MAGLink, June 2004
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, *FULL LISTING FOR MAY/JUNE*
3. MAG details and contact numbers
4. Disclaimer
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MAG Local Groups - Eric Geaney, Chairman of of MAG Carlow wants to
hear from anyone interested in getting involved in
setting up a MAG group in neighbouring Kilkenny. Contact him at 086-
3091138, also eric.geaney@oceanfree.net. Looking for
a good venue in Kilkenny to meet and suggestions for Ride-outs. Big
bikes, small bikes, everyone welcome. Cheers, Eric
1. Campaigns
The following is a brief summary of some of the work undertaken
within the Campaigns and Media portfolios during May 2004.
Regular reports on the topics mentioned are also available through
Roadrunner magazine and on the MAG website
www.magireland.org. Any comments or questions to
campaigns@magireland.ie or telephone 01 453 07 97 (MAG Office).
BIKERS ARE VOTERS
The Bikers are Voters leaflet will appear in the forthcoming issue of
Roadrunner. The local and European elections are almost upon us ( as
if you hadn't already noticed!) so use the questions in the leaflet
to put any politician who happens to come to your door on the spot.
Election day is the 11th of June. Democracy is a priviledge, not a
right - use your vote!
BUS LANES
Bus Lane Access for Northern Ireland bikers confirmed. Begins 1st
June. To be reviewed at six monthly intervals. Depending on impact on
other road users, experiment may be cancelled at any of these
reviews. At the end of the eighteen month trial, a decision will be
made on whether to make the scheme permanent.
Gay Mitchell has raised a Parliament Question on Bus Lanes (04 May
2004) with the usual response from the Minister. We have written to
Deputy Mitchell regarding this issue.
INSURANCE
Queries raised with Brian Dooley of Hibernian & his responses to same:
Members concerns regarding recent price hikes: - Price increases have
been in the order of 10 – 52%. The lowest increases have been
applied to over – 18s in Dublin with Third Party policies and the
highest have been applied to under 18 provisional licence holders
with Comprehensive policies. Riders outside the Dublin area were
subject to increases of between 23% and 40%. The reasons for these
increases are (i) Higher speed accidents involving pillion
passengers – lower frequency but higher claims cost (ii) Growth
of
rural commuting towns – lessening of gap between Dublin area
risks
and Meath/Kildare/Wicklow area risks. Due to the timing of last
years' increase with this year's renewals in May, some
clients had
increases of up to 100% in premium costs (2 increases were applied
when renewing). These clients will be refunded some of the premium
paid (ie will not be subject to 2 increases).
Points Discount: - Hibernian agreed last November to offer a discount
for penalty point-free private car drivers only on an experimental
basis. This will be reviewed in November 2004 with a view to
extending the scheme to other categories.
Hibernian do not expect to extend this scheme to motorcyclists in the
absence of CBT but welcome our submissions to the review.
Telephone Quotes - The option of direct quotes from Hibernian for
motorcycle insurance was discontinued because it was not financially
viable. Motorcyclists can obtain a quote online or from their local
insurance broker.
Ignition - The scheme is to be extended to longer term provisional
licence holders (3 years or more). Brian will write to us to confirm
details.
RIDER LICENSING, TESTING & TRAINING
The European Parliament's Transport Committee's vote on the
proposal
for a Third Driver's Licensing Directive has been postponed until
after the European Parliamentary elections in June. The proposal was
to have been discussed at the March 17th meeting. FEMA's
proposed
amendments, with some additional comments regarding the licensing
situation in Ireland had been circulated to all the Irish MEP's
ahead
of the meeting with a request that the amendments be supported in the
debate.Proinsias de Rossa has said he will be raising our proposed
amendments to the Third Driver Licensing Directive at the next RETT
meeting scheduled for 25th October. The questions for the Bikers Are
Voters leaflet include a question referring to this issue.
