MAGLink, April 2007

A periodic 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,
3. MAG details and contact numbers
4. Disclaimer

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

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The following is a brief summary of some of the work undertaken within the Campaigns portfolio in recent weeks. Background to any of the topics mentioned can be found by referring to previous issues of MAGlink and on the website www.magireland.org . For further information or if you have any comments or questions you can contact the MAG Office at office@magireland.org or telephone 01 4530797 (MAG Office).

1. MAG Ireland AGM - Saturday 26th May 2007 at 1.00pm at The Farmers Kitchen, Drinagh Court Hotel, Rosslare Road, Drinagh, Co Wexford - all current members welcome!

2. Compulsory Basic Training - the Road Safety Authority recently published a consultative paper on the issue of Compulsory Basic Training for motorcyclists. MAG Ireland has prepared a detailed response to same for submission.

3. Bikers are Voters. In advance of the forthcoming general election we are preparing a new "Bikers are Voters" leaflet setting out the main areas of change which we want the next Government to consider.

4. Insurance - Quinn Direct is now quoting for motorcycle insurance. At the recent Bike Show in Dublin, MAG held a meeting with eBike insurance who are planning on offering insurance here later this year - to see what they offer in the UK have a look at http://www.ebikeinsurance.co.uk/

5. MAG manned a stand at last weekend's Vintage and Veteran bike show in Carlow - many thanks to all those who supported us there.

6. MAG is a member of FEMA the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations who advance the cause of motorcycling at a European level. To see what they are doing on your behalf, have a look at http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/

7. Finally - it'll never catch on here...

WEIRD NEWS: AUSSIE BIKERS RIDE NUDE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION SEX? Now the Motorcycle Council of New South Wales has your attention. Stripped for action, the Australian bikers set out on their 'now notice us' ride. The number of motorcycles and scooters on Sydney's streets is increasing as motorists look for ways to avoid high fuel prices and congestion. Sick of being ignored by Sydney drivers, motorcyclists are hitting back with a publicity campaign featuring nude riders and the slogan: "Come on, what do we have to do to get you to look twice?" Photographs and a video being submitted to television stations as a community service announcement during Motorcycle Awareness Week, Oct 28 - Nov 5, show motorcyclists riding naked through the streets of Sydney, puzzling passers-by.

The motorcyclists are men and women of different shapes and sizes to highlight that riders come from all walks of life. Guy Stanford, chairman of the MCC of NSW, said it was a lighthearted approach to a serious issue. "We hope that people have a good laugh at our expense but also see how vulnerable motorcyclists can be on the road and remember to look twice, particularly at intersections," he said.

View a sample video at http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=23063&sy=smh&source=undefined

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2. IRISH NATIONAL MOTORCYCLING EVENTS CALENDAR, 2007
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 2006. If you know of any events or want to publicise your own forthcoming event, send details to office@magireland.org or directly to Maglink@magireland.org and we'll put it on the website and also include it in next month's MAGLink.

Thanks also to Aggie for information from the Bikers Bible. If any of you are involved in clubs running rallies this year, let us know - we're happy to advertise them if you let us know the details. Biker's Bible List of stockists :
Mountjoy Motorcycles, Dublin-
Waterford Harley Davidson,Waterford
Billy Barron Motorcycles,Waterford
Uncaged,Arklow
Clonmel Motorcycles,Clonmel
Hogs r us,Cork
Baldricks Motorcycles,Kilkenny
Murtys Independent Trading
Billys Leathers
Robbie
Jimmy & Jill



Rallies:

April 2007

April 14th/15th Riverside Crew M.C.C. Rally @ Halfway House, Dunmore, Tuam, Co Galway

April 21/22 Heatsiezers MCC Rally @ Newcastle House, Ballymahon, Co. Longford

April 28/29 Na Ritha MCC Rally @ Lenihans Pub, Newtown, Co. Waterford

May 2007

May 12/13 Renegades MCC Rally @ Pedigree Corner Athy Co. Westmeath

May 12/13 Jesters MCC Rally @ Eglington Equestrian Centre, Co. Derry

May 19/20 Dogleap MCC Rally @ Limavady Rugby & Cricket club

May 19/20 Devils Disciples "the gathering" @ The bunker bar, Gorey, Co. Wexford

May 26/27 Tribes MCC - Heart-in-hand Rally @ Finnertys Bar Tubber

June 2007

June 2/3 Pilgrims RC rally @ Bodhran Pub, Castlewarden, Co. Kilkenny

June 9/10 Chopper club Rally @ Barrons Bunker Co. Kerry

June 9/10 BTW Ireland Chapter Trikes'n'bikes Rally @ The saddler inn, Frenchpark, Co. Rosscommon

June 16/17 Ironhorseman MCC Rally @ Cremartin GAA Co. Monaghan

June 23/24 Dal Riada MCC rally @ The Pipers Inn, Killaloe

Emerald MCC Rally @ Knock Na Shee Inn, Achonry, Co. Sligo

june29/30/july 1 Trixxters MCC Rally @ Omagh rugby Club

June 29/30 July 1 Calndaingan MCC rally @ The Kilbricken Inn, Mountrath, Co Laois

June 29/30/ July 1 Harley Davidson Rally @ GAC Grounds, Stradbally, Co. Waterford

June 29/30 July 1 Black Widows Ireland Annual Bash @ Ashbourne Rugby Club

July 2007

7th July Rogues Mcc Rally - Venue to be confirmed.

