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) Blackpool MAG Rally Report
2) Hollingworth Lake Rideout Report
3) VJMC Show Report
4) How 'Traffic Calming' Endangers Bikers' Lives
5) Vacancies at MAG Central, Warwick
6) Motorcycle Manoeuvre Testing to Remain Off-Road following Review
7) Yorkshire Pudding Rally
8) East Mids MAG BSH Xtreme Custom Show
9) August Rideout
10) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)
Check out the event report Here.
2) Hollingworth Lake Rideout Report
Check out the rideout report Here.
Check out the event report Here.
4) How 'Traffic Calming' Endangers Bikers' Lives
The following is a letter sent by Wakefield MAG member and MAG Director, Neil Liversedge, to various parties following a near miss at a Wakefield District Traffic Calming site ...
To Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City Council
Dear Mark
How 'Traffic Calming' Endangers Bikers' Lives
I attach photographs of the 'traffic-calming' build-out on Station Road, Allerton Bywater, WF10. Being local I am sure you are familiar with this stretch of road.
This morning at around 8.30am I was almost killed by a brown Volkswagen cabriolet (model uncertain) registration W50 JS, the driver of which completely ignored my right of way. I was travelling southeast toward Castleford and as the white arrow over the red shows, on my side of the road, I had priority. He however saw fit to ignore the clear 'Give Way' instruction on his side. With a lot of heavy braking and swerving I had a narrow escape. Being as large as I am, on a Harley Davidson with its headlamp permanently on and with two front running lights, he could hardly claim 'sorry mate, I didn't see you', which is the usual excuse in such circumstances. He almost killed me simply because he could not be bothered to give way and because the so-called 'traffic calming' threatened to delay him for a few seconds.
Whilst the actions of the moron in question are in no way excusable, this situation would not have happened were it not for the build-out in question which puts vehicles on the wrong side of the road. This is not an isolated instance. I drive this stretch of road to and from work every day and regularly see similar instances, though usually involving two cars or other dual-track vehicles such as trucks. As any driving instructor will tell you, it is dangerous to brake whilst turning owing to the forces thus created. In modern dual-track vehicles however, it is something the driver can often 'get away' with unless at high speed and/or on a poor road surface, ice or loose gravel for example.
On a motorcycle one is much less likely to get away with it. Bikes lean to go around bends - that is pure physics; not fancy riding. Braking whilst leaned over for a corner is dangerous in the extreme. In a situation such as this build-out creates, even braking is not enough. Swerving is necessitated also. The problem is, there isn't much of anywhere to swerve to. Swerving in to the left, tightening the turn, whilst braking, increases the danger of losing control completely and/or hitting the nearside kerb with disastrous results. Swerving to the right risks hitting the build out with equally disastrous results.
The highway engineer who put this in place might as well have just set up a cheese wire at head height to decapitate passing bikers. He was either the worst highway engineer in the world ever, or he REALLY hated us. In case the build-out itself doesn't get us there is also a 'speed cushion' placed at a point where bikes are still often leaning from the vertical. You may recall a similar obstruction was placed below the old railway bridge on Station Road, Kippax, a few years ago, but was removed shortly afterwards for the same reason: It created far more dangerous situations than it prevented. So does this one. It needs to go. Now.
As I said earlier, this morning's experience was not, sadly, a one-off. Three years ago I was almost taken out in identical circumstances by a taxi. Last year by a Range Rover. One near-death experience per lifetime is one too many. Three in three years is taking the proverbial. I know of others, locally, who have had similar experiences, my own wife included, on more than one occasion and usually with taxis, fast-food delivery drivers and four wheel drive the drivers of which seems to assume they always have right of way.
No doubt the highway engineer responsible would answer this by saying 'Not my fault - they should give way'. Yes they should, but we have to cope with the world as it is, not as it should be, and the reality is that by placing an obstruction in a dangerous place you create an incentive to drivers to behave more dangerously than they otherwise might.
I hereby formally request that Leeds City Council takes immediate steps to remove this deadly-dangerous obstruction without delay and ideally this week.
If this is not done I will pursue whatever legal options are open to me starting with the Local Government Ombudsman.
This correspondence is being copied to my MP and the local media. As you may know I am also a Director of The Motorcycle Action Group. I shall therefore be placing a timed and dated copy of this letter in MAG's archives and in the event that I become aware of any accident to which the build-out in question might be a contributory factor I shall make a copy available to the lawyers for the parties concerned. I am also copying in the traffic division of West Yorkshire Police as they will be amongst those who pick up the pieces. MAG's local branches in Wakefield and Leeds have been informed and nationally MAG will be looking for similar examples of bad engineering that require urgent correction.
I do hope, Mark, that you can obtain action on this with the urgency it clearly deserves.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in anticipation.
Already, local Ward Councillors and the MP have promised to look into the situation with immediate effect. We will keep you all informed what the outcome of this campaign is. If anyone also encounters potentially dangerous traffic calming measures in the Wakefield area, please get in touch with the council as Neil has done, and copy ourselves at Wakefield MAG. Contact details for the council are on the Local MAG page on this website.
