MAGLink, End JULY 2004
A monthly update from the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group.
MAG Ireland : Representing Riders
The progress reported below in promoting and protecting motorcycling
has been possible because of your support.
Index:
1. Campaign Updates
2. National Motorcycle Events Calendar, *FULL LISTING FOR
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004*
3. MAG details and contact numbers
4. Disclaimer
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1. CAMPAIGNS
CAMPAIGNS REPORT
The following is a brief summary of some of the work undertaken
within the Campaigns portfolio during July 2004. Regular reports on
the topics mentioned are also available on the MAG website
www.magireland.org and in Roadrunner. Any comments or questions to
campaigns@magireland.ie or telephone 01 453 07 97 (MAG Office).
MEDIA
Press Release issued:
PRESS RELEASE :
15/07/2004 Immediate Release
MAG Ireland urges Tánaiste to remember Bikers.
MAG Ireland has welcomed the recent announcements that the
Tánaiste
has signed the Commencement Order to enable the Personal Injuries
Assessment Board (PIAB) to deal with Motor and Public Liability
cases from 22nd July 2004.
The reduction in legal costs of claims which will be brought about
by the change from the current situation where the costs of
litigation can comprise up to 50% of the cost of claims.
MAG Ireland's National Campaigns Officer, Karen Kiely said
"The
recent talks with UK insurers with the prospect of bringing more
competition into the insurance market is most welcome and long
overdue. We would urge the Tánaiste to remember that Irish
motorcyclists are under even more pressure than car drivers, with
only two insurers offering cover.
"MAG Ireland has made representations on a number of occasions to
highlight the lack of competition in the motorcycle insurance market
which has led to a situation where motorcyclists are forced to pay
extortionate premiums despite the industry's admission that in 75%
of accidents involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, the other
vehicle is at fault. Until MAG Ireland's successful negotiations
brought Carole Nash Insurance Consultants into the Irish market,
Norwich Union (now Hibernian) were the only insurer of motorcyclists
in this country. Whilst two companies are obviously better than
one, there is a serious lack of competition in this sector which is
currently being examined by the Competition Authority.
"With premium increases this year in the region of 40% for many
Irish motorcyclists, it is imperative that greater competition be
encouraged in this sector as a matter of urgency and I would ask the
Tanaiste to ensure that motorcyclists are not overlooked during this
period of reform in the insurance market."
INSURANCE
It has been a busy month on the insurance front, with the entry of
AXA Insurance to the motorcycle market as underwriters for AON
Bikecare. AON Bikecare are currently only offering quotes through
the dealer network, but we hope to meet with them shortly to
encourage them to offer insurance to the wider motorcycling public.
Mary Harney's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have
contacted us in response to our correspondence urging the Tánaiste
to ensure that the motorcycle sector is not overlooked during her
current efforts to encourage competition in the Irish motor
insurance market. They assure us that the Tánaiste is aware of
the
limited number of companies currently offering motorcycle insurance
in the State. The letter also refers to the joint DETE/Competition
Authority study set up to examine barriers to entry and limitations
on rivalry in the insurance marketplace.
Despite the fact that so little choice is available to motorcyclists
in Ireland, we would urge you not to simply accept the figure quoted
on your renewal notice. Contact your insurer and see if they will
reduce the amount quoted. Contact the other (!) insurer and see if
they will meet or beat the first quote. Often a couple of phone
calls will considerably reduce the premium you will have to pay.
Don't forget – if you have a full, clean licence and a few
years' no
claims bonus plus some extra training you are a better risk for the
insurers which gives you some leverage when playing one insurer
against the other.
PROMOTING MOTORCYCLING
The Annual MEP Ride Out takes place on 22nd September at the
Brussels Autoworld Museum. MEPs who participate will be offered
motorcycles and scooters to ride if they hold the appropriate
licence and if not, they can experience motorcycling as a pillion
passenger.
We will be contacting the Irish MEPs to invite them to take part in
this event and it will be interesting to see which of them takes up
the offer!!
