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Public Affairs Director Report MAG UK National Committee Meeting – 10th February 2007
Overview
Well that was a short two months or doesn’t time fly since my last report to NC.
Already into February 2007 and the meetings and issues are piling up, thankfully with David Short as Campaigns Manager the work we complete for MAG we can now be at two places at one time so to speak.
While David was giving evidence at the Select Committee in the House of Commons and attending other meetings on his schedule, I was able to attend a full meeting of the National Motorcycle Council, a Road Safety and Publicity meeting of the National Motorcycle Council, FEMA meetings, a few holidays and attended a ceremony at Warwick University. This was to watch MAGs National Research Officer, Elaine Hardy receive her “official” I am now a Doctor certificate.
All adding up to less speed and more haste in preparing for meetings and tidying up loose ends here at the office, all good stuff.
However back to business.
Fill It In
 Short and sweet we launched the report a road hazard website
http://fill-it-in.mag-uk.org
Links to councils and online forms for reporting road hazards to councils.
Does what it says on the tin, however still looking at developing the site for feedback on hazards.
Also reordered the Road Hazard cards.
3rd Driving Licence Directive Pushed Through
On the 14th December 2006 the European Parliament voted in favour of the 3rd European Driving Licence Directive.
A final amendment submitted by UK MEP Philip Bradbourn (Conservative) calling for the rejection of the directive was defeated during the vote. I was able to supply them with details for their press release and Alex Gault
The FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) press release after the vote headlined with, “Responsible enough to vote, not enough to ride!” and stated, “FEMA is totally unsatisfied by the motorcycle provisions included in the Directive as they are discriminatory to new and young riders and unjustifiably complex. Instead of improving safety, they will make access to motorcycles more difficult to enforce with an adverse effect on safety.
I have left the information page on the Directive "live" as an archive and the licence graph, which tries to give an overview of the complexity of the licence regime.
What happens next?
We have already been in communication with the rest of the motorcycle community in the UK - Training Representatives - Motorcycle Industry - BMF.
The UK Government has already stated that they will consult with motorcycle representatives, to deliver the motorcycle aspects of the directive in the UK.
At this stage as defined in the directive this should be by 2013.
The European attempt at harmonization still leaves some questions.
The Council of Ministers adopted the directive on the 19th December at a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, without discussion, stated in their press release, “……. .subjecting access to heavier motorcycles under category A to a "step-up" approach with a requirement for two years' practical experience in a lower category and additional training and/or testing, while direct access to the heaviest category A motorcycles will be possibly only at the age of 24 years.”
Also, “…..direct access to the heaviest category A motorcycles will be possibly only at the age of 24 years”, the words “possibly only” need defined.
FEMA has recommended that NO’s National Organisations start lobbying their governments for a review on training and access age. This can be done as the Annexes in the 3DLD covering this are done by a separate committee.
FEMA is to introduce the recommendation for motorcycle training review contained in the Initial Rider Training (IRT) project. See http://www.initialridertraining.com
We now face a long haul to get the best deal for young and new riders!
Campaign website http://tinyurl.com/nr7wt
Crash Barriers
FEMA now has liaison status regarding guardrails in Committee for Standardisation (CEN) Technical Committee (TC) 226 "Road equipment" as a representative of motorcycle riders.
The committee is looking to set a new standard or revision of 1317 to specifically have motorcycles considered when testing road barriers.
MP69 (Finland), SMC (Sweden), IG Motorad (Switzerland) and MAG Austria to assist with their technical experts.
DRL (Day Time Running Lights)
The British Government, whose stance at the moment is against compulsory DRL for all vehicles, have submitted an amendment to Regulation 45 (car regulations – construction requirements), to have compulsory DRL – but must have a switch to switch them off. Unfortunately this does not cover motorcycles.
The FIA conference which I attended in the latter part of 2006 has been seen as a success, as the EU Commission after their consultation have recognised the concerns of motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users on mandatory DRL.
However we must be wary that DRL is not dealt solely by the UN and introduced as a technical regulation. DRL must stay within the EU institutions so that the issue can be dealt with by the EU Parliament with the EU Commission through the Co-Decision process . This entails an EU directive to be formulated and dealt with, as the Driving Licence example, as democratically as Europe can be.
