|
General Secretary Report - MAG UK National Committee Meeting October 2007
You will notice that this report contains quite a few reports on road safety issues.
As stated many times, MAG is NOT a road safety organisation.
However, since most challenges these days seem to come from road safety, there is a need to have a comprehensive knowledge and to put these issues on the top of our political agenda.
A lot of my work has revolved around communication whether regarding the release of press releases or sitting down and answering emails from members’ queries.
Work continues on the MAG website which will be launched to coincide with the NEC show in November.
I am continuing to build on member benefits and we should have a new travel insurance deal to announce shortly.
MAG Sport has a new champion 10 year old Max Flinders who has won both ACU Youth Grassstrack National titles - MX65 and MX85!!
As well as the UK titles he has also picked up the White Rose Championship, Northern Riders Championship and East Midland Championship.
Alex Gault finished off his up and down season in the last round of the Scottish Championship held at the Knockhill circuit in Fife. Dominating his class with wins he has 3rd in the championship overall.
Extra: Too late for this report but MPS Racings British Husqvarna riders Daryl Bolter and Si Wakely are the ’07 Senior E1 and Junior E2 ’07 European Enduro Champions.
Husky Sport Husqvarna rider Daryl Bolter has also added the ’07 Enduro 1 British Enduro Championship title.
But back to political agendas and our lobbying capabilities, both Jane myself have been discussing and opening that discussion to others, at the suggestion of long standing members on MAG’s lobbying capabilities, the systems we use and getting local political officers and activists more involved and kept interested in MAG’s main work of riders’ rights.
This is on the agenda of this weekends NC meeting and a very important item to keep MAG as the leading riders’ rights organisation.
MEP Ride
MAG UK attended the MEP Ride in Strasbourg with three representatives, including myself, Nev Chamberlain and ex-Chairman, Ian Moore. We joined over a 100 participants at the Ride including 15 Members of the European Parliament from 10 member states.
UK MEPs that attended where Liz Lynne, Roger Helmer and Robert Sturdy.
The serious side of the ride was the presentation of FEMA’s “European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety” (EAMS) which sets out the motorcyclists’ perspective regarding the importance of appropriate road infrastructure and the integration and positive contribution that motorcycles, scooters and mopeds can make in urban areas in Europe.
I contacted MEPs to attended in conjunction with FEMAs “publicity” and have extensively promoted the event both before and after the event.
I have also put a short lobby in Network for Regional/Local Group Political Officers to contact MEPs.
MAG - MEP Ride 2007 Here
EAMS full version 4mb Here
EAMS short version 1.45mb Here
Safer Motorcycle
I attended the second meeting of the “Safer Motorcycle” stakeholders group, chaired by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
This group is dealing with issues surrounding the implementation of the new test as required in the 2nd European Driving Licence Directive, including MPTC (Multi Purpose Test Centres), CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), Register of Post-test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT) and rider training issues in general.
Register of Post-test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT)
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has developed a voluntary scheme whereby motorcycle instructors who deliver post-test training can apply for DSA accreditation. The scheme is designed to ensure that the training delivered is of an agreed national standard.
More promotion is needed direct to riders and to get trainers to sign up. The DSA is to produce article for MAG and BMF magazines – 500 words. Insurers are to be brought on to promote RMPT in November. Leaflets are to be produced to issue via Bikesafe course, in goody bag at NEC Bikeshow and through local Road Safety Officers.
DSA's Register of post-test motorcycle trainers Here
New Motorcycle Test 2008
A DVD is being produced so that learner riders will know what to expect for the new two part test.
Multi Purpose Test Centres (MPTC)
I raised concerns about the rate at which sites were being acquired and built in particular in Scotland.
See Annex 1 for the status of MPTC sites.
A question was raised about whether the 1:1 instructor to trainee ratio that applies at test should be applied when private companies are hiring the site for their training purposes
There was a discussion on radio use between instructors and trainees regarding available bandwidths and the fact that many radio communications in one small area may be impossible at MPTCs.
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) - Direct Access Scheme (DAS)
There is a review of the CBT which will be published.
Site Sizes: MRTA (Motorcycle Retailers Training Association) have done research and tests and found that 80m + 30m is too small especially with an expectation that cornering should be in the CBT syllabus.
Their recommendation would be for 80m + 50m minimum. This would equate to the minimum number of trainees being three rather than the two for 80m + 30m. The anecdotal view being “the bigger the site the better the training”. “Squarer better than rectangular”.
Highway Code: The Department for transport (DfT) is now looking to push the Highway Code again now that it has been updated. (MAG has released a press release supporting the new code.)
