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Report MAG UK National Committee Meeting – 11th February 2006
Trevor Baird Director Of Public Affairs (MAG UK)
Overview
The main aspects of the political work are contained in this report.
Again as my previous report “pure” political activity seems to be sparse, most of my time has been spent dealing with the issues surrounding FEMA.
I have also assisted the MAG Foundation in the production of the Secure Parking Booklet.
Meetings have been sparse on the issues with Government and institutions but my February diary is now bursting and as below includes National Motorcycle Council, Scottish Executive, Driving Licence Directive (MCIA BMF MRA).
I will be attending with Pete Walker with the MAG stand one of the major motorcycle shows in N.Ireland.
The purpose is to support MAG in N.Ireland, meet with the regional committee to offer support to the regional rep and take MAG forward in N.Ireland.
We will also be changing the political monitoring system I use which will involve a days training.
I will be attending in the near future a training day in Political Public Affairs.
I had an interesting meeting with an ex MP who is part of a lobbying company that supports and advises campaigning organisations on Parliamentary issues.
He was surprised at how “professional” MAG was especially concerning “Bikers Are Voters”. However they can offer advice, training and coaching for attending and presenting at Select Committees something which we don’t do at present.
He was also surprised at the structure of the All Party Group (APG) on Motorcycling and suggested we should set up a similar grouping of politicians to solely represent the users.
On the NC Agenda is an item presented by Duncan McKillop. I, Elaine Hardy and Sarah Gardner of the MAG Foundation had an initial meeting regarding SMIDSY accidents with Duncan. Interesting perspective on the human vision, looming affects and how government deal with solutions to reduce casualties.
I attended the excellent reps training weekend organised by Jane Chisholm. There was a varied range of useful topics and catching up with some “old” faces and new. You can read Murray Webb’s report on the weekend in Network.
Met Eddie Lowe to view the AGC venue, excellent spot, put up and designed maps for the AGC mini website.
On the volunteer side, yes still have that, for MAG Sport finalised sponsorship for the riders.
Chased up “The Road” website which is now live http://theroad.mag-uk.org
Driving Licence Directive
As reported in Network and various MAG communications the Directive has stalled in Europe.
The EU Transport Council of Ministers failed for the third time since June 2005, under two European Presidencies, including the UK to agree a common position.
This was due mainly to several member states disagreeing on the replacement of old National licences for a European model which also covered points such as the inclusion of data on biometric strips or chips.
Thankfully this meant that the unacceptable compromise proposals in the motorcycle part of the directive failed as well.
As the General Secretary of FEMA says, talking about the next steps in the legislative procedure, "We believe it is now time for the EU institutions to acknowledge that the compromise proposal made in June is politically dead.
MAG – We are currently preparing a document to the UK Government on how they should approach the 3DLD.
Europe – The next FEMA meeting is early in February and we will be finalising the next stage for the joint European lobby to MEPs – European Parliament – Ministers in the Transport Council – Rapporteurs (those in charge of the Directive).
UK – In February a meeting is scheduled with the motorcycle industry – motorcycle retailers – BMF representatives to discuss and review the lull in the 3DLD process.
UK Political – We have continued the support given by UKIP party and there will be a rally/demo on the 23rd April at Salisbury protesting about the new directive. I am waiting to confirm details nationally although they have been active at local level to have riders attend.
Depending on which EU Country holds the Presidency we could be in for the long haul. (Also see FEMA report below) It’s not over until it’s over………………
Government Motorcycle Strategy Delivery
Finally the reformed National Motorcycle Council (NMC) has agreed a meeting date in February to set up the working groups to deliver the strategy published last years.
The BMF has made us aware that distribution of the document to Local Authorities responsible for Local Transport Plans has been limited to chief executives many of whom fail to pass on the document.
For the next issue of Network and “lobbying” we should have details to contact the transport officials with details of the strategy and reinforce the availability of the IHIE guidelines for Road Engineers.
