MAGLink, August 2003
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.
MAG Ireland : Representing Riders
1. Updates
2. MAG Calendar 2003
3. National Events Calendar, 2003
4. MAG Benefits
5. MAG Products
6. MAG Advertising
7. MAG Contacts
8. Disclaimer
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1. Updates
STOP THE ROT Rally
Thanks to all those who supported MAG’s Stop the Rot Rally on the 16/17th August
last, and particularly to those who worked so hard in advance and during the
event to ensure it was a success and an enjoyable event for those who attended.
Direct Access & Driver Testing
The major issue at the moment is of course the recent media reports of the Minister
for Transport, Seamus Brennan’s proposals regarding the introduction of compulsory
basic training (CBT) for motorcyclists only. Despite a number of requests for
a meeting with the Minister to discuss this issue, none has been scheduled at
time of writing. However Mr. Liam Dolan, Principal Officer of the Driver Testing
and Licensing Division of the Department of Transport has invited the Board
of MAG to a meeting on Monday the 8th of September next to discuss the matter
further. Press Releases have issued on this topic and a number of radio and
newspaper interviews have taken place, including RTE Radio One 15/08/03(Eoin
Kirwan), Irish Times 21/08/03 (Karen Kiely), The Star 21/08/03 (Karen Kiely),
Irish Independent 21/08/03 (Karen Kiely, RTE TV News 25/08/03 (Linda O’Loideoin),
TV3 News 25/08/03 (Linda O’Loideoin), Tipp FM 25/08/03 and Clare FM 25/08/03
(Linda O’Loideoin).
Bikers Are Voters:
Aim: To raise the profile of motorcyclists, motorcycling issues and of MAG Ireland
as a representative group for Irish motorcyclists among politicians.
With the European Parliamentary Elections and Local Elections to take place in June 2004, draft questions for a new Bikers Are Voters leaflet are currently being prepared. If there are any issues you would like to see highlighted in the leaflets, please email campaigns@magireland.org with your suggestions.
Test difficulties:
Declan Naughten has responded to recent correspondence regarding problems with
testers who were refusing to test candidates riding motorcycles in excess of
650 cc. He cites difficulties in establishing the kilowattage without access
to specialist equipment as the reason for these problems. He enclosed new documentation
which will be used by testers ensure that motorcyclists are aware of the restrictions
which apply and for candidates to certify that the machine being used during
the test is in compliance with the restrictions.
Insurance:
In response to recent requests for clarification on the issue of insuring riders
during the two year period immediately following the issuing of a Full Licence
(during which time the same restrictions which apply to the Provisional Licence
continue to apply), both Carole Nash and Hibernian have indicated that policyholders
hold the responsibility to ensure that they hold a valid license for their motorcycle
as otherwise their insurance policy is likely to be invalidated.
Tolls:
NTR have requested feedback regarding motorcyclists who have experienced any
difficulties at Toll Booths, such as barriers closing too quickly etc. If you
have had any such problem, please contact Karen Kiely at campaigns@magireland.org
FEMA and VAT on Helmets:
Together with ACEM and ETRA, the representative of bicycle and motorcycle retailers,
the FEMA Secretariat prepared a joint position paper on reduced VAT rates for
helmets, visors and protective clothing. The paper was sent to EU Director General
of Taxation, responsible for the proposal reviewing the list of items which
Member States can subject to a reduced VAT rate. Other DGs having an interest
in the matter also received the paper. Reception was officially acknowledged,
however, when the Commission proposal was published our requests were not met.
The proposal is now going to be addressed by the European Parliament. The FEMA
Secretariat will meet with ACEM and ETRA to decide whether to continue working
on this campaign jointly. Alternatively FEMA could focus solely on helmets and
connect the campaign to its response to the Road Safety Action Programme.
And finally……
WOMAN PLANS TO CLIMB MT. EVEREST ON A MOTORCYCLE:
A lady by the name of Annie Seel plans to ride her Enduro motorcycle to Mount Everest's base camp as a member of the Danish/Swedish climbing team this year. Base camp is at 16,732 feet. Seel will make the round trip from Kathmandu.
