Wakefield MAG June 2012 Newsletter

Dear Wakefield MAG member,

Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. 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) A Day at the Valley
2) Leeds MAG Demo Report
3) Wakefield & Barnsley MAG Bike Show
4) May Rideout Report
5) Mainstream press reports bikes positively
6) Trans-Pennine Pub Crawl
7) UK Government acknowledge there's no evidence for EU anti-modification proposals
8) National Demo (24th June)
9) WY Transport Plan
10) Get up to speed on new bike licence laws
11) Help save the Manx GP
12) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)

1) A Day at the Valley

Check out the event report Here

2) Leeds MAG Demo Report

Check out the demo report Here

3) Wakefield & Barnsley MAG Bike Show

This year our popular annual bike show is being held in-conjunction with our good friends in Barnsley MAG, at the Dodworth Gala, Dodworth Miners Welfare Sports & Social Club, High Street, Dodworth, Barnsley, S75 3RF, on Sunday 1st July. The Dodworth Gala is a popular event and as well as Wakefield & Barnsley MAG branches, the Riders Branch of the Royal British Legion will also be there in force. In short, there will be plenty of bikes on show.

There will be multiple Show Categories / Awards (10 plus the overall best in show), catering for all types of Bike, Scooter, Combination & Trike. Show to be judged at 15:00, Entry into show from 09:30 onwards (Gala officially opens at 10:00).

All Welcome to come along and show off their pride & Joy. Hope to see you there.

4) May Rideout Report

Check out the rideout report Here

5) Mainstream press reports bikes positively

It's great to see the Daily Telegraph reporting so positively about motorcycle use and how bikes can improve the traffic situation for all road users.

An article published a few weeks ago draws attention to the TML report presented to the ACEM conference back in February and which MAG highlighted at the time. It's great to see reports like this being taken seriously by the quality press. It's a slight shame the article omitted mentioning the April 2011 study released by Transport for London - that study, focussing on the environmental advantages of motorcycles using bus lanes and central to the decision to allow bikes permanent access to bus lanes in London, also extols the virtues of motorcycling for the good of all. However, a great result for the motorcycling cause by Kevin Ash of the Daily Telegraph !!!!

MAG continually campaigns on the merits of motorcycles and the part they can play to ease congestion and improve environmental conditions.

The full TML report on motorcycles and commuting can be read at this link:
www.tmleuven.be/project/motorcyclesandcommuting/20110921_Motorfietsen_eindrapport_Eng.pdf

Use this info when you respond to the WY Transport Strategy Consultation (see 9 below).

6) Trans-Pennine Pub Crawl

Our much anticipated Wakefield MAG Trans-Pennine Pub Crawl is on Saturday 30th June.

We are taking the 10:06 train from Dewsbury to Huddersfield then changing trains for the stopping train to Stalybridge arriving at 10:43. A first pint in Stalybridge at our start point, then we are using the hourly stopping train service between Stalybridge and Huddersfield, then a change at Huddersfield for the Dewsbury train, where we will visit at least 7 real ale pubs, enjoying a different pint in each from independent and small breweries all without leaving the station or at most just walking across the road.

If you want to make your own way there, you can meet us at the Station Buffet, right on Stalybridge Railway Station at 11:00.

See the April Newsletter for the full itinerary. Hope to see you there for a cracking day out !!!!

7) UK Government acknowledge there's no evidence for EU anti-modification proposals

In response to questions asked in the House of Commons in Mid May by Steve Baker MP (Wycombe), the Secretary of State for Transport Norman Baker has acknowledged that the EU Commission has no evidence on which to base its anti-modification proposals contained within the Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation.

Replying on Thursday 17th May, the Secretary of State for Transport said "The (EU) Commission has not published any indicators to support the extension of anti-tampering measures to unrestricted motorcycles as part of their current proposal. A Commission sponsored study is underway which may provide evidence on the scale of tampering, its influence on accidents in the EU, and the effectiveness of new regulations. The Department will consider the results of this study when they are published"

He went on to say "The Department's impact assessment (published last October) could not find evidence to support anti-tampering measures on unrestricted motorcycles and on this basis the Government has opposed proposals to extend anti-tampering measures to unrestricted motorcycles".

