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General Election 2005
A big thank you to all who took part in MAGs “Bikers Are Voters” 2005 General Election campaign.
Promoting motorcycle issues to parliamentary candidates through MAG’s “Manifesto for Motorcycling” and “Bikers Are Voters Questionnaire” MAGs campaign can be hailed as a success.
As newly elected MPs take their seats in Parliament, they arrive at the House of Commons briefed on motorcycling issues.
But we cannot rest, we need to keep pushing MPs to put motorcycling in the mainstream of transport policies.
What Next?
Continuing the campaign MAG will be writing to MPs to welcome them to parliament and forwarding them a CD portfolio on motorcycling.
What Can You Do?
Write to your MP using MAG’s welcome letter as a guide.
This is your chance to revitalise MAG’s position as the leading riders rights organisation and continue mainstreaming motorcycling in transport policies.
You may wish to do this as an individual, MAG Group or club.
Please let me know which MP's you have contacted.
Check to see the election results with the BBC map at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/flash_map/html/map05.stm
Locate your MP at www.locata.co.uk/commons
Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs (MAG UK)
Welcome To Westminster
Dear [Your MP],
As a member of your constituency, I would like to offer my congratulations on your successful election or re-election as an MP and take the opportunity to introduce you to the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK).
You may already be aware of MAG and indeed may have responded to MAGs “Bikers Are Voters” campaign questionnaire as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in the run up to the May 2005 general election.
MAG is a national pressure group, of which I am a member and lobbies on a wide variety of issues which directly or indirectly affect motorcyclists. With a membership of over 54,000, MAG is the premier European riders group with a nationwide network of over 180 reps who organise regular local meetings, political lobbying, demonstrations, social events and charitable functions. Based in Rugby, MAG's central office handles Government relations, administration and membership services.
MAG is involved in the overall transport debate by encouraging the increased use of commuter motorcycles, by promoting the use of motorcycles in bus lanes, the installation of secure motorcycle parking facilities as part of an integrated solution to urban transport congestion.
The list of issues with which MAG is currently involved includes:
Accident Research and Statistics: Commitment to an In-depth UK analysis of motorcycle accidents
Safety Dialogue: Forming a positive attitudes towards safety – Sharing experienced riders knowledge of riding techniques, traffic strategies and machine maintenance with the novice riders, preventing accidents caused by ignorance with Pan-European educational programmes (booklets, CD Rom, website) providing accurate and precise information on key subjects
Road Infrastructure: The safety needs of motorcyclists – Motorcycle Friendly Crash Barriers - Diesel Spillage - Road Construction - Road Maintenance – Manhole Covers - Road Pricing and Tolls
Intelligent Transport Systems: ISA – EVSC – motorcycle compatibility with ITS applications
Rider Training and Testing: Voluntary post-license training – Bikesafe - Training facilities and Instructor competence
Interactions with other road users: Bikes in Bus Lanes – Advanced Stop Lines - Driver Awareness - Collision-avoidance skills
Personal Protective Equipment: Conspicuity - Crash Helmets – Protective Clothing
Motorcycle Design: Leg Protectors – Noise - Daytime Lights - Anti-Tampering – Airbags
Enforcement: Effects of enforcement – National Rider improvement scheme
Promotion: - Liaising with Motorcycle Industry – Rider Groups - Motorcycle sport organizations – Government Departments
MAG is a founder member of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) representing twenty two national organisations in member states in the EU and close links with motorcycling organisations in the USA and Australia. These links allow MAG UK to encompass a wide range of expertise in the field of global motorcycle riders’ rights issues.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and if you would like any further information especially on local motorcycle issues please don’t hesitate to contact me.
In closing, I would like to wish you every success during this Parliament.
Yours sincerely
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