Wakefield MAG August-September 2017 Newsletter

Dear Wakefield MAG Member,

Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter (a bumper one as it covers both August and September). If you can't attend our Wednesday meetings regularly, it's the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.

CONTENTS

1) YPR Report
2) Sea Fishing Trip Report
3) Lorna's Brave the Shave
4) Memorial Rideout Report
5) MAG AGC
6) Yorkshire Region AGM
7) MAP AGM
8) Camping Barn Weekend
9) August Rideout
10) August Social Night
11) Bingo Night
12) September Rideout
13) September Social Night
14) PTW Theft in London
15) Cath's Leaving Do
16) MAG calls for witnesses to MP attack by 'yobs, not bikers'
17) MAG commends tough sentencing of hooligans who abused motorcycles in Leeds
18) The Price of Electricity
19) Local authorities to benefit from 'landmark' investment strategy
20) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)

1) YPR Report

Check out the event report Here.

2) Sea Fishing Trip Report

Check out the event report Here.

3) Lorna's Brave the Shave

Check out the event report Here.

4) Memorial Rideout Report

Check out the rideout report Here.

5) MAG AGC

The MAG National Annual General Conference will be held on Saturday 30th September at the Royal British Legion, East Street, Nr. Manea, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0JJ. Signing on from 10:00, Lunch will be provided for delegates and the AGC will start at 12:30. It's South East of Peterborough, 140 miles from Wakefield and a journey of around 2 hours 40 minutes (via the A1). We'll let you know of our travel plans in the next newsletter if you want to ride down with us. The MAG AGC is restricted to MAG members only (and eligible Affiliate Members), so remember to bring your current MAG membership card. 75 Branch Points awarded to any Wakefield MAG member who attends.

6) Yorkshire Region AGM

The date for the Yorkshire Region AGM has been set and will be held on Saturday 7th October, at the Royal in Pudsey (Leeds MAG's HQ). Web: theroyalpudsey.co.uk. The meeting will kick off at 11:00 and will be over by early afternoon. All Yorkshire MAG members are cordially invited to attend. 75 Branch Points awarded to any Wakefield MAG member who attends.

7) MAP AGM

The date for the AGM of MAP regarding the Into the Valley, Farmyard Party and the Yorkshire Pudding Rally has been set and will be held on Saturday 23rd September at the White Horse, Main St, Hutton Cranswick, Driffield, HU25 9QN. Web: www.whitehorse.me.uk/

The meeting will start at 1.30pm and will consist of the company AGM, Donation to MAG, and a debrief of the 3 rallies. This will finish for around tea time and food will be served for those that wish to stay for it, also the pub will have entertainment on the night and a few beers can be quaffed in celebration of a job well done.

Camping and rooms are available at the White Horse if anyone wishes to stay overnight (bookable through Pete Walker). If you wish to camp over breakfast is available on the Sunday. Rooms are £15 including breakfast and camping £5.50 incl. full buffet breakfast served Sunday morning 8am - 10am. Accommodation is on a first come first served basis. Sandwiches, biscuits & unlimited tea and coffee will be available during the meeting. Food can be purchased on Saturday evening (curry selection, Mexican (Chicken Fajitas, chilli, rice wedges etc) and Veggie alternatives for the fussy eaters), for £6.50 pp.

N.B. Attendance at the MAP AGM is restircted to event marshals only.

8) Camping Barn Weekend

We have another Camping Barn weekend coming up, on Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th September, at the Dinah Hoggus Camping Barn, on the outskirts of the village of Rosthwaite in the Borrowdale valley (5 miles from Keswick in the magnificant Lake District). This will be our 3rd visit and if the previous two visits are anything to go by, we have a fantastic weekend in store. The camping barn sleeps 12, but there is almost unlimited camping (you just have to share the field with the local Hardwick Sheep). Web Site: www.lakelandcampingbarns.co.uk/barns/dinah-hoggus-camping-barn

We book the barn for our exclusive use all weekend, and the cost is £25pp. Bargain !!! If you want to go, see Pete at any of our Wednesday meetings and £25 secures your place. First come first served for the 12 beds in the barn, but as mentioned , virtually no restrictions on the number of campers.

Check out the past event reports to whet your appetite for another cracking weekend with the Wakefield MAG Family:
2015
2016

9) August Rideout

The August Rideout is on Sunday 13th August, and will be led by Clare Ellam.

The rideout will be heading into the Glorious Yorkshire Dales, visiting such delights as Pateley Bridge, Brimham Rocks and Hawes. Learner friendly route, spectacular scenery guaranteed, as is 10,000 acres of clear blue sky (honest !!!) and all welcome.

Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. Hope to see you there.

10) August Social Night

Our next social night is on Wednesday 30th August, and as we have had a few different variations of quizzes of late, we are upping the tempo somewhat with a team darts competition. Jim Bowen, eat your heart out !!

The action packed fun kicks off at 20:30, in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield ..... Be in it to win it !!!!

11) Bingo Night

Oct 2017 Bingo Night

Eyes Down for another Fun Filled Night of Bingo !!! Cash and Prize Bingo, and lot's of hilarity guaranteed. All profits to the MAG Fighting Fund. This will be our 6th Bingo Night, and if the previous three are anything to go by, a cracking night is in store. The excitement starts at 20:00 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, on Wednesday 25th October.

Hope to see you there.

12) September Rideout

**** CANCELLED ****

The September Rideout is on Sunday 10th September, and, at this particular moment in time, where we are going and who is leading is still TBA. However, we can promise it will be a Learner friendly route, spectacular scenery guaranteed, as is 10,000 acres of clear blue sky (honest !!!) and all are welcome. Put the date in your diary and keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for further details as they are announced.

Usual meeting place and time - Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. Hope to see you there.

**** CANCELLED ****

13) September Social Night

Our September Social night will be held on Wednesday 27th September, kicking off at 20:30, in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield. No firm plans as to what we are doing just yet, but keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for further details as they are announced. In the meantime, mark the date in your diary.

14) PTW Theft in London

PTW Theft in London .. Enough is Enough

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), We Ride London and the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group are calling for an end to 'victim bashing.'

The Motorcycle Action Group's Regional Representative for Greater London, Tim Fawthrop, has raised concerns about how victims of motorcycle crime are being treated. After challenging the Mayor of London at a Question Time event following the murder of rider Ricky Hayden, who was killed by bike thieves, Tim said: "at the Question Time just after the murder of Ricky Hayden, Mayor Sadiq Khan claimed that bike crime was partly the fault of the owners for not locking their bikes up properly. By that logic, homeowners are partly to blame if burgled because they have glass windows."

Tim adds: "we're told to secure our motorbikes and scooters to street furniture but even an enlightened Borough like Brent, which allows motorcycles in resident bays and elsewhere, won't invest in secure anchor points when they have such a limited budget. Also, when owners fasten their machines to lamp posts and so on, they often return to a parking ticket. And don't forget that 'bike-jacking' is a growing concern. Thieves have become increasingly violent: acid attacks, using machetes and fire extinguishers and common assault are now prevalent."

Mrs Penny Alexander, who works in the city, narrowly avoided an assault: "I was attacked on the Old Kent Road recently as criminals tried to steal my bike whilst I was waiting at red lights. I got away - and then had to pay a fine for jumping the red lights. I'm in fear every day I ride my bike. It's just a question of time before it happens again - and perhaps I'm followed home and attacked for my bike".

Tim Fawthrop, said, "I start work at 6.00 am, nine miles from home. Public transport takes two hours - my motorbike takes thirty minutes. It's reasonable for me to expect to be able to make the trip without fear of attack or of having my bike stolen."

Along with We Ride London and the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group, MAG is calling for measures to be taken to improve the situation, with urgent action required by Government, local councils, the GLA, TfL and the IPCC.

MAG has recently published the Group's Position Statement on Motorcycle Crime, entitled 'Enough is Enough'. Read the Position Statement Here.

N.B. Why should we care what happens in London .... quite simply, whatever happens in London spreads to the rest of the country, and there are already occurances of aggregated theft of PTW's in the North .... it's time to stamp this out ... NOW.

15) Cath's Leaving Do

Wakefield MAG member Cathy Parker, is retiring to sunny Spain at the back end of October. As a fitting 'send-off', we are having a Leaving Do for her on Wednesday 18th October, at the Rice n Spice (formerly Raj Poot's), 134 Kirkgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1TS. We will need to book well in advance as there will be a few of us attending, so let us know if you plan to attend, and we will add you to the booking.

N.B. There will be no meeting at the Grey Horse on Wednesday 18th October (for obvious reasons .... we'll be in the curry house instead).

16) MAG calls for witnesses to MP attack by 'yobs, not bikers'

MAG is appealing for anyone who witnessed the attack on Labour MP Steve McCabe in Birmingham to come forward with information 'for the sake of justice and the reputation of biking.'

The MP suffered facial injuries when he was hit in the face with a brick thrown by a yob, apparently on a used off-road machine. Labour's Steve McCabe MP said two people were riding "really recklessly" in Birmingham's Yardley Wood area, and he shouted at them to stop or he would call the police. The Birmingham Selly Oak MP has given a statement to police, and said he has a "beautiful black eye." Mr McCabe stated "we've had umpteen complaints about this kind of dangerous behaviour and so I shouted at them to pack it in or I'd call the police. These are really quite nasty, violent thugs."

