LOCAL GROUP CHAIRMEN & CLUB OFFICERS PLEASE NOTE:

CLUBS LIAISON: Catherine Donnelly. Contact Catherine on 01 457 0634 or email: maglink@magireland.iol.ie.

LOCAL GROUPS: David Gibson - Contact MAG Office 01 453 0797, Mobile 086 832 5780, or email gensec@magireland.iol.ie

Administration, membership, club insurance, mail order: Maeve Roche, Admin Secretary, Contact MAG Office 01 453 0797 or email: magsupport@magireland.iol.ie.

RoadRunner: John Wheeler, Editor. Items for inclusion and advertising queries can be posted to the MAG Office, posted directly to RoadRunner Publications, PO Box 7279, Dublin 18, or sent by email: wheelman@iol.ie

IRISH RIDER TRAINING ASSOCIATION

Irish Rider Training Association Ltd has a goal of developing an affordable, accessible, nation-wide training programme with qualified trainers for all abilities of motorcyclist. IRTA qualified instructors will instruct FoundationÔ and RoadSkillsÔ courses. Very importantly, qualified IRTA instructors have Public Liability insurance cover protecting landowners and trainees from accidental injury on private lands, and Professional Indemnity protecting the instructor-trainee relationship. IRTA aim to have one part- or full-time instructor per county with more in cities (40 in total) by the end of 2001, with some centres having hire bikes. Part-time instructors are giving their time free, but will charge a course fee to cover expenses. Full-time instructors charge more but provide more available times and support. Website address is http://iol.ie/~maglink/irta..

Contact: IRTA Phone 01 453 0797 & we will put you in touch with our nearest trainer:

Terry Cronin (N Dublin) David Gibson (S Dublin) Jim Fisher (Longford) Marc O'Loideoin (S Dub)
David McMahon (Athlone) Ray Murray (N Dublin)

The second wave of trainer-assessments has started, leading to inclusion in the Instructor Preparation Course. We have some names but will need more: Minimum requirements for assessment as instructors will be: over 21; hold a full 'A' licence for at least 1 year. Candidates must pass the RoSPA Advanced Riding Test and attend the Training Seminar. After a successful assessment candidates will be asked to pay a minimum fee of £40 to cover costs. Call the MAG Office 01 453 0797.

European Developments

London is heading into an election for a Mayor for London and MAG UK are using their all-party 'Bikers are Voters' campaign. This campaign might help our Regional Groups in the campaigns with local councils and councillors.

London's bikers want somewhere to park, use of bus lanes and exemption from anti-congestion charging.
Motorcycle use has increased dramatically in London with thousands of frustrated motorists turning to motorcycles to beat jams and bike bays are overflowing. The response of the councils is to increase ticketing with zero tolerance policies for pavement parking rather than enhancing parking provisions.

The London Chamber of Commerce have come out as saying that the authorities must accommodate the dramatic increase in motorcycle parking requirements as motorcycles represent a way to beat jams, save fuel and use space more economically, thus maximising business efficiency through minimising delays.

A recent study in Tokyo showed that if one in five drivers were to ride a motorcycle or scooter, traffic speeds would rise by 35% and pollution would fall by 30%.

MAG Spokesman Ian Mutch:- 'The government are terrified of giving the green light to biking as they think it's dangerous but we aren't asking them to persuade people to ride motorcycles, they're already doing it, we are just asking them to make life easier for those who chose this sensible option.'

Dublin Corporation has told MAG they are motorbike-friendly. However we need more positive evidence, such as signposted 'MotorCycle Only' spaces at road level, and not on-pavement with pedal-cycles.

IRISH DEVELOPMENTS

On Tuesday 1st Feb MAG Members, Herb Finnegan and David Gibson met with Pat Costello of the National Safety Council. His attitude was rather patronising and 'we know best'. During the year we want to progress a 'Motorcycle Aware' campaign, and MAG will follow up on other safety duties that are his Council's responsibility.

On Wednesday 2nd Herb & I had a very positive meeting with Senator David Norris. Primarily, a pedal-cyclist he will support our position on bus lanes, parking and motorcycle training.

On Thursday 17th February, Herb & I and Rudi Monaghan meet two officials from the Department of Environment & Local Government, Driver Testing Section for 2 hours. The wide-ranging discussion started on IRTA motorcycle training. The DoE promised a 10-week wait by year-end and also admitted that the motorcycle test is too easy.

On Direct Access they put out the line that removing Direct Access for riders aged 25 or over was the European Commission's fault, but they couldn't allow Direct Access at 21 as in the 'Department's opinion' the accident statistics proved 21 was too young. The fact that 18-year-old kids go wild in their Ma's Micra or Beemer without restriction, or that their Da is prohibited from buying his dream Harley, by lack of Direct Access for 'golden oldies' falls on deaf ears.

Therefore MAG is going ahead with the Campaign Motorcyclists call for the Restoration of Direct Access

We, the undersigned, call for the right of adults aged 21 years or over to drive motorcycles, unrestricted by power restrictions, as permitted in the 2nd European Licensing Directive en391LO439.

Since 1989 Irish motorcyclists, over 25 years of age, have had the option of riding motorcycles unrestricted by power or cc (Direct Access). Many older and/or experienced drivers/riders (A1) came to motorcycling on an unrestricted 'A' Provisional licence without nanny-State interference. Our policy, and it's always been very clear, has been that we support Direct Access. They have no choice. Either law requires an extra test or it isn't.

Our demand is very clear and very simple. We want Direct Access:

* EU law provides for it.
* All other countries have Direct Access
* We had it before.
* Our accident rate is the lowest in 30 years.

HAZARD FORMS

Diesel is a major hazard. Make life harder for drivers whose buses, tractors & trucks spill diesel. Immediately phone the vehicle owner and your Local County Council.

Things will only get better if YOU complain to your Council. Fill in the Road Hazard Notification as printed in RoadRunner. More forms can be collected from the MAG Office.

EVENTS INSURANCE

Clubs must be affiliated to MAG Ireland. You may be on our mailing list, but your club must be paid up to date and remain a member during the life of the insurance. Annual affiliation fee is £20- per club. Club Public Liability Policy insurance rates are unchanged for 2000:

PRODUCTS:

If a club or local group wants inventory for a rally or meeting, they must obtain stocks from the office. Alternatively products may be purchased by visiting the Office, by phone, mail order or via e-mail.
£
Sew-on MAG Eire, Ride Free patches: 3.00
Ride Free stickers 2.00
Year 1999 Enamel badge Red 3.00
Year 2000 enamel badge Yellow 3.00
MAG Eire T-shirt 8.00
MAG Neckwarmer 10.00
MAG Baseball Cap 10.00
MAG Zippo lighter 20.00

NEW WEBPAGE

MAG Ireland has a new Web Site - please use the following address, where necessary & change your Favourites

www.iol.ie/~maglink.

INTERNET CLASSIFIED ADVERTS

A new facility for members: if you have a bike, or bits, or whatever, for sale, exchange or wanted, we can now offer FREE Internet classified adverts. Send details of your advert to the office, please.

RoadRunner and MAGLINK

Please keep the office fully informed of the date and venues of your regular meetings and of all other events and activities. News of events, insertion in the new Local Groups Calendar with if at all possible good quality photographs afterwards - most welcome. Advise the MAG Office