Dear Wakefield MAG member,
Welcome to the Wakefield MAG e-newsletter (a bumper one as it covers both October & November). 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) Castle Howard Rideout Report
2) Devils Bridge Rideout Report
3) Get Merry at the Ferry with the Yorkies Event Report
4) Rideout for Olivia Charity Rideout Report
5) 2014 MAG Annual General Conference
6) Yorkshire MAG AGM
7) Next Generation Raffle
8) RearView e-Petition
9) Bikes in Bus Lanes e-Petition
10) 10th Biker Quiz Nite
11) Yorkies / Yorkshire Trikers Charity Run
12) Bikes Banned from Public Road - Latest
13) NEC Motorcycle Show
14) Lenient Sentencing (x2)
15) Forthcoming Events (for Late October, November and beyond)
1) Castle Howard Rideout Report
Check out the rideout report Here.
2) Devils Bridge Rideout Report
Check out the rideout report Here.
3) Get Merry at the Ferry with the Yorkies Event Report
Check out the Yorkies (MAG Affiliated Club) rally report Here.
4) Rideout for Olivia Charity Rideout Report
Check out the charity rideout report Here.
5) 2014 MAG Annual General Conference
After several years of the MAG Annual General Conference being held in the South of England, you will be ever so pleased to hear that the 2014 MAG AGC will be held 'Oop North'. The 2014 MAG AGC will be hosted by North West MAG, in Blackpool, on Saturday 12th April. Make a note of the date in your diary and watch this space for details of the rideout to get there.
The Yorkshire Region Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 19th October 2013 at the Cross Keys Inn in nearby Morley.
Many things were discussed and debated in the AGM, but the important bit really was the 2014 committee elections.
Your new 2014 Yorkshire MAG committee is:
With virtually the same committee in place, this bodes extremely well for continuity and for the continued growth and success of the Yorkshire Region. And talking of success, £2,100 was donated by several Yorkshire branches to the Yorkshire MAG account on the day (including a £1,000 cheque from Wakefield MAG !!!). A further £1,000 has also been promised by East Yorkshire MAG. Needless to say the Yorkshire MAG coffers are quite healthy meaning we will be able to make a sizable donation to the MAG National Fighting Fund, to protect riders rights and YOUR FREEDOM !!!!
We have tickets for sale at the Weekly Branch Meetings for the MAG Next Generation Raffle. Tickets are £1 and the draw will be made on 1st April 2014 and presented at the MAG AGC 2014 in Blackpool. Confirmed prizes so far are:
There is everything there to get someone on the road, fully togged, plus a few spares to keep the bike running and looking good - fantastic prizes I'm sure you'll agree. Let me know if you want any tickets, or better still, come along and buy them in person at one of the Wednesday meetings ..... oh, and good luck in the draw !!!!
RearView have set up an e-Petition to help put pressure on the Government to take action NOW on improving road safety by making the use of rear view technology (cameras, sensors etc) mandatory on all vans and lorries. By signing up, in just a few minutes you can help to:
RearView was launched in 2013 following the tragic and horrific death of Mike Ellis. On 2nd April 2012 Mike rode up behind an 18 tonne lorry on his motorbike, when the lorry driver decided he had missed his turning and suddenly began reversing. The road had a down-hill slope and Mike was on a heavy motorbike (and bikes have no reverse gear), so did not have time to get out of the way. The lorry reversed over him and dragged him & his motorbike under the wheels for more than 80m before the driver noticed the wheels of the bike sticking out from beneath the lorry. Mike died at the scene from multiple crush injuries. The driver was not convicted of any offence. He simply said "I didn't see him". At the inquest, it was stated that it was the 'responsibility of the person behind the lorry to ensure they were seen'. We will never know whether Mike tried to, or had the opportunity to, make himself seen. He was on a single track, one-way road through a rural industrial estate in the Cotswolds. To one side of the road was a wall, the other a grass verge. Mike was an experienced biker, having been riding since he was 16 years old and an instructor for many years. Everyone has seen the signs on the back of lorries which say 'if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you', but the reality is that the Police report said Mike would have had to have been more than 48m (157.5ft) behind the 30ft lorry in order for the driver to have been certain of seeing him through his mirrors on his motorbike - so, if you are a cyclist or a pedestrian it is even further. How often do you leave a gap like that when stopping behind a lorry, even if you are at traffic lights or at a junction? This demonstrates that it is extremely difficult to ensure that you are seen by a lorry driver who is simply using his wing mirrors to check behind him, even if he does look thoroughly. There is no arguing the fact that all vehicles have 'blind spots', particularly large lorries and vans. However, it is wrong to take all the responsibility for being seen away from the driver of the vehicle.
