National Campaign Updates

MAG launches petition on 110% road tax increase

Although MAG has protested strongly to the government on the 110% road tax increase on motorcycles the speed at which they respond leaves a lot to be desired. MAG is therefore launching a petition on the road tax issue to emphasise to the government the number of people who object. MAG urges all motorcyclists to sign this petition.

A copy of the petition can be downloaded from IMAG_INFO. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/IMAG_INFO/files

Contact the MAG Office for blank petition forms and please return the signed copies to the MAG office before May 31st.

Insurance MAG has been in contact with the Motor Insurance Advisory Board (MIAB) to specifically request that motorcycle insurance is also investigated. This board's investigation of the insurance system affecting young car drivers has caused major controversy in the industry as young drivers appear to be overcharged. The MIAB has not yet issued a statement on the scandalous treatment of young motorcyclists.

Motorcycle Awareness MAG has produced a new information sheet on motorcycle awareness targetted specifically at car drivers (who are responsible for 70% of car-motorcycle accidents). Copies of the information sheet are available from the office and will be widely distributed. May is traditionally the international motorcycle awareness month.

Diesel Spills MAG is starting a campaign specifically to educate lorry and bus drivers on the dangers of overfilling and careless refuelling. The Irish Road Haulage Association and oil companies have been contacted for their support.

Local Group Updates

MAG Dublin : Buslanes After numerous letters, a meeting has been arranged with a DTO representative to challenge the claims made in the scandalous DTO communication on bikes in buslanes in March.

Local Groups: Please advice the Group & Clubs Liaison Officer of your activities and events. Contact Catherine Donnelly at (01) 457 0634, maglink@m...

MAG Limerick : Road Tax MAG Limerick plan to attend all local TD clinics to highlight the problem of the road tax increase.

International Update

Motorcycles banned from motorways in the Phillipines Over in the Philippines, motorcycles are banned from all motorways. There is no safety reason for this as motorcycles are the safest vehicles on the road over there. Motorcycles cause less than 1% of all accidents in the Phillipines while comprising over 32% of vehicle population, compared to buses which are less than 1% of the vehicle population but account for over 21% of the accidents. Having received a request from motorcyclists over there MAG Ireland has sent a letter of protest and awaits updates. Check out http:// www.motorcyclephilippines.com /pages/freeways.html for more info.

Vacancies

Campaigns Officer

Vacancies : MAG Ireland Campaigns Officer

Do you think motorcycling deserves to be promoted and protected ? Are you annoyed at the way motorcycles are constantly ignored or portrayed as dangerous by government policy ? Does the stereotyped image of the "stupid biker" infuriate you ?

Here is your chance to make it different. The Irish Motorcyclists Action Group is seeking to fill the paid position of Campaigns Officer at a national level.

We need someone to get MAG's message across.

The successful applicant will be:

* Able to negotiate and lobby for MAG positions. * Familiar with motorcyclist issues and MAG policy. * Confident and articulate speaking with press or other bodies. * Self motivated, organised and capable of working under board direction * Capable of analysing, formulating and recommending policy and strategy to NEC/board * Competent with Internet and standard Office applications * Professional in all dealings on MAG's behalf. * Presentable as a motorcyclist (not necessarily suit and tie)

Experience, job satisfaction and recognition will be high. Perhaps you want to take some time out and change the world then maybe this is the position for you.

Past experience in voluntary organisations or riders rights groups particularly helpful.

Please send your CV including relevant experience and references to: Campaigns Officer, MAG Office, 1b Ring Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin 8 (or by email : dathaif@y...) to arrive before May 20th, 2001. Interviews will be held in Dublin in late May or June.

MAG Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

Treasurer MAG Ireland needs to fill the position of Treasurer. Competence with standard accounting software (such as Quicken) required. Please contact: Treasurer, MAG Office, 1b Ring Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin 8 (or by email : magsupport@m...)

RoadRunner Editor and Advertising Manager MAG Ireland needs to fill the position(s) of RoadRunner Editor and Advertising Manager Please contact: Roadrunner Editor, MAG Office, 1b Ring Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin 8 (or by email : magsupport@m...)

