MAG Link is a hastily chucked together assortment of bits and pieces which might interest you. It appears as and when I get time. Some bits might find their way into the newsletter. Anything interesting you send might get put in!

TRIKES
At the moment Carole Nash are only considering Trikes provided that they have 1) a motorcycle front end and 2) a motorcycle engine. So put that V8 Rover engine back!

MICROSOFT, MACKINTOSH & MOTORCYCLES
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the bike industry and stated, "If Honda had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving
twenty-five dollar bikes that got 1000miles/gal."

Recently Honda addressed this comment by releasing the statement, "Yes, but would you want your bike to crash
twice a day?"

IF MICROSOFT BUILT BIKES....
1. Every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new bike.
2. Occasionally your bike would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would just accept this, restart and
drive on.
3. Occasionally, executing a manoeuvre would cause your bike to stop and fail and you would have to re-install
the engine. For some strange reason, you would accept this too.
4. You could only have one person on the bike at a time, unless bought "Bike95" or "BikeNT". But then you would have to buy an extra seat.
5. Macintosh would make a bike that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast, twice as easy to drive - but would only run on 5 percent of the roads.
6. The Macintosh bike owners would get expensive Microsoft upgrades to their bikes, which would make their bikes run much slower.
7. The oil, fuel and temperature warning lights would be replaced by a single "general bike default" warning light.
8. A new seat would force everyone to have the same size butt.
9. If you were involved in a crash, you would have no idea what happened.

DESIGN PROTECTION
European Commission is said to be about to propose some compromise amendments to design protection in advance of the Conciliation.

These may introduce a periods of protection as in the original directive. This could be three years or longer. However, they also wish to introduce a 'novelty' clause, which means that designs have to be entirely new to be subject to protection, or 'significantly' different from an existing design.

The implication is that it would be difficult to protect most motorcycle parts (an engine is an engine is an engine, no matter how different you make it look, a new engine would not be a novel design and so on)

Simon Milward is currently checking to see how this affects us positively or negatively.

On another related note, Some countries may oppose a three year protection rule as they may argue that this goes against the spirit of the World Trade Organisation TRIPS agreement. This is part of the old GATT and grants a minimum of 10 years design protection.

Daytime Running Lights.
MEPs support motorcyclists over daytime lights Yesterday in Strasbourg the European Parliament passed a
resolution on daytime running lights for cars and motorcycles. It asks the European Commission to achieve consensus with cyclist and motorcyclist user organisations before proposing legislation.

Last week FEMA spotted the draft Parliamentary text which called for mandatory lights-on for cars and bikes. It immediately alerted motorcycle activists and contacted Socialist Group MEPs who tabled an amendment reversing the position. The amendment had 100% support after some intense lobbying which included
letters by national riders' rights organisations, the European Cyclists Federation (ECF) and the FIM.

However the position of FEMA members is not uniform on this question, therefore FEMA will argue for no harmonisation.

Riders in the north of Europe have had this requirement for cars and motorcycles for many years and consider it relevant in their light conditions. The sun rests on the horizon for long hours at certain times of the year.

A number of organisations believe that lights-on for motorcycles only is advisable, but not for cars because of the danger of bikes getting "lost in a sea of headlights".

But British, Dutch and Irish organisations are adamant there there is no scientific proof that the measure, even if applying to motorcycles only, reduces accidents. They say that whilst conspicuity is increased, accidents are not decreased, and that existing research on this issue is unreliable.

The Dutch government is thought to have rejected a national lights-on plan for all vehicles because it increases fuel consumption. A study by Transport Canada showed that a car using 200 Watts (equivalent to using head and tail lights) consumes nearly 0.5 l/100km more with lights on than with them off.

FEMA and ECF will jointly visit the European Commission, which is thought to be in favour of introducing legislation, in the coming few weeks. ECF Secretary General Marie Caroline Coppieters said, "we want to see evidence that this measure will not strengthen the already dominant position of car users in the traffic system."

Text of Resolution

"Given that the advisability of compulsory use of daytime \running lights is disputed by various relevant interest
groups, the Commission should, before making legislative proposals, call together the relevant interested parties
and seek to achieve consensus, including if necessary, carrying out further objective research to decide the issue."