The meeting discussed how to best ensure that young riders were aware of the code and had read and understood it.
There was a consensus that the Highway Code should not be tested before CBT, however it there should be a more robust requirement for the trainee to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Highway Code and thoughts that it should be issued with provisional licenses, in bulk to schools, Approved Training Bodies (ATBs).
EU Third Directive Motorcycle Work Stream
A new stakeholders group has also been set up for the 3rd European Driving Licence Directive the EU Third Directive Motorcycle Work Stream to deliver and deal with the issues towards implementation in 2013.
The first meeting is on the 11th October 2007.
Licence Age
I replied to an email from a member:
“Is it possible, please, to find out what restrictions are imposed on riders once they attain their seventieth birthday? The 'Lifelong' licence expires at age 70 and has to be renewed on a three-yearly basis thereafter. I've heard tell that entitlements start to drop off unless re-testing takes place. Licences used to be renewable for life (obviously subject to health)”
I have copied in David Short our Campaigns Manager to make him aware as this will be an issue for David to cover.
The present format for driving licences is Here pdf
As you mentioned this do more with health.
The 3rd European Driving Licence Directive from Europe which is due to be implemented in 2013 and which we are working with government at present has suggested "restrictions" on fitness to drive.
Here
However I picked up these two articles which mentions retesting etc
Here
Here
They mention that the DVLA will publish a consultation document this Autumn.
Checking their website this has not been published as yet.
We will keep an eye out for this and keep you up to date but if you have any opinions etc on the issue you could pass these on, as soon as the consultation is published we would put it out to members for feedback.
Live To Ride. Ride To Live – Think!
I was contacted by the DfTs Think” campaign to again support their Urban motorcycle campaign.
A MAG press release was issued: “The focus of this latest urban campaign concentrates on motorcyclists perfecting their skills and changing the way they ride with some thought provoking facts and tips that could help riders avoid an accident.
The advice may seem rudimentary to experienced riders, but motorcycling is a constant learning curve. Remember - don’t expect car drivers to see you no matter how visible you think you are.”
MAG believes that motorcycle awareness by car, van and truck drivers is fundamental to improve the casualty rates for motorcyclists and until this fact is recognised and training and testing regimes for all road users is rethought, these campaigns, while helpful, will not solve the problem. The government must include specific training (and testing) for other road users to look for motorcyclists and include more appropriate avoidance strategies in motorcycle training (and testing).”
Details at present are on the MAG Sport website Here
Technical Engineering and Environmental Sub Group – (TEE) - National Motorcycle Council
Apart from being a mouthful to say I sit on this sub group which is delivering part of the National Motorcycle Strategy.
Emissions Performance – Noise, awareness campaign to be launched at the NEC motorcycle show - Motorcycle assessment, feasibility of a rating scheme for a motorcycle model’s safety and environmental features.- Braking knowledge (survey) - Tyres (survey) - Mirrors (survey) this survey is now complete and will be published- Daytime Running Lamps - Helmet fitting DfT promotional campaign on fitting and “star” rating, to be launched at the NEC motorcycle show”- “A” pillars - Diesel spills - Anti-theft - Promotion of alternatives to sports bikes.
FEMA (Federation Of European Motorcyclists Associations)
I attended the last FEMA meeting in October (Executive and Full Committee – Sol also attended a brain storming session on the Sunday) in Brussels with Gerard Livett (Uncle Sol) this apart from the ongoing work completed by email and Skype.
The full committee meeting started at 9.30am and finished around 7.30pm a very long meeting and still awaiting the minutes, so I will be brief and just outline the issues.
The FEMA General Secretary Aline Delhaye gave a comprehensive report which included an overview of FEMA at present:
“FEMA, the only road riders’ representative European organisation in Brussels, has a lot to deal with, too much actually for the resources currently available. It is my intimate conviction that FEMA should focus on increasing and diversifying its sources of revenue and count on more people working for the Federation. Setting priorities and increasing the efficiency of the Secretariat are also crucial targets in my views to ensure that the most important is done: ensuring road riders’ representation at all levels (national, European, and global) and protecting motorcycling.”
Extra: FEMA is looking to put on some special events next year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of FEM/FEMA as they say watch this space.
Other issues included:
Directive: Road Infrastructure Safety Management
FEMA Position Statement on the Directive: Here
Green Paper: Urban Transport
An opportunity for FEMA and all national organisations to address the theme of PTWs and urban mobility by responding to questions and issues present in the document.
More details to follow
Daytime Running Lights
FEMA does not oppose dedicated lights on cars only if there is a completely different appearance to lights fitted on motorcycles. It does not oppose automatic switch between dedicated/dipped-beam headlights, as long as sensors work properly.
