speed slalom around cones (mentioned this was part of the old Part 1 Test)
Performing a figure of eight around cones (how many times still to be decide)
Accelerating to 30kph around semi circle marked out by cones.
Accelerating to 50kph to avoiding (swerve) either left or right, the candidates choice, to avoid cones.
Coming to a controlled stop between a set of cones.
Start off and perform a u-turn.
Slow ride between a set distance marked by cones (time for this manoeuvre still to be set)
Accelerate to 30kph around semi circle marked out by cones.
Accelerate to 50kph coming to an emergency stop.
From the working group to implement this it would appear that if a test candidate fails the off road part they would not be able to complete the on road test despite having paid for both parts.
There are also issues of the test centres when these can be used for training purposes, their geographical location for candidates to travel for their test central positions and issues of Public Liability Insurance (PLI) concerning damage to test centre surface if a candidate drops a bike, damage to bikes, training centres would have to pay for PLI. If a candidate uses their own bike would they have to pay extra for PLI.
The provision of the test centres, PLI and associated costs could see a rise in training and testing costs.
Update
I was able to attend the event above on the implementation of the 2nd DLD not as Motor Cycle News reported the new CBT test.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) seem to have listened to our concerns and those of the training schools and the test is not as restrictive as first demonstrated by the DSA last year.
There are still concerns on riders having to look down at their speedo to achieve the necessary speed during the swerve and brake and emergency stop part of the test. Although riders will be given a second chance to complete these parts if they don’t achieve the necessary speed.
Also riders will have the option to complete the on road section if they fail the off road section, except where the failure is the result of a dangerous manoeuvre.
Again there is no indication on how much the new test will cost.
Highway Code Consultation DSA
I responded to the Driving Standards Agencies consultation to the Highway Code Revision. The main reasoning behind the response was to recommend additional advice in the Highway Code for other vehicle drivers so that they more aware of motorcyclists. Also to make motorcyclists more aware and not to merely accept that another vehicle user has in effect seen a motorcyclist, especially at road junctions.
We also have concerns that this awareness is not set out either strongly enough or not at all in the DSA practical or theory tests for other vehicle users.
To support our reasoning, I recommended the MAG document “How Close is Too Close” which is available at www.mag-uk.org I also supported the Diesel Spills campaign recommendations on diesel spills.
My thanks to those that responded to requests on this consultation.
Consultation On Licence Fees DVLA
The DVLA have reissued their November 2004 consultation on administration fees.
The consultation combines a summary of the responses it received in 2004 consultation with the new proposals that again centre on "administration fees".
It would appear at first reading that the proposals for a charge for SORN have been dropped.
I am preparing a reply and the document can be found at http://www.dvla.gov.uk/public/Consultation.pdf MAGs 2004 response can be found at http://www.mag-uk.org/content/pr/2004/november/magdvlafees.pdf
Diesel Spills
We continue our support of the Kill Spills campaign.
The 3rd KillSpills Rally from the Ace Cafe London to Westminster takes place on the 9th September 2006.
Further information is available at www.killspills.org.uk
Through a contact made at the MAG stand at Driffield bike show I am looking to supply 5,000 diesel stickers to a major HGV user and trainer. Also to provide the Diesel Kill Spills team message and training for their drivers.
ACPO National Motorcycle Enforcement Strategy
In March Elaine Hardy and I responded to this consultation.
We welcomed the rationale and the pragmatic approach surrounding the issues in relation to the size of registration plates, tinted visors and coloured headlamps/covers.
These issues are reflected in anecdotal reports to MAG UK from motorcyclists who are stopped at road side checks. These riders inform us that registration plates are measured by rulers/vernier callipers, and are subject to prosecution for the use of non standard fitted tinted visors on bright sunny days and coloured headlamps/covers.
Motorcyclists view the latter two issues as a means to enhance their safety when appropriately used and that these road side checks are seen as an attempt to find offences when no other offence can be found. On occasions as the strategy highlights, these issues can lead to distrust and animosity amongst motorcyclists towards the police.
We welcomed the mention of the valued asset of officer discretion. The experience of this author as a retired police officer and from other motorcyclists, is that in the right circumstances for certain offences, a stern warning and advice can be far more effective than a ticket issued for a non-endorsable offence. Especially if the riders know they have behaved inappropriately, an officer can use his discretion to assess the 'attitude' of a rider and move accordingly from warning and advice to prosecution in certain circumstances. It is MAG’s opinion in certain cases, prosecution does not necessarily need to follow, but due to policy, an officer may have targets to meet.
The full response (apologies for the long link) can be found at
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/documents/The%20Motorcycle%20Action%20Group%20response%20to%20the%20ACPO%20NATIONAL%20MO.pdf or easier from the MAG website www.mag-uk.org in the Riders Writes Section.
Major Threat To Democracy - LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY REFORM BILL
In March I respond to this bill, with the help of members of the Western Region and Archi Hipkins National Netwrk Communications Officer and set out a lobby document.
The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill 2006 seeks to streamline the political process to make it far easier for Government to slip through legislation without the normal checks and balances which have characterised British law making for centuries.
MAG are particularly concerned by the reduced obligation to publish details of forthcoming legislation, at which point, in the past, groups like MAG have had warning of impending threats, thus giving us time to lobby for amendments.
Having taken advice on the implications of the bill, MAG feels that as a group which represents a minority interest we are the most likely victims of it, as our opportunity to identify threats and organise opposition to them would be reduced.
The lobby document can be found at
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/documents/Major%20Threat%20To%20Democracy%20and%20Riders.pdf
APG (All Party Group) Motorcycling
In July I have been invited to attend with the representative of the BMF a meeting of the APG to give a presentation on the present issues that we are dealing with.
Update
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Motorcycling is a body whose membership is only open to Members of Parliament (Commons or Lords) who ride motorcycles.
Its purpose is: 'To safeguard motorcycling interests by monitoring legislation for matters affecting motorcycling in both the UK and Europe and taking remedial action where necessary; to represent motorcycling issues to fellow parliamentarians; to organise social events; to foster the good image of motorcycling and, by example, to encourage others to take up motorcycling. '
Road Hazard Cards
I am in the process of setting up a "mini" MAG website with Sarah Gardner in her role as MAGs National Resource Officer, which will include an updated and electronic version of our Road Hazard Cards
(http://www.network.mag-uk.org/jul_aug_01/Road_Hazard_Warning_Cards.html ).
The site will have council links, advice etc to their electronic reporting road faults. Sarah will monitor the site and responses so that if work is not completed MAG can chase the councils up.
We will also have a questionnaire on the site on defective roads and hazards that riders face. This will be used hopefully in the annual ALARM survey on road conditions.
There will be a page of "testimonials" /problems that motorcyclists face.
Anybody who wishes to assist in this please let me know.
Motorcycle Friendly Crash Barriers – Wire Rope Barriers
The other main item on the European front was the FEMA Crash Barrier event in the EP in April. The catalyst for the event was a culmination of the work carried out on the production of last years FEMA document, “The Road to Success” by the working group of MAG Netherlands, Wim Taal, NMCU Norways Morten Hansen and myself for MAG UK which gave FEMA the impetus to organise the event.
MAG Netherlands have been very successful with their continued drive for the continued fitting of motorcycle friendly crash barriers and the removal of wire rope barriers fitted in the Netherlands.
So it was no surprise that the event was supported by Mrs Wortmann – Kool an MEP from the Netherlands and both she and Mr. Queiro’ an MEP from Portugal have tabled a series of questions to the European Commission. Urging them to promote best practices for road construction for motorcycles, the regular updating of CEN standards, to present an infrastructure package that takes into account the need of all road users including motorcyclists, to consider that a ban on cable barriers would contribute to road safety and to give a mandate to the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) to establish a new European standard for crash barriers that includes motorcycles and mopeds users.
These are important steps for the fitting of motorcycle friendly crash barrier systems in the UK, giving road authorities a standard that they can work too without separate testing and the related costs that are a barrier (pun intended) to their installation where “normal” barriers present a danger to motorcyclists.
In the UK the Highways agency have already stated that any central reservations vehicle restraint systems (which would include Armco and wire rope systems) fitted on UK roads, that they maintain, that require to be replaced will be fitted with a concrete barrier system.
During the meeting in the European Parliament (EP) a video presentation of a full scale crash test performed by HIASA on a safety barrier fitted with motorcyclists’ protective devices was shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of such devices, not only in relation to motorcyclists but also regarding errant vehicles with 4 or more wheels.
The importance of taking into account the safety needs of motorcyclists and their vehicles in all road infrastructure was further underlined by a presentation of the ACEM handbook “Guidelines for Powered Two-Wheelers - Safer Road Design in Europe”
www.acembike.org which reflected and contained information from the UKs IHIE Guidelines to road engineers published in 2005.
Shortly after the EP presentation FEMA was invited to give a successful presentation on Crash Barriers and Motorcyclists in a meeting organized by The European Union Road Federation (ERF) www.erf.be with the cooperation of the CEN European Committee for Standardization www.cenorm.be on Passive Safety and road safety barriers.
FEMA’s Filippo Marino who gave the FEMA presentation reports that the most important item to note was that the issue will be raised to a higher profile within the European Commission and the respective United Nations working group.
Last year we (MAG UK) produced a supporting document in the UK to The Road To Success with an action pack to lobby the UKs Transport Minister, MPs and MEPs, this is still available on the MAG UK website www.mag-uk.org Website in the “Riders Writes” section under “Crash Barriers”.
We asked then that the decisions by road authorities to install Vehicle Restraint Systems should take into consideration the safety of motorcyclists.
The aim of MAG UK is to improve the safety of Vehicle Restraint Systems thus reducing the potential for injury and death of motorcyclists when impacting these systems.
To continue with the support in Europe on crash barriers there is a lobby for UK MEPs in the May issue of Network asking them to support Mrs Wortmann-Kool and Mr. Queiro’s written question to the European
Update
The Commission has now replied through Jacques Barrot Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Transport.
“A public consultation on a proposal for a directive on road infrastructure safety management was launched by the Commission on 12 April 2006. The deadline for submission of comments was 19 May 2006.
The Commission is now studying the responses and considering a proposal that would ensure that safety of all roads users is integrated in all phases of planning, design and operation of road infrastructure.
According to a Commission study, about 24% of the accidents on European roads involve an impact against safety barriers. Among them, 0,3% involve an impact against cable barriers. The Commission is therefore aware of the potential of improving safety barriers.
Pursuant to Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 1 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products, the Commission issued a mandate to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) concerning the execution of standardisation work for harmonised standards on “Circulation fixtures”.
One of the product families covered by the mandate concerns road restraint systems and it includes vehicle restraint systems, crash cushions, transitions, barriers, cables, parapets, pedestrian restraint systems including pedestrian bridge parapets.
Based on national regulations and administrative provisions existing in Members States, CEN was requested in the mandate to draft harmonised technical specifications for road restraint systems, covering the characteristics of performance under impact, height of parapets, and resistance to horizontal loads. Resulting European standards are currently at the drafting stage.
Once established by CEN, they will become harmonised European technical specifications when the Commission publishes their reference in the Official Journal of the EU.”
A vague and non specific reply but FEMA will be following up the response.
If you have lobbied your MEP on this you may want to respond to them and forward them Barrot’s response.
The issue has been raised in the Scottish Parliament by Phil Gallie MSP ne asked the question to the Scottish Executive on what research has been carried out into motor cyclist safety regarding the provision of wire rope central reservation divisions on Scottish roads.
I or Steve Wykes, MAG Scotland’s Regional rep will be following this up.
MEP Ride
This years MEP will take place on 19th June at the Autoworld Museum in the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels.
Different than most years there will be no “ride out” with MEPs instead the event will concentrate on the role of Motorcycles and Scooters in the transport system. This social event also seeks to raise the awareness about the needs of riders in areas related to mobility and safety, by providing the EU legislator with a "hands on" experience of motorcycling.
There will be specific concentration on the 3rd Driving Licence Directive and accessibility to motorcycles and scooters for MEPS to try and watch the qualified instructors of the Motorcycle Council Belgium perform the 2nd Driving Licence Directive test manoeuvres.
However at the FEMA meeting in May I along with the representative of FFMC France reiterated that the MEP Ride should return to its more usual format of taking MEPs on a ride out in a relaxed atmosphere away from their “day jobs” formality.
Thus this year we do not need the usual team from Mid Lincs for support and my thanks for the past attendance and help over several years of the MEP Ride.
Details can be found at http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/mepmotorcycleride2006
White Paper on Transport Policy
Both I and Elaine Hardy were involved in the drafting of FEMAs Position Paper on the EC Communication 'Mid-term review of the Road Safety Action Programme' to the European Commission. The Road Safety Action Programme seeks to reduce casualties in the EU by 50% by 2010.
Elaine as research officer was able to contradict the data used to support the EU Commission's argument, that was seen as being just plain wrong and misrepresenting the facts. Any reduction of motorcycle casualties will simply be by reducing the number of motorcycle riders, rather than tackling the actual causes of the majority of casualties which are associated with car drivers.
The position paper put forward pro safety proposals that embrace issues such as road construction and maintenance; motorcycle–friendly road infrastructure and in particular motorcycle–friendly roadside safety barriers; the issue of inattention and the perception of motorcyclists by car drivers, with specific reference to right of way accidents.
It is MAG’s opinion that any emphasis should be on other vehicle drivers by addressing car drivers via the licensing regime for these vehicles.
The position paper is at http://www.fema.kaalium.com/docs/FEMA_position_midtermrev_RSAP.pdf
Fiscal
I continue to be involved in the “commercial” side of MAG and the basic operation of the MAG office.
MAGs new Chairman Jane Chisholm has spent a few days in the office going through the systems and procedures and looking for assistance for myself and improvements to the overall operation.
That’s about it for now apart from a resounding thanks to the team of activists from local groups and the
Email Army who respond to calls to lobby, too many to mention but you know who you are. Take a bow and keep the Information coming. . .
Trevor Baird Director Of Public Affairs (MAG UK)
Tel: +44 (0)870 444 8 448
Fax: +44 (0)870 444 8 449
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
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