2. MAG Calendar 2003
Board meetings
1st Wednesday every month, 7:30pm MAG Office, Dublin.
National Council meetings
Next meeting - Saturday 6th September 2003, Crank House Hostel, Banagher.
Annual General Meeting
Date - Saturday 18th October 2003.
Watch the MAG website www.magireland.org for further details.
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 Freddy's Bar, Screen, Co. Wexford 8.30pm.
E&OE. Changes should be advised to the MAG office office@magireland.org
or Gearoid 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.
3. National Events Calendar, 2003
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 2003.
September 2003
6th Clondalkin Motor Cycle Club are having their annual rally at the Cush Inn, Rathangam, Co, KIldare. Contact Wayne O Neill 086-6785818 for more details
21st (Sunday) Bubble Gum Club Run - Following on from last years huge success which raised thirty six thousand euro to send children in crisis on a trip of a lifetime, this years Bubble Gum run will take place on Sunday September 21st. The run will commence from Dublin's Mansion House on Dawson Street where the proprietor of Fado Restaurant will be laying on breakfast for the first five hundred people to arrive with completed sponsorship cards. We will leave Dublin with the assistance of the fine men and women of the Garda Traffic unit led by Sargent John Ryan. From Dublin we will travel south to Wicklow and across the Wicklow gap and on to Naas. From Naas we will head on to Mondello Park . Once we have arrived in Mondello we will have a days entertainment and activities lined up. At the end of the day we will have a raffle with the first prize being a Ducati Monster 620 dark. To register for a sponsorship card go to www.bubblegumclub.ie. Suggested minimum sponsorship is fifty euro and any remaining tickets for the raffle will be on sale on the day for twenty euro. The person who raises the most sponsorship will win an Arai RX7 Corsair Replica worth over seven hundred euro!
October 2003
November 2003
28th 29th 30th November (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) The Irish Motorcycle & Superbike Show, Kings Hall, Belfast www.roadracingireland.com
December 2003
13th Clondalkin Motor Cycle Club are having their annual Toy Run, meeting Phoenix Park 12.30. All Welcome. Contact Wayne O Neill 086-6785818 for more details
14th Middleton to Cork city Toy run, Details to follow closer to said date. Contact Stevo at 0868895472
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. 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
4. MAG Benefits
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.
5. MAG Products
ZIPPO lighters = 25.40 (Brass with MAG LOGO) LAST FEW LEFT!!!!
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 Members' Metal Badges = 2.56 each
2003 Saffron (?!) Green Enamel badge = 3.80 each
MAG embossed Leather Keyfob = 2.56 each
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.
6. 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.
7. MAG Contacts
MAG Board (Composed of elected officers and responsible for the
day to day running of MAG)
Eoin Kirwan: Chairman, IT Officer, 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 Kildare
Chair: Dave Keeley 087 2692180 davkee@esatclear.ie
Secretary: BJ Martin 086 4006279 thedok@cyberdude.com
thedok@bastardbrothers.org
Treasurer: Joe Kerwin
Events Secretary: Ivor Hemmingway 086 8150410
MAG Limerick
Chairman - Don Moloney. moz@iol.ie 086-8123858
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
Secretary - John le Roche
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 & Clubs Liaison Gearoid O'Byrne at 087-2607747, 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
Cash for MAG Recruiters
Bank Standing orders are by far the easiest way for MAG members to pay their
subscription. They are also much cheaper and quicker for the MAG office to process.
MAG is now passing these savings onto its members. As well as offering three
months free membership for members who take out a standing order, MAG has decided
to introduce a "fiver back" promotion - any MAG member who gets a
friend to sign up for a standing order will get a fiver ( 6.35) back in
cash.
This means that if all the members of a club of twenty people decide to support
MAG with bank standing orders and name their treasurer as recruiter then the
club will receive one hundred pounds (128 Euro) from MAG.
Full details, conditions and bank standing order forms are available from the MAG office.
8. 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 August 2003, compiled by Gearóid O Byrne maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland
MAG Ireland website: http://www.iol.ie/~maglink
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