Motorcycle A Licence Category
I am waiting for details to meet the DVLA on the issue of motorcycle category being removed from driving licences.
Since 2002 when I surrendered my N.Ireland licence and was issued with a licence from the DVLA my motorcycle category has been missing.
So I have been riding “illegally” for pass few years.
I have now informed the DVLA of this as I was waiting to be “accosted” by the police or other enforcement authorities to make an issue of this. I have also been able to obtain motorcycle insurance through this period.
More to follow on this especially if DVLA say they have no records and I need to take resit a test.
Motorcycle Friendly Crash Barriers – Wire Rope Barriers
Motorcycle Friendly Guard Rail Success.
Our colleagues in Europe have reported more successes in getting their governments to fit motorcycle friendly guard rails.
MAG Belgium -Belgium Government have promised to fit 10 km of motorcycle friendly guard rail on a yearly basis.
MAG Netherlands -The regional 'parliament' of the Dutch province of Overijssel rejected plans to install cable barriers (or wire rope fences) along the N340.
The plans were to re-design this road and change it from a two-lane road into a two-plus-one road (where the extra lane would be used for overtaking, alternating between both directions of traffic). The plans included the placement of cable barriers on both sides of the road and between the lanes of opposing traffic.
MAG Netherlands has been fighting these plans since 2004, but following the vote in favour of a ban on cable barriers in the Netherlands by their national Parliament in December, the politicians in Overijssel changed their views and they now support MAG Netherlands view (helped by a 24-hour information- bombardment and intense lobbying before the debate).
Lėtzebuerger Moto-Initiativ (LMI) Luxembourg -In February the national road authorities will start the second part of fitting motorcycle friendly guardrails.
In total 9000m will be placed. LMI representative was invited to discuss were the sections motorcycle friendly guardrails should be placed and where it should start and end.
In the past LMI have raised criticism that the rails where not fitted in the correct position.
After 10,000 m was fitted in 2005, Luxembourg now has more than 30,000m of guard rail protected.
All good news for our European colleagues, to advance our own position we will be pressing harder this year for the UK Government to make similar commitments.
FEMA will be holding an event to promote motorcycle friendly crash barriers to MEPS and the institution in February (see FEMA section below).
Department For Transport (DfT) Think Campaign
Four months of meetings with the DfT and other riders’ organisations has seen the “publication” of the DfT Think! Campaign Take longer to look for bikes.
30 second TV ad encouraging urban car drivers to look longer for bikes -will run from 30 January to 12 March.
30 second radio ad to act as in-car reinforcement of the TV message -will run from 13 February to 12 March.
At the same time, riders will be reminded how to make sure that they are seen via an outdoor poster campaign-will run from 30 January to 12 March...
Reported in full in Network and on the MAG UK website.
You can view the posters, the Ad and listen to the Radio Ad – Here
Red Route Enforcement
Gerard Livett continues MAG representation in London in this group ensuring motorcycling is represented.
Red Routes are major roads where no stopping is allowed.
Scottish National Transport Strategy
Steve Wykes continues MAG representation with the Scottish Executive discussing a motorcycling strategy for Scotland.
Steve and the BMF have presented a document for consideration i.e. motorcyclists are the “experts” this is what we want.
I will be attending a meeting in February to support Steve in the hard work he has completed and the presentation he will make to the Scottish Executive.
FEMA
As you are aware the outcome of the February FEMA meeting has seen the resignation of the General Secretary, Antonio Perlot.
FEMA will be advertising in the next week for a replacement. Antonio has agreed to stay on until a replacement is found or to be available to guide the replacement on the files and issues that FEMA is currently dealing with.
It is hoped that any replacement will come from one of the National Organisations (NOs) of FEMA.
If you can think of anybody from within MAG who may be suitable please let me know so that we make sure they are aware of the position at FEMA and receive the job description etc.
Kees Meijer the FEMA President was returned to the position at the February meeting.