Steve Baker, the KTM riding Conservative MP for High Wycombe, asked 4 questions regarding the evidence the Commission may have used to justify its proposals, highlighting the difference between bikes above and below 125cc machines, as these smaller 'restricted' bikes are currently affected by ant-tampering legislation.

MAG has been drawing attention to this issue ever since the Type Approval Regulation was proposed back in October 2010. The Commission failed at the outset to provide any evidence, though it acknowledged that it had been told, back in 2004 that it would have to provide some.

If, as the Sec of State says, the EU Commission are now undertaking a study, this is hardly the way to draft legislation! The proposals have already been 'scrutinised' by the Committee stage of Parliament and been voted on, which is astounding! They'll look pretty stupid if the study finds against them, so the impartiality of the research is bound to now be in question.

The European Ombudsman has already found that the Commission has a case to answer (0875/2011/JF) after MAG member Jon Strong made an official complaint and demonstrated that parts of the Treaty of the European Union had been breached, by introducing legislation without any research or evidence to support it.

MAG has also arranged for questions to be asked of the Commission by MEPs, and 6 questions are soon to be tabled. Anti-modification legislation is a major threat to the future of motorcycling, but it is perhaps most disturbing when that legislation has absolutely no evidential base and when the EU machine sees fit, not to acknowledge its failings, but instead, half way through the legislative process, start doing some hurried research to justify itself!

8) National Demo (24th June)

Sunday June 24th 2012 is the date for the MAG National Demo, similar to the one we held last September when over 40,000 riders took to the streets to highlight a raft of new legislation coming from Europe.

Things have moved on since then and the campaigning work has been frantic, limiting some of the worst legislative excesses and spreading awareness among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as the bike press. This time we have the support especially of Motorcycle Monthly, 100% Biker and of BIKE magazine. June 24th aims to concentrate the action this time, with one large demo in each of the 12 regions of the country represented by MEPs.

SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

It's never easy to explain detailed legislation in just a few words but in essence:

WHY DEMONSTRATE?

WHERE AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED

YORKSHIRE START AND FINISH POINTS

'EU Hands off Biking' T-shirts are now available for only £5, so if you want to support the 24th June demo event (and look very smart all summer), please click here: http://www.euhandsoffbiking.co.uk/

Shirts are available in 3 sizes for now, Medium, Large and 2XL

Postage and packing is £2 for the first one and £1 thereafter if you want to place a multiple order

9) WY Transport Plan

MyJourney West Yorkshire is Metro's 15-year Local Transport Plan (LTP). It sets out West Yorkshire's transport needs and ambitions until 2026. Motorcycles and Scooters are often given scant attention and coverage in these plans so it is our golden opportunity to ensure this proven congestion busting and environmentally friendly mode of transport features highly within the LTP - remember, bikes are the solution not the problem !!!!

A public consultation was launched on 8 May, covering a number of plans which support the LTP vision. You can download any of the plan documents, then complete the online consultations to share your views. The consultation closes on 2 July 2012.

The key play for motorcyclists is the Network Management Plan. The West Yorkshire LTP Network Management Plan sets out the direction and approach to managing the transport network. The Traffic Management Act 2004 imposes the network management duty, which requires local traffic authorities to do all that is reasonably practical to manage the network and to keep traffic moving. Our transport network (including roads, footways and cycle-ways) needs to operate as effectively as possible to support the economy, the environment and quality of life of those living, working and visiting the West Yorkshire area.

The Plan has been prepared to enable West Yorkshire residents, transport users, public transport operators and local businesses to see how we will fulfil our Network Management Duty and how we intend to continue to improve highway network performance.

The main objectives of the Plan are to reduce journey times and to reduce journey time variability. These objectives are supported by a series of outcomes:

The Plan will help transport authorities to deliver improved economic growth, lower carbon emissions and enhance people's quality of life across West Yorkshire.

A series of LTP public, drop-in consultation events will take place in June 2012:

Link to the consultation website: www.wyltp.com/consultation

Make reference to the Belgian TML study into motorcycles and congestion in your responses (see 5 above).

