MAGLink, End August 2004
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, *LISTING FOR
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004*
3. MAG details and contact numbers
4. Disclaimer
To receive MAGLink every month by email (free) send a blank message
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SPECIAL EVENTS
A National Bike Insurance Demonstration will be held in Dublin on
Saturday the 25th of September next calling to the offices of
HIbernian, Carol Nash and the Ministry of Transport complaining
about the ridiculous premiums charged to motorcyclists. Please
attend - it'r YOUR pockets we're trying to defend! Assembling Grand
Parade on the Grand Canal from 10.00pm and leaving 11.00pm sharp -
final details in next month's MAGLink. Spread the word.
MAG Ireland's Annual Group Conference will be held this year at the
Commercial Rowing Club, Islandbridge, Dublin on Saturday the 9th of
October 2004 starting 1.30pm - we welcome as many members as are
able to attend - this is your organisation and we need your input,
please attend if you can.
1. CAMPAIGNS
CAMPAIGNS REPORT
The following is a brief summary of some of the work undertaken
within the Campaigns portfolio during August 2004. Regular reports
on the topics mentioned are also available on the MAG website
www.magireland.org and in Roadrunner. Any comments or questions to
campaigns@magireland.ie or telephone 01 453 07 97 (MAG Office).
BUDGET SUBMISSION
Yes, it's coming up to that time of year again, when the
politicians
come back all tanned and rested and ready to give generously.
In the next week or two we will be finalising this year's budget
submission. As previously, one of the issues raised will be that of
the current inappropriate Tax Bands for motorcycles. The 2%
Insurance Levy will also be mentioned. Even though the items to
which a reduced rate of VAT can be applied is essentially a European
issue, with Charlie McCreevy in the driving seat in Brussels on
taxation issues we will be including this issue in the MAG
submission. Mr McCreevy is very much of the belief that taxation
should be decided at national rather than at European level and we
can but hope that his successor is more sympathetic to our arguments
for a reduction in VAT on helmets and other safety clothing.
INSURANCE
As you will remember from last month's MAGlink, Aon Bike Care are
now underwritten by AXA insurance, giving us (technically, at least)
three insurance providers in the country. Of course the
motorcycling sector, small as it is has been further subdivided by
the insurers. We have contacted Aon Bike Care to arrange a meeting
to discuss the possibility of the company broadening its client base
and providing quotes directly to motorcyclists rather than the
present situation (since January) where quotes are only provided
through the dealer network when purchasing a bike.
ROAD SAFETY
N81
Due to the ongoing situation caused by lorries leaving Doran's
Pit
in Blessington We have contacted Roadstone regarding the
unacceptable hazard caused by mud and other debris deposited on
N81. We also contacted Kildare and Wicklow County Councils. We
have as yet only received a response from Kildare County Council who
say that the matter is being looked into by one of their Area
Engineers.
Eastlink
A complaint was received that bollards had been installed on the
motorcycle/bicycle toll free laneway at the East Link Toll Plaza.
However, when I visited the site on Thursday 12th August to
establish the exact nature of the hazard no bollards were in place
on the lanes in either direction and I observed motorcycles using
the lanes without problems over some time. These included some
tourists with full luggage including side panniers. I was able to
talk to some of the bikers using the plaza - including some couriers
who use the laneways regularly and none of them could recall
bollards in place. Some traffic cones were in place marking the
boundaries between the car lanes but these were not in the vicinity
of the motorcycle/bicycle laneway. Despite the fact that no hazard
was observed, the visit was a useful one from a PR point of view as
the bikers I spoke to were interested to hear about MAG Ireland's
work!
Non-Slip Manhole Covers
We have provided information on Marotech, manufacturers and
suppliers of the non-slip manhole covers mentioned in a previous
report to Cavanagh Foundries, who are considering providing such a
product in Ireland. Cavanagh have been made aware that this does
not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of this product.
They will keep me informed of developments. It would be great to
see a non-slip alternative installed in place of the traditional
metal-type cover – which as we all know can cause havoc
particularly
in wet or icy conditions.
Luas
I have contacted Ger Hannon (Luas) and Hamid Foroughi (Design
Manager, RPA) regarding the design of the Luas stop at the Naas
Road/Bluebell junction. Copies of my letter to the RPA have also
been sent to Gay Mitchell, TD and David Maher of the Dublin Cycling
Campaign who may support us on this issue. The text of this letter
is reproduced hereunder:
Attn: Mr Hamid Foroughi
Design Manager
The Railway Procurement Agency
Parkgate Business Centre
Parkgate Street
Dublin 8
19th August 2004
Dear Mr Foroughi,
MAG Ireland (Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group) was set up in 1985
and represents the interests of Ireland's 40,000 motorcyclists,
scooterists and moped users. The issues we are involved with
include road safety, training, road conditions, technical
harmonisation, tax issues, consumer issues affecting riders,
licensing and insurance.
