Wakefield MAG June 2015 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) Leeds MAG Demo Run Report
2) May Rideout Report
3) Into the Valley Rally Report
4) Wakefield MAG Bike Show Report
5) National Ride to Work Week
6) Congratulations to Andy and Sara
7) BADMAG Bus Lanes Celebratory Ride
8) West Yorkshire Transport Strategy
9) Rally Tickets
10) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)

1) Leeds MAG Demo Run Report

Check out the demo report Here

2) May Rideout Report

Check out the rideout report Here

3) Into the Valley Rally Report

Check out the rally report Here

4) Wakefield MAG Bike Show Report

Check out the event report Here

5) National Ride to Work Week

The National 'Ride to Work' Week is being held on 15th - 21st June. This national event is organised by the Motorcycle Industry Association and is designed to showcase the benefits and pleasures of commuting by Two Wheels. By taking part in National Ride to Work Week you'll encourage others to get on their bikes too, and we'll also remind other road users that we all share our daily journey to work, and it's more pleasant if we all look out for one another. And policymakers will see what a vital part of the transport mix motorcyclists are. Check out the event website for further details.

6) Congratulations to Andy and Sara

Congratulations to Andy Ward and Sara Hillman on their recent marriage on Saturday 23rd May. Andy was a Wakefield MAG meeting regular prior to moving out of the district to the East Riding, but always kept in touch, and they attend several Wakefield MAG events, despite being no longer 'on the doorstep'. Wakefield MAG's Eddie Johnson took the wedding photos and a good time was had by all at the reception and evening do (amply catered for us biking types with free camping and live music from FYP band The Super Models).

Congratulations to Andy and Sara

See you both at the FYP !!!!

7) BADMAG Bus Lanes Celebratory Ride

Check out the event report Here

8) West Yorkshire Transport Strategy

A huge thanks to everyone who responded to the consultation for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Single Transport Plan (that had NO mention of motorcycles at all!). See the April news article for further details.

A large number of people responded to the consultation survey, sent emails, and attended the Demo in Leeds on 23rd May. In addition, lots of meetings and discussions have since taken place and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have pretty much admitted that to exclude motorcycles was a glating ommission and one they intend to address. A meeting will now take place between MAG (with representatives from Leeds, Wakefield & Huddersfield MAG branches, together with Dr Leon Mannings, MAG's Transport Policy Advisor) and the Combined Authority on the 11th June. The Combined Authority have asked for MAG's views and we were only too happy to provide them with MAG's motorcycle strategy.

Supporting MAG's case is Jason McCartney, Colne Valley MP, Simon Cooke (new Leader of Bradford Council), and nearer to home, Morley & Outwood MP Andrea Jenkins is writing letters of support to both Leeds Council and the Combined Authority in time for the meeting on the 11th. This followed a visit to Andrea's MP surgery by Wakefield MAG's Political Officer, Ian Whittaker.

Mr Whittaker meets Morley & Outwood MP Andrea Jenkins

Whilst a lot of work remains to be done to secure a positive outcome, what has been done to date represents a fantastic combined effort by the West Yorkshire MAG branches (Wakefield, Leeds & Huddersfield) and it has been recognised as outstanding local lobbying by MAG Central. Not all councillors support encouraging motorcycling as a solution to transport problems (see the Telegraph and Argus article and you will see what I mean) ..... BUT ...... we are at the negotiating table and have support from high places, so we are certainly moving in the right direction.

Watch this space for further updates !!!!

9) Rally Tickets

The Wakefield MAG allocation of Yorkshire MAG rally tickets are selling fast at the weekly branch meetings. However, we still have tickets available for:

Be sure to buy your tickets early, especially for the YPR, which sells out every year well ahead of the event - Don't leave it to the last minute and risk disappointment !!! If you want some rally tickets reserving, do let me know. If you buy direct from your local MAG branch, you'll save yourself the online £2 booking / administration fee.

10) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)

Sunday 7th June - Wakefield MAG Memorial Rideout (Destination: Bridlington)

A Special Rideout in memory of dear friends and ex-Members of the Branch who are sadly no longer with us. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at RedBeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ

Saturday 13th June - Yorkshire MAG Region Meeting

Every Yorkshire MAG member is invited to attend the Yorkshire Region Meeting and have your say in how the region is run. The meeting is being held at the FYP site (in the marquee at the Duncombe Park Estate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5E), at 11:00.

Saturday 13th June - Farmyard Party Marshals Briefing

14:00 at the FYP site (in the marquee at the Duncombe Park Estate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5E). BBQ in the evening and camping over for those that wish to get 'refreshed'. FYP marshals can pitch their tents and leave them in-situ ready for the FYP weekend if they so wish.

Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June - Farmyard Party Rally 2015

Europe's Biggest and Best Motorcycle Only Rally. Location: Duncombe Park, Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Tickets available at our branch meetings. www.farmyardparty.com/farmyard-party

Sunday 5th July - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)

Meet 08:30 (leaving at 09:00) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT

Friday 31st (July) - Sunday 2nd August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally 2015

Escrick Estate off the A19 just above Selby. Tickets available at our branch meetings. www.farmyardparty.com/yorkshire-pudding

Sunday 23rd August - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)

Meet 08:30 (leaving at 09:00) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT

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

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.