10) Get up to speed on new bike licence laws

From 19 January 2013 all countries within the EU will need to comply with the 3rd EU Driving Licence Directive (3DLD), which was passed in 2006. As a result trikes will move from car licence entitlement and in future will be covered by bike riding licences (depending on when you passed your test, see below). The effect will be that the effective minimum age for riding a trike over 15kW increases from 17 to 21 years old. Entitlements already on your licence will not be affected, but any new entitlements you want will have to be gained under the new rules.

*CBT*

The current Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) system will continue to give riders an ability to ride bikes up to 125cc on 'L'-plates (and on bigger bikes if under instruction from a qualified bike trainer).

*Riding test*

The content of the test is essentially unchanged, although MAG have been working with the UK government to change the content of the bike test later in 2013 so that more of it can be done on the road.

*Trikes*

3DLD requires a motorcycle entitlement (Category A1 to ride trikes under 15kW power output, full Category A for trikes over 15kW). Currently the entitlement to ride a trike is under category B1 (trikes and quads) or B (cars); licences replaced or renewed after 19 January 2013 will show the entitlement as B1 and A (limited to tricycles).

*Entitlement to ride bikes of different sizes*

Currently, you can gain a full licence to ride any size bike either by passing the test on a 125cc bike, then riding a bike restricted to 33bhp for two years before automatically qualifying to ride bigger bikes OR by taking a Direct Access test (minimum age 21 years). Under 3DLD this will change dramatically; there will be an additional category for medium-size bikes, the minimum age for Direct Access will rise to 24 and if a rider wants to start on a smaller bike and work their way through they will have to take a test, then ride that size of bike for two years. If they want to move up to another category of bike licence they will have to repeat the process on the bigger bike. All of the new licence categories are described below:

It will become a far more convoluted and timely process to gain the A category licence from 19 January 2013 onwards. So, if you are currently on 'L' plates, it is a good idea to pass your test this year before these new hurdles come into force, and make your life far more difficult.

11) Help save the Manx GP

Changes planned for the Isle of Man GP could have a really negative impact on the event. The proposed changes include shortening the two-week festival to 10 days, reducing the number of modern races, bringing in professional riders and moving the focus to classic racing.

If you don't agree with these changes, please sign the petition below to convince the Manx Government to negotiate with the event organisers: http://www.change.org/petitions/isle-of-man-government-reconsider-the-current-proposals-in-order-to-preserve-the-manx-grand-prix?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=share_page_mobile&fb_source=message

12) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)

Saturday 9th June - Farmyard Party Marshals Briefing

14:00 in Helmsley (Fountain Cafe, Duncombe Estate).

Sunday 10th June - Yorkshire MAG Region Meeting

11:00 in Helmsley (Fountain Cafe, Duncombe Estate).

*** Cancelled *** Sunday 10th June - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Rivington Barn)

Meet 9:30am (leaving at 10:00am) at Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th June - Farmyard Party Rally 2012

Duncombe Estate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire

Sunday 24th June - MAG National Demo against EU interference in Biking

See Above.

Saturday 30th June - Wakefield MAG Trans-Pennine Pub Crawl

See Above.

Sunday 1st July - Wakefield & Barnsley MAG Bike Show

See Above. This year our popular annual bike show will be held in-conjunction with our good friends in Barnsley MAG, at the Dodworth Gala, Barnsley

Exact Date TBC - Wakefield MAG Treasure Hunt (Branch Rideout with a difference !!)

Meet 9:30am (to get clues/instructions) at Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ (Treasure Hunt will leave at 10:00am prompt). £1 per entrant (to cover cost of prizes). Arrive with a full tank of petrol

Sunday 29th July - Wakefield MAG at the West Yorkshire VJMC Show

Once again we will be helping our good friends in the West Yorkshire VJMC marshal their excellent and very well attended All Japanese bike show at Lotherton Hall

Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally 2012

Hesley Wood Scout Camp, Chapeltown (Nr M1 J35). £15 Pre-Book only (we still have tickets for sale but we wont have them for very much longer !!!!!)

Sunday 12th August - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Whitby (there just had to be a visit to the seaside in the summer !!!)

Meet 9:30am (leaving at 10:00am) at Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ

That's all for this month and I 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.