MAGLink, February 2005


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,
3. MAG details and contact numbers
4. Disclaimer

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The following is a brief summary of some of the work undertaken within the Campaigns portfolio during January 2005. 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).

Bus Lanes
The time is ripe to really push this issue this year as traffic snarlups in all the State's main urban areas and particularly Dublin pile up. The successful continuance of the pilot scheme in Northern ireland bring motorcycle use of bus lanes to our doorstep. Minister Cullen's got other things on his mind at present but we will seek a meeting with him in early course to pursue the matter.

Tolls
In light of the current campaign by Senator Shane Ross and in view view of the fact that NTR is applying for compensation regarding the building of
the 3rd lane on the m50 we should consider upgrading this campaign. In this regard an article from the Independent of the 3rd of Fenruary in worth quoting:

"Gridlock driving Ahern towards second M50
A NEW motorway will have to be built around Dublin because the EUR300m upgrade of the M50 would not solve the gridlock, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern admitted yesterday. The massively expensive upgrade, due to start later this year, will not solve the chronic traffic problems on the M50 motorway in the long term, Mr Ahern admitted.

The National Roads Authority had anticipated that the upgrading of the M50 ring route - resulting in an extra lane in each direction and freeflow
junctions at the Red Cow and N4 Galway road interchanges - would have a significant impact on traffic. But the Taoiseach revealed yesterday that this work was in fact going to generate extra traffic difficulties and it would not sort out the long term problems. "That is my view, having listened to the presentation by the NRA and the Department of Transport," Mr Ahern told the Dail. And the Taoiseach predicted even more traffic chaos when the upgrading project gets into full swing, within months.

A new orbital motorway, further out from the M50, is expected to link Balbriggan on the northside with Wicklow on the southside, it was learned.
It will be an even bigger C-ring route around the capital than the current M50, crossing a number of counties. The new motorway, effectively an admission that the M50 has failed to cope with rocketing traffic volumes, could cost up to EUR1bn. The new route was quickly dubbed the 'M51' and has been under consideration by the National Roads Authority (NRA), it was also learned.

Admitting that the M50 resembled a "car park" at peak times, the Taoiseach came out in favour of building of an outer link road and revealed that this
had already been examined. "When the Spanish built their version of the M50 around Madrid, they also wisely built an outer road and this issue must be examined for the longer term," he said. Meanwhile, toll barriers are to come down on the Westlink toll bridge and be replaced by electronic prepaid and bill pay systems as part of the M50 upgrade later this year.

The Government plans new legislation to allow National Toll Roads (NTR) and other private operators to go after and prosecute motorists who refuse to
pay bills sent to them after their vehicle details are picked up electronically on camera, it was also learned. This has to be done before the barriers are scrapped and electronic tolls are introduced.

A National Toll Roads spokesman said yesterday that it planned to get rid of the "cash in the bucket" payment method and switch over to either
pre-paid or bill pay electronic tagging of cars and trucks. But that would only happen in tandem with the upgrade of the M50 involving extra lanes and free flow interchanges and legislation to allow private toll operators prosecute motorists who refuse to pay up.

Mr Ahern also said that the only solution was a move to barrier-free tolling. He also ruled out any Government buyout of the M50 Westlink Toll Bridge from National Toll Roads. Mr Ahern said the traffic projections of 20 years ago for the M50 were history, as car numbers for the year 2018 had long been exceeded.
The Government had been advised that the upgrade and a move to barrier-free tolling were the solution to the congestion. Speaking in the Dail, Mr Ahern agreed with Labour leader Pat Rabbitte that conditions would get worse on the M50 during the upgrade works and said he would address that issue with the Minister.

Mr Rabbitte asked if temporary relief could be negotiated with the company to open the toll plaza for the duration of the works, to alleviate the
situation of people who cannot get to work in the morning. Mr Ahern accepted that during peak hours the M50 was at times like a car park. He said the solution to peak congestion on the route, in the view of traffic engineers, was the M50 upgrade and barrier free tolling."



Wire Rope Barriers
We have contacted Maria Nordquist from MAG Sweden about the claim that the swedish authorities have started using this and will circulate her response in due course.

Daytime Running Lights
This was recently introduced in France on a trial basis - we need to see the outcome of this and do more research.

AND FINALLY..... a sign of things to come? >From the Dublin Docklands Development Authority's website http://www.ddda.ie/cold_fusion/business/for_sale/commercial.cfm

"Gateway, Dublin Docklands, Dublin 1 - Gateway is an exciting new office complex strategically located in the heart of Dublin’s newest commercial precinct – Dublin Docklands. Gateway will comprise five high quality office buildings ranging in height from 2 – 6 storey’s arranged around a courtyard with parking for all blocks at basement level. Three of the five buildings will offer an exceptionally strong corporate profile given their high prominence and extensive frontage on East Wall Road. Gateway is immediately adjacent to the highly successful East Point Business Park and within half a mile of the International Financial Services Centre at Custom House Docks. Size Total gross internal floor area 28,116 sq m

Car parking 296 car parking spaces, 365 bicycle parking spaces and 100 motorcycle parking spaces

Contact Palmer McCormack, Canada House, 65 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2. Phone 01 418 5800 or Jones Lang LaSalle, 10/11 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Phone 01 673 1600"

Now if every similar new development in Dublin had that number of motorcycle parking spaces.....

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2. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLING EVENTS CALENDAR, 2005
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.

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.

February 2005

Sat 12th Feb 2005 - Quay Vipers MCC (Valentine Disco) Proceeds going to Alistair Seely Racing. At Carrickfergus Rugby Club, tickets £5, all welcome.
Tucker 077 0346 0799

Friday 18th February to Sunday 20th February 2005 Northern Ireland Motorcycle Show makes a welcome return to the Odyssey Arena, Belfast. Visitors will be able to see all the new 2005 models on display as well as a wide range of other goods catering to every biker’s needs. For stand space and ticket information contact Nutt Promotions on 028 7035 1199

Sat 19th - Sun 20th Feb 05 - Suir Side Riders (9th Uisce Beatha Rally) Camping, Live Bands, Trophies, Can bar, stalls etc. Contact Suirside Riders 086 1931613


March 2005

4th - 6th March 2005
The Irish Motorcycle and Scooter Show takes place at the RDS Main Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin - MAG will have a stand there as usual. Contact details - SDL Exhibitions Ltd 18 Main Street Rathfarnham Dublin 14 Tel: 00353 1 4900600 Fax: 00353 1 4908934 Web: www.irishmotorbikeshow.com

Sat 19th - Sun 20th March 05 - No Hopers MCC (15th Annual Rally)
In the Abbey Inn, Tralee. Food by the Apostle, Badges, Camping, Live Bands, Can bar, stalls etc. Band on Sunday Morning. Contact 087 9648862

April 2005

Sat 9th - Sun 10th April 05 - Freelancers MCC (Smoke n Rubber 3rd Annual Rally)
Trophies, Spot Prizes, DJ and Live Music all night, Camping, Late Can bar, stalls etc. Venue Ashford Tavern, Newcastle West, Co.Limerick. Call Paul 087 6220539 or by email freelancerpaul@eircom.net

15th April 2005 - MAG is co-ordinating a National Insurance Demo on the afternoon of Friday the 15th April 2005 leaving from Wilton Place on the Grand Canal at 2.00pm.


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 2005

Board meetings
1st Tuesday every month, 7:30pm 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 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
Previous years Members' Metal Badges =   2.56 each
2005 MAG Enamel badge =   3.80 each
MAG Fleecies -  35 - heavy gauge, navy, with "MAG Ireland" embroidered on front.
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