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. Latest News…..

National Pro Bike Demonstration Saturday 1st November 2003 –
1.00pm Mountjoy Square, Dublin.

Are you going? Well have a read below and decided if these are
matters you want tackled on your behalf. If so, and if you can make
it, then be there, be counted and bring a friend!

Why pro bike?

In these days of traffic gridlock and sheer frustration at the
inability to use a four wheeled vehicle as it was intended, there is
positive benefit to using two wheelers in our cities. From eco-
friendly electric mopeds with nigh on zero maintenance, to super
scooters capable of a cross-country tour in comfort, to the latest in
cruisers and sportsbikes - many with ABS, fuel injection and even
catalytic converters. Bikes are not the dirty smelly noisy
contraptions the old image would have you believe. Yet all we hear is
the negative - never the positive reasons why riding a bike is such a
good idea. Bikes take less resources to make, use less fuel to run,
are more recyclable than cars, and take up less room on the road and
less when parked.

Modern bikes are more user friendly, easier to ride, mechanically
better than ever they were, quality training is available to ride
them and they are the most stress free and free-moving traffic on our
roads.

As bikes are an important part of the solution to our traffic
problems, we ask - why are they never included in transport planning?

Insurance Costs

MAG Ireland has campaigned for many years to try to reduce the high
cost of motorcycle insurance. We set up the Irish Rider Training
Association to ensure that bikers nationwide could avail of
affordable training. Unfortunately whilst many riders have availed
themselves of this training, and other schemes like Fingal County
Council's Star Rider, insurance companies have not seen fit to reward
riders by offering discounts.

We have heard a lot recently in the media how various insurance
companies are reducing car insurance by 10% following the
introduction of penalty points. Bike insurance has risen on
average by 40% and we have heard of cases in excess of 200% for this
year.

We demand that the Irish Government implement immediately the
findings of the MIAB report. Amend the Road Traffic Act to allow for
insurance companies outside the State to offer motorcycle insurance
here, in accordance with EU directives.

Licensing Issues

Irish riders have had to endure a two-tiered licensing system for
many years. In addition, since 1999 riders have had to endure being
restricted to motorcycles not exceeding 34 horsepower for two years
after passing their test, a restriction not placed on car drivers.

Despite repeated requests to allow for a "Direct Access" test, as in
all other EU countries, the Minister is now talking about placing yet
more restrictions on motorcycle licences. MAG Ireland calls for the
34hp limit to be abolished for riders who have taken additional
training.

Bus Lane Access

Bus Lane Access for motorcycles has been successfully introduced in
many UK cities in recent years. MAG is delighted to see that the
Minister is now reconsidering his previous refusal to allow
motorcycles into buslanes. For bikers this is a major safety issue in
our congested cities and allows riders to ride in a safer environment.

Toll Charges

MAG is opposed to the current system of road tolling, in addition to
the heavy tax burdens already endured by motorists. We demand an
overhaul of the way the NRA operates and that it be made answerable
to Irish taxpayers who fund them. Collecting cash tolls from
motorcyclists is inconvenient and slow. Tolls are doubly unfair for
motorcycles as they do not cause congestion, or wear to road
surfaces. MAG calls for tolls to be removed for motorbikes, which
will reduce delays at toll booths for all road users.

Road Safety

MAG calls for the rapid improvement of road surfaces to be given top
priority. Potholes, trenches, mud, gravel, etc. frequently place
riders at risk of an accident, even on major routes. MAG demands a
halt to the use of loose gravel for road resurfacing, which is
extremely dangerous for two-wheeled road users. Where the road has
been dug up to allow the utilities access, resurfacing must be of the
same quality as the road surface. The use of smooth metal plates at
roadworks is now illegal, but nevertheless still common, and this
also presents a particular risk to motorcyclists.

MAG calls for road safety to be pushed higher up the government
agenda and for theGovernment to introduce an overall road safety
strategy in conjunction with County Councils, the AA and all other
interested parties. Investment in road safety will pay handsome
dividends in terms of the horrific cost to society of road accidents.

Vehicle Registration Tax

MAG calls for the Minister for Finance to immediately abolish this
tax in line with the spirit of the European Single Market. VRT is
unjust and results in our motor vehicles being taxed twice (VAT and
VRT) before we add on the cost of road tax and fuel taxes.

Theft

MAG calls for secure motorcycle parking in all town and city centres,
tougher sentencing for bike thieves, and the end of charges for the
recovery of stolen vehicles.

Hope to see you there on the day…………..

2. MAG Calendar 2003

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

Annual General Meeting
Date - Saturday 18th October 2003. See above…

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.

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.

November
1st · MAG National Pro-Bike Demonstration. Saturday 1st
November 2003 Meet at Mountjoy Square East, Dublin - 1:00 pm The ride-
out will travel to Molesworth Street to hand in a petition to the
Department of Transport If you care about your freedom to
ride... ...THEN BE THERE !Change is coming and our voice needs to be
listened to. ALL RIDERS WELCOME

SIGN OUR ONLINE PETITION AT
http://www.petitiononline.com/magpet1/petition.html

1st · Irish Women Riders Association Rock Night:Saturday
1st November - Cush Inn (Kildangan House) Kildangan, Co. Kildare
Featuring Rock Band 'Die Laughing'Admission 7 euro *discount for MAG
members with card*Camping and parking at own risk Foods on siteFunds
raised go to Martin Confrey Memorial Fund.

2nd · Hi All,While we are all stuffing our faces with
Turkey over the festive season, a lady who is now a new recruit to
the Rally Scene has decided to devote her Christmas to a worthy
cause. She will be bringing Santa to the Children of Chernobyl. To
raise funds for this worthy cause, she had decided to hold a Charity
Run. Meeting at Tullyvin Tavern on Sunday November 2nd. ( R188,
Between Cootehill Town & Cavan Town)Spot Prizes on the day.! All
Welcome, Please see attachment for full details to support this
worthy cause.If you need further information, Pls contact me,Chris
Monahan. 086-6041949 All The Best From, Rogues Mcc.
http://www.geocities.com/roguesmcc

7th - 9th · The 30th Way west Rally - 7-9 november 2003 -
hotel invitations and application forms will be posted in September,
Contact Hazel Casey 086 8561103

14th · MAG Limerick, Benefit night 14th November Devin Arms
Ennis Road To raise money for toy run. Starts at 9pm

15th · The Annual Veteran, Vintage & Classic Bike
ShowAutoJumble & Classic Bike Show Taney Parish Centre, Taney Road,
Dundrum, orgainised by the Irish Veteran & Vintage Motorcycle
ClubAdmission 4 Euro. For further details contact Ray Byrne

Ph. 01 2980045 086314 3115

28th -30th · (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) The Irish
Motorcycle & Superbike Show, Kings Hall, Belfast.
www.roadracingireland.com

December
13th · Clondalkin Motor Cycle Club are having their annual
Toy Run, meeting Pheonix Park 12.30. All Welcome. Contact Wayne O
Neill 086-6785818 for more detail

13th · Toy run 13th Decenber Kilmurray Lodge Dublin Road .
Meet at 11.00, Starts at 11.30 Sharp!!!!!!

14th · Middleton to Cork city Toy run, Details to follow
closer to said date. Contact Stevo at 0868895472.

27th · Club: Tramore MCC, Contact Phone: 0861020752, Event
Location: Poker Run, Event Date: Saturday 27th december 2003, Event
Description: Tramore MCC,4th Annual Christmas Poker Run.Leaving
Murphys Pub the Quay Waterford at 2pm,Cash Prizes and Spots.

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 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
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 & 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

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

MAG Ireland website: http://www.magireland.org

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