Wakefield MAG August 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) YPR Report
2) Castleton Ride Out Report
3) Helmets for Trike Riders in NI
4) Recruit your MP
5) Routes to your Motorcycle Test
6) Bikesure
7) August Rideout
8) IAM research highlights 'shocking' smartphone stats
9) MAG's Justice Campaign
10) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)

1) YPR Report

Check out the event report Here

2) Castleton Ride Out Report

Check out the rideout report Here

3) Helmets for Trike Riders in NI

Northern Ireland consults on mandatory helmets for trike riders and their passengers.

The Department of Environment in Northern Ireland is launching a public consultation on a proposal to make the wearing of helmets mandatory for riders and/or drivers of, and passengers on, motor tricycles used on public roads.

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) vigorously opposes the enforcement of compulsory helmet wearing in principle. The group's long-standing position on the issue as it relates to all vehicle users is an unacceptable infringement of civil liberty that is not supported by an adequate body of evidence to justify it.

Furthermore the infringement of the civil rights of bikers is a grossly disproportionate application of law. It is hypocritical to place unwarranted demands on a minority on a false premise while neglecting to address real issues. The premise is that unhelmeted bikers represented a significant public burden in terms of health care costs which could be minimised by enforcing helmet wearing. There is no evidence to support this assumption whereas the evidence linking other lifestyle choices to serious and fatal disorders on an incomparable scale is irrefutable.

MAG President Ian Mutch says: "Statistically the move seems to be trying to address a problem that does not exist. In the six years between 2008 and 2014 there have been only two fatalities and three serious injuries sustained by trike riders in Northern Ireland. No evidence exists to suggest that a helmet law might have affected this tiny number of cases. The move to enforce helmet wearing for trike riders in common with the wider helmet law for all bikers would seem to be motivated more by an unhealthy appetite for conformity than any objective assessment."

The public consultation ends on 19th August 2015 and the consulation document is here: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/road_users/corporate-road-safety/road-safety-consultations-and-publications/road-safety-consultations.htm

4) Recruit your MP

In keeping with MAG's strategic plan to recruit MPs as members and supporters of MAG, an 'MP Support Pack' is now available from MAG Central. This contains everything you need to recruit your local Member of Parliament. Please do use it - our aim is to have a big, cross-party, representation of Parliamentarians in order to protect riders' rights for years to come. You'll find most MPs are very positive about MAG these days, thanks to all the promotional work we've been doing in Parliament.

What are you waiting for ... Recruit your MP as a MAG member. The MP Support Pack can be obtained by contacting the MAG Central Office:
Central Office
P.O. Box 750
Warwick
CV34 9FU

central-office@mag-uk.org

Tel: 01926 844064 / Fax: 01926 844065

5) Routes to your Motorcycle Test

One of our meeting regulars asked recently about how to upgrade from a restricted licence to a full licence at age 21. We had to look it up on t'interweb as it's not a straightforward answer and none of us particularly knew - that's not because we aren't a savvy bunch, more because it is now a ridiculously complicated process - Thank you EU and HM Government !!!

So, for the benefit of everyone ... Here are the ridiculous steps you now have to go to, to obtain a motorcycle licence in the UK. Read, and literally weep (I did): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/369984/routes-to-your-motorcycle-licence.pdf

And still on the subject of tests, you may remember the CBT Consultation which took place earlier in the year. The results can be found below. It's 29 pages long but don't let that put you off: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/442790/moder nising_CBT_courses.pdf

6) Bikesure

MAG has been actively working with Bikesure, MAG's insurance partner, and in addition to offering attractive bike policies, they also now include Free Membership of MAG. How great is that !!!! It could be a real money spinner for the organisation, and at best could significantly increase our membership numbers. Bikesure also LIKE insuring custom bikes (which a lot of insurers are reluctant to cover), and encourage you to tell them all the facts, as it could even lead to a lower, rather than a higher, premium.

If you insrance renewal is coming up, contact Bikesure FREE for a quote on 0800 089 0342 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday or 9am to 4pm Saturday.