So, RearView intends to campaign for a change in the law, requiring all commercial vehicles (lorries, vans etc) to have some form of reversing technology fitted. However, changes in legislation can take a long time to achieve, so in the meantime, the campaign is also to encourage drivers and operators of lorries and vans to voluntarily fit additional safety equipment to vehicles already on the road.
Full details of the campaign are on the RearView Campaign website: www.rearview.org.uk If you agree with the aims and objectives of this campaign, please sign the e-Petition and/or check the 'Get Involved' page on the campaign website.
9) Bikes in Bus Lanes e-Petition
All MAG Groups across the UK (incl. Wakefield) are working with their local authorities to try to secure permanent access to Bus Lanes for powered two wheelers (PTW). Along the same lines, but targetted directly at the Department for Transport, is an e-Petition, aimed at persuading the government to implement permanent access to bus lanes for PTW in all major towns and cities within the UK.
If you agree with these aims and objectives, please sign the e-Petition at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/52930. As the Tesco ads say 'Every Little Helps' .... Certainly worth a try !!!
Our much anticipated and hotly contested annual quiz nite is very close, and will be held at 8:00pm on Wednesday 20th November 2013 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield. A huge number of teams have already committed to entering so it's likely to be packed ... arrive early to be sure of a seat.
60 questions will be asked, 30 of which will be motorcycle related and 30 will be general knowledge (but there will be a bike related link / theme somewhere, however tenuous).
The quiz is highly competitive and hotly contested throughout Yorkshire (MAG Groups and local MCC's) and the prestigious roll of honour is:
Who will win in 2013 ? .... Come along and find out !
This is the tenth consecutive year that Wakefield MAG have hosted the quiz, so it promises to be a special one !!!
£1 entry fee p.p. Team (Max. 5) or individual entry. Great prizes for the winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd), plus booby prize for the least number of correct answers.
All proceeds to the MAG Fighting Fund. Hope to see you there.
11) Yorkies / Yorkshire Trikers Charity Run
The Yorkies (MAG Affiliated Club) and the Yorkshire Trikers have organised a charity run, slightly different from the normal Christmas / Toy Runs - cars or bikes will be very welcome on this.
Alan Greaves was attacked on Christmas Eve 2012 by youths, and he later lost the battle for his life. On the 24th November, the Yorkies / Yorkshire Trikers are inviting all bikers to join them at The Travellers Pub, 9 Smithy Wood Rd, Thorpe Hesley, S61 2SE, leaving at 13:00, taking in-date unopened and sealed food to St Saviour's food bank, Greengate Lane, High Green, Sheffield, which is a charity trying to help meet the challenge of poverty (they are doing this in Alan's name as this was his charity). Project Manager Maureen Greaves has been the church's outreach worker for the past nine years. She said: "More and more people are feeling the strain of coping. I've been working with many families over the years in my work for the Church Army, but these are the toughest times that I've known. The idea of the centre came to me as I felt that a gathering place to meet people's needs would be really helpful."
