MAG Ireland Action Plan of Campaigns

MAG Ireland’s current membership is about 5,000, a very sizeable representation – possibly the highest of any representative group in Ireland.  MAG Ireland takes the work of representing its members very seriously.  To focus MAG's attentions on the issues, a campaigns officer is working on the following initiatives for 2002.

Have a look at the MAGLINK archive to get up to date information on the Campaigns so far.. 

Bikers Are Voters
Goal: Convince current & intending TDs that PTW users are voters.
The Spring issue of Roadrunner has been prepared very much with the upcoming General Election in mind.  In the centre pages will be found  a copy of the questionnaire we hope each member will take the time to put to your local candidates when they show up on your doorstep looking for your vote.  A copy of the flyer we have prepared showing the same questions and pictures has been enclosed with Roadrunner this quarter.
A word of thanks to all who participated in the preparation of the flyer and to the “models” in particular: Ros O’Neill; Timmy Rennick; Jimmy Kenny; Eoin Kirwan; Fr. Tony Conlon; Larry Dowling; Marc O’Loidean.  Thanks also to Tony Glaholm who took the photographs.
The Bikers Are Voters flyer is only one aspect of the campaign.  MAG has been in contact with all the major political parties in recent times both at national and European level, establishing their policies on issues affecting bikers, and lobbying on behalf of Irish motorcyclists to have our opinions heard.
This General Election is a chance for us to raise the profile of bikers among the politicians and to ensure our interests are being served by government.(SEE POSTER)

Bus Lanes
Goal: Countrywide permission for motorcycles to use buslanes.
Motorcyclists continue to be excluded from the list of vehicles allowed to use Bus Lanes to avoid slow moving or stationary traffic.  A Press Release on this issue has been approved by the NEC for publication and is scheduled to issue in early April. (SEE HISTORY RE CAMPAIGN SO FAR)

Daytime Running Lights
Goal: To prevent DRL being implemented in Ireland.
The proposal by the A.C.E.A. (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers in English) to include the installation of “hard-wired” daytime running lights (DRL) as a concession to safety has been rejected by the E.U. committee conducting the inquiry.  The committee decided that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that DRL contributed anything to safety and took into account the F.E.M.A report which suggested that the introduction of DRL would actually pose a hazard to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
I have received a letter from Commissioner de Palacio indicating that the representations made by MAG Ireland and other motorcyclists’ organisations were influential in the decision to commission a study into the effects of DRL on all road users and on the relative conspicuity of motorcyclists & cyclists.  The Commissioner thanked us for our contribution to the debate on this issue.
I have written to Commissioner de Palacio welcoming this study and offering any assistance we might be able to give regarding same.
Some proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Bill, 2001 currently under debate have included the introduction of DRL in the Winter months.  I have contacted Deputy Denis Naughten who has made the proposal to advise him of the negative effect such a measure would have on road safety.

Diesel Spill Stickers
Goal: A "Don’t Overfill" sticker on every diesel commercial vehicle.  Objective is to get 20,000 stickers printed and paid for by a sponsoring oil company and to distribute the stickers to appropriate bodies to have them distributed to individual vehicle owners.
Quotes for supply of 20,000 stickers received and one supply company has been selected.  Letters sent to Texaco, Shell, Statoil, Esso, Tedcastles, Maxol and BP Duckhams inviting sponsorship of cost.  We have been following up with all the oil companies and Statoil are first to give a thumbs down.  Irish Shell are unlikely, claiming “we wouldn’t do it because Texaco did it in UK.”  Reasoning that it was a different country did not have effect.  The others are being followed up.  Members will be able to make their mind up about oil companies when the results are in on this one.

