The National Demonstration on Saturday 19 August was a huge success. We’ve had newspaper coverage in regional newspapers, one item in the Evening Herald, a short interview with our chairman on Morning Ireland, and many interviews on local radio stations and with regional newspapers. There was no national coverage reported, other than Morning Ireland.

Some commented that Saturday was a daft day to run the demo; others that the politicians were on vacation. Also that the Ulster Grand Prix and, maybe other local events, were on. No day is the right day for everyone. The demo was a gentle lifting of our activity in the three main areas: Direct Access, Safer Roads, and Recognising Motorcycles as an Integral Component of Transportation.

We purposely choose the County Managers as ‘targets’, because they are charged with implementation of the Driver Licensing Laws, the Maintenance of our roads and they have a role in Transportation policy. Our intention was to raise awareness. So what if it was their day off? It was made clear in their invitations that this was a national demonstration/protest of high importance. It was expected that they would make 30 minutes available, or send a deputy, to accept the letter. If you were the manager of a private company and you had thousands of dis-satisfied customers, would you make time to meet their representatives – even if it was your day off? Sure you would.

Some of those that did bother to respond to the invitation were very nice about pointing out that their offices are closed on a Saturday, and they’d be happy to receive the protest letter by post. They missed the whole point. One even had the audacity to ask MAG to list all the defective roads in their jurisdiction! This is the second time to hear such a response – as if they don’t already know what a bad shape the roads are in. We will publish, on our web-site, the responses we received from the County Managers. The address is www.iol.ie/~maglink. It is not our intention to make enemies of the county managers or any other official of government or otherwise. It is to raise awareness of the plight of motorcyclists. We are a nice bunch of people, and we do have positive contributions to make. We want to work with the authorities – give them understanding. But we will not be soft on putting forth our issues.

We are grateful to those counties that did send a representative and who accepted our protest letter in a spirit of understanding. We hope that they will continue dialog with local motorcyclists and endeavour to fix their complaints.

We fully expect to have a serious meeting with the Department of the Environment & Local Government on the issues. Those who have access to MAG’s web site will know that Minister Dempsey has turned down – for the third time – a meeting with our Chairman. The NEC will also consider the next steps in escalating our action should sense and understanding not prevail.

At a local level, the demo was a great exercise in discovering what the local groups could or could not do and it got some of our members active. They also obtained valuable experience in relating to local issues and handling the media. There follows a brief report on some of the demo locations, incorporating some local group stuff. Some of the reportage is sketchy, due to insufficient time to make the RoadRunner publication deadline.

SLIGO

MAG Sligo Demo took place on Saturday 19th at 11.00. We had a disappointing turnout. About 10 bikers. There was a lot of things on and a lot could not attend. We travelled to the county council offices where we were met by County Council representative, Mr Kevin Colreavy. I spoke to him in detail about our plight. He accepted our points and I handed him the protest letters on behalf of counties Sligo, Roscommon & Leitrim. Our thanks to the local Garda who were also in attendance. I spoke on the Tommy Marren morning show on North-West radio. I made MAG'S DEMO points but the interview did push on to other more negative issues. (A useful exercise for future interviews).

Photo's were taken by us and some advance coverage was given in the local paper (Sligo Champion). No coverage on the day. I will forward the photos and all press coverage I get as soon as I can. Many thanks to you both for your help and guidance - particularly Herb for his interview tips!

MAG Sligo held it's first meeting in Foley's Pub in Sligo on August 4th with a good attendance. The main topic was the Demo ride and forthcoming rallies. The Demo then took place on the 19th with some dedicated bikers. Many thanks to all that attended. We hold our gatherings on the first Friday of every month in Foley's pub, Sligo at 8.30. All Welcome. Eoin Lappin.

DUBLIN

Well the main work that we did was for the Demo. It went swimmingly well to quote the Garda in charge of the route "You are all a credit to the motorcycling community" we had approximately 300 bikes. Maeve and Marc counted them twice just to be on the safe side. Liam Dolan, who represented the Ministers office, was there to receive our paperwork. RTE shot video of the event and two freelance photographers turned up. That done we all went off to Athlone for a hooly!! Jimmy Kenny.

A word of thanks to the following for doing marshalling duties:

Marc O’Loideoin for co-ordinating the marshalls.
Goldwing owners: John Keating ( thanks for the run to Athlone as well) Richard Keegan, Aoife Keegan, Robbie Nolan and Bernard Edwards.
Clondalkin MCC: Andy Mulhall and Martin Conbery.
Hog: Pat Kenny.
Roadrunner 1000 M.C.C. Brendan O’Cinneide.
M.A.G Dublin: Keith Clarke, Jason Reilly, Linda O’Loideoin, Rory Haddon, Sean Conway, Jim Hughes, Dominic Rafferty, Gerry O’Byrne, Fergus Finn, Martin Crowe, Linda Ellis.
John ( sorry can’t make out your surname), A O’Brien, Brendan Farrell and if I missed anyone my apologies but just in case thanks very much to one and all for making the demo so successful.