5) Vacancies at MAG Central, Warwick
MAG (UK) Ltd now seeks one or perhaps two persons to work on its campaign staff. There are two key and distinct roles to fill. Reporting to the elected Board of MAG (UK) Ltd, the first is essentially a research, analytical and policy role. The fundamental duties of this will involve detecting, at the earliest possible stage, moves in public policy, technological changes and the output of opinion-formers that might be of significance to motorcyclists and motorcycling. Such moves may emanate from governmental sources in the UK or abroad but equally they might be non-governmental, e.g. campaigns by groups professing to be campaigning in the interests of road-safety, or technological changes that may have significance. Having detected such, your role will be to provide objective analysis on the implications thereof.
The second distinct role is that of a lobbyist whose principal task will be the influencing of opinion-formers at a local and national government level, and also at times on an international basis. Such a candidate is likely to be South-east based or willing to relocate. He or she will have extensive experience of such work and will be familiar with the workings of governmental institutions.
Both of these positions are available initially on a twelve-month fixed-term contract, fees negotiable. It may be that one person is competent to undertake both roles or equally it may be that two individuals are engaged, one for each. The above is an outline only of what is required. it is not exhaustive and does not encompass every aspect of the roles. Thorough guidance will however be given, the Board's expectations made clear and fees will agreed between the Board and the successful candidate(s).
Persons having an interest in this should send a full CV to Julie Sperling at MAG (UK) Ltd Central office by email to julie.sperling@mak-uk.org accompanied by a letter stating why they believe they are suited to the role(s) and what they would bring to the organisation.
The closing date for applications is 31 August 2013.
6) Motorcycle Manoeuvre Testing to Remain Off-Road following Review
A thorough review of motorcycle testing has concluded that an off-road manoeuvre test is safer and cheaper, Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond announced on the 4th July 2013. The Motorcycle Test Review was commissioned to look at the feasibility of moving the off-road manoeuvres part of the test onto the road and has concluded that this would increase injuries and costs. The government will therefore not implement a single-event on-road motorcycle test.
Check out the full text of the DfT Press Release Here.
The Yorkshire Pudding Rally was the first weekend in August, at the new site, Eskrick Estate, Nr Selby. We will have a full report in next months newsletter but the early feedback is a cracking time was had by all, and the YPR has maintained it's reputation for never raining. There were some excellent bands lined up: Fractured Valves & Big Day on the Friday Night and Gypsies, The Les Nichol Band & GunLaw on the Saturday Night. Not forgetting of course the Comedy show on the Saturday afternoon and the ride in bike show. Here are some of the early comments to be posted on the Yorkshire Pudding Rally Facebook site:
And a message from the Yorkshire MAG organisers: 'What a brilliant weekend. We hope you all liked the site as much as we do, I know it is very hard to please everyone but hopefully you can see more positives than negatives and I certainly hope you can see how much effort the small number of people put in to help you party with a purpose and you that you will continue to support us by spending some of your hard earned cash with us. A big THANK YOU to everyone who came to The Pudding and made it so much fun and so worthwhile for us all. You helped us have a Ball, from Nicki on behalf of the Crew'.
8) East Mids MAG BSH Xtreme Custom Show
Just in case anyone hasn't seen the fliers kicking around, East Mids MAG are organising the camping at the BSH Xtreme Custom show at Donington Park on 20th-22nd September. If you would like tickets for camping or even volunteer to marshal please go to http://themagbash.co.uk/shop/ for details.
Our monthly rideout for the month of August, will be led by John Hannon, who is going to take us on a scenic route all the way up to Redcar and back. This route, some 200 miles of classic biking roads and stunning scenery is a personal favorite of John's and he's just itching to lead this.
Meet on Sunday 11th August at 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. We will also be making a first stop off at Squires Cafe, Newthorpe at 9:30ish, leaving Squires at 10:00, for those who fancy slightly longer in bed !!! A picturesque route is guaranteed !!!! Hope to see you there.
10) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)
Sunday 11th August - Wakefield MAG August Rideout (Destination: Redcar, via the Scenic Route)
See Above. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. Also meeting at Squires Cafe Bar from 9:30am, leaving at 10:00am
Friday 30th August - Sunday 1st September - NE MAG's 22nd Stormin' The Castle 2013
Witton Castle Country Park, Witton-Le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0DE. www.storminthecastle.co.uk
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th September - Yorkies (MAG Affiliated Club) Get Merry at the Ferry Rally
Quality food and beer, bands on Friday and Saturday, rock DJ both nights. Trade Stands, 24hr Showers and Toilets. Breighton Ferry, Bubwith, Selby, YO8 6DH. Ticket Price: £10.00. Contact Mick Culpan (Wakefield MAG) or email Sandie Shaw (Yorkies) Sandra.shaw@talktalk.net for further info.
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September - East Yorkshire MAG's Spat Out of Hull Rally
Bonfire, Comedians, Live bands, Excellent food. Dene park sports club, Beverley road, Dunswell HU6 0AA. east-yorks.mag-uk.org
Sunday 22nd September - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Castle Howard)
Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT
Sunday 6th October - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Devils Bridge)
Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT
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.