ROAD HAZARDS/ROAD SAFETY
East Link Toll Bridge
Reports have been received that new bollards have been installed at
the East Link toll bridge which have made the sliproad used by
cyclists and motorcyclists who are exempt from tolls at this bridge
unacceptably narrow. We will be contacting National Toll Roads and
Dublin City Council to insist that these hazards be removed.
Luas Stops
The design of uprights for some of the Luas stops could present a
serious hazard to motorcyclists and other road users should they
come in contact with them as a result of an accident. Narrow metal
uprights presenting an aggressive edge to a fallen motorcyclist
could cause horrific injuries in the case of a collision. It is
expected that Dublin Cycling Campaign will support MAG Ireland's
position on this issue.
TOLLS
We have received a letter from the Superintendent of the Garda
National Traffic Bureau in response to our inquiry as to the reasons
Gardaí have opposed the creation of a dedicated Toll lane for
motorcyclists at the Westlink Toll Bridge.
Supt. O'Brien writes:
"I am not in a position to advise as to the reasons for Garda
opposition to a dedicated Toll Lane for motorcyclists.
The ultimate decision as to whether or not to provide such a service
for motorcyclists would be a commercial/customer service decision
for National Toll Roads."
'nuff said!
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2. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLING EVENTS CALENDAR, 2004
MAG Ireland encourages event organisers to support motorcycling by
offering a discount of one euro to holders of current MAG membership
cards at their events in 2004.
AUGUST 2004
August 7/8th
Moy Riders M.C.C. Rally
Remembrance Rally - this rally is held in remembrance of all those
bikers who have lost their lives throughout the years. 7th - 8th
august, at "Harris's pub", The three counties, Maganey, Athy ,
Kildare - All proceeds go to "Carlow - Kilkenny Homecare Team" Food
Camping onsite Liveband/Dj. Admission 8 contact 086 3646124/086
4009576
Would you like to take part in the 'Two Ton Run '04'??? TTR '04
Then come and enjoy a 200-mile ride through some beautiful
countryside, and raise money for Crumlin Children's Hospital, while
you are having fun. The event starts at the beautiful 12th century
castle on the river Suir in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. (Junction N24+N8),
The Format: August 8th sign on, collect T-shirt, event sticker,
event badge, and route map and enjoy a tour of discovery along some
great roads through some of the more scenic parts of our
countryside. From historic Cahir Castle to picturesque villages,
over mountain passes and on to some lovely coastal roads. A lunch
break is planned at a busy town where everybody's tastes can be
catered for. After lunch, view some spectacular rock formations as
we make our way along the coast road. Roads chosen for the event are
generally of excellent quality. They are twisty and steep in places,
however they are suitable for all types of bikes. On the day you
will be given a route map and some additional places of interest
will be marked along the route. Bring your camera! If you want to
ride solo or with some friends then sign on between 9.00a.m. To
11.00a.m, and head off on an enjoyable day out. The main convoy will
leave at 11.30a.m. Experienced marshals will lead and trail the
convoy. NOW…what YOU need to do. All riders must collect E80 min.
for our charity Crumlin Hospital. All riders will be entered into
draw for spot prizes. All riders will get T-shirt. All riders will
get event sticker. All riders will get event badge. Tea and coffee
freely available at sign-on.
Crumlin Children's Hospital depend greatly on the generosity of the
public to help fund their research work-DO YOUR BEST!!!! Last years
event TTR'03, was a fantastic success. We had brilliant sunshine, a
carnival atmosphere in the castle car park with DJ NIGHT OWL playing
all our favorite biker songs and setting the scene for what was a
great day out. We had 187 bikes, 43 pillion riders, we covered
almost 200 miles and most importantly your excellent fundraising
meant that we handed over to Crumlin Hospital 27,260.00 EURO. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
HOPE YOU CAN MAKE THIS YEARS EVENT.LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
Brendan Power-0876776027
August 14/15th
Illeagles M.C.C. - Milltown, Donegal.