Press releases

110% Road Tax Increase for Motorcycles

The Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group (MAG Ireland) protests strongly at the 110% road tax increase for medium size motorcycles.

In a statement by the nationwide group representing Ireland's thirty thousand motorcyclists MAG spokesperson David French explained :

"Motorcycles are responsible for less road damage, less pollution and less congestion than any other motor vehicle. Motorcycles are fuel efficient and require little parking space. In addition the motorcycle accident fatality figure in 1998 was the lowest in thirty years despite a steady increase in motorcycle use in Ireland. Motorcycles now have a comparable safety record with bicycles.

Motorcyclists continue to work harder than any other road user sector to promote road safety and have launched Ireland first nation-wide training scheme, a national road safety booklet and several public education leaflets aimed at motorcyclists and car drivers.

And what do we get in return for this progress ?

This government is the only government in Europe which has removed Direct Access from the motorcycling licensing system. This government has now doubled the road tax on motorcycles without explanation or reason.

This is illogical and ill-considered behaviour and shows how out of touch this government is on modern transport planning. The European Commission has promoted the use of powered two wheelers and many other European governments, including the UK, properly consider motorcycles as part of transport planning."

MAG has launched a nation- wide petition on the issue and urges the government to remove the increase and to immediately meet with MAG to discuss the issue.

For further information on this and other motorcycling issues please contact the MAG Office. (details below)

ENDS

Actions and Decisions

NEC April 4th <not available at MAGLink publication date, will be included in May MAGLink>

National Council <no NC meeting since previous MAGLink>

(all lists edited for length, full copy available to members on request)

======================== =====================

MAG Calendar

NEC meetings 1st Saturday every month May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1.

National Council meetings (All local groups to attend) Saturday, May 26th at 1pm, Crank House Hostel, Bannagher, Co. Offaly To book overnight accomodation (ú8.00 a night) contact (0902) 57561 Anne O'Brien.

October, venue and date to be decided

Annual Group Conference: October, venue and date to be decided

MAG Local Group meetings MAG Cork: Every Tuesday at 8.30pm, Cruiscin Lan, Douglas Street MAG Carlow: 3rd Monday of the month, Sherrif O'Hara's, Brown St. MAG Donegal: 1st Monday of each month at 8pm, Road House Bar, Ballybofey MAG Dublin: 1st Tuesday of each month 8.30pm Strawberry Hall, Lucan, MAG Dublin: 3rd Tuesday of each month 8.30pm Four Provinces, Ranelagh MAG Kerry: 1st Tuesday of each month 9.00pm alternating between Flaherty's in Ardfert, Katie Nolan's in Lissleton and the Golden Nugget in Killarney. Ring Baerbel Ott to get the correct venue (087 297 7992

MAG Limerick: 2nd Wednesday of the month at Gerry O'Dea's, Mulgrave Street MAG Sligo: 1st Friday of each month 8.30pm in Foley's Pub, Sligo

MAG Cavan, Galway, Kildare, Innishowen, Longford, Mayo, Westmeath Venue changes. To be confirmed. Ring rep for correct details.

E&OE. Changes should be advised to the MAG office or Catherine Donnelly at (01) 457 0634, maglink@m...

Publication Deadlines RoadRunner: May 15th, August 15th, November 15th, February 15th Letters and articles welcome, articles with pictures very welcome. Send submissions to herb@i... or to RoadRunner c/ o MAG Office

MAGLink: Second Wednesday in the month.

MAG Events April 6, MAG Cork Easter Egg Run, Ger Donnelly 087 235 4820

August 18th,19th Stop the Rot Rally ,MAG Kerry at Baron's Bunker, Causeway, Co. Kerry.