Direct Access
Goal: Implementation of 2nd.EU Directive
The official complaint brought by MAG Ireland against the Irish government’s failure to implement the Direct Access option allowed for in the 2nd E.U. Directive on Driver licensing has been unsuccessful.  The Commission held that Direct Access was an option which individual member states have the right to provide to citizens or not as they see fit.  Ireland decided not to allow Irish motorcyclists this option on the grounds of safety, despite a lack of evidence supporting this view.
An individual MAG member is to take a test case challenging the government’s non-implementation of D.A. using Equality legislation.  However, it is not expected that this test case will be successful as the current legislation does not appear to offer adequate grounds for such a complaint.  It is hoped that the case may provide a vehicle to raise the profile of this issue.
A third E.U. Directive on Driver Licensing is expected to issue shortly and the campaign to ensure equitable treatment for Irish motorcyclists will continue to be fought both at national and European level. (FURTHER DETAILS)

Independent Insurance
Goal: Compensation for any biker who loses money through IIC collapse.
Since the news of Independent Insurance trouble in June, MAG has worked tirelessly to protect Irish motorcyclists against potential financial loss.  Make no mistake about it – MAG is in there with government and the insurance industry fighting your corner.  That’s what we are here for – protecting your rights.  If you hear someone saying MAG is doing nothing, or if you think that yourself – WRONG.  No one, but no one, has done more than MAG.
The latest news is that Department Enterprise Trade & Employment (DETE) and Carole Nash company indicate that UK Policyholders Protection Board will cover the Irish policy holders – first-party claims at 90% and third-party at 100%.  This also looks good for the return of unused premiums for those who cancelled their policies or those who will yet cancel their policies – either voluntarily or because requested to do so as part of the clean up.
However, not even our DETE (think of it – our government body controlling insurance) has official confirmation of this.  It cannot be fully confirmed until in writing and announced by DETE.
Until then, and even if this does not come about as predicted, MAG will continue to fight for the motorcyclist’s interest.

Insurance
Goal: Realistic insurance premiums for all.
Wrote to request that MIAB investigate motorcycle insurance.  They are.  Wrote Noel Treacy to request position on MIAB for MAG.  Followed up with another more urgent letter.  Also same request to chair of MIAB.  Noel Treacy’s office wrote back saying he did not consider it necessary to have MAG added to the MIAB at this stage.  We have written back asking for a review of this decision.  We have also contacted Nora Owen of Fine Gael telling her of the response we received.  We have received a copy of a statement that Nora Owen issued on the subject, deploring the Minister’s exclusion of MAG from a seat on the MIAB and calling his action “irresponsible”.  A meeting was held with Malcolm Nash on 6th March 2002,.  Report on meeting is available through the office.

Insurance Protection Fund
Goal: To get the 2% insurance levy set aside as an insurance protection fund.
Research needed to establish facts.  Budget submission has been made.

M50 Upgrade
Goal: Best barriers for motorcyclists on M50 Upgrade.
Submissions have been made, regarding barriers, to national engineering bodies involved in the program, the local authority and NRA.  Also submission to local authorities on pre-printed form that tolls should be free to motorcycles.

MBNA Credit Card (member benefit activity)
Goal: Implement MBNA credit card affinity scheme.
The take-up on the MAG Ireland MBNA credit card has exceeded expections and we would like to thank all members who have availed of this offer.  Those of you who haven’t yet applied, remember that 0.15% of the value of your transactions goes to support MAG – if you’re spending on your credit card, make a donation the easy way and support MAG without it costing you anything!

Member Benefits
Goal: Improve range of benefits for members.
No work on this yet.  First task is to consolidate all other benefits and correct any deficiencies, if needed.  Then look at finding more.

Membership Development
Goal: Reduce attrition and increase membership to 7,000.
Bank Standing Order campaign to lapsed members has gone out.  No other activity, as yet.

Motorcycle Awareness
Goal: Get DOE to distribute Motorcycle Awareness info sheet with car licenses.
Letter written to Minister Molloy, cc: Minister Dempsey, supplying the text of our motorcycle awareness fact sheet and asking that it be distributed to all license holders.

Motorcycle Tax Bands
Goal: Get realistic tax bands and rates
Submission made by JK/MR/EK on change in bands. Letter from DoE saying would be considered next budget. This now becomes a budget submission issue.  Maentime, MAG Dublin gets back to DoE to request confirmed date for meeting to discuss the issue and make sure it gets onto budget agenda.

Policies
Goal: Ensure the policy document is complete and addresses all current issues.
No work on this yet.  Three policies to be done.