Black Widows - 32 County/24 hour Charity run followed by Charity
Bash in the GAA Club, Athlone. The clubhouse is on the left on the
way into the town from Dublin Please Support! All Proceeds going to
charity THE MARIE KEATING FOUNDATION - A Charity that provides
information and awareness of breast cancer
and other cancersMore info 087 2806290 or enter the web here….
www.blackwidowsireland.com for more info Donation at the door
Camping, live band, etc.
Olde Thumpers M.C.C. Rally - Rugby Club - Kilkenny
August 13-15th
Germany - The Kuhle Wampe Summer Event featuring live music (two
bands on saturday night), DJ til late in the morning, campfire,
activities for the kids, pool (natural bathing pool), information
stands, games, ride out (on saturday), food & drinks, campsite,
showers. IMPORTANT!, Please bring your own plate, cup,
cutlery.Entrance: 10.00EURO, Free entrance under the FEMAX scheme
(FEMA Member Federations). More information to come under
http://www.sommertreffen.kuhle-wampe.de) , Hotline from 21 June 2004
on and during the event: +49-(0)160-4272944 The Federation of the
Motorcycle Cubs of Kuhle Wampe. Where: Dassel-Lauenberg approx. 9°
44' East/ 51°45' N In between Hannover (80km N) and Göttingen
(45km
S-E) on the west of the motorway A7.
August 21/22nd
North West Riders M.C.C. Rally
Wild Geese M.C.C. Rally
Exiles M.C.C. Rock Night
August 28/29th
Free Spirit M.C.C. - Mill House, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Coyotes M.C.C. Rally - Antrim
Ramrods M.C.C. Rally
SEPTEMBER 2004
September 4th
Name: Laurence Club: Regulators M.C.CLocality: Donegal TownContact
Phone: 0879612702Event Location: The Ringfort Inn, Bruckless, co.
Donegal. (ON THE DONEGAL TOWN TO KILLYBEGS ROAD)Other Information:
sECURE CAMPING FACILITIES AND FOOD ETC..Event Date: 4th September
2004Event Description: cHANGE OF VENUE. CLOSER TO CIVILISATION. LIVE
BANDS ROCK DJ USUAL TROPHIES AND GAMES. MAD NITES CRAIC!!
September 24-26th
3rd Snakebite Rally, "Drumnagreah Hotel", A2 Coast Road, Co. Antrim,
N. Ireland Fri 24th @ 6pm - Sunday 26th @ 12 noon September 2004
Stalls, Big Prizes, Live Bands, Adult Games and Entertainment, Free
Pre-Booked Harley Rides Available
Courtesy of Provincewide Motorcycles Ballymena, To Pre-book contact
ricky@provincewide.com Custom Classic Show, Secure Camping and
Parking Etc. Pre Booked Tickets £8 contact Susie 07904273578,
Includes Free Rally Badge, Or £10 on gate Rally Site 7 Miles From
Larne Harbour Or 31 Miles From Belfast HarbourMore info on
www.quayvipersmcc.com
Email: quayvipersmcc@yahoo.co.uk, Ring: Tucker on 07703460799 Ring:
Jenny on 07790152306, Stonking Good Party Weekend Free Rally Badge
If Pre-Booked.
FOR FREE LISTING OF YOUR EVENT SEND IN DETAILS ASAP.
The above information is correct to our knowledge and belief as we
got to press but MAG Ireland cannot guarantee its accuracy. Thanks
also to Aggie for information from the Bikers Bible. Details of any
additional /revised events should be advised to the MAG office
office@magireland.org or directly to maglink@magireland.org
MAG UK events can be seen online at the MAG UK website www.mag-
uk.org
BMF events www.bmf.co.uk
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3. MAG Calendar 2004
Board meetings
1st Wednesday every month, 7:30pm MAG Office, Dublin.
MAG Local Group meetings:-
MAG Carlow: 3rd Tuesday of the month, Sheriff O'Hara's, Brown St.