Sept 15 European Festival of Motorcycling

For further details of anything on the MAG calendar contact MAG Office at magsupport@m... ------------------------------------------------ -----------

General Events Calendar

APRIL 28, Benefit Rock Night, (Beehive, nr Wicklow) Irish Women Riders, Jenny, 01 - 4938880

MAY 5/6, Galway Rally, Galway VMCC, 091 751 489 11/13, The Gathering, Devils Disciples MC, Secretary, 086 404 9056 12/13, Looper's Rally '01 (Coolmeen, Clare), West Coast MCC, Kevin Collins, 065 682 8160 12/13, Inchigeela Run, Munster C & MCC, 021 841 824 17-20, Slievenamon Rally, IVVMCC, 01 831 3371 19/20, Break for the Border Rally (Donegal), Northern Tribe MCC, 086 317 4382 20, Great Red Ribbon Ride Out (Lm'ick), Red Ribbon Project, John Simons, 061 314 354 25/27, Borders Rally, Berwick, Borders MAG, Yosemite, 01573 430249 25-28, Welsh National M'cycle Show, Welsh Motorcycle Shows, Gary, 01286 830331

JUNE 2/3 Cork Car & Bike Run ,Munster VMCC,091 751 489 9, 10th Pack Rally, venue to be announced, Lone Wolf MCC, Ray Brady, 067 - 313 74 10, Blue Smoke Run,Leinster CMCC, 056 299 56 16, Custom & Classic Bike Show (C'lyons) Chopper Club Irl, Secretary, ireland@c... 17, Meeting of the Water Run, IVVMCC, 087 250 1195 17, Veteran Run, D & DMCC, 01 298 6383 21/23, Iron Butt Rally, Roadrunner 1000 MCC, John Wheeler, 086 813 9033 23/24, 1st Salty Saddle Bags Rally (Ck Rd, W'fd), Tramore MCC,Tony McGrath, 051 391 323 23/24, 10th Velocity Rally (Louth), Ironhorsemen MCC, Declan Lynch, 046 522 06 23/24, Phoenix Rally (Clonakenny, Tipp), Phoenix MCC, Steve Jordan stevie@g... 24, Ballinspittle Run, West Cork MCC ,028 218 56 30/1, Full of the Flagon Rally (Ballyconnell, Cavan), Highciders MCC, Paul Carroll, 087 966 6368 30/1, Blackhills Custom & Classic,Devils Disciples MC, Secretary 086 404 9056 30/1, X-Rated Rally (Blacktown Arms, Tyrone), Trixxxters MCC, 078 999 65024 pamskiuk@y...

JULY 6/8, 10th Anniversary Rally (Ross, Kilmeaden,W'fd)Harley D. O's Club I., Cancelled 7, Missin' Link Rally, (Kerry), South West MCC, Ita Pattman, adrian&ita@e... 7/8, National Rally, Leinster CMCC, 056 299 56 13/15, Heinkel Treffen, IVVMCC, 01 846 3213 21/22, 10th Anniversary Rally (Tipperary), Celtic MCC, Brian Downes, 061 362 083 21/22, Savage Session, Slippy Clutch MCC, Joe Higginbotham, 045 529 022 21/22, Faro Rally, Portugal, Bill Heather (see NEC contact details) 27/29, Farmyard Bash (Kildare), Druids MCC, Ger Fox, 045 432 710

AUGUST 3/5, Hairy Ass Rally (Cross, Clare), Bren, 086 248 5305 11, Rebel Rider's Rally 2001, Rebel Riders MCC, Liam Long ,086 845 0569 12, Dead Man's Run, Leinster CMCC, 056 299 56 18/19, Stop the Rot Rally (Causeway, Kerry), MAG Ireland, Catherine Donnelly, 01 457 0634 18/19, Full Bore Rally, Illegals MCC, Lynn Dinsmore, 073 - 32305 20/25, International Rallies, Munster C & MCC, 021 841 824

SEPTEMBER 1, Harp Rally, Clondalkin MCC, Martin Convery, 01 624 6113 8/9, Wild Rose Rally, Wild Rose MCC, Betty Kelly, 068 429 89 9, Delgany Run, IVVMCC, 087 - 250 1195 14/16, Kick Ass Rally (Upstate New York), Celtic MCC New York, Ger Curtin 15, European Festival of Motorcycling, Kojkside Belgium, Contact MAG Office. 22, Annual Bash (Curraghglas, Cork), Black Widows Irl, Fiona Cormican, 087 2806290 22 , Joe O'Neill Run, Blackchurch RA, 01 837 4752 27/29, Iron Butt Rally (Germany), Roadrunner 1000 MCC, John Wheeler, 086 813 9033

OCTOBER 6, Vintage Run, West Cork MCC, 028 218 56 7, Hardship Run, Leinster CMCC, 056 299 56 19/21, Garden of Ireland Rally, IVVMCC, 087 250 1195 27/28, Autumn Run, Blackchurch RA, 01 837 4752 28, Rock Night, Slippy Clutch MCC, Joe Higginbotham, 045 529 022

NOVEMBER 17, Taney Autojumble & Show, IVVMCC, 01 298 0045

DECEMBER 8, Toy Run (Kildare - Kilkenny), Druids & Rooters MCC's, Pat Conlon, 087 959 8430 16, Toy Run (Dublin), Clondalkin MCC, Martin Convery, 01 624 6113

E&OE. Details of any additional/ revised events should be advised to the MAG office or Catherine Donnelly at (01) 457 0634, maglink@m...

MAG UK events can be seen online at the MAG UK website http://www.mag-uk.org ------------------------------------------------ -

MAG Benefits

Member Benefits

* RoadRunner Magazine * BikeShop Discounts, Contact office for list or http://www.iol.ie/~maglink * Motorcycle Insurance * Local Groups - Social Activity and Local Representation * Information Service, (Info sheets, MAGLink and advice) * Products * Route Planning Service * Discounts on Health Insurance, Ferry, Travel, Accident Insurance and Breakdown

Please see http://www.iol.ie/ ~maglink for the membership application form. Membership costs ú20 per annum, with reductions for young riders and partners.

Affiliated Club Benefits * Events Insurance Public Liability Cover for your rally or event. Currently cover stands at under ú60 for a one- off event of up to 5 days such as a rally. Please contact office for the information sheet on events insurance.

* Monthly MAG Events Calendar Update by Post

* Events Advertising As an additional benefit to affiliated clubs only, MAG are offering substantial discounts to advertise their rally in Roadrunner. Roadrunner is Ireland's largest circulation motorcycle magazine and goes out to over 5000 Irish motorcyclists every quarter. The reduced rates for one issue are as follows: Full Page Colour - ú250, Full Page B&W - ú200, Half Page Colour - ú125, Half Page B&W - ú100, Quarter Page Colour - ú63, Quarter Page B&W - ú50

Club affiliation costs ú20 per annum.

Information Sheets MAG Office currently has information sheets on

Accidents a Legal Perspective, Anti Theft, Benefits, Bike Promotion, Bike Rental, BikesUnder25kW / 34bhp, Discount Shops, Drink Driving, Driving Test, Events Insurance, FEMA, Group Riding, Importing a Bike, IrishTouring, Licence Regulations, Long Distance Riding, MAG History, New Member, Ride Safely, Local Groups, European Lobbying. Training, Motorcycle Awareness

MAG's Information Sheets can be found at http://www.iol.ie/~maglink

MAG Reps Resource Kit on CD (latest version : April 2001) To ease the life of representatives MAG is producing a computer CD which contains the reps handbooks, info sheets, useful forms such as road hazard, membership and products order form as well as a very wide selection of research and motorcycle promotion material useful when lobbying and for background information. Contact the MAG office for a copy. ------------------------------------------------

MAG Products ZIPPO lighters = ú20.00 ea (Bronze with MAG LOGO) Hooded Sweatshirts = ú20.00 each (Black,Zipped,MAG logo) Premium T- shirts = ú10.00 each (Black with MAG logo) Nectectors = ú10.00 each (Red or Black tubular neckwarmers) Baseball Caps = ú10.00 each (Black cloth, with MAG logo)

MAG Ireland Yellow Visibility Waistcoats = ú12.00 each

MAG EIRE, RIDE FREE Patches = ú3.00 each RIDE FREE Adhesive stickers = ú1.50 each 1999,2000 Members' Metal Badges = ú2.00 each 2001 Blue Enamel badge = ú3.00 each MAG embossed Leather Keyfob = ú2.00 each

BOOKS Pass Your Advanced Driving Test = ú10.00 each Motorcycle Roadcraft = ú13.40 each

There is a Mail Order packing & postage charge of ú3.00 on the Hooded Sweatshirts & of ú1.00 on the waistcoats. All other items are including postage by ordinary post. These exclusive products are available from your local Group, direct from the MAG Office, or from our new MAG Products Outlet Shop, Kilkenny Camping & Water- sports Centre, U24 The Arcade, High Street, Kilkenny. Save postage by shopping locally.

