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
Death of Martin Convery, Secretary of the Clondalkin Motorcycle club
We were saddened to hear of the death of Martin Convery, secretary of the Clondalkin Motorcycle Club who was killed leaving the Strawberry Hall Pub on Wednesday night the 4th of June last. He was buried on Saturday the 7th of June at his home cemetery in Leixlip, Co. Dublin. To his family and the families of all those killed recently on our roads we offer our deepest sympathies.
Hibernian Insurance Report:
MAG has asked the Minister for Transport for a meeting to discuss these proposed changes. The National Safety Council invited MAG to attend the launch of it's new "Get the point, not the points" ad campaign on Wednesday 11th June at the Westin Hotel, Dublin. The Chairman Eoin Kirwan and Gearóid O'Byrne attended the launch which also included the Garda Commissioner and Minister Seamus Bennan. We took the opportunity to have a word with the Minister afterwards about his proposed safety measures and agreed that a meeting between the Minister and MAG would be useful to "flesh out" how these proposals were to be implemented and to air the concerns of our members. He was agreeable to this and we are contacting his office to try to fix a date for such a meeting as soon as possible. The latest word today that the Minister's office has been in touch with the MAG office to arrange such a meeting.
Driver Testing
We have not yet received Declan Naughten's response to our letter regarding examiners who refuse to test candidates who are riding motorcycles in excess of 650 cc despite the fact that these machines fulfilled the requirements with regard to the current restrictions on A licences, i.e. power limit of 25Kw/34bhp or power-to-weight 0.16Kw per kg (Directive 91/439/EEC). This will be pursued until resolved.
Insurance
Carole Nash
Regarding the problems which were highlighted last month by members who were
told by Carole Nash staff that in order for their policies to cover them to
ride motorcycles lent to them, the motorcycle had to first be insured by the
owner under a separate policy:
We spoke to the supervisor of Carole Nash's Dublin office who advised that this was the case and that this clause was stated in the policy document. When we asked him why this clause is not stated more clearly on the Certificate, he said that the underwriters had said that it was not feasible to do so due to space constraints. We then requested that he look further into the matter with a view to resolving the confusion prevalent among members and to contact us with the relevant information. After some time, in the absence of any communication from Mr Clarke and having failed to find any reference in the policy document to this requirement, we put our request for clarification in writing and copied the letter to Malcolm Nash at Carole Nash's U.K. office. Malcolm contacted the MAG office immediately to clarify matters. Both the members who initially raised the issue and us were apparently misinformed by the Dublin office - there is no requirement that the motorcycle be separately insured by the owner before the borrower's insurance cover comes into effect. Malcolm assured us that he would be contacting the Dublin office to ensure that this kind of misinformation does not occur again. We have asked for this in writing to be absolutely sure before advising anyone otherwise.
Hibernian
During a recent telephone conversation with Brian Dooley, it was confirmed that
Hibernian would not be refusing new business from under 25 years old provisional
licence holders from July 1st per the Report submitted to Seamus Brennan.
Bikers abroad
SWISS BIKERS PROTEST SPEED LIMITS Thousands of bikers converged on the Swiss
capital,
Bern recently to protest plans to limit bike speeds to 80kmh on the motorways.
The country's
biggest motorcyclist association, Pro Moto, organized the mass demonstration
outside the
government building.
Although the demonstration took place without bikes, the procession of bikers,
making
their way into Bern - at 80kmh - brought traffic around the city to a standstill.
It was
reported that over 35,000 motorcyclists came from all over the country to protest
proposals from the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) to reduce the
number of
deaths on the country's roads.
But the bikers argue than the plan would introduce technical alterations making
it
impossible to go any faster than 80kmh, would be discriminatory and make them
the
laughing stock abroad. They say they are not against moves to reduce the number
of
deaths on the road, which number 600 a year, 100 of which are motorcyclists,
but Pro
Moto says the country's 500,000 bikers just want to be granted the same treatment
as
other road users.
Pius Bruelhart, a bike enthusiast, said if the measures go through, motorcycles
could
become an obstacle to other road users. "Vision Zero would slow bikers
down to the speed limit of a truck on the road and it's known that trucks are
always about ten per cent over the limit, which would mean a truck would overtake
a bike on the motorway," he said.
Other proposals causing concern are raising the age limit to 18 for motor scooters,
tightening drunk-driving laws and reducing the speed limit on major roads to
70kmh.
Pro Moto has already handed in a petition with more than 200,000 signatures
urging the
government to rethink Vision Zero, and some biker groups will be involved in
the
consultation process before the government reveals some firm proposals by the
end of the
year.
WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH
A naked motorcyclist wearing just a scarf, sunglasses and a pair of sandals
crashed his bike after he was stung on the inner thigh by a bee. The 36-year-old,
who had been driving to the swimming area at a German nudist colony, lost control
of the bike as he swatted the insect away.
He fell on to the road, but escaped with just a shoulder injury and minor cuts
and
bruises. Police said they are considering pressing charges after the incident
-- as the
man was not wearing a crash helmet.
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.
