This speech was given to the 500 motorcylists who attended the MAG Pro-Bike Demo..

We’re here today because we like riding motorcycles.
We’re here today because we are pro-bike.

We’re so pro-bike that
we’ve written our own booklet for new motorcyclists,
we’ve set up a motorcyclist training scheme
we introduced competition into the motorcycle insurance market.
We are currently working on the details of compulsory basic training for riders
We push road-safety messages to riders and other road users.

This organisation is the Irish Motorcyclist’s Action Group and the A stands for action. We are not here to complain.

Why are we here ?

We’re here today because this government is anti-bike.

Buslanes:
Despite support from other road users and Irish authorities, despite international evidence and despite the evidence of daily usage the government has failed to legalise the use of buslanes by two-wheeled vehicles. This is a simple piece of legislation which would cost nothing, improve safety and improve congestion in this city.

Compulsory Basic Training:
Despite clear evidence that most car-bike accidents are caused by car-drivers it is motorcyclists alone who are being forced to undergo compulsory basic training. For years the insurance companies gave no discount for having a full licence or training. Even now the government does not give the gardai the obvious way to distinguish between riders with a full or provisional licence.
Given the increasing number of motorcycles on the roads it is clear that the motorcycle safety record is improving. That is a credit to riders but not the government and yet we are being singled out for compulsory training which will cost us money.

Insurance:
This is a classic. This government is blindly following the demands of a private company whose accident data and insurance payouts are not public knowledge and which operates in a near monopoly. The company’s aim is the business of making money for investors. This government has finally realised that public planning guidelines cannot be organised for private profit so why is road safety being done this way ?
MAG Ireland wants to see greater competition in the insurance market. This can be solved at no cost by removing the barrier to foreign companies which is contained in the Road Traffic Act.

Tolling
Tolling is meant to change the public cost of road use to private cost. Motorcycles are quiet, environmentally friendly, have minimal affect on road surfaces and reduce congestion. There is very little public cost so motorcycles should not be subject to tolls.

Policy Formulation
Ireland’s got a novel approach to road use and accident data collection. Basically they count the dead bodies, add them up and tell everyone in a few years later. There is no effort spent by government to find the causes of motorcycle accidents so when they need solutions any idea sounds as good as the next. Dayglo clothing, headlights on, headlights off, training, power limits, whatever they all sound good. Until this government seriously engages with gathering data on motorcycle accidents to European standards we will continue to be faced with half-arsed solutions dreamed up after a few pints in the Dail bar or suggested by an insurance company.

Just a few…
That’s just a few of the issues Irish motorcycling is facing and that’s why we have an organisation to represent our interests. If you want to help promote and protect motorcycling in Ireland then join up.

Elections:
There’s elections coming up next year and as part of Bikers are Voters we will be polling the candidates on the issues of interest to us and letting riders know where politicians stand on motorcycling.

After demo:
Now that we’re finished here we’ll move the bikes over to outside the Civic Offices on Fishamble St. where there’s a few cafes and a bit more space, This evening the IWRA are holding a rally in the Cush Inn, Kildangan, Co. Kildare so if you’re on for a good night out they’d welcome the support.

Ride Safetly

David French