ROAD HAZARDS/ROAD SAFETY
Wire Rope Safety Fencing:
Further letters issued recently to all relevant parties on this
issue. We to date have still not received a proper reply from the
NRA to any of our correspondence on this matter. In the meantime,
the wire barriers continue to be erected on various stretches of road
including M7 and M9.
In Cork, with regard to the installation of barriers on the N20,
County Councillors are keen to support MAG position – the N20
barrier plans are at Area Committee consideration stage and MAG's
objection is being considered.
It has been observed that the barrier on the M4 at Mullingar has
three horizontal ropes unlike WRSF on M7/M9 where two of the cables
are twisted around each other. The M4 posts also seem to be at a
higher level. I will be investigating this with a view to
establishing whether the M4 barrier is fully compliant with EN1317
and I will attempt to establish the reasons behind the installation
of this apparently different type of barrier on the M4.
In light of the NRA's plans to install crash barriers on the
planned "2 + 1" lane roads we have written to the Department
of
Transport and to the NRA once again stating our objections to the
WRSF type of crash barrier. The installation of this type of
barrier on the M4, M7/N7 and M9 continues despite the fact that this
type of barrier is being phased out elsewhere in Europe.
Road Safety Charter
FEMA has decided to become a signatory to the European Road Safety
Charter. The exact format of the FEMA commitment will be decided at
the next meeting (September or October).
Diesel Spills
The AA have responded favourably to our request that special warning
be given to motorcycists regarding hazards which represent a
particular danger to bikers during their AA Roadwatch bulletins, such
as diesel spills, gravel or other debris on roads etc. When
contacted, the Gardaí informed us that there is a problem of
identification of vehicles depositing diesel, gravel or other
debris on the road so we would encourage the public to report
incidences where they have witnessed this occurring with details
of vehicle registration etc.
Luas
Several TDs have raised Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for
Transport Seamus Brennan regarding the recent accidents at the Luas
works Naas Rd/Davitt Rd. The Minister would not comment on the
accidents themselves as they are still under investigation. An
article has appeared in the Irish Times Motoring Supplement
(05/05/2004) in which John Wheeler refers to MAG's objections to
the
Luas design and highlights the dangers to motorcyclists posed by the
tram lines etc.
The risks to motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians continue to be
glossed over by both the Railway Procurement Agency and the
Department of Transport. The warnings to motorcyclists carried in
the press recently in the wake of the recent fatalities serve only to
highlight the design flaws in this "white elephant" with its
disregard for the safety of other road users.
Non-Slip Manhole Covers
A new TUV approved non-slip type of manhole covers manufactured by
Marotech (German company) has come on the market. If further
inquiries show this to be suitable for use on Irish roads, we will be
contacting the NRA and local authorities to inform them. As we all
know, encountering the usual metal type of manhole cover on a wet or
icy road (usually on the apex of a bend!) is a hazard we would all
like to see removed.
TOLLS & ROAD PRICING
Limerick Toll Scheme
MAG Ireland's objection to the Limerick Southern Ring Road Draft
Toll
Scheme issued to post on 27th April. Our objection has been
acknowledged by the NRA and we will be notified of the date of the
Oral Hearing into this and any other objections
received.
New NRA proposals
In answer to a Parliamentary Question raised by Joe Costello TD,
Seamus Brennan said that the NRA have proposed to raise additional
funding for the national roads programme through the development of
tolling policy and that these proposals were currently being
considered in the Department.
The NRA proposals have obviously since found favour with the Minister
with the recent announcement that new tolling would be implemented on
roads such as the M50, the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork and the
Newbridge Bypass (M7).
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2. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLING 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.
JUNE 2004
June 5/6th
Chieftains MCC Rally - 4th,5th,6th June Sheddings Bar, Broughshane,
Co. Antrim Ph.028-25646488 camping, hot food, live bands Fri & Sat.
