Wakefield MAG March 2019 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) 2019 Events
2) Wakefield MAG May Day Bike Show
3) Bike For Sale
4) Rally Tickets
5) Post Christmas Auction
6) Clay Pigeon Shooting
7) MAG recommends ULEZ 'breathing space' for motorcycles
8) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Marshalling
9) Fake News
10) MAG to contribute to Young Driver Focus Conference
11) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)

1) 2019 Events

Our programme of events for 2019 has now been confirmed and these are detailed on the events page. To whet your appetite, here are some of the highlights to look forward to:

All the dates of our monthly social events have also being published (held on the last Wednesday of every month), and the monthly rideouts (held one Sunday per month from April to October). For the summer months (June - August), our monthly socials are evening rideouts to take advantage of the light nights - these will set off from Redbeck on the last Wednesday of June - August) at 18:30 and will be a maximum of 3 hours duration (to ensure you are home at a reasonable time for your Horlicks ;-)

And to supplement all our own activities, we'll also be attending as many of the activities of our very good friends in the other Yorkshire MAG groups, as time dictates. One thing is for sure, you wont get bored being a member of Wakefield MAG !!!!

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

2) Wakefield MAG May Day Bike Show

Wakefield MAG Bike Show at the Wakefield Gala

Our popular bike show, hosted at the Wakefield Gala at Clarence Park Arena, on May Day Bank Holiday Monday, is rapidly approaching. Fettle up your pride and joy and enter it into the show .... for FREE. All types of Bike, Scooter, Moped, Combination and Trike are welcomed and there are six winning categories plus an overall Best in Show up for grabs. We will also be hosting the Yorkshire MAG stand and running a tombola (with some great prizes to win). Lots of other attractions at the gala (including a motorcycle stunt show) to entertain you whilst you wait to see if your bike has won, and it's a great family day out.

Location: Clarence Park, Wakefield. Show to be judged at 14:30, Entry into show from 09:30 onwards (Gala officially opens at 10:00).

Hope to see you there. Did we mention it was FREE !!!

3) Bike For Sale

Advert: 2016 Yamaha YBR 125 Custom For Sale

If you are in the market for a 125, for riding on L plates, commuting, 'downsizing', or for the next 'Daft Way Up' adventure, this Black 2016 Yamaha YBR125 Custom may be right up your street. 3,600 miles, serviced late last year (service book stamped). Electric point for extras (Sat Nav, Phone Charging etc), luggage rack and soft panniers. Good condition and garaged. Also for sale on Gumtree (with a few more photos of the bike). New bike forces sale. Looking for circa £1,600. Call Andrew on 07968205566 for more information.

4) Rally Tickets

MAP Rallies 2019

Tickets for the Yorkshire MAG 2019 Rallies are for sale at our weekly meetings NOW.

Ticket prices and dates are:

The first of these 3 quite splendid events (ITV) is only a couple of months away and it is a Pre-Book only event, which means if you want to go, you have no choice but to buy your tickets in advance. See Lorna at any of our weekly meetings to buy yours. Remember, if you buy your tickets directly from us, you save on the on-line booking fee and postage .... more money in your pocket = more beer money .... what more of an incentive could you possibly want !!!

See the Yorkshire MAG Events site for more details of these 3 fantastic rallies: www.mapevents.co.uk

5) Post Christmas Auction

2019 Auction

Our 15th Post Christmas Auction is rapidly approaching and is being held on Wednesday 3rd April 2019. The idea is you donate all your unwanted Christmas presents, together with other stuff you no longer want, or have the room for, to the Branch and we auction them off to the highest bidder .... with the proceeds split 2/3 to MAG and 1/3 to charitable causes.

Our 14th Post Christmas Auction raised (with a little help from the raffle and a bit of rounding up) £630, which was split as follows:

That was pretty staggering, especially as the bidding on a lot of items started at 50p. Of course, we want to try to beat that for 2019 !!. We know times are hard at the moment, but that's all the more reason to come down to the auction, grab a top bargain, and save yourselves considerable amounts of money. We are already accumulating lots of auction items and we still have a month to collect even more !!!!.

The auctions are always hugely entertaining and there are always some real quality items donated, and hence, some real bargains to be had.

I hope to see you there. Be there early, with viewing from 07:00 onwards, and the auction starting at 08:00 prompt (and don't forget to bring your unwanted Christmas pressies !!!).

6) Clay Pigeon Shooting

Elmer Fudd

Wakefield MAG are going Clay Pigeon Shooting on Sunday 28th April (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM) at Yorkshire Field Sports, Newland Park, Birkwood Road, Altofts, Wakefield, WF6 2JE.

