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

Hibernian Insurance Report:

On Tuesday 6th May 2003, an article appeared in the Irish Independent outlining proposals for changes in legislation concerning motorcyclists contained in a report made to the Department of Transport by Hibernian Insurance. It was reported that if these changes in legislation were not implemented by the Minister, Hibernian would cease to take on new clients under 25 who were provisional licence holders from July 1st 2003. This would effectively have prevented any new young motorcycle riders taking to the road as Carole Nash do not quote to this group. Following an urgent meeting with Hibernian by way of clarification, the matters raised were discussed at the recent MAG National Council meeting and MAG adopted positions on them as follows:

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 1: Enact legislation the introduction of Compulsory Basic Training programme.
NC POSITION 1: MAG agrees to CBT for all road users and will campaign for this position. If introduction of motorcycle-only CBT becomes inevitable, MAG will seek to protect riders' interests as far as possible (cost, standards, location, waiting lists, etc.)

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 2: Change Road Traffic laws to require the display of an L-plate by provisional PTW licence holders.
NC POSITION 2: Agreed.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 3: Change road traffic laws to require the wearing of high visibility jacket with L thereon by provisional licence holders.
NC POSITION 3: Opposed. Creates a 'target effect' much greater than an L-plate alone, and likely to discourage the voluntary use of high visibility clothing by experienced riders. Could set a precedent for the possible introduction of compulsory hi-vis or protective clothing for all PTW riders.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 4: Change road traffic laws to require the use by motorcyclists of headlights during daytime.
NC POSITION 4: Opposed. Will cause breakdowns for riders of some machines, removes the responsibility for observing motorcyclists from other road users. Riders will be held partially to blame for accidents which are not their fault.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 5: Introduce penalty points for non-compliance with 2, 3, and 4 above.
NC POSITION 5: Opposed to proposal 3 and 4. Supports penalty points for non-compliance with provisional licence rules (including L-plate rule and pillions) provided this also applies equally to other classes of road user.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 6: Amend penalty points regulations to provide for transferability of penalty points from/between motorcycle licenses and other vehicle licenses where separate licenses held.
NC POSITION 6: MAG's understanding is that when the computerised penalty points system is introduced, there will be one record per person therefore points collected in all classes of license held are amalgamated together. MAG is not opposed to such amalgamation.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 7: Raise the minimum age for holding a motorcycle driving license to 18.
NC POSITION 7: MAG is totally opposed to this proposal, a gross and unwarranted interference with riders' rights. This proposal would set a dangerous precedent for future increases in the minimum age, is discriminatory, and is likely in contravention of the EU licensing directive.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 8: Amend Road Traffic Act regulations which compel insurers to provide compensation to injured pillion passengers where the rider holds a provisional licence.
NC POSITION 8: MAG would have concerns with this proposal. On the one hand, this may reduce Third Party premiums for law-abiding riders. However, on the other hand, innocent injured parties will suffer through lack of compensation. MAG calls for enforcement of the existing law prohibiting carriage of pillion passengers by provisional licence holders.

HIBERNIAN PROPOSAL 9: Improve capacity and funding required to eliminate the driver / rider testing backlog.
NC POSITION 9: Agreed. MAG has been calling for this for many years, in addition to modernising the motorcycle test into a pursuit format, and placing increased emphasis in the car driving test on observation and awareness of vulnerable road users.

MAG has asked the Minister for Transport for a meeting to discuss these proposed changes.

VAT on Helmets

MAG Ireland's Submission to the European Commission regarding VAT on motorcycle helmets issued on Tuesday, 13th May. Copies of the Submission are being sent to FEMA and the Irish MEPs. A Press Release on this topic issued on Thursday 22th May. A copy of the Submission has been sent to Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy.

Insurance

· Submission made to Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business on subject of motorcycle insurance. Letter received from Senator Noel J Coonan in response to same.

· The principle of "insurable interest" and matters relating needs to be highlighted among members as a matter of urgency. It may be the case that members who have read only their Certificate of Insurance and not their entire Policy document are falling foul of the clause where they are insured to ride another motorcycle as long as it does not belong to them or is not hired to them. It is in fact the case that this 3rd party cover is only effective if the motorcycle the rider is borrowing is itself insured by the owner of the motorcycle. MAG has spoken to Colin Clarke of Carole Nash on this subject and 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. MAG requested that he look further into the matter with a view to resolving the confusion prevalent among members. MAG is awaiting his response and will be contacting him again on this matter.