The FEMA Mission and Policy statement that we have been involved in developing was accepted at the FEMA meetings in February.
We have achieved what we set out to do, in MAGs opinion to get FEMA back on track. The first two statements on the Mission Statement perhaps say it all:
FEMAs purpose is to promote, protect and preserve motorcycling.
FEMAs mission is to promote riders’ interests and defend riders’ rights throughout Europe and globally.
The Mission and Policy Statement expands gives the advice on how to achieve this and summaries of FEMA policy.
These are living document so can be adapted which can change in order to reflect current circumstances.
All this will lead into how the FEMA Secretariat and the full time staff communicate within FEMA and with the outside world and work responsibilities for the full time staff.
There was a working group set up to investigate and make suggestions to a change to the voting system at FEMA as some of the smaller organisation felt that they there positions on issues were not being represented.
The main issue is that three of the larger NOs could “out vote” the rest of the NOs, there are 22 NOs in FEMA.
We will be watching this carefully as the voting system depends on the number of members each organisation represents which in turn reflects on the amount of fees paid into FEMA and a place on the Executive Committee.
The MEP Ride in 2006 will move back to Brussels, no confirmed date but will be in June.
The ride will promote the urban mobility of motorcycles and specifically scooters.
Elaine Hardy gave a presentation on how to manipulate statistics which was very well received. The presentation focused on the review of the European Commissions Mid Term Review of the White Paper on Transport Policy and FEMAs response specifically regarding London.
Meeting was also attended by Elaine Hardy with support from MAG Chairman Ian Moore.
Design Protection - Filippo Marino FEMA Campaigns Officer
The European Commission is proposing a Directive seeking to change the current system of the legal protection of designs. The proposal, if enacted, would directly contribute to lowering the price of motorcycle spare parts.
The main Committee responsible for the Draft Directive is the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI). The Internal Market Committee (IMCO) has a shared competence which means that JURI must take into account the views expressed by IMCO, by either incorporating IMCO Report or trying to find a common compromise before moving on to the vote in Plenary Session in the EU Parliament.
Account has been taken of all the suggestions and the viewpoint expressed by FEMA and by other consumer organisations in his Report.
The Rapporteur responsible has drafted a Report endorsing the EC Proposal.
Some amendments have been tabled, pertaining to the safety of the non original spare parts and the Commission has expressed the view that safety has nothing to do with Design protection, which relates to the appearance of a certain product and not with its technical or safety characteristics.
The same view was shared by the majority of the members of IMCO.
However, the outcome of the vote is somehow strange. Indeed whereas the whole Draft Report has been adopted, one of the amendments has been carried, creating some inconsistencies with the spirit of the proposal.
The amendment adopted is a new presentation which is in contradiction with the aim of the new piece of legislation. The amendment claims that the opening up of independent (after market) producers of spare parts is contrary to Intellectual Proper rights and World Trade Organisation (WTO) law.
This inconsistency will be dealt with by JURI Committee and the appropriate service of the European Parliament.
The EC Proposal must now be discussed also by JURI committee.
The Commission has been asked to submit a study on the safety of the spare parts manufactured by Independent Producers. Only after receiving the study the Rappourter will draft the Report and the legislative procedure will thus resume.
FEMA will closely follow the procedure in JURI in order to guarantee that the interest of the motorcycle consumer is taken into due account.
FEMA Oil Awareness Campaign - Filippo Marino FEMA Campaigns Officer
As reported previously the FEMA Committee agreed to launch with the cooperation of ACEM a Campaign promoting the use of Synthetic Oils for 2 stroke engines. The aim of the Campaign is to contribute to reducing PM emissions that the older 2 stroke vehicles generate.
The benefit that could derive from a greater use of synthetic oil is twofold. First of all it has already had the immediate effect of preventing the Institutions from proposing new restrictive legislation concerning 2 stroke PTWs.
