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SUCCESS AT LAST FOR MAG IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Blyth & District MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) has announced the success of the positive inclusion of motorcycling in the second round of Local Transport Plans (LTP) consultations in Northumberland.
The transport plan states that, "Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs), that is, motorcycles and scooters, can offer a number of benefits.
They can be an affordable alternative to the private car, improving accessibility by providing independence and mobility, especially where public transport is limited.
They can also provide quicker travel in congested traffic conditions.
In terms of Air Quality the emissions from PTW’s compare favourably to that of cars, particularly in urban areas."
The local MAG Group, a branch of North East MAG which is part of the nationwide structure of local riders that make up MAG, commenced the process with Northumberland County Council at the beginning of the first LTP consultations.
MAGs Archi Hipkins; who is now the National Network editor with former MAG member Maggie Drysdale and at the time of the first consultation was the Regional Representative for NEMAG, said, “The outcome of the first LTP did not bode well as it was very negative towards biking and made scant mention of the mode of transport. However, consultations and presentations continued in the period up to the second LTP preparations.”
To highlight the second LTP consultation, demo-runs took place in Blyth attended by members of Northumberland Bikers, XXX Crew, Wansbeck Bikers, NE Rhino’s, Tyne Phoenix and concerned individual riders to name but a few with the added support from Blyth Valley Councillors.
The consultation process for the second LTP, saw BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) representative Rob Bailey taking the place of Maggie Drysdale and carrying on the work which lead to the present success in the consultative process.
A big thank you goes out to all those activists who have put time and effort into this process that has seen the massive turn-around in the approach by Northumberland County Council when comparing the first LTP with the new LTP 2.
This is a first step in the hopefully continuing improved interaction between the County Council, MAG, BMF and motorcyclists in general.
Extract from Northumberland County Council Local Transport Plan 2006-2011:- Page 12.
Powered Two Wheelers
Motorcycling is becoming increasingly popular and has a role to play within the transport system.
Government guidance indicates that LTPs should facilitate motorcycling as a travel choice within a safe and sustainable transport network.
Chapter One: Introduction
Powered two wheelers (PTWs), that is, motorcycles and scooters, can offer a number of benefits.
They can be an affordable alternative to the private car, improving accessibility by providing independence and mobility, especially where public transport is limited.
They can also provide quicker travel in congested traffic conditions. In terms of Air Quality the emissions from PTW’s compare favourably to that of cars, particularly in urban areas.
Motorcycles also have a clear advantage over cars in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
The smaller machines that tend to be found in urban areas can have CO2 emissions per kilometre travelled of less than half those of the average car.
To encourage use of PTWs in urban areas as an alternative to the private car the authority is providing secure parking for motorcycles in town centres. In 2006 this is planned in Blyth town centre where an Air Quality Management Area has been declared.
The British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) and the Motor Cycle Action Group (MAG) are both LTP consultees and as such provide invaluable user comments to our LTP proposals.
A representative from MAG has given a presentation to engineers and policy makers at the authority to pass on the motorcyclist’s perspective as a road user.
This provided a useful insight for officers to consider in the development of LTP policies and programmes. A MAG representative is also a member of one of the LTP focus groups.
Motorcyclists are also vulnerable road users.
Nationally the number of motorcycle casualties is rising and this is reflected in Northumberland, presenting challenges for improving road safety. A targeted campaign to improve road safety for motorcyclists in Northumberland is planned during this LTP period and it is hoped that both MAG and BMF can be instrumental in its delivery.
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