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
3. National Events Calendar,
4. MAG Benefits
5. MAG Products
6. MAG Advertising
7. MAG Contacts
8. Disclaimer

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1. Campaigns

National Pro Bike Demo Saturday 1st November 2003
Despite the large number of bikers who attended the Demo in Dublin (Irish Times reported 500) and the fact that O'Connell Street and St Stephen's Green were brought to a virtual standstill while the protesters travelled to Molesworth Street, media response to the protest was poor. Whilst TV cameras were present on the day, press coverage of the Demonstration was limited to a brief mention on Aertel that evening and in the Irish Times (05/11/2003). Press packs had been issued in advance to all the main media, but apart from a pre Demo interview on Newstalk 106, the media were singularly uninterested in the event. Nonetheless, for those who attended, the event went off excellently and the sight of a line of revving bikes from one end of O'Connell street to the other will remain with me for a long time. Thanks to the Masonic Hall, Molesworth Street for permitting MAG to address the crowd from it's balcony.

Bikers Are Voters leaflet
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. For reference and as requested at the AGM the questions which appeared on the 2002 General Election Bikers Are Voters leaflet and in Roadrunner are reproduced below:
"Given that the number of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds on Irish roads has increased by 20% since 1995 to over 30,000 today -
Please answer, YES or NO...
1. Do you agree that motorcycles, scooters and mopeds are part of the solution to traffic congestion?
2. Do you agree that the State should support training for motorcyclists?
3. Do you recognise the danger the current state of our roads poses to motorcyclists?
4. Do you intend to take action to control the excessive cost of insurance?
5. Should VAT on Helmets be abolished as in other EU countries?
6. Should small and medium capacity motorcycles be removed from the highest road tax band?
7. Should Irish motorcyclists, in the interests of safety and to alleviate congestion, be allowed to use bus lanes?
8. Should secure motorcycle parking be provided to reduce theft?
9. Should road users be subjected to new road tolls in addition to VRT, VAT, Excise, Road Tax and Insurance Levy totalling   4 billion per year?"

Bus Lanes
We am currently collating information for presentation to Minister Brennan in support of our position on this issue. As part of this effort we have written to all bodies with an interest in the Bus Lane debate requesting that they put in writing their organisation's position regarding allowing motorcycles to share bus lanes. To date we have received the following replies:

Reply from Dublin City Council's Director of Traffic, Owen Keegan which is strongly in favour of allowing motorcycles into bus lanes on traffic management grounds. He adds that to allow access to bus lanes for motorcycles would encourage motorists to switch to this "more sustainable" mode of transport. Prices are being sought for stickers in support of this issue and we hope to have these available shortly.

Reply to request for position statement received from Gardaí - we quote: "The policy of An Garda Síochána in relation to motorcyclists using the bus lanes is in keeping with legislation. The current Regulations do not permit motorcycles to use bus lanes."

Reply to request for position statement received from Dublin City Council (Tim O'Sullivan) "Dublin City Council has no official policy on a change to the current legislation. However, I feel that any change should be based on detailed research which would consider the safety aspects of such a proposal and the effects on the operation of bus services."

A Freedom of Information Act request for information on the decision making process regarding bikes in bus lanes is to be initiated. When this information is received, together with the statements of policy requested from the relevant bodies, it should help to identify those opposing our position.

Rider & Driver Training
MAG continues to be represented on the Working Group set up to discuss the implementation of proposals for Compulsory Basic Training. In a recent press interview, Seamus Brennan said it was intended that Compulsory Basic Training for all road users be introduced, with its introduction for motorcyclists as the initial phase. It would seem that some of our representations have finally been heard!

DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
We have received a copy of the interim evaluation report of Dublin City Council's "Lights on Daytime" campaign which ran during July and August of 2002. The report states that "it was not possible to demonstrate an effect of DRLs on whether or not the other vehicle in a collision is more likely to be seen" which would largely render the experiment largely useless. The report envisages using data from the NRA data for 2002 to estimate the direct effect of the campaign on collisions in the Dublin Metropolitan area. The report seems to be more of an opinion poll that a statistically supported demonstration of the effects on safety of DRLs, with participants' expectations that DRL use will reduce accidents given too much consideration.

Insurance
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have forwarded to the Department of Transport our letter to the Tánaiste regarding insurance premium levels for motorcyclists. In this letter we asked whether plans existed to amend the Road Traffic Act 2001 to allow the speedy implementation of an EU Directive (due to be implemented January 2005) to allow consumers to easily source insurance cover from companies in other member states. Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment responded with a three page letter outlining the "progress" which has already been made in reducing premiums as a result of the Tánaiste's current reform programme. The Department of Transport's response was equally unhelpful, if more concise, informing us that the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority are now the body charged with authorising insurance companies to transact business in Ireland. Our question as to plans to amend the Road Traffic Act was left unanswered.

We have written to the Department of Transport requesting clarification on their response and will be contacting the IFSRA upon receiving the DoT's response.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business has been given permission to forward our submission to the Committee on insurance to the Competition Authority who are currently investigating motor insurance.

Road Hazards/Road Safety
The Motorcycle Accident in Depth Study (MAIDS) Final Report was due for publication in Autumn 2003, but due to technical problems in sorting the data will not now be published until early 2004.

We have received information that it is planned to use wire rope safety fencing on an experimental basis on the N20 between Rathduff and Mallow. The current two lane carriageway is to be converted to a 2 plus 1 lane road with a barrier in between. We have written to the NRA, Ascon, the Minister for Transport and other relevant bodies informing them of our serious concerns at the dangers posed by this type of barrier and enclosing FEMA's report on the Motorcyclists & Crash Barriers Project.

MT EVEREST, NEPAL: I mentioned in an earlier issue that Swedish lady rider Annie Seel was going to attempt to ride a motorcycle up the slopes of Mt Everest. Well folks, she did it on a 20 year old dual-purpose Honda XL250 and reached an altitude of 17,404 feet! She beat the previous record set by a Japanese man by over 200 feet. She had to ride the old bike because importation of new motorcycles to Nepal is forbidden. Quite an accomplishment!

And finally...now that the holiday season is well and truly upon us, enjoy those clear winter days and ride safe over the Christmas break. See you all in 2004!

2. 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 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, 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.

December 2003
27th · Club: Tramore MCC, Contact Phone: 0861020752, Event Location: Poker Run, Event Date: Saturday 27th December 2003, Event Description: Tramore MCC,4th Annual Christmas Poker Run. Leaving Murphy's Pub the Quay Waterford at 2pm,Cash Prizes and Spots.

February 2004
Hi there Here is something you might like to add to your monthly MAGlink or e-mail. I am from Ireland but living in the UAE. I was also a member of your group while I was there. Last year I went to India to do a charity motorcycle ride with a group called Enduro India and it was the best 2 weeks EVER. They are doing another in Feb 2004 and I thought there might be some people in Ireland that might be interested. Did I mention that the trip is done on Royal Enfields... Anyway have a think about it and you can check out www.enduroindia.com for all the info. You can contact me if you have any questions Regards Joe Somers

August 2004
Black Widows Ireland, Annual Bash 2004 - 14th August, venue to be confirmed
Discount to card carrying MAG Members - All proceeds to charity.

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
NEW PRODUCT!! MAG Fleecies -  35 - heavy gauge, navy, with "MAG Ireland" embroidered on front.

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 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
Eric Geaney: Clubs Liasion (086-3091138) eric.geaney@oceanfree.net

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
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
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 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


8. 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 November/December 2003, compiled by Gearóid O Byrne maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland