MAGLink, August 2002
A monthly update from the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group.
The progress reported
below in promoting and protecting motorcycling has been possible because of
your support.
CAMPAIGN
UPDATES................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Press
Releases/Media.................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Bikers
Are Voters.......................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Bus Lanes....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Direct
Access................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Driver
Testing................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
DRL................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
VAT on
Helmets............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Disclaimer........................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
To receive MAGLink
every month by email (free) send a blank message to imag_info-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Lights On Daytime (DRL) release issued Thursday, 18th July.
Marc O’Loideoin attended launch of Dublin City Council’s “Lights on Daytime” campaign on 17th July.
Marc was interviewed by Michael Fitzgerald of Near FM re. Mag’s policy on DRL at the launch..
Scott Williams of Lite FM interviewed me on Thursday, 23rd July on foot of above release.
The campaign continues to generate positive feedback from public officials and politicians and must be considered a success. Perhaps a similar campaign should be conducted on a periodical basis to maintain the higher profile for biking issues and for MAG Ireland as a representative organisation for motorcyclists resulting from the BAV campaign.
I have written to the newly appointed Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan and to the Minister of State at the Dept of Transport, Jim McDaid. As of June 2002, responsibility for roads (except non-national roads and motor taxation) is transferred from Dept of Environment & Local Government to Dept of Transport. This includes the Driver Licensing Section.
At the recent launch of the “Lights on Daytime” campaign (see DRL, below), Cllr Dermot Lacey indicated to Marc O’Loideoin that although his party is opposed to granting access to motorcycles to Bus Lanes, he personally can see no problem with such a measure. I will be following up this contact with supporting documentation in favour of allowing bikes into Bus Lanes.
I am meeting with Liam Keane, Assistant Principal Officer, Driver Testing and Licensing Section on Monday 12th August and I will be discussing MAG’s position in relation to the lack of provision for Direct Access at this meeting.
I am meeting with Liam Keane, Assistant Principal Officer, Driver Testing and Licensing Section on Monday 12th August to discuss the proposals by government to set up a register of instructors. When I spoke with Mr Keane, he informed me that IRTA had not sought a meeting with him in regard to this but he would be pleased to meet their representative also.
With regard to Herb Finnegan’s letter of September, 2001 a copy of which I recently enclosed with a request for a response to Herb’s comments on errors he had found in the Driver Theory Test: Mr Keane thanked us for our comments and said that new questions were presently being prepared for the new edition of the Test and asked if he could “run them by us”. He said that he had not seen the original letter before my recent letter enclosing same and could find no copy on file.
Dublin City Council launched their “Lights on Daytime” campaign on 17th July at a press photocall attended by among others Senator David Norris and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Dermot Lacey. Marc O’Loideoin kindly attended to represent MAG Ireland’s interests and spoke to Cllr Lacey on both DRL and access for motorcycles to Bus Lanes. Cllr Lacey was interested to hear the arguments against what had been portrayed as a straightforward and cost-effective way of reducing accidents.
I subsequently wrote to Cllr Lacey, outlining MAG Ireland’s arguments against DRL and enclosing FEMA’s report on same. He replied that he had requested that our communications be included on the Agenda for the next meeting of the Traffic and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee. I have since written to Cllr Lacey requesting that we be allowed attend this meeting to put our case in person.
I have written to the E.U. Commission to request they confirm in writing that if the Irish government applies for derogation it will be granted.
Note: This MAGLink has been cut to the minimum due to the summer holidays. The September issue will contain the usual events calendar, contacts etc.
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 June 2002, compiled by David French (dfrench@s.netic.de) © Copyright : MAG Ireland