Colin Brown, MAG's West Midlands Regional Representative, said "we understand the MP has tweeted pictures of two thugs allegedly involved in the attack. MAG is utterly determined to ensure that the yobs involved with this are brought to justice. That's because MAG does not recognise these idiots as bikers - but simply as hooligans on two wheels. The legitimate riding group is a close knit community. We'll find them and then they'll find justice - and the legal system will hit them in the face like the brick they threw at Mr McCabe."

MAG has been in contact with Mr McCabe's team and, as well as offering our support for his recovery, has agreed to work with him and his office to catch the culprits. If you have any information regarding the perpetrators of this crime, please contact Mr McCabe's office in confidence on 0121 443 3878, Birmingham Police, or call MAG on 01926 844 064 and we will pass on the information in confidence. Colin Brown adds "let's stop this mindless thuggery and make it clear that these people aren't bikers, they're common criminals."

17) MAG commends tough sentencing of hooligans who abused motorcycles in Leeds

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has applauded the stiff sentences handed out to the organisers of and participants in acts of hooliganism in Leeds and elsewhere on Halloween in 2016 (See November 2016 Newsletter for details of the incident).

MAG has expressed its support for the jailing of thirteen thugs who used motorcycles to disrupt Leeds city centre last year. Together, they have been jailed for a total of almost fifteen years. Prison spells of between twelve months and two years were given to the organisers of the event, which saw more than a hundred riders on motorbikes and quad bikes disrupting traffic and riding through pedestrianised areas in Leeds.

One of the hooligans, David Armitage, who organized the event through social media, was filmed during the incident encouraging 'carnage' and telling riders to 'shut down' the city centre. He was jailed for two years.

Selina Lavender, MAG's Chair, has backed the verdict and the sentences. "As senior police correctly observed last year, these people aren't bikers. They're just hooligans and idiots who happened to be on two wheels. MAG does not recognise or welcome such people as part of the biking community, and the sentences are an appropriate indication of the treatment people can expect if they disrespect the need for responsible use of bikes. Nobody involved came out of that incident in a good light."

MAG is committed to working with the authorities and the law enforcement agencies to ensure that proper bikers are not dragged down by the idiotic antics of a reckless few yobs who thought it amusing to frighten and intimidate the general population. "We love biking not trouble," adds Selina. "That's the genuine biker's charter, and it's at the heart and soul of the kind of riding MAG has promoted for over 40 years."

18) The Price of Electricity

The government announced this week that sales of new petrol and electric vehicles will be phased out by 2040 (not exactly news as we are already committed to this under the Paris Climate Agreement 2016 but, hey, why not brag about it?). This is not even that radical - India will ban them by 2030. Before then plans are being drawn up to increase taxation on older, more polluting vehicles plus a possible scrappage scheme to encourage owner to switch to cleaner modes of transport. A big advantage seems to be the lower running costs with around 3p a mile being touted for electric cars, much less for a motorcycle. So are we looking forward to a new world of cheap driving/biking? Not necessarily.

At present, the government earns £28 billion a year from fuel duty - that's about 50p for every pound spent on petrol or diesel. An electric car charged from the grid will currently generate just 5p in VAT for every pound spent. If the car is charged directly from solar panels on a garage roof, the Treasury is likely to go empty-handed. That's a big chunk to lose from public finances. To help plug the gap, the Treasury could increase VAT on energy to 20% - not likely to be popular with homeowners. Vehicle Excise Duty (Road tax) could be increased, including that on electric vehicles which are currently exempt. However, this is a tax on car ownership which is unlikely to be popular, especially with green campaigners, who would prefer to tax the use of cars. With Vehicle Excise Duty you pay the same whether you're clocking up 100,000 miles a year or it's just sitting in your garage. It's unfair and, more importantly to some minds, it's inefficient.

