MAGLink, June 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

To receive MAGLink every month by email (free) send a blank message to imag_info-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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The following is a brief summary of some of the work undertaken within the Campaigns portfolio during MAy 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).
HIBERNIAN PULLING OUT OF THE MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE MARKET
Last week HIbernian went public on a timescale for it's pullout from the motorcycle insurance market. With effect from the 1st of July 2005, it will accept

no more new business in this area. With effect from the 1st of August 2005 it will cease all renewals. So it's back to 2 insurers again, AON and Carol Nash.

AON offers only 3rd party only or comprehensive, Carols Nash will do 3rd party fire and theft. AXA will not offer direct motorcycle insurance to the public

for a couple of years as it's locked into an exclusive deal with AON in the meantime. I attach at the foot of this email a copy of MAG's press release in

this regard. THis lack of choice for motorcyclists reinforces the need for the government to amend the 1961 Road Traffic Act to allow Irish Motorclists to

obtain their insurance from other insurers in the European Union without ofices in this State.
IRISH FERRIES DROP THEIR MOTORCYCLE DISCOUNT
After correspondance to Irish Ferries we regret to inform our members Irish Ferries are no longer offering a discount to motorcyclists.Please see responSe

from Irish Ferries below....

"Dear Linda

Further to our telephone conversation today about the continuation of our 'Closed User Group Discount' for your members. In the first instance, may I

apologise that you were not contacted previously in regard to this arrangement with Irish Ferries. In line with our ‘Low Fares Policy’ we are not renewing

our Closed User Group Discounts for 2005. Our best fares on offer for your members will be immediately available on our website www.irishferries.com. Members

can of course if they wish, continue to contact us on our reservations telephone number 0818 300 400. Thank you for your support in the past and we hope your

members will be availing of our competitive pricing in the future.

Kind regards

Mary Black"



NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE DEMONSTRATION
Thanks to all our members who turned up on the day - it was a great success, calling to HIbernian, AON, Carol Nash and the Dept of Transport. Pictures and

details of media coverage are available on the MAG web page http://www.magireland.org/ - follow the link entitled "MAG DEMO 15th April" on the main page.
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AGREES TO MEETING.
As agreed, the Board of MAG has submitted it's proposed agenda and is awaiting a proposed date for the meeting from the Department on Transport. The 5 main

areas which we wish to raise with the minister are:
a. Insurance
b. Driver testing, Instructor regulation, CBT and Rules of the Road
c. Road conditions and wire rope barriers
d. Tolling
e. Bus lanes access
More on this anon.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS - HONDA PLANS TO DEVELOP AIRBAGS FOR MOTORCYCLES
Japan's Honda Motor has launched research into developing the first safety airbags that could be mounted on motorcycles, reported the mass-circulation

newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.

Japan's largest motorcycle manufacturer aims to commercialize motorcycle airbags in about three years, the paper reported on January 5, 2005 without citing
sources. Honda plans to develop an airbag that will fit under the handlebars and protect the driver from the head to lower back when it is opened in the

event of an accident, it said. No immediate comment was available from Honda.

Honda wants to commercialize the product after finding ways to minimize production costs and working out the best suitable shape of the airbags, the
daily said. The newspaper said that the technology had been offered before, on BMW motorcycles, but it had proved too costly at more than $2,000 for most

buyers.



WEIRD NEWS: EXPLOSIVE SITUATION Heidi Brown was told she could park her new scooter outside the vehicle registration office in London while she waited to
get number plates. But to her horror, it was blown up by the army after someone reported that it might be a bomb.

Police in Ipswich confirmed that a moped had been blown up in a controlled explosion after local business people "raised concerns" that it could be a bomb.

"The moped was chained to the perimeter fence outside the building. We weren't able to identify whose vehicle it was because there were no number plates on
it," said a spokeswoman for Suffolk police. She said the surrounding office buildings were evacuated and three roads were closed off.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported the scooter belonged to Brown, a 22-year-old care worker, who said she had been told she could leave it there
awaiting inspection.



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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.

Thanks to Aggie and the Bikers Bible we now have the following comprehensive list of Rallys due to take place over the next few months - as dates and venues

can sometimes change, it is advisable to phone the relevant club a week or so in advance to confirm date and venue.
JUNE 2005

June 3/4/5 Chieftains M.C.C. Rally, - Portneal Lodge, Kilrea, Co. Derry.
June 4/5 Pilgrims M.C.C. - Venue to be confirmed.
RWA Cork Vintage, Custom and Classic Show, Barretts Pub, Ballinhassig, Cork.
June 11/12 Emerald M.C.C. - Seafield Hotel, Easkey, Co. Sligo.
Chopper Club Ireland, - Custom Show, Castlelyons.
June 18/19 Ironhorseman M.C.C. Rally ...094 9651920.
June 25/26 Dal Riada M.C.C. - Plan of Attack Rally, 086 1516197 - 087 6349597
June 26th - Bike Run on Sunday June 26th - Starting Clonmel Poppyfield 2pm, Riding south to Dungarvan, Coast Road to Tramore, Tramore stop for over an hour,
Back to Clonmel via Kilmeaden. In aid of the Tiger Widows Organisation (Reg. No. 15425) Funding Self-Help-Groups in India, sustainable development, For

Women whose Husbands have been Killed by Tigers. www.tigerwidows.org Sinead 086 806 7515