7) August Rideout

Our monthly rideout for the month of August, is on Sunday the 16th, to How Stean Gorge, back via Brimham Rocks, and will be led by Mick 'Lets see how many times we can ride past the Alhambra' Culpan.

How Stean Gorge lies in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and is a geographically unique and spectacular limestone ravine carved out over thousands of years by waterflow. Brimham Rocks is an amazing collection of weird and wonderful natural rock formations in North Yorkshire, managed by the National Trust. Great destinations, but of course, a Wakefield MAG rideout is all about the journey, not just the destination !!!

It promises to be a good one, a Learner friendly picturesque route is guaranteed and it's August, so we'll have 10,000 acres of blue sky, so hope to see you there.

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

8) IAM research highlights 'shocking' smartphone stats

The Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) has published new research which it says "reveals the shocking extent to which drivers use their phones and tablets to take selfies, make video calls and watch videos while driving".

The research, commissioned by the IAM, asked 500 drivers how they use their smartphones and tablets in the car.

Despite this, the IAM says number of drivers given penalty points for using a smartphone at the wheel "fell by more than 40% in 2014". Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: "Everyone knows how dangerous using a smartphone or tablet is while driving. That's why it's shocking to see new trends like taking selfies and making video calls becoming common practice. More must be done to catch drivers using these devices dangerously by increasing the fines and points for smartphone and tablet use at the wheel. Campaigns must also be introduced that raise awareness of the prevalence of the issue in society and make this behaviour socially unacceptable as drink-driving".

See more at: http://iam.org.uk/media-and-research/media-centre/news-archive/20671-the-new-driving-dangers-selfies-video-calls-or-just-watching-the-telly

So, if you are out on the bike and see an idiot driver using a smartphone ..... keep well out of their way !!!

9) MAG's Justice Campaign

The Justice Campaign is a key focus over the Summer. MAG is seeking a review of sentencing of road users involved in injury and fatal accidents involving riders. We're looking for examples which concern you. MAG isn't formally representing riders, but we do need to attend some inquests to see how riders and their families are being treated by the law. It's a difficult and sensitive issue - but if you can help with information, please let Lembit Öpik know at MAG Central:
Central Office
P.O. Box 750
Warwick
CV34 9FU

central-office@mag-uk.org

Tel: 01926 844064 / Fax: 01926 844065

10) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)

Sunday 16th August - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: How Stean Gorge and Brimham Rocks)

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

Friday 4th - Sunday 6th September - NE MAG's 25th Stormin' The Castle

Bike Rally & Custom Show. Witton Castle Country Park, Witton-Le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0DE. www.storminthecastle.co.uk

Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September - Spat at the Tsunami

Spat 2015, is down the dale at Duncolme park, Helmsley (The old Farmyard site). Tickets went on sale (and sold out) at the FYP, so if you wanted to go, hopefully you have secured your tickets already. If not, there is always eBay !!

Visit: http://east-yorks.mag-uk.org for more details.

Sunday 27th September - Wakefield MAG Treasure Hunt (The Ultimate Thinking Riders Rideout)

Multiple Clues, Multiple Answers, Multiple Destinations, Multiple Opportunities to get totally lost. Prizes for 1st , 2nd & 3rd place, plus a booby prize for coming last. Rankings determined by a combination of correct answers, correct destinations, route taken and time elapsed, so the first back to base isn't necessarily the winner ... it's why it's the Ultimate Thinking Riders Rideout !!! £1 p.p. Entry Fee (to cover the cost of the prizes). All profits to the MAG Fighting Fund. "Don't Follow Me .... I'm Lost Too"

Meet 08:30 (to get clues/instructions) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. Leave when you have worked out where you are going !!!

Sunday 3rd October - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBA)

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

Wednesday 21st October - Wakefield MAG Bingo Night

Eyes Down for a Fun Filled Night of Bingo !!! Cash and Prize Bingo, and lot's of hilarity guaranteed. All profits to the MAG Fighting Fund. 20:00 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

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.