However, the Federation opposes (along with pedestrians, cyclists and environmentalists) any EU harmonization of dipped-beam headlights and therefore any intermediate period which could/would lead to a harmonized used of dipped-beam headlights during daytime.
In Austria, a recent study showed that the implementation of DRL (dipped-beam headlights) led to an increase of accidents with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Thus, the Austrian government announced its intent to ban DRL.
Guard Rails
After 25 years of continuous fight at the national and European level, FEMA finally made Member States recognise the problem of existing road restraint systems with regards to motorcyclists, and made them commit to find a solution.
At the beginning of June, the FEMA General Secretary attended a CEN/TC226 meeting in Oslo (Norway), since the Federation was granted the liaison status last January as representatives of European motorcycle riders.
During the meeting, Aline Delhaye managed to explain motorcyclists’ concerns about existing EN1317 standard and currently designed guardrails and convinced TC226 members to launch a work on the issue of motorcyclist protection with regards to road restraint system.
In its resolution 287, CEN members unanimously accepted in principle to work on the protection of motorcyclists.
Canada
In September FEMAs Research Officer attended the ‘Risk and Performance Management National Symposium’ at the Ski resort of Whistler in British Columbia, Canada.
The goals of the symposium were to provide leading edge risk & performance information to government, community groups, training professionals and individuals interested in motorcycle rider safety.
To increase awareness of motorcycling risk & performance issues affecting today’s riders and to provide a networking forum for delegates to exchange experiences & ideas. The symposium was organised by both the MCC (Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada) and The British Columbia Safety Council (BCSC).
It was a very focussed Symposium and demonstrated the professionalism and determination of the MCC to find realistic solutions to issues of motorcycle safety and to represent riders’ rights in Canada.
MEP Ride
FEMAs Campaign Officer Virgnie Peters gave a presentational debrief on the MEP ride and improvements for lobbying opportunities for next year.
New Member
FEMA now has a new member organisation, EMOK who are from Turkey see http://www.emok.org (click on “About Us” it is in English).
Noise: A presentation was given by Bob Mills of Triumph (representing ACEM – Motorcycle Industry in Europe) on the issue of Noise and Sound. This was to understand the industry and for the industry to understand FEMAs position in calling for an increase of limit values, raising the decibel level.
Guardrail issue and work within the CEN European Committee for Standardisation (& CEN work) MAG will represent FEMA in A EuroRap project regarding guardrails.
Quads issue: quads are classified as motorcycles in Sweden and included in accident statistics.
FFMC: French FEMA National organization are fighting to have the 100 HP lifted in France with their government and bringing the fight to the EU Parliament.
SMOTO: Finland FEMA National Organisation brought a proposal for a FEMA position on against compulsory road worthiness testing (MOT). Roadworthiness tests for motorcycles are currently not compulsory in all EU countries. However, the European Commission considers the possibility of adopting a Union wide inspection policy of motorcycles.
There are no “safety” reasons for this, as mechanical failure is underrepresented in accident statistics. FEMA agreed to support SMOTO and to draft a common position.
EU Report Here
Manhole Covers & CEN work to reply to the issue using the response from the UK stakeholders group. BMF and MAG UK representatives to coordinated on this.
FEMA 20th Anniversary – MEP Ride 2008 – Riders Charter: Discussions on next years MEP ride which will be in Brussels, Anniversary celebration which will include MAG hosting the FEMA spring meeting in Edinburgh and FEMA National Organizations resigning the Riders Charter.
Also included in the discussion was the change to FEMAs image including a change of logo and website.
Management accounts where discussed and as with any organization more money would be good.
FEMA Press Releases
13 June - Infrastructure directive - Incoherence at the Parliament http://tinyurl.com/2wjszm
3 July - Infrastructure directive - An Open Letter in Support of Higher Safety Levels on Europe’s Roads http://tinyurl.com/2qh8pb
31 August - MEP Ride - 11TH MEP MOTORCYCLE RIDE - Strasbourg - September 5, 2007 www.mep-ride.eu
3 September - MEP Ride - EU motorcyclists present their opinion on motorcycle safety to MEPS www.mep-ride.eu
4 September - MEP Ride - Motorcycling, an alternative to increasing congestion problems in Europe www.mep-ride.eu
7 September - MEP Ride - Success! www.mep-ride.eu
Trevor Baird
General Secretary MAG UK
MAG UK
PO BOX 750
Rugby
CV21 3ZR
Tel: +44 (0)1788 570065
Fax: +44 (0)1788 570052
Email: general-secretary@mag-uk.org
|