Remember - all profits from the sale of MAG Products goes directly to campaigning for Riders Rights. ------------------------------------------------ ---

MAG Contacts

National Executive Council (Composed of elected officers and responsible for the day to day running of MAG)

Herb Finnegan Chairman, Communications, 087 6790908 herb@i...

Catherine Donnelly Vice-Chair, Group&Clubs Liaison,01 4570634 maglink@m...

David French European Liaison,+49 711 5590511 davidfrench@b...

Jimmy Kenny Rider Security & Safety, 01 4502330

Eoin Kirwan, Transport 087 6166207 eoin@b...

Co-opted NEC members: Rose Burns Safety, Transport Working Group rose_burns66@h...

Mark Burns Insurance Working Group 086 845 4750 mark.burns4@s...

National Council (Composed of elected county representatives and responsible for the overall running of MAG)

MAG Carlow Ger FitzGibbons 087 6781688 sner@o... MAG Cavan Declan Brady 049 8640031 MAG Cork Ger Donnelly 087 2354820 donely@e... MAG Donegal Michael McCoskey 086 8752661 (sec. magdonegal@y... ) MAG Dublin Jimmy Kenny 01 4502330 MAG Galway John Brinn 093 24694 (JJ Finn 086 8182188) MAG Kerry Baerbel Ott 087 2977992 MAG Kildare Joe Swords 045 434240 MAG Limerick John Suckling 061 384342 MAG Longford Sean Mulroy 043 48698 bikechic@u... MAG Louth&Meath JA Finnegan 041 9833853 herb@i... MAG Mayo Robert Gibbons 094 22118 smartart@i... MAG Sligo Eoin Lappin 071 43758 e_lappin@h... MAG Westmeath Greg Lennon 0902 72578

The remaining 12 counties are currently without representation on the National Council. If you are interested in assisting please contact the MAG Office or the Local Group & Clubs Liaison Catherine Donnelly at (01) 457 0634, maglink@m...

Other Local Groups MAG Innishowen Andy Robinson 077 76 054

Office Maeve Roche Administration Secretary and Media Relations Liz Keane Office Assistant

1b Ring Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin 8 Tel:01 453 0797 Fax: 01 453 3643 magsupport@m... http://www.iol.ie/~maglink ------------------------------------------------ ----- Classified Ads MAG's website ( http:// www.iol.ie/~maglink/ads.htm ) contains classified ads for Irish bikes.

Miscellaneous

IWRA demo in Kilkenny on need for Motorcycle Awareness The Irish Women Riders Association (IWRA) held a demo in Kilkenny on Saturday April 7th to highlight the need for motorcycle awareness amongst car drivers. The event was well supported with an estimated attendance of over 500 riders and received good press coverage. MAG is working with the IWRA on this issue. Watch this space.

Bikers are Voters In preparation for the next election MAG is putting together a simple flyer emphasising the fact that motorcyclists are voters. The agreed format contains two group photos, one of the riders in their motorcycling gear and the second in their normal working clothes. We are looking for as wide a variety of roles as possible so priests, policemen/ women, soldiers, judges, doctors and so on are particularly welcome. MAG Dublin are coordinating the brochure and if you'd like to help please contact the MAG Office (magsupport@m...) .

New Bike Registrations almost tripled in past five years. According to Central Statistics Office figures the number of motorcycles licensed for the first time in 2000 was 6,871. In 1996 it was 2,412. This partly reflects a changeover to new bikes rather than people buying imported used bikes from Japan and USA but is also a sign of increasing motorcycle use. This is good for the bike industry and good for Irish biking. A few more years of this and we might catch up with European motorcycle ownership rates...

Motorcycles licensed for the first time 1996 2,412 1997 2,717 1998 3,117 1999 4,955 2000 6,871

In the same period the corresponding car figure has gone from 109,333 to 225,269. This has been boosted by the car scrappage scheme and the threat of car testing.