It has come to our attention that the design of the barriers at the
Luas stop at the Naas Road/Bluebell junction could pose a particular
hazard to motorcyclists and cyclists. The metal upright supporting
the horizontal element of the barrier presents a very narrow edge to
the roadway running alongside and there is a possibility that a
motorcyclist (or cyclist) could come into contact with this very
aggressive metal edge should he or she be involved in a collision
with another vehicle at this very busy junction. Unfortunately, the
design of the barrier is such that even when the horizontal element
of the barrier is fitted (I visited the site on 12/08/04 when
uprights alone were installed) it will not provide any protection
from contact with the "sharp" edge of the upright.
I telephoned Mr Ger Hannon last week to express our concern at the
possibility that the design of these barriers could cause injury to
a fallen motocyclist who comes into contact with the edge of the
upright.
I would be obliged if you would look into this matter and revert to
me at your earliest convenience with your thoughts on a solution.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Kiely.
National Campaigns Officer.
Advisory Group on Motorcycling
The Final Report of the UK's Advisory Group on Motorcycling has
been
published and is available on the BMF website www.bmf.co.uk . A
full analysis of the Report will be provided to the next meeting of
the MAG Board and it is expected that it should yield some important
material for lobbying the Irish authorities.
MAIDS
The long-awaited Final Report of the Motorcycle Accidents In Depth
Study has been published. The document itself is a sizeable 173
pages and it is hoped to have extrapolated some information useful
to some of our campaigns for presentation at the next Board meeting.
PROMOTING MOTORCYCLING
Due to changes to the European Parliament's calendar involving
the
moving of the EP's Transport Committee meeting the Annual MEP
Ride
Out will now take place on 29th September at the Brussels Autoworld
Museum and not on 22nd September as originally planned. MEPs who
participate will be offered motorcycles and scooters to ride if they
hold the appropriate licence and if not, they can experience
motorcycling as a pillion passenger.
The Irish MEPs will be contacted with the revised date and times to
invite them to take part in this event and it will be interesting to
see which of them takes up the offer!!
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2. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLING EVENTS CALENDAR, 2004
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.
AUGUST 2004
August 28/29th
Free Spirit M.C.C. - Mill House, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Coyotes M.C.C. Rally - Antrim
Ramrods M.C.C. Rally
SEPTEMBER 2004
September 4th
Name: Laurence Club: Regulators M.C.CLocality: Donegal TownContact
Phone: 0879612702Event Location: The Ringfort Inn, Bruckless, co.
Donegal. (ON THE DONEGAL TOWN TO KILLYBEGS ROAD) Other Information:
sECURE CAMPING FACILITIES AND FOOD ETC..Event Date: 4th September
2004 Event Description: cHANGE OF VENUE. CLOSER TO CIVILISATION.
LIVE BANDS ROCK DJ USUAL TROPHIES AND GAMES. MAD NITES CRAIC!!
11th Name: Betty Kelly Club: Wild Rose MCC Locality: Newcastle West
Contact Phone: 086 8309707 Event Location: Carrickerry Event Date:
11/09/04 Event Description: Wild Rose MCC Rally. New Venue
O'Sullivan's Bar Carrickerry.
11th High Ciders MCC Ballyconnell Co. Cavan- Full of the Flagon
Rally 2004 September 11th and 12th - Info 087 8808766 or 049 9526229.
24-26th - 3rd Snakebite Rally, "Drumnagreah Hotel", A2 Coast Road,
Co. Antrim, N. Ireland Fri 24th @ 6pm - Sunday 26th @ 12 noon
September 2004 Stalls, Big Prizes, Live Bands, Adult Games and
Entertainment, Free Pre-Booked Harley Rides Available Courtesy of
Provincewide Motorcycles Ballymena, To Pre-book contact
ricky@provincewide.com Custom Classic Show, Secure Camping and
Parking Etc. Pre Booked Tickets £8 contact Susie 07904273578,
Includes Free Rally Badge, Or £10 on gate Rally Site 7 Miles From
Larne Harbour Or 31 Miles From Belfast HarbourMore info on
www.quayvipersmcc.com Email: quayvipersmcc@yahoo.co.uk, Ring: Tucker
on 07703460799 Ring: Jenny on 07790152306, Stonking Good Party
Weekend Free Rally Badge If Pre-Booked.
OCTOBER 2004
2-3rd Name: Margaret Lynch, Club: Border Lords, Locality: Cavan,
Contact Phone: 087-6485245, Event Location: Killinkere, Virginia, Co
Cavan, Event Date: 2nd and 3rd October, Event Description: Rally
16th - Falcon MCC - 9th Locked Solid Session to be held on Saturday
16th of October 2004 at the Saratoga Inn, Woodstown, Co. Waterford.
Contact Ted (087) 7927672 for more details. Thanking you in advance.
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. Thanks
also to Aggie for information from the Bikers Bible. 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
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3. MAG Calendar 2004
Board meetings
1st Wednesday every month, 7:30pm MAG Office, Dublin.
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 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
1999,2000, 2001,2002,2003 Members' Metal Badges = € 2.56 each
2004 MAG Enamel badge = € 3.80 each
MAG embossed Leather Keyfob = € 2.56 each
MAG Fleecies - €35 - heavy gauge, navy, with "MAG Ireland"
embroidered on front.
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.
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
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
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
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
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 end August 2004, compiled by Groad O Byrne
maglink@magireland.org
(c) Copyright : MAG Ireland
MAG Ireland website: http://www.magireland.org