VOLUNTARY 100 BHP LIMIT DROPPED IN AUSTRIA

On 1st January 1998, the Austrian motorcycle dealers association ARGE Zweirad dropped it's voluntary self
restriction on the sale of bikes over 100 bhp. This limit was implemented by the dealers years ago
to prevent the implementation of a legal ban.

MAG Austria sees this as a result of the announced TNO report which found that there is no link between
bikes over 100 BHP and accidents. Also BMW's approach to build more powerful bikes might have helped to revise the attitude of ARGE Zweirad.

BTW, Bangemann's DGIII of the Commission is said to be considering the way forward with the Euro 100bhp proposal in light of research showing the lack of need for the measure. Simon Milward thinks it will die, but
we are being vigilant, incase Bangemann comes up with another daft plan to try and 'save face'.

more on this in due course

European Commission holds Noise meeting

The European Commission holds a meeting on 24 February in Brussels which will consider the motorcycle industry report "Motorcycle Noise: The Curious Silence".

The report considers public attitudes, owner modification of exhaust systems, legislation and enforcement. Technical parameters (what is possible) along with a rider attitude survey are also examined in the report.

Launch of quality label for motorcycle clothing

A seminar will be held in Brussels on 26th February to examine the threats and opportunities of the EU's standardisation policy. Organised by the motorcycle industry (ACEM) and users (FIM & the FEMA), a draft industry quality document will be presented to clothing manufacturers. It is hoped that all producers will adopt the quality label in place of CE marking, which is feared to be only one small step from compulsion.

"Clothing producers using the CE mark are playing with fire. Let's hope we can unite everyone behind the quality label which will result in choice in the marketplace for our members, whilst avoiding the real risk of compulsion," said the FEMA's Simon Milward.
Simon tells me that the Commission may now be seriously considering dropping motorcycle clothing from the CEN programme and are planning to write to the CEN Committee to confirm this. However, I think it's best
to wait until this actually happens before claiming a victory ...(Craig Carey Clinch)

POLITICS (found in the mailbox!)
Discussion between a father and a 12-year-old son:
Son: Dad, I have to do a special report for school. Can I ask you a question?

Father: Sure son, what's the question?

Son: What is politics?

Father: Well, let's take our home for example. I am the wage earner, so let's call me capitalism. Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we'll call her the government. We take care of your needs, so let's call you the people. We'll call the maid the working class and your baby brother we will call the future. Do you understand?

Son: I'm not really sure, Dad. I'll have to think about it.

That night, awakened by his baby brother's crying, the boy went to see what was wrong. Discovering the baby had seriously oiled his diaper, the boy went to his parents' room and found his mother sound asleep. He then
went to the maid's room where, peeking through the key hole, he saw his father in bed with the maid. The boy's knocking went totally unheard by his father and the maid, so the boy returned to his room and went back to bed.

The next morning:

Son: Dad, now I think I understand politics.

Father: That's great, son. Explain it to me in your own words.

Son: Well Dad, while capitalism is screwing the working class, the government is sound asleep. The people are being completely ignored and the future is full of shit.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS AT JUNCTIONS
We've received a copy of Stephen Prower's Digest Paper "Prevention of Motorcycle accidents at Junctions" - 46 pages long, very academic and heavy-going to take in at one sitting but very, very good and, importantly very thought provoking. If you'd like a copy we can send it to your as an e-mail attachment in Word (ie: if you can download this you can download that!)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
A big promotion to increase Touring Directory advertisers is scheduled to go out on 1st April to some 2,000 new prospects. This could produce of the order of £ 4,500 additional advertising revenue. The task requires the hand addressing of 2,000 envelopes. (NB its not worth putting them on a Database first; takes longer than doing an envelope. Replies are recorded) One volunteer has taken on 750; there's another batch of 750 and a couple of 250's - though these can be broken down. If you know of anyone / can persuade anyone reliable to take on a chunk - in the last resort do some yourself! - please contact John Wheeler.

MAG SLIGO
We had our monthly meeting last night. It's was attended by 10 motorcycle enthusiasts as the weather was particularly nasty. We had a good discussion on local issues. We decided to keep with having the meetings in Mc Garry's for the minute as getting another venue is proving to be difficult. Thanks for all the e-mails , it's good to be kept informed. I saw the letter drafted to Louth County Council.