JULY 2005

July 2/3 South West M.C.C. - Missin Link Rally, - 087 2977992 - 087 9087344
Harley Davidson Club Ireland Ireland - Stradbally, Co. Waterford.
North West Riders M.C.C. - Hilltop, Culleens, Co. Sligo.
July 1/2/3/ Devils Disciples M.C. Custom Show, Manowar Pub, Dublin.
July 9/10 Rogues M.C.C. Rally - 086 8462745 - 879 2841.
Klousters Rally - 086 3590994
July16/17 Slippy Clutch M.C.C. Rally Whiskey Shop, Crettyard, Co. Kildare.
July 23/24 Druids M.C.C.Farmyard Bash, O'Briens, Nurney.
July 30/31 Viking M.C Ireland. 19th Irish Custom and classic, Foleys Bar, Garryhill, Co. Carlow.
Resurrected M.C.C. Trainers, Lisnageer.
July 29/1 Aug. Dublin Motorcycling touring Club, ...?
AUGUST 2005

Aug 6/7 Moy Riders Rally - 087 4178754
Aug 13/14 Illeagles M.C.C. Milltown, co. Donegal.
Olde Thumpers M.C.C. Rally, Rugby Club, Kilkenny.
Aug 20/21 Midlands Alliance M.C.C. Rehugh, Tullamore, co Offaly.
Coyotes M.C.C. Rally, Co. Antrim. - 0044 7802331696.
Aug 27/28 Free Spirit M.C.C. Mill House, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Ramrods M.C.C. Rally, 087 9764682 - 086 164 9053.
Regulators M.C.C. Ringfort Inn, Co. Donegal.
SEPTEMBER 2005

Sept 3/4 Clondalkin M.C.C. Harp Rally, Cush Inn, Kildangan.
Nighthawks M.C.C. - Castleroe, Coleraine.
Sept 10/11 Highciders M.C.C. Rally, - 049 9526229 - 087 943 6710 5th full of the flagon rally ballyconnell co cavan
17/18 Clonmore Cruisers M.C.C. Hacketstown, Co. Carlow.
Marauders M.C.C. Rally, - 087 7686180.
Banner M.C.C. Ahearnes, Newport.
MOTO GP World Championship coverage on RTE:

June 5 Gran Premio D'Italia - Mugello
June 12 Gran Premi de Catalunya - Circuit de Catalunya
June 25 TT Assen - Assen
July 10 U.S. Grand Prix - Laguna Seca
July 24 British Grand Prix - Donington Park
July 31 Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland - Sachsenring
August 28 Grand Prix Ceske Republiky - Automotodrom Brno
September 18 Grand Prix of Japan - Motegi
September 25 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix - Sepang Circuit
October 1 Grand Prix of Qatar - Losail Circuit
October 16 Australian Grand Prix - Phillip Island
October 23 Grand Prix of Turkey - Istanbul Circuit
November 6 Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana


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
2nd 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 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
Gearóid O Byrne: Local Groups Liaison & MAGlink mailto:maglink@magireland.org
David French: European Liaison, Safety Officer mailto:davidfrench@magireland.org
Peter Bartlett:
Marc O'Loideoin:
Stephen O'Reilly:
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 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

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
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 2005, compiled by Groad O Byrne maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland

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PRESS RELEASE
MAG Ireland - The Irish Motorcyclists' Action Group

25/5/05 For Immediate Release

LACK OF COMPETITION INTENSIFIES FOR MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

As Hibernian announces its withdrawal from the motorcycle insurance market, MAG Ireland - The Irish Motorcyclists' Action Group deplores the failure of the

Government to ensure a competitive marketplace for motorcycle insurance.

Last March, in their report on competition in the non-life insurance sector, the Competition Authority highlighted the exploitation of Irish motorcyclists.

The report noted that while increases in motor insurance in general matched the rate of inflation between 1998 and 2004, in the same period motorcycle

insurance premiums increased by 100% even after taking into account inflation, or by 140% in money terms.

This statistic is shocking, but also hides the fact that for some sectors of the market, particularly young riders, the cost of insurance has increased by

far more than the average and is pricing them off the road.

The Competition Authority found that serious barriers exist to the entry of more motor insurers into the Irish market because claims data is not shared among

insurers, as it is in many other countries.

The withdrawal of Hibernian from the motorcycle market means that only two insurers will now insure Irish riders, and young riders in particular may have no

choice of insurer.

Eoin Kirwan, chairman of MAG Ireland, said "The withdrawal of Hibernian from the market is regrettable as it significantly reduces competition. As other

insurance premiums continue to fall, we want to ensure that the motorcycle insurance rip-off is ended and that riders will benefit from reducing claim costs.

We also demand a prompt opening up of the Irish motor insurance market to insurers based throughout the EU.

"Irish motorists cannot fully benefit from the EU Single Market and purchase insurance from other countries. MAG Ireland will be challenging at EU level the

Irish Government's failure to open up the market to competition."

As Ireland suffers ever-increasing traffic gridlock, each motorcycle represents one less car congesting our roads. Thousands of commuters have taken to two

wheels in a bid to beat congestion. MAG Ireland calls for an end to the motorcycle insurance rip-off, for measures to encourage motorcycle commuting (such as

use of bus lanes), and for the elimination of VAT on helmets and safety clothing.
ENDS