Way back in 1984 the government proposed that motorcycle insurance policies should also cover pillions. At the time there was only one insurer handling motorcycles (Norwich Union) and their public response was to state that enacting this legislation would result in increases of up to 300%. With premiums already exceedingly high (think a grand in punts for third party only cover for larger motorcycles) this would have made premiums completely unaffordable and effectively wiped out motorcycling in Ireland.
Concerned motorcyclists formed action groups and protested this proposal through letter writing, meetings with politicians and large demonstrations. In Cork the action group was imaginatively named “The Irish Motorcyclists’ Action Group”. Around the same time a Dublin group was formed with the name of “The Irish Bikers Action Group”.
The government proposal was dropped but I.M.A.G. – initially created as a single issue organisation – then got involved with the Star Rider program to bring quality training (as used by the Gardai) from the UK to Ireland for regular motorcyclists and to work on a National Motorcycle Training Scheme. I.M.A.G. then organised the Motorcycle Exhibition in Cork City Hall entitled “A Safer Way to Go” as part of the contribution to European Road Safety Year (1986). The event was successful enough to be repeated for the following three years. In 1988 the first pupils graduated from the training scheme.
Starting in 1984 there had been an awareness of the threats and opportunities for Irish motorcycling from European legislation. Following extensive contacts with like-minded groups in the UK and Europe I.M.A.G. sought observer status and eventually joined the Federation of European Motorcyclists in 1989. This body provided cooperation at European level to represent motorcyclist interests in issues like the European harmonisation of driving licences (something still reverberating decades later). Epic personally-funded motorcycle trips to FEM meetings in Greece, London and of course Brussels ensued.
Following a very active half a decade by around 1990-1991 both I.B.A.G. and I.M.A.G.. became somewhat dormant. I.M.A.G. then relaunched from Dublin, adopted the name of MAG Ireland and rebuilt the membership base. A regular ad-supported print newsletter called RoadRunner was soon published for members and local MAG groups were set up to help spread the word and coordinate local actions.
Thanks to an enthusiastic central committee MAG Ireland grew rapidly to a high point of the Bigger than Borders Demo in 1995 which linked Belfast and Dublin with the largest ever international motorcyclist demonstration involving several thousand riders. This was coordinated between MAG Northern Ireland and MAG Ireland. The demo drew attention to the massive Multi-Directive legislation coming from Europe and was instrumental in defeating key proposals such as the 100bhp power limit.
On the economic front MAG Ireland was still very active on the insurance issue. Convinced that Irish motorcyclists needed choice and therefore competition in the market we created a partnership with Carole Nash which allowed cover to be extended to MAG Ireland members. This opened up the market to provide riders with choice and premiums have been reduced as a result.
At the same time MAG Ireland was active on a very wide range of motorcyclist issues such as ferry prices for riders, VAT on helmets and in particular training. Wide discussions with government and insurance contacts showed that in order for insurance discounts to be provided to customers, Ireland needed a recognised standard and some form of certification for motorcycle trainers. In combination with quality trainers MAG Ireland established the Irish Rider Training Association (IRTA). Once this was up and running we spun it off around 2001 to be a wholly separate organisation which could receive government assistance and support independently of the motorcyclist representative group thereby avoiding any conflicts of interest.
By the turn of the century, MAG Ireland had set up a physical office in Inchicore which handled membership processing and served as a focal point for members enquiries. After several years the office was moved to Merrion Square.
Throughout the following decade MAG Ireland continued to work closely with and in support of our European colleagues in the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (the original FEM having merged with the European Motorcyclist Association in the mid 1990s to form FEMA).
This approach brought a shift in focus from local to European issues and where previously MAG Ireland was out on the streets running demonstrations, we now increasingly found ourselves sitting across the table negotiating on behalf of riders, often with the very people who were the focus of the demonstrations just a few years previously.
By the end of the opening decade of the 21st century, MAG Ireland faced the same support base issues as many other riders rights organisations across Europe. An aging demographic combined with an economic catastrophe of global proportions reduced the size of the motorcycling population and potential member base. Reduced involvement by riders weakened the collective voice, which meant less opposition to the latest EU regulations which in turn further reduced the numbers taking up motorcycling.
During this time, the rise of social networking and internet communication which have done so much for simplifying the dissemination of information also created the phenomenon of slacktivism where posing with a hashtag or clicking a Like button are seen as substitutes for financial support of informed and effective lobbying.
For our part MAG Ireland has slashed overheads, cut the membership fee by nearly half, moved (and eventually closed) the office, launched a smartphone app, engaged in social media, introduced a range of new discounts for members, rebranded the organisation and begun to implement a series of major changes to put MAG Ireland on a sustainable and focused footing for a future of supporting Irish motorcycling.
Despite the challenges posed by shrinking resources, MAG Ireland has had many successes over the past decade, including on the headline issues of type approval and extended roadworthiness testing as well as a host of local issues such as parking bans and clamping.
MAG Ireland – 30 years representing Irish riders
For the past thirty years MAG Ireland has championed the voice of the rider in the face of every challenge imaginable. There are – and there always will be – differences of opinion about what action MAG Ireland should take on any particular issue, but ultimately every decision is made by Irish riders for the benefit of Irish motorcycling and based on the best information that Irish riders have available. It’s better that we make our own decisions than have them made for us.
If the past thirty years have taught Irish riders anything, it is that while we cannot predict what challenges may lie ahead, we can play an active and effective part in shaping a future society which values the benefits of motorcycling. Why not join us?
Happy birthday!