So this group is asking bikers to help donate food for this fantastic project this year, and the Yorkies / Yorkshire Trikers have picked up the mantle, as it were. If you fancy a slightly different charity run, the Yorkies / Yorkshire Trikers would be delighted to welcome you along.
12) Bikes Banned from Public Road - Latest
For those of you following the developments in London with bikes banned from a public road ......
MAG has made great progress in getting two types of bans on motorcycling lifted in the London borough of Brent. Productive action and discussions between MAG and Brent Council has led to the council changing its original plan to make a one-off ban of motorcycling on Rainsford Road, a permanent measure.
Following input from MAG, the Council has now agreed that the ban will be kept as a temporary 'experimental' measure until it is no longer needed. Removing the ban is expected in due course, now that a key aspect of the situation that led to the problems - namely the absence of traffic on a brand new road is set to change. (Please see editor's notes below)
Action and input by MAG has also started proceedings that will pave the way to lift the bans that currently exist, on motorcycle access to non-TfL bus lanes in the borough.
The Council introduced a one-off ban in Rainsford Road on August 12 as an 'Experimental Scheme', in response to an unprecedented level of problems caused by the anti-social behaviour of a handful of irresponsible motorcyclists. They had turned a new but rarely used road into a race track and stunt arena. Despite huge efforts by the local police and in the face of police vehicles being attacked, the problems continued to upset and endanger residents and users of the nearby Middlesex Hospital.
Now, after productive discussions with MAG, the Council has agreed that the need for the ban will go and it can be lifted in due course. A detailed examination of the situation showed that the road will no longer be left devoid of traffic, as the developer who built it is starting work on the site, as he now has permission to build housing as well as offices.
Speaking for MAG, National Chairman John Mitchell says: "The Rainsford Road situation was more complex than it seemed at face value. MAG deplores any move to restrict motorcycling on any section of public roads, however, we are led to believe that all realistic alternatives had been tried to tackle a huge range of problems caused by an irresponsible few. Now though, after productive engagement with the council, we are confident that a way has been found to lift the Rainsford Road ban in due course, and others that currently apply to the Borough's network of bus lanes."
Editor's notes (Ian Mutch, MAG President):
Thorough investigation by MAG of Brent Council's decision to ban motorcycles from a backstreet in the London Borough revealed that the situation and the level of problems is unique. Problems included 174 reported bike crashes in a year and a death looked inevitable with bikes doing 80+mph past a hospital into the night. The full list of problems was huge and included attacks on police vehicles. No fatalities so far ruled out the use of automated speed cameras, and traffic calming was out for other reasons. All policing options were considered or tried which left one way to go. CCTV was already there but prosecutions with that evidence required a court case each whereas enforcing traffic signs for an experimental bike ban could be automated.
The annual NEC Motorcycle Show (or Motorcycle Live to give it it's proper title) is rapidly approaching and the show dates are 23rd November - 1st December 2013. MAG-UK will have a show stand (Location: 4E35 in Hall 4) so if you are attending do pop over and say hello to Yorkshire MAG's Neil Stevenson, who is managing the stand. Ticket prices are: £17 Adult; £7 Child (6-16) - 5 and under Free; £11 Senior (65+). These prices are pre-book and there is a £1.50 booking fee (per transaction, not ticket). On the Gate entry is: £20 (Adults); £9 Child (6-16) - 5 and under Free; £13 Senior (65+).
More info at the Show website: www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
Ever felt the courts are biased against motorcyclists ? Your fears may not be entirely unfounded .......
Two year sentence for causing death by careless driving
The Motorcycle Action Group is pleased that Brian Hampton has been brought to Justice over causing the death of 16 year old Jade Clark, while driving his Volvo XC90 in February this year. However, they feel the sentence handed down by Judge Samuel Wiggs, is woefully inadequate.
