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Public Affairs Director Report to MAG UK National Committee Meeting – 14th April 2007
Overview
Yet again another busy two months from attending and delivering a speech at the West Midlands Fred Hill Run, Reps Training at Lyneham Farm near Leeds, a couple of meetings in London regarding the National Motorcycle Council (NMC), meetings in the MAG Office with the Campaigns Manager, finalised the new affiliated clubs pack with Fergus and to Brussels for a FEMA Executive meeting.
However, more and more it’s sitting in front of a computer typing to the outside world regarding MAG, answering queries, promoting MAG to those that ask, those that are listening and pushing those that we want to listen.
As my job title says “Director” I seem to have been doing a lot of directing, pointing the finger in the right direction, assisting and liaising.
Working in the background delivering the “mechanics” of our campaigns and information on our websites and email information lists. With a certain dissemination of MAG information held on the MAG server, to assist in present campaigns/issues, a bit like a librarian.
I am also working to get the best benefits for MAG members and to attract new members under the core of our main “business” - Riders’ Rights.
Think Bike Publicity
As part of MAGs involvement in the National Motorcycle Council (NMC) and delivery of the National Motorcycle Strategy I met DfT representatives with the purpose of disseminating their latest campaigns.
Urban commuter campaign “Invincible – Invisible” - report and poster sample in this issue of “The Road”.
Think Motorcycle Academy which promotes additional training and riding awareness to riders through a link with the British Super Bike (BSB) rounds www.themotorcycleacademy.co.uk
This will be done through the MAG and MAG Sport website www.magsport.com
There was the opportunity to link in MAG Sports Alex Gault. Alex was to race in the GSXR European Cup which has rounds at the BSB however after being accepted by Suzuki due to the apparent intransigence of the ACU over licence age Alex will not compete in the cup.
3rd Driving Licence Directive Pushed Through
Finishing of this saga I wrote a piece for Motorcycle Monthly on the implications of the directive for UK riders.
Crash Barriers
Those that signed our epetition on the Downing Street website will have received a reply.
I will be responding to the Government especially their statement on Wire Rope Barriers.
However work is continuing in Europe with FEMA granted a liaison status with the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) Technical Committee (TC) 226 "Road equipment" as representative of motorcycle riders.
FEMA will now work on convincing CEN members and the European Commission to define guardrails which will, at last, take motorcyclists into account either by modifying the current EN1317 standard or by creating a brand new European standard, such as the Spanish one, for devices to be added to existing guardrails.
FEMA was successful, through our lobbying and MAG Netherlands submission through one of their MEPs at last years debate during a TRAN committee meeting in the European Parliament to have an amendment accepted regarding crash barriers.
“Calls on the Commission to explicitly include the safety of motorcyclists in infrastructure guidelines, especially regarding motorcycle friendly crash barriers on European roads.”
DRL (Day Time Running Lights)
Article in Aprils Network on DRL which covers the issue as it pans out in Europe.
From the Head of the European Commission’s Road Safety Unit; Dr Stefan Tostmann, announced at a recent meeting with FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) representatives that the Commission would call for a 6month deferral in the United Nations legislative process.
To the position and interests defended by EC (European Commission) representatives at the UNECE (United Nations World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle (WP29) radically deferring from what was initially announced to FEMA.
During an explosive discussion between GRE chairman -very pro-DRL- and FEMA General Secretary, Aline Delhaye, Mr. Schneider stepped in to support the chairman’s views, underlying that possible side-effects on motorcyclists were unavoidable. In other words, both representatives seemed to find normal that the positive impact of DRL on car drivers’ safety could mean more risks for motorcyclists!
Full Article at http://www.network.mag-uk.org/april07p16.html
MAG Benefits
As mentioned above working on MAG benefits which have a direct link to motorcycling.
This is updating current benefits and looking at “offers” that arrive daily at the office.
No to conservatories, yes to initial contact with motorcycle clothing suppliers, accessories etc.
However not a good start, as our link to Coverwell Travel Insurance has been dissolved due to their losing FSA regulation. Heath Lambert are still covering this option.
As the MAG website is being developed there needs to be a clear link to this and “The Road” and I will develop this with Ian Mutch over the coming two months. Tying in advertorial, advertising and benefits for MAG members including discount accommodation – MAG Touring.
The Corporate member pack have been reviewed mainly by Gerard Livett and this needs finalised before final copy by the end of April.
PLI – Public Liability Insurance
Met our insurance providers during April with a successful outcome, there should be a more detailed report from the Board meeting.
However our premium and for Affiliated Clubs, at this stage will stay the same as last year.
MAG stands purchased by regions will be covered.
PLI for runs/demos does cover the run between the start and finish points, details to be confirmed.