MAG Dublin meetings are now held on the 1st (Strawberry Hall) and 3rd (Four Provinces) Tuesday of each month. Four Provinces, Ranelagh June 20th 2000, 8.30pm. Strawberry Hall, next meeting July 4th 2000, 8.30pm.

LONGFORD/WESTMEATH

Longdord/Westmeath had about thirty bikes.

BELFAST

We had approx. sixty bikes riding from Belfast City Hall to Stormont with the run featured on the BBC news at tea time, and a reporter from the Irish News. The previous Friday 11th August, the BBC carried a news feature with MAG handing over our action demands to the Minister of the Department of Regional Development Gregory Campbell. There were also newspaper features running up to the 19th August in the Irish News and Belfast Telegraph with the Irish News running a feature on Monday 21st August.

LOUTH/MONAGHAN

Louth had 10 bikes. They met in Castlebellingham and rode to Ardee and then on to Dundalk. The county offices there don’t even have a letter box! So, the group had to go to the town hall. No county representative attended.

KILKENNY

Bill Doran in Kilkenny had himself and a club mate. He also had a post-event slot on local radio.

CORK

We had a blast in Cork , about 80 bikes. Our venue at the Angler’s Rest Pub was a little isolated which probably hampered the turnout, but it is our traditional start point for anything. We did a fun blast up and down Patrick Street in Cork, bouncing the bikes off the limiters and beeping horns. The police were fantastic (I cant believe I just said that ), stopping traffic wherever we went. We had a few casualties all right, bikes overheating, and congratulations go to "The Plonker", who highsided his bike, while stopped, he saw the funny side of it anyway.

Cllr. Dan Wallace met us outside City Hall and accepted out letter, promising to help our cause. He used to ride a nifty fifty himself for a long time. Photos were taken by the examiner and someone said Nationwide were there too. (I don’t know if this is true or not).

Hopefully we will get our DA and take our place amongst 4 wheelers as valuable members of the motoring community. (Owen Kelly). Thanks to Finbarr O’Connor and the MAG Cork team for all their preparatory work. MAG meetings are held in the Cruiscin Lán, Douglas Street every Tuesday night at 8.30pm. Mick Lyons.

LIMERICK

The MAG Demo in Limerick was a great success. Over 100 bikes left the South Court Hotel at around 11.15am on Saturday morning. We had a Garda outrider leading the cavalcade, and cars were stopped at all junctions that gave us an almost free ride. We went up O'Connell St. two abreast and it was a fantastic sight, all bikes with lights
on. People on the street were standing there and smiling in appreciation (or in envy). We came to a stop in Mallow St. where we were to hand in our letter of protest, but as we were a bit early, the Garda outrider suggested we do another lap of O'Connell St. This suggestion met with no opposition. Gentlemen, start your engines!
We again rallied in Mallow St. where Minister Willie O’Dea who accepted our letter of protest met us. Local press and photographers were there to record the event. A great success considering there was only three days notice prior to the event. A big up to all who attended.

MAG Limerick is the latest local group to set up, following fast on the heels of MAG Sligo and MAG Mayo. John Suckling is the chairman, Andy Jordan is P.R.O, Karl Murphy is TD Liaison Officer, and Vincent White is secretary on 087 2906 519. Contact Vincent for details of their regular meetings.

CARLOW

25 bikes left the Tavern Bar, Carlow to ride to the Council Offices on the National Demo. After departing in good time the demo was delayed with mechanical problems. The council representative rang the MAG Office to say he couldn’t wait and to assure MAG that Carlow was motorcycle friendly.

On other news, there was a very good attendance at the Remembrance Rally on 12th/13th August. All profits on the event (£650.00) were donated to MAG. Longest distance male: Aengus Watts. Longest distance Female: Anne Keogh

Largest Club attendence: Joint winners Rooters/Slippy Clutch. 2nd Druids. Thanks to the band Phallacy for a brilliant night and thanks to all that attended. Congratulations to Gerry Daly on winning the draw for a life time subscription to M.A.G Ireland worth £200.00. Editors Note: MAG Ireland thanks the organisers of The Remembrance Rally and MAG Carlow for the very generous donation to MAG Ireland. Special thanks go to Mick Comerford and Co. for all their hard work.

DONEGAL

30 bikers met at the Shell Garage, Derry Road, Letterkenny for the MAG Donegal Demonstration to the Council Offices. Regrettably, the council did not have the courtesy to send a representative to meet the riders.