We've all sat in traffic jams and also had the pleasure of cutting through them on the bike. A traffic jam is essentially a queue for a limited resource - road space. In Europe this fact has been recognised for many years and they've addressed it through road pricing, otherwise known as toll roads. Travel along French or Italian motorways and you'll be used to shelling out for the privilege. In this country we've never taken to the idea, with the exception of the M6 toll and a few bridges. However, faced with losing the equivalent of 2/3 of the national defence budget long-term, planners are reconsidering the idea. It has it's advantages over a flat Road Tax:

  1. You only pay for what you use. Occasional users would not be subsidising heavy users. Harking back to the old wartime poster 'Is Your Journey Really Necessary', it would force you to think about how often you use your vehicle, much the same as the price of fuel does now.
  2. It can be targeted to reduce congestion. As with train tickets now, you would pay less to travel off peak. This combined with driverless technology would move most long-distance freight haulage to the middle of the night. It could also target rat-runs by simply putting up the price to travel on them. It is infinitely flexible.
  3. It'll be fairly easy to implement. Unlike the continentals, we've skipped the awkward necessity of building toll booths and could monitor the movement of each vehicle via GPS. All you would receive is a monthly bill. This may raise concerns about the invasion of privacy that this would entail. It is worrying but let's face it, you're kidding yourself if you think that your every movement isn't tracked already through CCTV, ANPR and that GPS in your satnav and phone.

Like it or not, we're living through a 'transport revolution' at the moment, where the basic ground rules are being rewritten. Road pricing is only an idea but it's being taken seriously in some quarters. Where motorcycles will figure in this brave new world no-one can tell yet. Luckily we've got MAG keeping its eye on the situation to make sure that bikers get a fair look in.

19) Local authorities to benefit from 'landmark' investment strategy

Local roads are set to benefit from a new multi-billion pound improvement fund, unveiled by the DfT last month. The transport investment strategy sets out a new long-term approach for Government infrastructure spending - including funding for local authorities to improve, or replace, A roads under their management.

The strategy aims to improve productivity and connectivity of towns and cities as well as tackling bottlenecks and traffic jams. It also seeks to take away the 'misery' of lorries and through traffic 'thundering' through rural villages on main roads. Transport secretary Chris Grayling says the new approach is designed to 'make transport work for the people who use it'.

The transport investment strategy also plans for a new 'rebalancing' measure, which will judge how investment programmes contribute to a more balanced economy, and prioritises investment that increases productivity or growth, improves reliability and tackles congestion. Further plans include the creation of the 'Major Road Network' with access to a multi-billion pound road fund, funded by Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), for improvements such as bypasses.

Chris Grayling said: "Getting transport spending right is crucial for the country's future. The transport investment strategy sets out a blueprint for how we can harness the power of transport investment to drive balanced economic growth, unlock new housing projects, and support the government's modern industrial strategy. At the heart of our approach is a plan to make transport work for the people who use it and for the wider economy."

Stakeholder reaction
The RAC says the announcement is 'good news' for motorists across the UK - adding that many are currently in the dark about where responsibility lies for the building and maintenance of local A-roads. Nicholas Lyes, RAC roads policy spokesman, said: "While motorways and major A-roads are benefitting from dedicated funding and have a future funding plan in place through vehicle excise duty receipts, local authorities have struggled to cope with fixing and upgrading those A-roads which come under their control. We hope today's announcement of a Major Road Network will lead to significant investment with a programme of new local road projects tackling some of the country's worst congestion hot-spots and pinch-points which will benefit business and private motorists alike and act as a stimulus to economic growth."

More info at Gov.UK: www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-transport-investment-plan-for-britain

20) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)

Sunday 13th August - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Yorkshire Dales)

See Above. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.

Wednesday 30th August - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: Darts

See Above. 20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd September - NE MAG's 27th Stormin' The Castle 2017

Witton Castle Country Park, Witton-Le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0DE

**** CANCELLED **** Sunday 10th September - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA) **** CANCELLED ****

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th September - Spat out of Hull / at the Tsunami

Quality food and beer, bands on Friday and Saturday, rock DJ both nights. Trade Stands. Down the dale at Duncolme park, Helmsley (The old Farmyard site)

Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th September - Wakefield MAG Lakes Camping Barn Weekend

See Above.

Saturday 23rd September - Magic Action Promotions Annual General Meeting

See Above.

Wednesday 27th September - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBA

See Above. 20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Saturday 30th September - Motorcycle Action Group Annual General Conference

See Above. 12:00 at the Royal British Legion, East Street, Nr. Manea, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0JJ

Saturday 7th October - Yorkshire Region Annual General Meeting

See Above. 11:00 at the Royal in Pudsey (Leeds MAG's HQ)

Sunday 8th October - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)

Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT.

Wednesday 18th October - Cathy Parker's Leaving Do

See Above. Rice n Spice (formerly Raj Poot's), 134 Kirkgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 1TS

Wednesday 25th October - Bingo

See Above. 20:00 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Wednesday 15th November - Wakefield MAG 14th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite

20:00 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

See the events page for further details and more !!!

That's all for this month (and next), hope to see you all soon.

Ride Safe .. Ride Free
Steve Travis
Chairman
Wakefield MAG
0772 078 4734

Wakefield MAG meet at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Wednesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.