Carlow.
MAG Donegal: 1st Tuesday of each month at 8pm, Road House Bar,
Ballybofey
MAG Dublin: 1st Tuesday of each month 8.30pm Strawberry Hall,
Lucan,
(contact Jimmy Kenny, 01 4502330)
MAG Limerick: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in
Gus O'Driscolls Pub, Corbally. http://maglimerick.pitas.com/
MAG Tipperary North/South Offaly. Every last Thursday of the month
at 'The Mill House', Birr Road, Roscrea. Contact Keith Leaver at
kleaver@gofree.indigo.ie for further details.
MAG Cork: Tuesday nights in an Cruiscin Lan, on Douglas Street at
8.30pm. We are usually in the snug!
MAG Wexford - last Tuesday of every month at Ballycarney Inn,
Ballycarney, Co, Wexford, Co. Wexford from 8.30pm. A second meeting
also takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at a venue
announced at the previous Ballycarney meeting.
E&OE. Changes should be advised to the MAG office
office@magireland.org
or Groad O'Byrne maglink@magireland.org
Publication Deadlines - RoadRunner: February 15th, May 15th. August
15th, November 15th,
Letters and articles welcome, articles with pictures very welcome.
Send submissions roadrunner@magireland.org or to RoadRunner c/o MAG
Office.
MAG Member Benefits
* A nationwide organisation representing your interests as a rider
* RoadRunner Magazine
* BikeShop Discounts, Full list in RoadRunner or on website
www.magireland.org
* Motorcycle Insurance
* Local Groups - Social Activity and Local Representation
* Information Service, (Info sheets, MAGLink and advice)
* MAG Products
* Training discounts
* Discounts on the entry fee to participating motorcyclist events
* Route Planning Service
* Discounts on VHI Health Insurance, Ferries, Accident Insurance and
Breakdown Cover.* MAG Credit Card. Competitive credit facility which
also makes a small donation to MAG with each transaction.
The discounts alone will save you much more than the membership fee
every year.
Membership costs 30 per annum, with reductions for young
riders,
partners and for payment by standing order. To join now ring the MAG
Office on (01) 4530797. Credit cards accepted.
* 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 4000 Irish motorcyclists every quarter. See below
for details
Club affiliation costs 30 per annum.
Information Sheets & Reps Resource Kit MAG currently has information
sheets on:
Accidents a Legal Perspective, Anti Theft, Member Benefits, Bike
Promotion, Bike Rental, Discount Shops, Drink Driving, Driving Test,
Events Insurance, FEMA, Group Riding, Importing a Bike, Irish
Touring, Licence Regulations, Long Distance Riding, MAG History, New
Member, Ride Safely, Local Groups, European Lobbying. Training,
Motorcycle Awareness, Type Approval, MAG Structure, What is MAG,
Perception of Motorcycles as Unsafe, Consumer Rights for
Motorcyclists
MAG's Information Sheets can be found at the MAG website.
MAG also issues a computer CD which contains the reps handbooks,
info sheets, local group report template and useful forms such as
road hazard reporting and membership. There's also a very wide
selection of research and motorcycle promotion material useful when
lobbying and for background information. Copy one from your local
group or contact the MAG Office.
MAG Products
Premium T- shirts = 12.70 each (Black with MAG logo)
Nectectors = 12.70 each (Red or Black tubular
neckwarmers)
Baseball Caps = 12.70 each (Black cloth, with MAG
logo)MAG
EIRE, RIDE FREE Patches = 3.80 each
Flourescent "Do Not Remove This Helmet" sticker = 1.00
RIDE FREE Adhesive stickers = 1.80 each
1999,2000, 2001,2002,2003 Members' Metal Badges = 2.56 each
2004 MAG Enamel badge = 3.80 each
MAG embossed Leather Keyfob = 2.56 each
MAG Fleecies - 35 - heavy gauge, navy, with "MAG Ireland"
embroidered on front.
BOOKS
Motorcycle Roadcraft = 17.00 each
All items are including postage by ordinary post. These exclusive
products are available from your local Group, direct from the MAG
Office, or from our MAG Products Outlet Shop, Kilkenny Camping &
Water-sports Centre, U24 The Arcade, High Street, Kilkenny. Save
postage by shopping locally.
Profits from the sale of MAG Products goes directly to campaigning
for Riders Rights.
MAG Advertising
Roadrunner is Ireland's largest circulation motorcycle magazine and
is mailed directly to over 4000 Irish motorcyclists every quarter.
If you want the Irish motorcycling world to know about something
(your shop, your sale, your club, your product, your event.....)
then advertising in RoadRunner is the way to tell them.
Contact the MAG Office for details of our advertising rates.
MAG Contacts
MAG Board (Composed of elected and co-opted officers and responsible
for the day to day running of MAG)
Eoin Kirwan: Chairman, IT & Transport: 087 6166207 Mailto:
chair@magireland.org
Linda O'Loideoin: Treasurer, Roadrunner Editor
mailto:roadrunner@magireland.org
Jimmy Kenny: Product and Process Officer 01 4502330
Gearóid O Byrne: Local Groups Liaison & MAGlink
mailto:maglink@magireland.org
David French: European Liaison, Safety Officer
mailto:davidfrench@magireland.org
National Council and Local MAG Group Contact Details
The National Council (NC) is composed of elected county
representatives and responsible for the overall running of MAG.
Unless a county position of "NC representative" is elected, the
county chairperson is on the NC.
MAG County Groups
MAG Carlow:
Chair: Eric Geaney (086-3091138) eric.geaney@oceanfree.net
MAG Donegal
Chair: Marty Boyle 087 - 6557414 martyboyle@unison.ie
or magdonegal@yahoo.com
Or Michael McNulty mnulty@mcmenaminsteel.com
MAG Dublin
Chair: Jimmy Kenny 01 - 4502330 (South Dublin contact Mark Newman
086 8472746)
MAG Limerick
Secretary - Alec Quinn. ajquinn@eircom.net
Treasurer - Mark Hackett. haket@hotmail.com
NC Rep - Vinny White. vwhite@eircom.net
PRO - Sharon Curtin. yamxv250@hotmail.com
Clubs liason officer - Karl Murphy. crashtestdummy@oceanfree.net
Local Authority liason officer - John Mullin.
MAG North Tipperary and South Offaly
Paul O'Dwyer 086-2686091 froggieod@yahoo.com
Keith Lever kleaver@gofree.indigo.ie
MAG Cork
Chair - Ger Donnolly
Treasurer - Martin O'Driscoll martdris@gofree.indigo.ie
MAG Wexford
Chair - Martin Sills 087 - 6628595
Treasurer - Mick Rice sago@oceanfree.net
Unelected local representatives invited to National Council meetings
by MAG Board - Leitrim - Christine Cann christinecann@eircom.net
The remaining counties are currently not represented on the National
Council. If you are interested in assisting, either as volunteering
as a local representative or in relation to founding a MAG Group in
your area, please contact the MAG Office or the Local Group Liaison
Gearóid O'Byrne at maglink@magireland.org
MAG Office
1b Ring Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Tel: 01 453 0797
Fax: 01 453 3643
Karen Kiely: National Campaigns Officer - 086 8632444
roadrunner@magireland.org
Liz Keane Office Assistant office@magireland.org
Before ringing the MAG office please consider if it wouldn't be
better ringing your MAG representative, the DOE Driver Testing
Section, your local motorcycle dealer or the Yellow Pages first. The
MAG Office will help with your queries where possible but doing so
reduces the time available to administer MAG for everyone's benefit.
Website: www.magireland.org
Webmaster: Joe Lennon webmaster@magireland.org
4. Disclaimer
MAGLink is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling in
Ireland.
MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any
errors or omissions
MAGLink end July 2004, compiled by Groad O Byrne
maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland
MAG Ireland website: http://www.magireland.org