Pilgrims MCC Rally - Penance Rally - for venue call Joe 087-8822332
or Gasket 087-6226866 Bands stalls camping.
RWA Cork Vintage, Custom & Classic Bike Show & Rally - - Halfway,
Ballinhassig, Co., Cork
June 12/13th
Emerald MCC Rally 2004 - Seafield Hotel, Easkey, Co. Sligo Ph. Benny
087-2283262 or Alan 087-6597577
Chopper Club Ireland - Custom Show, Master McGrath's Bar,
Castlelyons, Co. Cork. Bands - extra camping this year.
June 19/20th
Tramore MCC - Salty Saddlebags Rally - Tramore Racecourse, Co.
Waterford 086-1020752
Ironhorseman MCC Rally
June 20th Athea Road Races
June 25/27th
Midland Motorcycle Club, 5th Annual Fun Run, 2004. In Aid of St Lukes
Hospital For Cancer Care and Research. Dublin. This is three-day
event with hundreds of bikes in attendance. Friday 25th June, Moate
Co Westmeath to Wexford. Saturday 26th June, Wexford to Navan. Sunday
27th June, Navan to Athlone. (Party afterwards) For further details
and information on sponsorship cards etc, Contact Loretta on 087
7913460. Email lukethebiker @ eircom.net
June 26/27th
Dal Riada MCC - Plan of Attack Rally
Trixxters MCC - 4th xxx Rated Rally
31st Name: Spud, Club: Unlimited, Locality: Castlebar, Contact Phone:
087-2326390, Event Location: Venue to be confirmed, Event Date:
Unlimited Frenzy ,Saturday 31 June - Sunday 1 August
JULY 2004
July 3rd - Skerries Road Races
July 3/4th South West M.C.C. - Missin' Link Rally
Harley Davidson Owners - Stradbally, Co. Laois
July 11th - Walderstown Road Races
July 10th - 11th Name: Chris Monahan Club: Rogues MCC.Locality:
Cootehill, Contact Phone: 086 6041949, Event Location:
Traynors Lisnagear, Cootehill, Co. Cavan, Event Date: 10th & 11th of
July 2004, Event Description: Run on Saturday the 10th starting from
Tullyvin Tavern, Followed by Rally. Rock Bands, camping, Bon-Fire.
July 10th/11th Klousters M.C.C.
July 17th/18th Celtic M.C.C. Rally - The Hive, Ballydine, Co.
Tipperary
Slippy Clutch M.C.C. Rally - Cush Inn, Kildangan, Co. KIldare
July 18th - Mondello Park - Irish Superbikes
July 23rd - 25th Club: Druids M.C.C. Event Location: 13th Rally,
O'Brien's, Nurney, Co. Kildare. Contact Willie 045-864566 or Ger 045-
432710
July 25th - Kells Road Races
July 31st - 1st August
Club: Unlimited, Locality: Castlebar, Contact Spud Phone: 087-
2326390, Event Location: To Be Confirmed EventDescription: Unlimited
9th FRENZY
Club: Viking M.C. 19th Irish Custom & Classic, Foley's Bar,
Garryhill, Co. Carlow.
Club: Black Knight M.C.C. Rally - Caman Inn, Clonoulty, Co.
Tipperary
Celtic M.C.C.New York - 12th "Kick Ass" Rally - Contact Ger
Curtain 718-324-5102 or www.celticmcc.com
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. Thanks
also to Aggie for information from the Bikers Bible. 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
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3. 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.
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
1999,2000, 2001,2002,2003 Members' Metal Badges = € 2.56 each
2004 MAG Enamel badge = € 3.80 each
MAG embossed Leather Keyfob = € 2.56 each
MAG Fleecies - €35 - heavy gauge, navy, with "MAG Ireland"
embroidered on front.
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.
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.
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
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
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 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
4. 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 May 2004, compiled by Gearóid O Byrne
maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland
MAG Ireland website: http://www.magireland.org
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