LOCAL GROUP CHAIRMEN & CLUB OFFICERS PLEASE NOTE:
CLUBS LIAISON, EVENTS & SOCIAL: Catherine Donnelly. Contact Catherine on 01 457 0634 or email: maglink@magireland.iol.ie.
LOCAL GROUPS (Development & Issues): Jim Fisher 043-71230, mbike@eircom.net or contact MAG Office 01 453 0797, Mobile 086 832 5780, or email gensec@magireland.iol.ie
ADMINISTRATION (membership, club insurance, products): Maeve Roche, Admin Secretary, Contact MAG Office 01 453 0797 or email: magsupport@magireland.iol.ie.
General Secretary: David Gibson. Contact MAG Office 01-453 0797; Mobile 086 832 5780, or email gensec@magireland.iol.ie
Communications (RoadRunner, Website): Herb Finnegan, MAG Chairman 087 679 0908 herb@iol.ie

Annual Group Conference

This is the BIG meeting. Six hours to save the world. This is your chance to meet with us and help make the roads safer for motorcycling. Show the 'cagers', media & politicians that motorcycle road-users are real people, voters with clout!

Guest speakers will be Mr Bobby Molloy TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment & Local Government, and Ian Mutch, experienced UK biker and political activist. Let Bobby Molloy hear your concerns from the floor on Driver Licence & Test Reform, Bus Lanes, Toll Roads, etc. Learn from Ian Mutch how MAG UK is getting the message across to Local Authorities & Central Government. Attend & show YOU care!

To find the Backstage Theatre in Longford Town head off the by-pass into the triangular one-way system by Market Square. Turn left along Earl Street, past the railway station, over the bridge and take the first right after the Greyhound Track. The Theatre is beside Slashers GAA Club, with plenty of parking.

Date: Saturday14th October

Venue: Backstage Theatre & Arts Centre,
Farneyhoogan, Longford Town

Registration from 11.30. Register to claim your vote. The Conference is open to non-members of MAG Ireland. Tea, coffee, & soup free to early arrivals.

12.00 > 14.30 Formal Sessions & Elections

14.30 > 15.00 Refreshment break

15.00 Guest Speakers

Mr Bobby Molloy T.D. Minister of State,
Department of Environment & Local Government
Mr Ian Mutch, MAG UK PR & Govt. Relations,
Editor - StreetBiker

17.00- 18.00 National Council Meeting
Workshops

A 'Rock & Roll' evening will be held in 'The Dolphin Bar', Edgeworthstown after the Group Conference.

Camping is arranged on Jim Fisher's farm, 7 miles from Edgeworthstown. Enclosed are lists of local, low-cost B&Bs. Rural taxis/Minibuses available to ensure good night (you'll need a local taxi to find Jim's place at night).

Make a statement for Riders Rights - Attend the AGC, Stay overnight and enjoy the evening!

Individual members have 1 vote each, affiliated clubs have 2 votes each to be held by the recognised representative of the club
Note to members submitting proposals or nominations:
2.3.ii Nominations for officers to be elected by the annual group conference shall be received in writing by the General Secretary not later than seven days prior to the conference.
2.3.iii Proposals and nominations will only be accepted from paid-up individual members
2.4.iii All resolutions and nominations shall state the name and membership number of the proposer and seconder.

The following nominations have been received:
Chairman: Herb Finnegan
Vice-Chairman: Jim Fisher
Treasurer: Linda O'Loideoin
FEMA & EU affairs: David French
Club Liaison: Catherine Donnelly
Rider Training: Marc O'Loideoin
Group Liaison: Jimmy Kenny
Legal Officer: Alan Toal

MAG LIMERICK: would like to invite all to their first ever POKER RUN. It will be held on the Sunday of the October Bank Holiday weekend (29-10-00). Our goal for this run is to raise much needed funds for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
To finish off the day, pints and music at a local bike friendly venue. Budget accommodation can be arranged for people who need it.
Contact Vinnie at vwhite@eircom.net

Events Insurance for Affiliated Clubs.
With regret, we have to put up the cost of the events insurance by 50%. This is due to the strength of sterling and the cost of foreign bank charges. Please realise that we make no profit whatsoever on events insurance, we actually have been taking a loss for the last while to try and see if sterling would improve. Sadly it hasn't. The price increase will take place from 30/9/00. Obviously we will monitor sterling and if any changes occur we will review the situation. New prices: 5 Day £53.97. Annual £ 123.36.

Bus Lanes:
This issue is hotting up with Dublin Corporation throwing its weight behind a proposal by
Labour TD Derek McDowell that motorcycles be allowed use bus-lanes. Owen Keegan Asst City Manager told MAG if Minister Dempsey devoted 10 minutes of his time the issue could be resolved. The DoE position is untenable as more and more UK local Authorities promote motorcycling as a way to beat gridlock.

Daylight Running Lights:
Dublin Corporation advises that the campaign has been deferred until early 2001. It will run over a three-month period in three two-week segments. Its effectiveness will be measured primarily by the increased use of DRL. As Herb Finnegan has said: "It really is infuriating that these civil servants come up with ridiculous schemes like these that skirt around the issues. They come up with every little shifty scheme to make it look like they are doing something, when in fact nothing comes of them. Why don't they tackle the appalling driver training and licensing system, and enforce the existing laws."

Car Free Days:
The MAG stall in the Alternative Vehicle Area on Custom House Quay, Dublin was a popular site. Thanks to Cotter Motorcycles for the loan of a tasty Suzuki scooter, Martin Crowe for his classic Honda 550-4 and Bernard Edwards for his Goldwing 1500-6.
Minister Dempsey was in his Office across the road, but was "too busy" to join us for 'photos'.

Winners MAG Monthly Draw

August: - Number 5060 Clive & Hazel Free

European Young Rider 2000
The 2000 edition of the Young Rider of the Year Competition took place in Gandia, Valencia, Spain, from 13th-16th September. 30 young motorcycle riders from all over the European Union (Germany excepted) and Tcheque Republic participated in the European Finale. The Danish finalists, Tina Pedersen and Christian Jensen, finished first after a set of 4 riding events. Netherlands and Finland followed respectively at 2nd & 3rd places. First prizes were a Honda Transalp & a Yamaha Fazer. The Irish team had a ball.
Bob Tomlins, European co-ordinator says: " this event is most important for road safety as it develops awareness to safe riding amongst young motorcyclists all over Europe. It also gathers young riders from different cultures, sharing their enthusiasm for motorcycles, and developing a European identity".
The event was co-organised by ACEM, FEMA & FIM and supported by the Directorate General for Energy and Transport of the European Commission.

Wanted: Shaft-driven bike for trike project for disabled driver, 1000cc minimum. Must be in good condition and reasonably priced. Phone: 086 - 855 6013

Sale: Motorcycle City, 24/25 Blessington Street, Dublin 7 are having a massive open weekend clear out. There are used and new parts, most makes and models available. Everything must go. 3-day sale only. 26/27/28 October 2000. Contact Johnny Hanraty. Ph: 01 8303000. Fax: 01 830 1664.

SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE ON PRODUCTION OF VALID M.A.G CARD.