The Downing Street Number 10 petition website that has been used over the last few months for various petitions had a petition regarding DRL.
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure the continued safety of users of motorcycles and scooters by fighting EU proposals to introduce daytime running lights on motorcars."
The Government response is:
The UK Government is opposed both to mandatory daytime dipped headlamp use and to mandatory dedicated daytime running light (DRL) use (except where required by poor visibility, eg fog) for a number of reasons.
These include questions over the safety of vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and pedestrians. Other concerns are the accuracy of overall cost: benefit analysis figures, increased motoring expenses and increased carbon dioxide emissions.
The European Commission (EC) has been discussing daytime headlamp use and DRLs with Member States for quite some time. Research has been carried out into daytime headlamp use, as an aid to vehicle conspicuity: there are arguments both for and against. There are also arguments for and against the use of dedicated, low wattage DRLs (rather than dipped-beam head-lamps) which could be provided or mandated for new vehicles.
Mandatory daytime headlamp use or dedicated DRLs could have an adverse impact on the relative daytime conspicuity of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, who are not illuminated. In addition, motorcyclists currently make themselves more conspicuous in daytime (on a voluntary basis) by using dipped beam headlamps. If all vehicles were illuminated, this advantage might reduce or disappear altogether.
The costs of additional fuel expenses and pollution effects also need to be taken into account. The EC estimates, for instance, that the compulsory use of DRLs across the Union would lead to a 1.5% rise in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The UK's response to the recent EC consultation on this subject highlighted these concerns. The UK's reply was informed by a study of the EC analysis, commissioned by the Department for Transport. The results support the view that the benefits have been over estimated while the additional costs to motorists have been underestimated.
Further to its consultation, recent discussions with the EC now lead us to conclude that it may not press for early adoption of mandatory daytime running lights. It is expected to reconsider the proposals during the coming year. In the meantime, the Department for Transport will continue to hold further talks with the EC to reiterate our main concerns.
ACTION: To turn the focus on politicians both in the UK and Europe and a lobby to write to your political representative on the issue for their support and forward the concerns of MAG.
National Motorcycle Council
The NMC met in January and was attended by the Minister Stephen Ladyman.
The various sub groups (as reported in my last report) gave presentations on the progress of delivering the Motorcycle Strategy.
Technical, Engineering & Environmental
The rider survey on rear vision, brake and tyre issues had a very good response with over 800 replies.
We posted this survey out to the email army and had links on our website.
The data formatting and analysis should be completed in March.
A discussion paper has been prepared on the nature of a feasibility study to examine the practicality of a EuroNCAP-style initiative for motorcycle safety.
Diesel spills - petrol retailers have been invited to the next meeting to discuss possible warning statements in petrol stations and/or VOSA test stations.
This year the KillSpills organisation will be holding special publicity events at the “BikeFest” at Donington Park on 26th May, including a World Record attempt to get as many bikes as possible going round the track at the same time, and a ride down to London.
MAG will be attending with a stand.
A British Standards technical advisor on Personal Protective Equipment has been invited to the next meeting.
Improving head protection for motorcyclists is a key issue with the DfT (Department for Transport) are working on a consumer information scheme.
There is still a problem with fitment of aftermarket exhausts and the glorification of noise by certain parts of motorcycle press. FEMA information on noise has been circulated for discussion.
Road Safety & Publicity
The DFT intend to continue involvement in BSB sponsorship in 2007. There are plans to expand the “Academy” website
http://www.themotorcycleacademy.co.uk , including urban / commuter riders as well as leisure riders.
MAG has been involved in supporting the publicity side of the Academy.
TV and radio campaign broadcast will recommence during January / February 2007. This is the ad that ran last year, look out for bikes.
With regard to Road Safety, the Road Safety Act 2006 received Royal Assent 8 November 2006.
The revised Highway Code is on track to be published mid-2007.
