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BIKERS ARE VOTERS 2005
Have you written to your parliamentary candidates?
Time is running out before the 5th MAG General Election to let candidates know that BIKERS ARE VOTERS and to present them with MAG’s Manifesto for Motorcycling.
The Bikers Are Voters campaign is two fold, presenting riders views to Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPC’s) and seeking their views on motorcycling.
Although the main political parties’ candidates are important, for maximum impact we need the concerted effort of every rider to lobby all parties PPC’s, even those that don’t make parliament this time are important.
Included in this issue of Network is:
1) Bikers Are Voters Campaign Pack
2) MAG Manifesto for Motorcycling.
Why Campaign?
MAG UK has organised Bikers are Voters questionnaires during every election campaign since 1992, when every parliamentary candidate was asked ten motorcycling related questions. These campaigns have proven to highly successful, contributing to the main political parties becoming aware of our issues.
By raising the awareness of motorcyclists’ rights the Government formed the Government Advisory Group Motorcycling and MAG was “plugged” into Government and its various agencies.
MAG has worked in conjunction with Government, the Motorcycle Industry, user groups, the police and others to deliver the National Motorcycle Strategy in February 2005.
MAG expects, as laid out in the strategy, that: “motorcyclists have the right to expect both central and local Government to take account of motorcycling in planning process, when designing and maintaining the road network, when managing traffic and when considering safety.”
The strategy also encompasses: “important initiatives including better training to take skills to a higher level; improving rider and driver attitudes and behaviour; improved motorbike design; better infrastructure and smarter traffic management.”
The National Motorcycle strategy is a beginning and must not be relegated to sit on the shelf.
Whichever party is elected to Government they must take forward the clear program of the strategy, which presents a sensible, practical and deliverable package of measures to make a positive difference for motorcycling.
MAG has produced its own “Manifesto for Motorcycling”, which deals with the issues that are still of major concern.
Ensuring that the needs of motorcyclists are fully considered when making future decisions whether beating congestion as a form of sustainable transport or just riding for the sheer fun of it!
Every candidate, every party, must get the message -
BIKERS ARE VOTERS
What To Do - How To Do It – When To Do It!
Following the guideline in the campaign pack:
• Write to the PPC's in your constituency using the sample letter as a guide.
• Include the questionnaire.
• Include or point out the availability of MAG's Manifesto for Motorcycling.
(http://bikersarevoters.mag-uk.org).
(The Campaign Pack points out were you can find your PPCs contact details)
• Return completed questionnaires to either your Regional Rep or Trevor at the MAG Office.
So that when the new government is formed we will know where our support and opposition lies.
Do it Now!
Top Tip
It may be worth allocating particular members to write to each party's candidate. Too many identical letters may not have the desired effect, though referring to the widespread support from other constituents is a good idea.
If you have any further questions on what to do, how to do it, or when to do it, please contact us at central office.
Full details at http://bikersarevoters.mag-uk.org
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