Direct Access & Driver Testing

On foot of several complaints received from members, MAG recently wrote to Mr. Liam Keane of the Driver Testing Section to bring to his attention the practice by some examiners of failing to allow candidates to take the test on their motorcycles as they were "over 650cc", 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). Mr Keane has replied indicating that he has passed our letter to his colleague Mr Declan Naughten for reply.

And finally….. WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: JESUS IN TROUBLE FOR NOT WEARING A HELMET A man riding a motorcycle while dressed as Jesus to celebrate Easter in Colombia was almost fined for not wearing a helmet. The man was acting out bible passages near the church of Maria Goretti in the streets of Las Delicias neighborhood in Cartagena.

Parish priest Aristobulo Duque told El Tiempo newspaper that Jesus was supposed to be on
a donkey but it had been stolen during the night so he decided to use a motorcycle
instead. The police officer who tried to fine him said: "You can be Jesus but you are on
a motorcycle and are not wearing a helmet. I feel bad but I have to fine you."

Witnesses say when the policeman tried to fine 'Jesus' the crowd started to boo and the priest convinced him not to do it. The priest said: "Can't you see he is Jesus? And in Jesus? times there were no helmets how could he wear one?" The policeman agreed and 'Jesus' was not fined.

2. MAG Calendar 2003
Board meetings
1st Wednesday every month, 7:30pm MAG Office, Dublin.

National Council meetings
Provisional - Saturday 9th August 2003.

Annual General Meeting
Provisional 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 Dublin: 3rd Tuesday of each month 8.30pm Four Provinces, Ranelagh,
(contact Mark Newman 086 847 2746. mnewman@tramway.ie )

MAG Kildare: Last Wednesday of the month, The Railway Bar, Eyre Street, Newbridge

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 at 087-2607747, 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

14th Chopper Club Ireland, Annual Custom and Classic Bike Show..Castlelyons, Co. Cork. Top live bands, Trophies to be proud of, tattooist, all the usual stuff with an excellent atmosphere. E-mail: ireland@chopperclub.org for more details

15th The Third 'Great Red Ribbon Ride Out' A Sponsored Ride out event for a Limerick based HIV/AIDS Charity.. All riders must raise 100 euro per-bike on sponsor cards which will be available beginning of April. Thats 100 per bike not riders, so pillions do not raise the same (unless they want too!) Places are limited so register early Contact: John Simons @ 061-314354. Run will be around Limerick and Mid West Limerick - see further details at end of MAGLINK..........

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……

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 Martin Convery at 0868598960 for more details

October

November

December

13th Clondalkin Motor Cycle Club are having their annual Toy Run, meeting Pheonix Park 12.30. All Welcome. Contact Martin Convery - 0868598960

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 May 2003, compiled by Gearóid O Byrne maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland

The Third 'Great Red Ribbon Ride Out'
The third annual 'Great Red Ribbon Ride Out' 2003 will take place this year on Sunday 15th June 2003 in Limerick. This date is actually the official Irish AIDS Day and we therefore want to make it somewhat special. To this end we are planning not only the Ride Out itself, but we are going to hold a street festival with stalls, music, food and give aways , so we hope for good weather !
The details are as follow : Riders can begin to assemble and register from 11.00 in Cecil Street, Limerick city centre, there will be entertainment on an on-going basis. The Mayor of Limerick will officially launch the ride out at 14.00 and we then head on to Nenagh, Roscrea, Birr, where there will be a one hour 'splash and dash' stop. Then on to Portumna, Mountshannon, Scarriff, Killaloe, Birdhill and back along the N7 to where it all began and hopefully will be continuing !. After our arrival there will be refreshments, live entertainment etc to complete the day in style. Total distance is just over 130 miles, around Lough Derg and some beautiful scenery.
There are some differences this year. Due to the Limerick City Council and the Gardai, places are STRICTLY Limited to the first 125 riders who register in advance. Also we have to, for the first time set a mandatory minimum amount for sponsorship in order to participate on the day and that amount is €100 per bike, not per person as this would be unfair to riders with pillions. Some people have complained already about this amount, but that cannot be helped, the purpose of this event is to raise awareness of the issue of HIV/AIDS, which has not gone away, but also to raise funds for our project to continue working with those affected by the virus in the our area, so, No Apologies.This is of course a minimum amount, there is no maximum !. Sponsor cards are available now from the Red Ribbon Project. 9 Cecil St. Limerick. contact John Simons, Event Organiser at 061-314354 or 086-31430249 or e-mail at assagai1@hotmail.com
Come and help us celebrate the day !!!!!!!!!