At the meeting this subject was addressed and the outcome being members are going to note for the next meeting any roads that have particularly poor/dangerous surfaces with a view to bringing these to the attention of our Local County Council and politicians with a similar letter.

Also more advertising will be done for the next meeting as summer approaches we hope to get more motorcyclists involved as Fergus will be away . (radio - local papers)

Ways of raising funds was discussed and it was decided to look at this in more detail after the summer as most locals get involved in travelling to rallies/road races etc...

People were informed of the upcoming events -
Sunday Run this Sunday March 15th in memory of Michael Jinks who was killed this time last year. It should be a good run meeting with MAG Donegal to end up in Killybegs.
Meeting for traveling to the Rooters rally early next month although details will be finalized at the next meeting.
Dermot Egan spoke of the Moy Riders 200 mile Charity run in May. Another enjoyable spin.

For the next meeting we hope to have a list of current County Councilors, Politicians and media contacts.

MAG LOUTH & MEATH
Meeting went OK in Navan last night. 30 attending. 3 new applications and 1 renewal.
I read them out the letter (TO County Managers etc) and they added some comments. I also did a survey among the attendees, asking them to number the various incidents they had with the hazards (in the letter), what it cost to fix bike and what medical/personal costs resulted. It is not a scientific survey, but if the figures look ok, I will put them in the letter as an indication that bikers are actually suffering from the hazards.
They didn't want a raffle for half - wanted it all to go to MAG. 'Elected' a treasurer, now that we have money and expenses; and a PRO who will get announcements to radio stations. We already have Pheadra
Monaghan as secretary (though she has no PC), and me to chair. I will try to get a vice-chair from among my own friends. We will meet shortly to work out a strategy and operating method, in time for next meeting.
We decided to meet 02 April again, in The Lantern, Navan town centre, 9pm. The group agreed to wait until then to decide on a date for a ride-out. Further events to be decided later.
All told, it looks good. (herb.)

MEP's RIDE OUT - STRASBOURG
Last year MAG Ireland was represented by your superannuated General Secretary on his venerable CX 500 flying (to P. Flynn's delight!) the Irish Flag. A great outing. If you happen to be in the area /feel so inclinded you can be there this year. Unfortunately we have an NEC meeting the night before (in Dublin) so NEC members won't be able to be there. Would you like to go? Details are:
Participation by Riders' Rights Organisations

FFMC Strasbourg are starting to plan the programme for the 1998 event. We have all agreed that the ride will be open to only official representatives from riders' rights organisations (not the general public).This is so that you will have a chance to get to know your MEPs in an informal and relaxed atmosphere, and to make the whole event easier to manage. The representatives of your organisation should have a knowledge about current directives and issues. (Tutorials available on request!)

In 1997 there were 9 MEPs on the ride (another 5 came to 'wave us off'), plus 17 assistants/EP staff members. Of these, 8 MEPs & staff members rode motorcycles supplied by local dealers.

In 1998, a good number of participants from riders' rights organisations will be needed, in all about 50 - 70 motorcycles, of which at least 35 must have a spare passenger seat. This is because we expect more interest from MEPs and staff members. Taking into consideration the relative size and proximity to Strasbourg of riders' organisations and the number of MEPs and EP staff members expected, I suggest we aim to have a minimum of this number of people representing riders' rights organisations:

France: 10 (excluding marshals) UK: 10 (all with spare seats) Germany: 10 Italy: 5 Spain: 2 Finland: 2 Sweden: 2 Denmark: 2 Holland: 4
Belgium: 5 Austria: 2 Luxembourg: 2 Portugal: 1
Ireland: 1 Greece: 1

FEMA shall invite all 626 MEPs. During the forthcoming lobby work (eg. End of Life) I suggest you (as RROs) invite MEPs from your country too - this will be more personal.

For countries such as Greece, Portugal with perhaps Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Spain, it will probably only be necessary for you to arrange to come if any of your MEPs accepts the FEMA/your own invitation. Let us hope
that they do! (Last year 2 Irish MEP's present)

We must be sure that we will have enough motorcyclists. Please tell me confirmed names of participants from your organisation BEFORE THE END OF MARCH 98. (= Tell MAG Office)S