FEMA Benefit weekend in Belgium (Weekend rally for 10 euros) The weekend of September 15th the European Festival of Motorcycling will be held in Kojkside Belgium, Advance tickets entitle you to breakdown cover in Belgium and ferry discounts. The event itself will be near a beach and have a standard rally with decent bands plus competitions, drag races, test bikes, bike show. Amsterdam and all it's attractions is only up the road if you want to make a holiday out of it. More details will be in RoadRunner and there'll be groups heading over if you don't want to travel alone. Weekend advance tickets discounted to10 euros from MAG office. Buy a ticket anyway and support FEMA.

Contact MAG Office for advance tickets and info.

Poll on MAG issues An automated poll of members on the IMAG_INFO list gave the following feedback. Thanks to those who participated.

POLL QUESTION: MAGLink is interested to know which of the following riders rights issues readers feel MAG Ireland should be devoting the most effort towards.

CHOICES AND RESULTS - Cost of Insurance, 7 votes, 23.33% - Promotion of Motorcycling, 6 votes, 20.00% - State of Roads, 4 votes, 13.33% - Bike Theft, 2 votes, 6.67% - Direct Access and Licence Reform, 8 votes, 26.67% - European Anti-Bike Legislation, 3 votes, 10.00% - Freedom of Choice on Helmet Usage, 0 votes, 0.00%

Wexford pothole victim's horror story There were calls for urgent action on Wexford's potholes this week (end of March) after a young cyclist was seriously injured in an accident at Coolcotts Lane. Twenty-five year old Neil Roche sustained horrific facial injuries including a fractured nose and chipped cheek bone after his bicycle hit a large pothole on the lane. The accident has highlighted the continuing Wexford pothole problem, especially in Clonard which is the worst affected area in the town. Many of the roads need re-surfacing but are not on the priority list for funding. `You're taking your life into your hands going out in Wexford on a motorbike or a bicycle' said local councillor, Anna Fenlon who is a motorcycle user herself. `In some areas, it's like being on a bucking bronco, the roads are so uneven' said the Fine Gael woman. She raised the problem of Wexford's potholes and broken footpaths with Wexford Corporation officials on several occasions. `Everytime it's reported, they say they haven't got the money to re-instate the roads. But it's no good patching them because they break up again when a shower of rain comes and grit goes all over the place and then it's even more dangerous'. Wexford Co. Council area engineer, Jim Power said much work had been done on road re-surfacing under the ten-year Government- funded programme for non- national roads. `I think it's improving' he said. `There are people out there who would disagree. It's going to take a while, but in a couple of years, people will see a definite improvement'. (Source: the People newspaper)

New phone numbers for Carole Nash Insurance For new business: 1800 298 550 Customer Service/existing customers: 1800 298 551

New website for RoadRunner 1000 MCC All Bonus Locations for the Irish Rally have been selected so that any Foot & Mouth risk or restrictions will NOT affect the rally.

ROADRUNNER 1000 MCC (Irish Rally 21-23 June) (European Rally 27- 29 Sept) Both are LONG DISTANCE riding events under IRON BUTT ASSOCIATION Rules PO BOX 7279, DUBLIN 18, Ireland e-mail: wheelman@i... FAX: 01 294 0487 (from outside Ireland + 353 1 294 0487) Mobile: 086 813 9033 (from outside Ireland + 353 86 813 9033) Website: http:// www.rr1000mcc.com

Joey Dunlop Motorcycling champion Joey Dunlop is to be posthumously honoured by the Isle of Man post office in a series of commemorative stamps marking his life. Joey, who was killed in a race in Estonia last July, held an unrivalled record of winning 26 Isle of Man TT races.

Getting MAGLink To receive MAGLink every month by email (free) send a blank message to imag_info- subscribe@yahoogroups.com

It costs MAG almost 10 pounds a year of member's money to have someone on the postal list and that money can be better spent fighting for riders rights. If you can get MAGLink by email instead then please do so and tell us.

Download MAGLink in Microsoft Word RTF format from: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/IMAG_INFO/files (it easier to read and looks better on paper than the email- friendly text version)

Please forward your email copy of MAGLink to other motorcyclists.

Disclaimer MAGLink is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling. MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions

MAGLink April 2001, compiled by David French, (davidfrench@b... ) * Copyright : MAG Ireland