Insurance providers to provide a “laymans” guide to the cover offered.
FEMA
From my last report and the FEMA meeting in February I had voiced concerns at the involvement in a raft of motorcycle research and safety projects.
The main concerns where that FEMAs involvement would have been passive, passive in the sense that FEMA although a part of the projects would not have been able to take an active role nor have the technical expertise.
For example a project on External Vehicle Speed Control (EVSC) Intelligent Speed Adaption (ISA) could have recommended that these systems were a viable option to take control away from the rider and not just an advisory function. Therefore FEMAs name as representatives of riders’ rights in Europe would have been attached to a report recommending EVSC – ISA.
MAG UKs overall view was that we needed more information on the projects before a decision could be taken by FEMA to participate.
Since Februarys meeting the world has moved on. With MAGs National Research Officer, Elaine Hardy stepping down from the position she has been snapped up by FEMA as a Research Consultant.
FEMAs General Secretary has worked with Elaine in a very short space of time, other motorcycle experts, technical research institutes to form what I call “FEMAs Research Department”.
To lead on the issues, make sure motorcycling is represented, that the move towards safety devices even if advisory do not interfere with riders’ safety or overload riders with onboard information thus distracting from the skills required to simply ride a bike.
Legislative Update: from FEMA Campaigns Manager Virginie Peters
Directive on blind spots mirrors
“Road safety: retrofitting of mirrors to existing fleet of heavy goods vehicles”
FEMA welcomes the initiative of the Commission aimed at improving the safety of all road users and specifically the most vulnerable ones. It also underlines the need to promote awareness campaign focusing on motorcyclists.
Purpose: to improve the field of indirect vision of existing heavy good vehicles and to reduce the number of accidents by retrofitting mirrors to heavy goods vehicles registered in the Community. It is aimed, in particular, at vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, who are particularly prone to accident with heavy good vehicles given that lorries have a lateral blind spot on the passenger’s side
Amendments to the draft report:
The retrofitting exercise should be accompanied by appropriate measure designed to raise awareness of the dangers linked to the existence of blind spot of heavy goods vehicles, including awareness campaigns for vulnerable users, such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians as well as for the correct adjustment and use of indirect vision devices.
A number of accidents are caused by drivers of heavy goods vehicles who are not aware that other road users are very close or beside their vehicle (…) It is estimated that every year about 400 people are killed in such circumstances, most of them being vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
Directive on Infrastructure:
“Road safety: road infrastructure safety management”
FEMA took part to the consultation concluded on 15 May 2006. FEMA very much welcomes the proposal for a Directive on Infrastructure Safety Management given that the relevant services have been receptive to FEMA observations and point. The Directive proposal clearly states that vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorised two wheelers) are elements to be taken into account.
Purpose: to improve the management of road infrastructure and ensure that safety is integrated into all phases of planning, design and the operation of the road infrastructure spanning the Trans-European Network (TEN-T). Along with economic and environmental considerations, safety will play a vital component to the preparation of new infrastructure. The proposed Directive will ensure that managers are given the correct guidelines, training and information needed to guarantee safety on the road network..
Mid-term review of the White Paper on transport:
Keep Europe moving: sustainable mobility for our continent
FEMA finds it unacceptable that the White Paper Mid-Term Review on EU Transport Policy does not take motorcycles into account.
The deadline for proposing amendments was 1st March 2007. Positive contact had been established with MEP Ayala Senders in order to propose an amendment mentioning motorcycles. MEP Dieter-Lebrecht Koch has suggested an amendment mentioning motorcycles.
Directive on designs protection:
“Industrial Property: legal protection of designs”
FEMA welcomes the EU Directive proposal seeking to change the current system ofthe legal protection of design. The proposal, if enacted, would directly contribute to lowering the price of motorcycle spare parts
Purpose amending EU Directive on the legal protection of designs in order to create an internal market for spare parts. The European Commission is presenting this proposal in a bid to harmonise and complete the internal market for spare parts by adopting the liberalisation route for opening up the market.
Green Paper on Urban Transport: Consultation
MAG is preparing input to the consultation which will be public on the 30 April 2007
Cross Border Enforcement:
“Respecting the Rules – Better Road Safety Enforcement in the European Union”
In order to assess the possibility for further action on EU level, the Commission published a consultation paper on the subject of cross-border enforcement.
FEMA will closely follow this dossier and the possible development of a Directive proposal. Note that motorcyclists have been negatively pinpointed by ACEA European Automobile Manufacturers Association in their response to the consultation.
Report Conclusion
These are the main tasks that have taken up the majority of my time.
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
www.mag-uk.org www.network.mag-uk.org www.magsport.com
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