Hampton received a two year sentence for causing death by careless driving. An additional four year sentence was imposed for Perverting the Course of Justice. The sentences will run consecutively. Hampton, who was an ex-paramedic, was driving while disqualified for drink driving. He denies knowledge of the accident, yet drove around Jade and fled the scene, leaving her laying in the middle of a busy road. He later attempted to cover his tracks by having his car repaired. He lied to both his wife, and the garage where the car was repaired, as to the circumstances behind the damage. MAG applauds the work of the police in bringing Hampton to Justice, considering the large amount of resources used. They inspected around 1,400 Volvo XC90's before identifying the driver. They described Jade as quite an experienced rider, despite her age.
MAG understands that the Judge followed the sentencing guidelines laid down by the Government. John Mitchell, MAG's National Chairman, has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General to ask them to review the prosecution of the case, and Brian Hampton's sentence. Also to review sentencing guidelines, which seem to be at the heart of the problem. He has also asked his MP to table a question in parliament on the apparent lack of value given to the life of a vulnerable road user.
John said: "Brian Hampton should not have been on that road that particular day. He was already disqualified. His actions in attempting to cover up the incident are cowardly in the extreme. In this situation we cannot just blame Hampton, the law needs to be clearer on appropriate sentencing. If a banned driver receives only a two year sentence for causing the death of a vulnerable road user, what sort of value does that put on a human life?"
Driver killed motorway biker by slowing to just 10mph - Update
MAG is disappointed that the Attorney General has decided not to revisit the lenient sentencing of a motorist whose actions led to the death of a motorcyclist.
Newspaper reports state that Mark Walsh, 43, slammed on his brakes near a slip-road, causing 41-year-old Peter Sarchet behind him to lose control of his bike after the front wheel locked when he had to brake hard.
Walsh received a sentence of just 20 months for an action that would appear to have been deliberately malicious.
MAG considers that where the courts make a decision that is clearly likely to arouse concerns about disproportionate treatment, a degree of responsibility to explain that decision is necessary to sustain confidence in the justice system.
MAG suspects that motorcyclists are treated less sympathetically by the courts and for the attorney general to uphold a suspiciously lenient sentence without any explanation, represents contempt for public sensibilities.
MAG has written to the attorney general again to pursue this point.
15) Forthcoming Events (for Late October, November and beyond)
Friday 25th October - Leeds MAG Halloween Party
20:00 onwards, at the Parkfield Suite, 8 Parkfield Terrace, Stanningley, LS28 6BS. Live Band (Dirty Vinyl), Fancy Dress (optional, but prizes for best outfits), Raffle, Bar until 23:30. £5 (200 limit).
Saturday 9th November - Barnsley MAG Race Night
Betting opens at 19:30, 1st race at 20:00, at the Keel Inn, Wombwell Lane, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 3NT.
Sunday 10th November - Wakefield MAG at the City of Wakefield Memorial Sunday Parade & Service
10:50 (or earlier), Wood Street War Memorial, Wakefield. Rideout to Royal British Legion Riders Branch event at Mirfield, following our attendance at the Remembrance Service (TBC).
Wednesday 20th November - Wakefield MAG 10th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
See Above. Our hugely popular and hotly contested annual quiz. Just like a pub quiz, but for bikers. 60 questions, 30 biking related, 30 general knowledge. Great prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, and a booby prize for the least number of correct answers. Enter as a team (max. 5) or an individual. £1 p.p. entry fee. The action starts at 20:00 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield (but be there earlier than that to get a seat !!!)
Saturday 23rd November - Sunday 1st December - NEC Motorcycle Show
See Above
Sunday 24th November - Yorkies / Yorkshire Trikers Charity Run
See Above
TBC (in December) - Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
Keep an eye on this website and the Wakefield MAG Facebook page for confirmation of the date / time / venue etc
Wednesday 15th January 2014 - Wakefield MAG AGM
Annual General Meeting of the Wakefield & District Motorcycle Action Group Branch. Review of the year, Officer Reports, Election of Officers for 2014 & Branch Heroes prize giving. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. Location: Back room of the 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.