Information Sheet on MAG Ireland History

August: Irish Motorcyclists’ Action Group (I.M.A.G.) was founded in Cork to fight proposed legislation that would have resulted in COMPULSORY pillion passenger insurance and threatened cost increases of up to 300%.

October: I.M.A.G. started a letter campaign to T.D.s. Met with favourable reply from all T.D.s.

November: I.M.A.G. held first "Motorcycle Demo" in Cork with over 600 motorcyclists participating. Public and media support was very evident.

January: I.M.A.G. representatives met with local T.D. s, Bernard Allen and Hugh Coveney, who brought our cause to the notice of the Dail. The second "Demo" with nation-wide TV coverage is held. The Minister of the environment agrees to defer the legislation.

June: I.M.A.G, and other concerned groups including G.W.O.C.I. met with officials of the Department of the Environment and the National Road Safety Association to propose a National Motorcycle Training Scheme. This was a very successful meeting and plans were later drawn up.

October: I.M.A.G. met with Garda Motorcyclists from Templemore who agreed to teach our people as Motorcycle riding instructors. Contact was also made with Star Riders in the UK.

November: I.M.A.G. held first Motorcycle Exhibition in Cork City Hall entitled "A Safer Way to Go". This was part of the contribution to European Road Safety Year.

Due to the success of the first motorcycle Show another is held in April 1987. I.M.A.G. meets with other motorcycle clubs to discuss issues of concern to motorcyclists’ rights. Training and final testing for the instructors by "Star Riders" UK is completed in July

Third Motorcycle Show is held not only for display and trade purposes but to inform motorcyclists of \impending European and National legislation Beginning of training scheme in summer 1988 with first pupils qualified.

Motorcycle Exhibition Show held in Cork City Hall in April. In Vienna, Austria, I.M.A.G. are voted into the Federation of European Motorcyclists as the Irish representative. I.M.A.G. representatives attend their second F.E.M. meeting in London in July. They plan opposing the proposed restrictive and anti-motorcyclist legislation after 1992. I.M.A.G. representatives attend another F.E.M. meeting in Casting, Greece in September. At this meeting the 400 cc licence was discussed and co-ordinated lobbying started.

March: I.M.A.G. hosts an F.E.M. meeting which was held in Kinsale on the 9^th to 11th of March. Among the topics discussed were the ongoing lobbying of MEPs on the 400 cc limit, the 125 cc. limit on provisional licences in Ireland and the "EURO Demo" to be held in London in June.

One of our Committee members rode to Brussels on a GPZ305 and together with M.A.G. UK representatives lobbied the Transport Committee of the European Parliament on Com(88) 705 Final the 400 cc licence limit). With the support of a cross-section of MEP s, particularly Mr. Gene Fitzgerald, the proposed legislation was overturned .

Relaunch of membership scheme, Launch of MAG Ireland newsletter, attendance of FEM meeting in Blois, France

100bhp Power limit fight, Luxembourg coffin demo, FEM meeting in Luxembourg, Milan meeting October. Intensive lobbying in Strasbourg on the Power limit 2^nd reading in November. 1^st Irish Rider’s Rights Weekend in co-operation with MAG N.Ireland.

Paris Euro Demo support, Lobbying MEP candidates, 1^st petfood run. Brussels and Austrian FEM meetings.

Bigger than Borders linking Belfast to Dublin on multi-directive issue, (longest motorcycle demo ever held worldwide, over 4000 bikes and one of the first cross-border demonstrations). New constitution. Victory on ferry issue on Irish sea allowing bikes to travel free.

Start of regional representation, Newsletter relaunched as RoadRunner, FEM meetings. Intensive work on multi-directive related lobbying.

End of multi-directive, launch of MAG Dublin, MAG Cork.

FEM meeting Brussels Feb., FEM meeting in Luxembourg, with FIM/EMA/UEM meeting also. FEM-EMA merger completed. Fifth Irish Rider’s Rights Weekend with MAG N.Ireland. MAG Insurance work resulted in entry of Carole Nash into Irish market and ends previous monopoly situation. 5th and final Irish Riders Rights Weekend.

Full launch of Emerald Policy from Carole Nash for MAG Ireland members breaking the previous monopoly situation and offering drastic improvements in the insurance situation for riders over 25. Publication of the "The Right Way" with a free copy for every motorcyclist in Ireland. 1st MAG Benefit Weekend. RoadRunner moves to colour and achieves circulation of 10% of Irish motorcyclists. 1st full AGM and NC meeting.

Opening of new staffed office. Change to county level representation rather than regional level. Further insurance reform and update of driving licence legislation. Removal of Direct Access by government during EU driving licence implementation. Representation on FEMA Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Launch of Irish Rider Training Association (IRTA) with government support. Organisation of Irish section of European Young Rider of the Year. Protest at removal of direct access and escalation of road hazards campaign.

Full Separation from IRTA. To be continued....

This information sheet is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling. MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. Last updated 2001-02 Approved by NEC: 2001-03