Yes, we realise it's not a particularly sound idea to let Wakefield MAG loose with loaded shotguns .... but, what the hell ... we are going anyway !!!

Cost is £24.50 (for 25 clays). £5 in advance secures your place. Hope to see you there.

7) MAG recommends ULEZ 'breathing space' for motorcycles

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has asked London authorities to allow time with bikers to prevent an angry, administratively nightmarish chaos over ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emmission Zone) charges for motorcycles.

MAG met with former Chair of the Transport Committee on the Greater London Authority, Keith Prince AM, at London's City Hall to seek a postponement for motorcycles from the ULEZ pollution charges for older motorbikes. This was supplemented by a formal letter to the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, requesting the postponement. Reasons identified for the postponement of the charges include:

MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik, warns: "there's a pressing need to take all of this into account to avoid administrative nightmares and injustices. Many motorcycles facing the charge are operating at emissions levels below the ULEZ emissions thresholds. TfL would be obliged to refund any payments made by those riders. So let's be sensible and postpone this charge, before the whole thing descends into chaos."

8) Wakefield Hospice 10K Race Marshalling

The Wakefield 10k Road Race is organised for and by Wakefield Hospice, with the aim to raise as much as possible for patients and their families living with an end of life diagnosis. Wakefield Hospice annually needs to raise £4 million. They would not be able to achieve this without the help of local people going out of their way to raise funds through taking part in events like the Wakefield 10k.

This years event will be the 24th annual Wakefield 10k and during that time runners have raised more than £0.5 million for those who need specialist care at a very difficult time in their lives. Last year those running in the Wakefield 10k did an incredible job raising more than £50,000 for the hospice. This could fund a whole week's care in the hospice!

The 24th Wakefield Hospice 10k race is being held on Sunday 24th March 2019, and takes a similar route to previous years: starting from Clarence Park, it's a linear route straight out and back along Horbury Road.

Parked up, watching the runners

Wakefield MAG have helped to marshal this popular event for more years than we care to remember, and our role is as mobile race marshals, looking after those competitors at the tail end of the race. The roads will only be closed for an hour maximum, and although the bulk of runners will be finished whilst the road is still closed, a good number of runners (walkers !!!) will still be on the course, hence the requirement for mobile marshals (that's us !!) to ensure their safety, once the road is re-opened to traffic. We are generally the last 'officials' remaining on the course, and hence play a vital role.

Parked up, watching the runners

We generally need around 6 marshals, although the more the merrier. We will need one extra marshal this year anyway as Chas 'Crocodile' Milner, who marshals every year, will still be in Australia at this time so won't be available for duty !!!

If you would like to volunteer, please let me know. P.S. you'll be home for lunchtime !!!

On the day, meet at 08:30 on Lawfield Lane to be issued with your marshalls Hi-Viz vest and receive any last minute instructions.

N.B. Please ensure your own bike insurance does not have an exclusion relating to marshalling non-motorsport events i.e. runners on a partially closed road route - MAG's preferred insurer, Bikesure, does not in it's standard insurance cover exclusions.

More details of the event here: www.wakefield10k.org.uk

9) Fake News

MAG says: Keep Calm and Carry On

Reports were flying around parts of the press and social media late February of a new EU ruling meaning on-board restricting computers will be fitted to all new motorcycles to stop them speeding. The reports were not accurate.

MAG immediately contacted our friends at the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA), the European riders' rights organisation. FEMA General Secretary, Dolf Willigers, confirmed that he had seen a number of reports in the British press that were "just not right".

Dolf went on to explain: "The parliamentary committee on Internal Market and Consumer Affairs (IMCO) has adopted a revised version of the General Safety Regulation. The scope of the regulation are M and N category vehicles, not L-category vehicles (motorcycles are category L3e vehicles).

The draft regulation talks of an assistance system that cannot be turned off, but the IMCO adapted report states that the driver can always switch the system on or off. During the last Committee meeting this subject was discussed extensively. I was told that Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) for cars was on its way and ISA for motorcycles could be expected sooner or later, but that I had the assurance of both the European Commission and of ETSC that there are no plans for ISA for motorcycles yet. If/when there is an ISA for motorcycles, this will not interfere with speed, because they all realise - and expressed to me - that this is too dangerous.

So, in conclusion: ISA for motorcycles is not there yet; there are no concrete (official) plans in that direction yet either, but it will come sooner or later. We should be prepared for that and draft the conditions while we still can do that."

MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said "It is important to remember when breaking news headlines to always check the facts to avoid confusion. Both MAG UK and FEMA are always willing to comment accurately on anything relating to motorcycle policy and legislation. FEMA is taking the best, most effective approach of working with the authorities to shape regulations in a way that is acceptable to bikers. There is no need to panic - they are on the case."

MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik, said: "It is a concern that ISA is on the agenda in some form. Since history tells us that regulations only tend to increase in our current authoritarian climate, there is potential darkness on the horizon. That said, this is not a campaign we need to run now, but we need to be aware of it for the future. We will continue to support and work with our friends at FEMA to ensure we keep riders rights protected."

10) MAG to contribute to Young Driver Focus Conference

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is participating in a one-day event for road safety professionals to consider ways to reduce collisions and casualties among young, less experienced powered two wheeler (P2W) riders. The event, organised by Road Safety GB (the team behind the established and well-attended Young Driver Focus), will take place on Wednesday 6th March at the Aston Villa football ground in Birmingham.

There are many who believe the young PTW rider sector is often overlooked, underfunded and under-represented within the road safety community. Young Rider Focus was conceived following a survey among road safety professionals which confirmed an appetite for a conference focusing on the key issues faced by 16-25 year-old motorcyclists, the highest risk road user group in the UK. The event will bring together public and private sector road safety professionals from across the UK, who are committed to helping reduce casualties among young riders. Young Rider Focus will seek to shine a light on the key issues - and to spark debate, interest and importantly, positive action. Lembit Öpik, MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, and Colin Brown, MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, will both be contributing to the event.

Sessions will cover the extent of the safety issue regarding younger riders, the primary causes of motorcycle crashes, the business case for motorcycling, training, commuting, engagement with younger riders and the approach being taken by the industry and Highways England towards the issues.

"MAG recognises this important initiative as one that we should be involved with," says Lembit. "MAG activists and riders in general would find it interesting - and your contribution would be really appreciated in helping to formulate next steps from the sessions. I hope you'll be able to attend."

More details of the conference at: youngriderfocus.org.uk

To register, contact Sally Bartrum on 01379 650112. There is a reduced rate of £125 (plus VAT) for MAG members.

11) Forthcoming Events (for March and beyond)

Saturday 23rd March - An Evening with Ed March

Leeds MAG is proud to present their 5th annual talk, An Evening with Ed March. 'Riding around the world with no plans, no idea what he's doing ..... and no-one telling him what a stupid idea it is.' Want to know about Ed March? Watch this short YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6f5yA2N_-8

20:00 at Squires Cafe Bar, Newthorpe Lane, LS25 5LX. Tickets £10 plus postage (also includes free camping) from leeds.mag-uk.org/

Sunday 24th March 2019 - Wakefield Hospice 10K Race

See Above. www.wakefield10k.org.uk

Wednesday 27th March - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBC

20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Saturday 30th March - Wakefield MAG Birthday Bash

Wakefield MAG are going to the dogs .... literally !!!!!

We are celebrating our 17th Birthday (belatedly) on Saturday 30th March with a 'Trap Six' Party Booking at the Dogs (Kinsley Greyhound Stadium), for which you get Admission (including race programme), any 2 drinks from the bar, Any meal from the Bistro, £2 Tote bet and a reserved table all evening - a great way to celebrate our 17th Birthday !!!

This will be our 7th visit and previous visits have been an absolute hoot. £18 p.p. which has to be paid in full with the booking. If you plan on attending, can you let us know asap and pay the full amount to Sharon Scott (Social Committee Officer) no later than Wednesday 27th March. Hope to see you there. Start time at Kinsley Greyhound Stadium - 7pm

www.kinsleydogs.co.uk/

Wednesday 3rd April - Wakefield MAG 15th Post Christmas Auction

See Above.

Sunday 14th April - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBC)

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

Wednesday 24th April - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBC

20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Wakefield MAG go Clay Pigeon Shooting - Sunday 28th April

See Above. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Yorkshire Field Sports, Newland Park, Birkwood Road, Altofts, Wakefield, WF6 2JE. Cost is £24.50 (for 25 clays). £5 in advance secures your place.

Friday 3rd May - Sunday 5th May - Into the Valley (ITV) Rally

See Above. www.intothevalley.co.uk

Bank Holiday Monday (May Day) 6th May - Wakefield MAG Bike show at the Wakefield Gala

See Above. 10:00 onwards at Clarence Park Arena, Wakefield

Sunday 12th May - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBC)

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

Wednesday 29th May - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBC

20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Friday 21st June - Sunday 23rd June - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally

See Above. www.farmyardparty.co.uk

Friday 2nd August - Sunday 4th August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)

See Above. www.yorkshirepuddingrally.co.uk

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

That's all for this month, 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.