June
21st Phoenix MCC Rally. Landscape, Clonlara, Co. Clare. Same
venue as last year. 2 Live bands and DJ. Hot food and camp site available. 086-3903977
or 087-7651300
27/29th Trixxxters MCC welcome you to our 3rd XXX-Rated Rally on 27th - 29th
June 2003..Just six miles from Castlederg on the Killeter Rd, Co. Tyrone. N.
Ireland. Wet T-Shirt competition is sponsored by Esprit Magazine with a Cash
Prize and an optional glamour modelling contract available to the winner. Spot
prizes for Best Fetish Outfits. Bands, Disco, Hot food, Stalls, T-shirts, Tattoo
Show, Tattooing, Body Piercing. Custom Show and trophies on Sunday Morning.
Shower Facilities. Secure campsite with disabled facilities.Weekend price with
bike is £10.00 first 500 recieve a free badge. No Bike / No Badge. ADULT
FUN AND LOTS LOTS MORE.Come on, You know it's Dirty and you Want it!To find
out more and check out last years fun go to www.trixxxters.com
Tel: Terry on 07761723943 for more info or e-mail: ginsin_trixxxters@yahoo.co.uk
July
9/10th Superbike School (Keith Code) is coming to Mondello on the 9th/10th
July - cost 369 per day to book contact www.californiansuperbikeschool.com
- European page
12/13th Rogues MCC, yearly bash. Traynors Pub, Lisnagear, Cootehill. Co.Cavan 3 Live Rock Bands, Marquee, Camp site, Hot Food, Bonfire. Usual Prizes. After Live Bands have finished, All nite DJ starts. Phone: 086-6041949, Chris Monahan
19/20th The BSB series will debut at the County Kildare venue on July 19th
& 20th 2003 for what should be the biggest motorcycle event of the 2003
Irish calendar. The hugely popular British series has been long awaited by the
legions of Irish motorcycle racing fans and is sure to set new attendance records
for Mondello Park.
See http://www.mondello.ie/online_book/online_book.cfm
for more details
19th Slippy Clutch MCC Savage Session Rally 19th July 2003
The Cush Inn (Kildangan House), Kildangan, Co Kildare.
Contact Joe at 045 529022 or 086 8431576
25/27th Druids M.C.C. Farmyard Rally 12, in O'Brien's Pub, Nurney, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Music Friday, Saturday and Sunday with bike show on Sunday morning. 45min from Dublin. Phone 045/432710 or 045/86456
August
1-4th 29th Riders Rally - The Riders Rally is open to motorcyclists and their passengers riding all types of motorcycles authorised by road traffic regulations. The event is a point to point navigation ride of about 650 miles with camping and limited B&B at 3 sequential venues. Entries taken at the 1st checkpoint. 1st checkpoint opens at the Wellington Arms Hotel, Trim Co. Meath from 4 pm to 9pm Friday 1/8 and from 8am to12 noon Saturday 2/8 . The fee is €35 per driver and €? for pillions. The benefits of the include:- maps and route cards for each stage of the ride; camping and evenings entertainment at 3 sequential venues :badges , souvenirs, games and awards. contact Hazel Casey 086 856 1103
2nd Unlimited Club, Castlebar, Darby's Carrowkennedy, Westport, Co. Mayo.
UNLIMITED 8th FRENZY August Bank Holiday Weekend, Damian Murphy 0872326390
2/3rd Vikings M.C. Ireland present The 18th Irish Custom Classic and Vintage
Motorcycle Show, The Kilkenny Arena, Wallslough Village, Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny.
August Bank Holiday Weekend, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd.
Website www.alliancemcireland.com
10th Two Ton Run, Enjoy a 200-mile ride through some of the most beautiful countryside in Munster, and raise money for Crumlin Children's Hospital, while you are having fun. See http://twotonrun.pitas.com/ for more details
15/16th Harley Davidson Club of Ireland Rally. Date: 15th & 16th August 2003 Venue: Stradbally G.A.C. Stradbally, Co Waterford. (Near Dungarvan). Contact: Carlo Ustiani, Tel: 0877 626262, Email: secretaryhdci@ireland.com
16/17th MAG Ireland presents the Stop The Rot Rally at The Portlick Inn, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath - camping, bands, disco, hot food, all the usual fun! The poster is attached at the end of this MAGLink……the latest on this event is that up and coming rock band Powertrippin' will be the lead act for the event.
23rd Exiles MCC, 2nd annual rock night, food, drink, craic, camping, security, and top rock bands 23 of August 2003, in Beehive, Mountbolus Co.Offaly, Chris 086 377479 & Aidan 086 8041555
September
6th Clondalkin Motor Cycle Club are having their annual rally. Contact Wayne O Neill 086-6785818 for more details
October
November
December
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 by MAG Board
Leitrim
Christine Cann christinecann@eircom.net
Longford
Pat & Debbie mbike@eircom.net
Louth
Lenny McManus leonard@netscape.com
Mayo
John Bourke john.bourke@cedar.com
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 June 2003, compiled by Gearóid O Byrne maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland
STOP THE ROT POSTER FOLLOWS……