July 7/8 Brotherhood MCC @ The cush inn, Kildangan, Co Kildare

July 7/8 Devils Disciples MC Blackhills Custom Show @ Manowar Pub

July 14/15 Irish Womens Motorcyclists Association Rally @ The Corner House, Rathnure, Co. Wexford

july 14/15 Demolition MCC Rally@ The railway bar, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick

July 21/22 Slippy Clutch Rally @ The Whiskey Shop, Crettyard

July 21/22 Road Runner WMCC Rally @ Donagh Clubhouse Lisnakea

july 28/29 Belfast Independant MCC Rally @ 2nd Sanctuary Blue anchor, Carlingford

August 2007

August 4/5 Unlimited Frenzy @ Halfway house Islandeady

August 4/5 Viking MC Ireland 22nd Custom & Classic show @ Glendons bar Old Leighlin Co. Carlow

August 11/12 Rememberance Rally @ Maganey Carlow

August 18/19 Coyotes MCC Three Oaks Bar, Aghadowey, Coleraine

August 18/19 Sins & twins CBC rally @ Lily finnegans Whitestown, Catlingford

August 25/26 Free Spirit MCC Rally @ Mill House Roscrea Co. Tipperary

Other Events:-

Saturday 9th- sunday 10th of june - Trikes 'N' Bikes rally @ The Saddlers Inn, Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon - admission €10 or €12.50 with pin BANDS-FOOD-STALLS-CAN BAR prizes for Best Bike-Best Trike Longest distance traveled And Largest Club Attendance Strictly a No Bike/Trike -NO ENTRY Club Donkey By Prior Arrangement Disabled Badge holders welcome contact N/Ireland Cosmo 0785 7844930 or crocket 077106551790 ROI Cornish 086 3158818 or the wasp 087 2539332

Charity Events:-
Annual Across Ireland sponsored motorcycle run. Dublin - Galway - Dublin. Saturday 25th / Sunday 26th August 07. sponsored annual motorcycle run in aid of the Make a Wish Foundation. sign on time: 10.30.a.m. - 1.p.m. Depart time: 1.30.p.m. sharp. sign on fee: €30.00 PRIZES ON THE DAY. ALL VEHICLES WELCOME.
For further information please contact annual Across Ireland: 087 762 0147 nicky_carvin@hotmail.com or MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION 01 214 3400 web: www.makeawish.ie www.annualacrossireland.com



UK Events:-
1st - 3rd June 2007 The Snooty Fox, Scarborough Rd (A64) East Heslerton, YO17 8EN North Yorkshire 4 Bands. Bike Show Trophies, Raffles & Rideout Campsite with real loos' & showers Kids & cars welcome No colours, fires or dogs. Tickets: Motorcycle-Junction.co.uk members: £8 pre-book. £12 on the gate, Non members: £10 pre-book. £12 on the gate Cars £5 Kids FREE Cheques payable to Motorcycle Junction 157 Welham Rd Norton-upon-Derwent Malton YO17 9DU Tel: 05602 438 794 Email: info@motorcycle-junction.co.uk Safe Riding www.Motorcycle-Junction.co.uk

MAG UK events can be seen online at the MAG UK website www.mag-uk.org - BMF events at www.bmf.co.uk

Track Days:-
2007 MONDELLO PARK BIKE TRACK DATES 2007
(May be subject to change)

Apr 14th Track Day Training Course
Apr 15th Open (National Circuit)
May 6h Open (National Circuit) NEW DATE ADDED
May 14th Road
Jun 6th Open
July 2nd Road
July 12th & 13th NO LIMITS TRACK DAY
Aug 8th Open
Sep 17th Road
Oct 3rd Open

All details and requirements are available online at http://www.mondello.ie/one.php?page=track_moto
There are also a number of big bike events booked for this year which might be of interest to you - http://www.mondello.ie/calendar.php

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3. MAG Calendar 2007

Board Meeting
2nd Tuesday every month, 8:00pm MAG Office, Dublin.
Campaigns Meeting
4th Tuesday every month 8.00pm MAG Office, Dublin

MAG Local Group meetings:-
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 Cork: Tuesday nights in an Cruiscin Lan, on Douglas Street at 8.30pm. We are usually in the snug!
MAG Wexford - Last Friday of each month at 8.30pm - venue Farmers Kitchen, Drinagh Court Hotel, Drinagh, Co Wexford - Contact; Mick Rice
at 086 817 3845 or sago@oceanfree.net



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 euro 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 euro 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 euro each (Black with MAG logo)
Nectectors = 12.70 euro each (Red or Black tubular neckwarmers)
Baseball Caps = 12.70 euro 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
Previous years Members' Metal Badges = 2.56 each
2005 MAG Enamel badge = 3.80 each
BOOKS - "Motorcycle Roadcraft" = 17.00 each
MAG Ireland Hi Viz vests 10.00

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
Gearóid O Byrne: Local Groups Liaison & MAGlink mailto:maglink@magireland.org
David French: European Liaison, Safety Officer mailto:davidfrench@magireland.org
Peter Bartlett: Road Tolls 086 8229470.
Marc O'Loideoin: Rider training

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 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

MAG Limerick
Secretary - Alec Quinn. ajquinn@eircom.net - Local Authority liason officer - John Mullin.

MAG Cork
Chair - Ger Donnolly Treasurer - Martin O'Driscoll martdris@gofree.indigo.ie

MAG Wexford
Chairman - Mick Rice 086 817 3845 sago@oceanfree.net
Treasurer - Ronnie Evans 087 126 9632
Other contact members - Charlie Allen 087 935 9040 (after 6pm)
Meetings Drinagh Court Hotel (Farmer's Kitchen) Drinagh, Wexford Date - Last Sunday of month Time - 1pm

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
Email: 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 April 2007, compiled by Groad O Byrne maglink@magireland.org (c) Copyright : MAG Ireland