1st November 2003

MAG Ireland is calling on all motorcyclists, scooterists and moped users to support calls for effective and immediate reform of the motorcycle insurance industry and positive change to the current licensing and testing system for motorcycle riders. A demonstration is to take place on Saturday, November 1st to highlight these and other issues concerning riders such as access to bus lanes, toll charges for motorcycles, road safety and motorcycle theft. Bikers will meet at Mountjoy Square and travel en masse to the Department of Transport to hand in a petition calling for parity of treatment of motorcyclists with other road users.

Why Pro-Bike?
In these days of traffic gridlock and sheer frustration at the inability to use a four wheeled vehicle as it was intended, there is positive benefit to using a two wheeler in our cities. From eco-friendly electric mopeds with nigh on zero maintenance to super-scooters capable of a cross-country tour in comfort, to the latest in cruisers and sportsbikes - many with ABS, fuel injection and even catalytic converters – bikes are not the dirty, smelly, noisy contraptions the old image would have you believe. Yet all we hear is negative and we never hear the positive reasons why riding a bike is such a good idea:

Bikes:
Take less resources to manufacture , Use less fuel to run, ake up less room on the road, Are more recyclable than cars, Use less parking space...
Modern Bikes are more user friendly, easier to ride, mechanically better than ever, quality training is available to ride them safely and they are one of the more stress-free and mobile vehicles on our roads and in our cities. As bikes are an important part of the solution to our traffic problems we ask - why are they never included in transport planning?

Insurance Costs:
MAG Ireland has campaigned for many years to try to reduce the cost of motorcycle insurance. We set up the Irish Rider Training Association to ensure that bikers nationwide could avail of affordable training. Unfortunately, whilst many riders have availed themselves of this training and other schemes like Fingal County Council’s Star Rider, insurance companies have not seen fit to reward riders by offering discounts.
We have heard a lot recently in the media on how various insurance companies are reducing car insurance by 10% following the introduction of penalty points. Bike insurance has risen on average by 40% and in some by in excess of 200% for this year.
We demand that the Irish Government implements immediately the findings in the MIAB report and amends the Road Traffic Act to allow for insurance companies outside the State to offer motorcycle insurance here in accordance with EU Directives.

Licensing Issues:
Irish motorcycle riders have had to endure a two-tiered licensing system for many years. Since 1999, riders have had to endure being restricted to motorcycles not exceeding 34 horsepower for two years after passing their test. No similar restriction has been placed on car drivers. Despite repeated requests to allow for a "Direct Access" test, as in all other E.U. countries, the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan is now talking about placing further restrictions on motorcycle licences. MAG Ireland calls for the 34bhp limit to be abolished for riders who have taken additional training.

Bus Lane Access:
MAG is pleased to see that the Minister is now reconsidering his previous refusal to allow motorcycles into Bus Lanes. Bus Lane Access for motorcyclists has been successfully introduced in many UK cities in recent years. For bikers this is a major safety issue in our congested cities and allows motorcyclists to ride in a safer environment.

Toll Charges:
MAG is opposed to the current system of road tolling, in addition to the heavy task burdens already endured by road users. Collecting cash tolls from motorcyclists is inconvenient and delays all road users. Tolls are doubly unfair to motorcyclists as they do not cause congestion and cause less wear and tear to road surfaces. MAG calls for tolls to be removed for motorbikes, which will reduce delays at toll booths for all road users.
We demand an overhaul of the way the National Roads Authority operates and that it be made answerable to the Irish taxpayers who fund it.

Road Safety:
Potholes, trenches, mud, gravel, etc. frequently place riders at risk of an accident, even on major routes.
MAG calls for the improvement of road surfaces to be given top priority.
MAG demands a halt to the use of loose gravel for road resurfacing, which is extremely dangerous for two-wheeled road users and can lead to a loss of control with the risk of injury or loss of life for bikers.
Where road surfaces have been excavated to allow access for utilities, resurfacing and reinstatement work must be of the same quality as the existing road surface and not subside or disintegrate within a short period. The use of smooth metal plates at roadworks is now illegal, but nonetheless is still common, this also presents an unacceptable risk to motorcyclists.
MAG calls for road safety to be pushed higher up the government agenda and for the introduction of an integrated overall road safety strategy in conjunction with County Councils, the AA and all other interested parties.

Vehicle Registration Tax:
MAG calls for the Minister for Finance to immediately abolish this tax in line with the spirit of the European single market. VRT is unjust and results in our motor vehicles being taxed twice (VAT and VRT) before we add on the cost of road tax and fuel taxes.

Theft:
MAG calls for secure motorcycle parking to be provided in all town and city centres , tougher sentencing for bike thieves and the end of charges for the recovery of stolen vehicles.

Background:
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. Areas tackled by MAG Ireland include road safety, training, road conditions, technical harmonisation, tax issues, consumer issues affecting riders, licencing and insurance. MAG Ireland offers a wide range of benefits to its membership of over four thousand riders including discounts at many retail outlets and events, a subscription to Ireland's largest circulation motorcyclist magazine, a health insurance scheme and information service.