Additionally, there are four ongoing research projects focussing on motorcycle safety:
- In-depth study of motorcycle training;
- Car driver skills and attitudes in relation to motorcycle safety;
- Rider fatigue and accident risk; and
- Analysis of the On-the Spot data to supplement MAIDS study
Approximately 50 learner motorcyclists will be batch-tested to try out the new test provisions (to be introduced in 2008) during the Spring, to gauge whether the candidates had been adequately prepared for it.
Training, Testing & Licensing
Post Test Trainers register to be launched 7th Feb giving those that want extra training a list of recommended trainers.
Traffic Management, Planning & Transport Policy
First print run of IHIE Guidelines is almost exhausted, IHIE believe it is now time to establish a dedicated web site with the guidelines at its centre to allow free downloads, but funding needs to be found.
Local Authorities (LA’s) need to be encouraged and advised on how to establish trials of ASLs (Advanced Stop Lines) and incorporate motorcycling in their travel plans.
The Group to arrange future meeting with UK Roads Board to highlight requirements of M/C’s in Maintenance regimes.
Draft Transport Advisory Leaflet ‘Motorcycles in Bus Lanes’ is in preparation but LA’s will still need advice on best practice. MAG has responded to the consultation.
With regard to the diesel spills actions shared with the Technical, Engineering & Environmental group, there needs to be a three-point attack comprising:
- Education - Publicity at point of filling, etc, with who to notify of a spillage
- Engineering - Prevention of spills and investigation into the most appropriate treatment (NOT sand – Devon is currently doing trials of a new type of treatment)
- Enforcement - Police / LA’s pursuing ‘spillers’ and VOSA carrying out inspections of vehicles
Recruitment Posters
Set up a webpage for reps to download the recruitment posters designed by Ian Mutch and featured in this issue of The Road.
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/repswebspace/recruitment.html
MAG Sport
Although not part of the day job as such I have been involved with MAG Sport since 1998 or there about, so really some voluntary work and added into this report for handiness.
The MAG Sport website ( www.magsport.com ) after much swearing at the screen and heavy typing on the keyboards has been revamped for 2007.
The three "racers" receiving help for 2007 are Alex Gault - Mark Castle - MPS Racing (Enduro Race Team).
Alex Gault returns for another year after starting with MAG Sport in 2001.
Mark Castle also returns for 2007 again having come onboard with MAG Sport in 2001.
MAG Sport Juniors are still there and I am waiting for a couple of more contacts to get in touch for reports on MAG members who race.
New for this year is MPS Racing an Enduro team competing in the British and European Enduro Championships. The team is captained by Mick Seward, Enduro aficionado, and former TT rider.
The team was created with the aim of encouraging young riders to compete at a higher level and to supply financial assistance to let them develop their skills.
MAG Sport for 2007 provides a broad scope of MAG representation to the race scene, from Alex Gault competing on tracks, Mark Castle in Road Racing, MPS in the mud of enduro racing and MAG Sport Juniors for minimotos
As you can see from the website apart from the race orientated flavour the site promotes MAG, from press releases, campaigns, benefits and events - promoting Safe with MAG at the MOTO GP.
The intention was and remains, to diversify MAG's recruitment drive and target sports bike/race rep riders and other non-committed leisure orientated members of the biking community and to persuade them to join MAG.
To that end Alex Gault has offered space on his "stand" at races, as in the past for copies of The Road and MAG leaflets to be present and for MAG people to attend and hand these out.
Depending on his race plans which are being finalised this could be at rounds of the British Superbike Championship. Mark Castle has also offered his bike to be made available on MAG stands and just missed out on GMAX, Alex Gault has also offered this depending on time distance and availability.
MPS racing have offered to come along to the Farmyard Party and promote their team and the tie up with MAG Sport.
You can promote MAG Sport on your regional and local group websites by lifting a logo from the archive page at
http://www.magsport.com/magsportarchive/archive.html
Report Conclusion
These are the main tasks that have taken up the majority of my time.
Lots of emails and phone calls on liaising on various issues e.g. website revamp, member’s calls to the office on issues, just “stuff” that eats into the available time.
Trevor Baird Director Of Public Affairs (MAG UK)
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
www.mag-uk.org www.network.mag-uk.org www.magsport.com
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