Promote Motorcycling
Goal: PTW booklet, Think Bike Campaign by NSC.  Further definition required.
We have reminded the National Safety Council of our original letter requesting a Motorcycle Awareness Campaign and a merger of their Think Bike and our The Right Way.  Nothing on PTW booklet yet.

Road Pricing
Goal: Elimination of road tolls for motorcycles
Campaigns Officer, Karen Kiely and outgoing Campaigns Officer/NEC Chairperson, Herb Finnegan attended the recent NRA Hearing into the proposed M1 Toll Plaza Scheme in Drogheda on Tuesday 12th March.  MAG’s case for the exclusion of motorcycles from toll charges should the Scheme be approved was presented by Herb who read a statement of MAG’s objections to the proposal and proceeded to cross-examine the NRA’s witnesses who had earlier given evidence in support of the Scheme.  The environmentally-friendly nature of motorcycles and their contribution to the alleviation of congestion was presented as one of the reasons in support of an exemption together with the negligible revenue generated by tolling motorcycles at other locations.  MAG’s presentation seems to have been received with interest and the NRA said later that they would be happy to meet with us to further discuss this issue.(SEE HISTORY RE CAMPAIGN SO FAR)

Safety
Goal: Assist authorities in improving road safety for motorcycles.  Objective is to get a seat on National Safety Council.
Analysis of accident statistics in progress.  Requested accident statistics from NRA. Had necessary follow up.  Data has arrived and is out with a member for analysis.  Research/analysis in process of being defined.

Secure Motorcycle Parking
Goal: Get designated bike parking facilities in all towns/cities.
Great progress has been made in Cork by Rose Burns.  Other counties arebeing worked on.  Due to meeting with DTO, we will now make a distinct proposal on motorcycle parking in Dublin to the DTO by early October.

Theft Reward Scheme (BikeSafe)
Goal: Implement individual MAG stolen bike reward scheme.
We have the bones of a scheme designed and we expect to meet the Garda Stolen Vehicle Squad soon to discuss.  Funding for the reward scheme will have to come from somewhere, and this subject is on the agenda for our meetings with insurance companies in a couple of weeks.

VAT on Helmets
Goal: To get VAT on helmets eliminated or reduced.
Budget submission has been made.

Driver Theory Test Review
Goal: To ensure motorcycle awareness is treated adequately.
Review of the new Driver Theory Test book has been done and several matters of concern have been identified.  The most dangerous is a wrong meaning that could be taken by a casual reader of the book as to the amber and green lights of traffic signals.  There are a couple of other inconsistencies, in MAG's view.  We have accordingly written to the Department of Environment & Local Government and we await response.
A new marking sheet is being introduced by the D.O.E. Driver Testing Section starting with the South East region and is to be in use throughout the country by Autumn 2002.  The sheet is intended to operate as a report sheet and will be given to all candidates at the end of their test.  The more detailed format of the new marking sheet is intended to provide more specific information to the candidate on his/her performance during the test and should assist instructors when giving lessons to candidates who have failed their test.
The Department will also be introducing new requirements to the test provided for in EU Directive 91/439/EEC.  There will be additional requirements for several categories of vehicle; motorcyclists will be required to perform Additional Checks, i.e. Emergency Stop Switch, chain, oil levels.  Additional Manoeuvres will be required: at least two slow speed manoeuvres including a slalom; at least two higher speed manoeuvres including an obstacle; at least two braking manoeuvres including emergency braking.  The Additional Checks are to be implemented by September 2003 and the Manoeuvres by October 2005.
MAG welcomes these changes to the testing procedure which we have held to be inadequate for some time.  However, these changes fail to address the real problem regarding driver testing and road safety, which is a lack of proper training for all road users.

Road Plates
MAG has launched a new campaign urging companies using metal plates to cover excavations when working on roads to comply with UK and EU current practice and switch to plates coated with an aggregate material.  This coating offers a much more secure surface for motorcyclists than the bare metal plates currently used and is an important step towards better road safety for motorcyclists when encountering such hazards.
We would ask any rider encountering a hazard on the road, e.g. unprotected roadworks, badly reinstated road surface, potholes etc., to complete a Road Hazard form (available from the MAG Office or downloadable from the website www.iol.ie/~maglink ), send a copy to your local authority and a copy to the MAG Office and we will follow it up from there.