MAGLink, January 2004

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.

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BIKERS ARE VOTERS

Bikers Are Voters leaflet
As reported in December MAGlink, 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. Deadline for receipt of suggestions for modifications is approaching so if there are any issues you would like to see highlighted in the leaflets, please email campaigns@magireland.org.

For reference 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?"

It is proposed that questions on European issues and on Local issues will be presented separately to avoid confusion. Major European issues which are already the subject of campaigns are VRT and VAT on Helmets and other protective equipment. Local groups should identify issues of concern to members at local level and which are dealt with by Local authorities, such as road conditions on non-national roads, provision of secure parking and so on.

BUS LANES

The issue of allowing motorcycles into bus lanes got a boost recently when Pat Kenny came out strongly in favour of bikes in bus lanes on his RTE Radio One show.

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 writ