Secondly It would help all those FEMA members to counter argument national or local authorities that are willing to prohibit access to city centres or to certain identified areas to the more polluting 2 stroke PTWs.
FEMA will launch the campaign with a Press Release and the logo will be put on our website. Moreover, one section of the website will be dedicated to it with some explanation and two documents to download.
MAG Action
Support the Campaign by issuing a Press Release, by having dedicated articles on their Magazines and by putting on their websites the logo and slogan of the Campaign and a link to the FEMA website.
FEMA Road Infrastructure/Crash Barrier Strategy - Filippo Marino FEMA Campaigns Officer
Contact has been established with MEPs that are interested in cooperating with us such as Mr. Vatanen, Mr. Romagnoli, Mr. Markov, Ms Wortmann-Kool, who has been contacted by MAG the NL, Mr. Camre. Mr.Queiro’, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Musotto and other MEPs willing to work on this issue with us.
As has been anticipated all of them believe that the best way to raise awareness on the need for better infrastructure is to lodge one or more Parliamentary Questions to urge the Commission to act and also to launch a campaign in the EP by means of having a written declaration open to the signature of all MEPs interested.
FEMA invited some relevant stakeholders and all MEPs interested to attend a crash-test that HIASA (Road furniture manufacturer) will do at CIDAUT (Spanish research Centre) in Valladolid. The Crash test will take place on the 8th of February. Either I or Antonio will attend too.
The aim of this crash test is to demonstrate the effectiveness of motorcycle protective crash barriers.
As already agreed we will organise presentation/cocktail of the crash test in the EP in Brussels where to invite all the members of the EP TRAN Committee.
At the moment, we are discussing this opportunity with some MEPs since it is not easy to find some space available in the EP.
During the event, sponsored by an MEP, FEMA will launch its initiatives, namely the Parliamentary Question and the Declaration, which has a huge political impact.
To sum up, a coalition of MEPs – made together also with the collaboration of other relevant stakeholders such as ERF – would lodge a question to the
Commission and sign a Declaration urging the Institutions to act in the field of road infrastructure, asking for/to:
The adoption of a European legal framework to support safer road design & management, which would establish the auditing procedures required at the design, pre-opening and operational stages of roads to ensure they meet all safety standards and promote a European culture of safe road design, above all for vulnerable road users (cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians).
- All new road infrastructure and furniture to be developed and installed also with the PTW in mind – e.g. traffic-calming humps and signage etc.
- The adoption of the proposed directive aiming at the harmonisation of the criteria for identifying “black spots”, and the means of making their presence known to users.
- Give a mandate to CEN to establish a new standard for motorcycle friendly crash barrier.
FEMA - Proposal for a Third Driving Licence Directive - Filippo Marino FEMA Campaigns Officer
Since December, when the Council failed to reach a common position on the Proposal for a Third Driving Licenses Directive, few things have changed.
Some of the following can seem contradictory due to the fact that the situation at the moment is pretty fluid and unclear.
Representatives of the MCC (Motorcycle Community in Europe) have recently met with the Austrian Presidency that clearly stated during the meeting will not put the Driving Licensing issue on the agenda of the meetings of the Transport Ministers, neither in March, nor in June.
Even under the EC pressure, Austria will not move as Germany will stay in the blocking minority: there is no need to have the subject on the agenda if no progress can be achieved, they said.
It was claimed that Finland will propose again the Luxemburg compromise as it is. In fact the Austrian rep. considers difficult and risky for any Presidency to try to re-draft the compromise because the main subject of license renewal is too sensible: there is no guarantee to improve the text, there is a clear risk to
have no agreement on the new formulation, this is neither a subject for a Council working group nor a subject to be discussed again in the COREPER.
This is a subject that has to be dealt with at Council level.
Even though, the Austrians expressed some sympathy towards our positions, they consider the motorcycle part as a minor item that can be sacrificed on the altar of much stronger interests there in contained.
In conclusion, the Luxemburg compromise might have some chances to be adopted under the Finnish Presidency.
The Austrian Representative thinks that the European Parliament will not approve the Luxemburg compromise.
The very long period of time between the initial agreement of the three institutions will allow the Rapporteur Mr. Grosch MEP to reconsider its position so that a real second reading will occur most probably under the German Presidency.
At this stage we can have some chances to have our amendments supported by the Parliament.
The Council will probably not accept the new amended text of the Parliament, so that there will be a conciliation procedure that could take place still under the German Presidency according to courtesy rules among Member States.
A formal exchange of opinion in the EP TRAN Committee which Fillipo attended, the Austrian Minister for Transport explained his Work programme for the next six months.
After having put under pressure by MEPs form all political groups on the DLD subject he stated that even though the Luxembourg Compromise is a good proposal, at this stage it could only form a base to start from when the discussion resumes.
He did not say anything about the timing but he pointed out that times are not mature yet as some Member State, including Austria have strong reservation on the renewal issue and on the related administrative costs that would badly affect European citizens.
He then added that the Proposal needs some changes in order to reach a common position in the Council.
All in all, the situation is not really clear and at times even contradictory.
From the Austrian Minister for Transport it can be deduced that Austria is not really keen on working on the issue. However, both the Parliament and the Commission are urging the Austrian presidency to act.
On the other hand, it seems that the Luxembourg Compromise is no longer a viable solution and that it will be, even slightly, changed.
Accordingly we would have a full second reading, hence the opportunity to have our position taken into due account by the EP.
From the above, it is necessary for all of you to continue to work to try to influence your own Governments as much as possible.
We know that there are some Countries ready to re-open the debate and that support our position, some of them at least as for the deletion of testing – training between category A2 and A.
Noise - Antonio Perlot FEMA General Secretary
The FEMA staff met with ACEM, FIM and ETRA (European Twowheel Retailers Association) to start the investigation of a common approach on motorcycle noise, focussing on the use of illegal exhausts.
A follow-up meeting will be organised in March, seeking to involve representatives from the aftermarket sector.
MEP Ride/Harley-Davidson/Piaggio - Antonio Perlot FEMA General Secretary
The Secretariat identified the opportunity of organising this year’s event in Brussels, most likely on the 20th or 21st of June.
The ideal venue would be the Autoworld Museum, which we already used in 2004, with a message focussing on mobility (White Paper), Safety (Road Safety Action Programme) and Accessibility (3rd DLD).
FEMA is seeking to include again Harley-Davidson to identify practical details, and are seeking to also involve Piaggio in the financial support to the event, in order to also bring a scooter-mobility aspect to the event (2006 is the 60th Anniversary of the Vespa).
Antonio spent a day at the Piaggio factory in Pontedera, Italy, and is waiting an answer from their managerial level.
White Paper on Transport Policy - Antonio Perlot FEMA General Secretary
Road Transport Working Group/White Paper on Transport Policy/Mobility for Prosperity in Europe:
The Group met again in December to continue working on the concept of a common document summarising the views of the Road Sector.
The draft of the common document is basically completed, but it was decided to decide on the way forward after the informal meeting with the European Commission's deputy Director General of TREN, which took place in mid-January.
In view of the deadline for submitting the FEMA contribution, Filippo and I had two full day meetings with ACEM to share information and prepare the document, which I finalised and sent to the EC on the 28th of December.
I received the acknowledgement of receipt and the EC is expected to publish a review of all the comments in the coming weeks and issue the proposal in March. A stakeholder meeting of an initiative of Mr Vatanen, “Mobility for Prosperity in Europe”, will take place in early February and the Secretariat will attend through Filippo to gather further information.
MAG Comment: As reported Elaine gave a presentation on the statistics and promotion of certain aspects of the FEMA report at the FEMA February meeting.
Network On -Line Extra: Revised version of the presentation for the UK is available at
A Different View of Casualty Statistics (pdf 878kb)
Ends
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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