Wakefield MAG August 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) National Police Force Bike Theft Rankings
2) MAG Annual General Conference
3) MAG demands that TfL investigate
4) Yorkshire Pudding Rally Report
5) DVSA reveals top driving test faults
6) Sites you may wish to visit
7) EGM - Finance Officer Election
8) Will we ever get to Willingham Woods Rideout Report
9) Whitby Memorial Rideout Report
10) Evening Rideout to Huddersfield MAG Report
11) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)

1) National Police Force Bike Theft Rankings

The Motorcycle Action Group has released a national police force ranking system for motorcycle theft. Following analysis of Freedom of Information responses the most complete picture of the national levels of motorcycle theft are now available for all to see.

The ranking system aims to demonstrate in a fair and balanced manner the level of motorcycle theft around the entire UK. To give a fair representation things like geographic size and population differences between police force areas have been allowed for by calculating a figure for the number of thefts per thousand registered motorcycles in each force area.

All 45 territorial police forces responded to MAG's FOI requests, but sadly 2 failed to meet the deadline to be included in the published ranking and a further six were unable to give the theft data within the constraints of the FOI regulations.

MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, commented: "It is disappointing that we do still have gaps in the overall picture, and we will be urging the eight forces that could not help this time round to consider ways to give us the data for future revisions. We will be running the ranking on an annual basis. MAG is clear that the purpose of the ranking system is not to point fingers, but rather to assist all parties in better understanding the issues and opportunities to combat what is probably one of the most pressing concerns for many bikers. For a biker, the theft of their bike is most definitely not a victimless crime. More so than for any other mode of transport, riders become very emotionally attached to their bikes. For some loss of a bike is akin to the loss of a family member. It is unsurprising that this passion stirs up much emotion, and with motorcycles currently being seven times more likely to be stolen than any other form of vehicle, we have a massive issue that needs to be confronted head on. We can only start to solve a problem if we first understand it. This work is only the beginning as far as we are concerned and we are already endeavouring to speak to and work with the forces that are showing the worst results. We are fully engaged with the Metropolitan Police Force and will be involved in discussions with the MET in September. We met the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns Williamson, in August and have approached the PCCs for all forces showing above average levels of motorcycle theft."

The rankings show that the Metropolitan Police Force area (which for the purposes of the ranking combines the Metropolitan and City of London forces) as the worst performing with 82 of every 1000 registered bikes stolen in 2018. Second place goes to West Yorkshire with 56 per 1000 stolen. Best ranked was Derbyshire with just 1 in every 1000 bikes stolen.

Rankings
Rankings

The full report can be found here: Motorcycle Theft Rankings Report (August 2019)

Colin Brown said "The fact that well over 60% of all thefts happen in just 6 police force territories is a clear demonstration that a concerted effort in those locations can make a vast difference to the national picture. We will be seeking to work with those forces to ensure that everything that can be done is done. We will not sit back and simply complain that more needs to be done, but hopefully a bit of healthy competition between forces will work in our favour.

Compiling this information has taught me many things already, from the differing methods of recording crime in use across the country, to the variation in performance levels when it comes to recording all crime, as well as the stark variation in levels of motorcycle theft across the country. Any analysis tends to lead to more questions, but it is only by asking those questions that we make progress."

MAG gave opportunity for the worst performing forces to have sight of the statistics in advance of publishing the data, and asked for statements from them.

West Midlands Police issued the following statement: "As a force we are committed to tackling vehicle crime and have introduced short and long term measures to reduce the problem. We take all reports of theft seriously and investigate proportionately. If you see any suspicious behaviour, please let us know, no matter how small it may seem. For more information on how to keep your car or motorcycle safe from thieves, check out our dedicated website."

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "Having been contacted by the Motorcycle Action Group, I arranged to meet them, along with West Yorkshire Police, to discuss the ongoing work to help address and reduce motorcycle thefts across West Yorkshire as well as what more we could do together in partnership. The meeting resulted in a number of actions that we will be working towards. Whilst these types of offences are always going to be more prevalent in larger metropolitan police force areas that does not mean we are complacent. Robust law enforcement has a big part to play and where there are positive lines of enquiry West Yorkshire Police will investigate and seek appropriate actions and prosecutions. We would also ask motorcycle owners to take extra precautionary steps where possible to help reduce their chances of being targeted by criminals. These can include adding an immobiliser, using a steering lock or storing your bike out of sight at night. More advice is available by visiting West Yorkshire Police's website. The fact that we are rated as outstanding by the HMICFRS in our crime recording will also affect our standing in MAG's ranking. I understand this won't bring much comfort to anyone that has unfortunately been targeted by thieves but it does mean that we have a solid base with which to understand the full extent of these incidents and work towards tackling them. Going forward we will continue to build on our relationship with MAG in working to tackle these issues together and have agreed a number of positive stems linking in with our crime prevention leads."

MAG looks forward to more productive engagement with West Yorkshire and all other forces where motorcycle theft is showing its ugly face.

2) MAG Annual General Conference

The 2019 MAG Annual General Conference is being held on Saturday 28th September, and is being hosted by the 3 West Yorkshire MAG Groups - Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield !!!

We have booked a superb venue for the AGC with the conference room at Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC, Leeds Road, Shaw Cross, Dewsbury WF12 7HP (easy to find from whichever compass point of the UK you are coming from). The venue also includes on-site camping in a secure area, with toilets and showers, and there are plenty of hotels and Bed and Breakfast accommodation, to suit all budgets, within a short distance. Entertainment will be on both evenings: Friday 27th September - Biker Quiz and Live Acoustic Sets from Kelly Ann Bolland; Saturday 28th September - Post AGM Party with Live Music from The Interiorz.

We have held two AGC planning meetings to date and we have most things in hand, but we will need lots of volunteer marshals to help the event go smoothly so please get involved and offer your services. Keep the date(s) free and watch this space for further information and details of the help needed. Let's together make the West Yorkshire AGC an event to remember !!!!

N.B. The next edition of The Road magazine will have a pull out AGC guide in the centre pages so be sure to check it out.

3) MAG demands that TfL investigate

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has revealed its own analysis into the 'safety in numbers' concept and, in the process, uncovered some uncomfortable truths.

The Motorcycle Action Group has been working on analysis of motorcycle casualty statistics in England. The purpose of the analysis was to establish evidence for the widely accepted belief that there is a safety in numbers effect applicable to motorcyclists as much as cyclists. The theory is that higher numbers of cyclists or motorcyclists on the road actually results in reduced risk of collisions due to increased awareness of the vulnerable road users by other road users.

MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown explains: "We analysed at a regional and local authority level the proportion of total casualties in comparison with the prevalence of the two vulnerable road user groups in the transport mix, looking at varying levels of modal share in varying locations as well as changes in casualty share as modal share has changed over time. The most startling revelation from the research turned out not to be in the safety in numbers results, which can be seen, but actually in the stark contrasts between trends in London compared to other regions. It is clear that over time the prevalence of motorcycles and pedal cycles has been very similar in all areas except London where the prevalence of pedal cycles is increasing at a faster rate than for motorcycles. The shocking thing, however, is that the proportion of casualties is similar and generally converging throughout the country except - again - for London where the proportions are very clearly diverging, with cycling becoming safer while motorcycling is becoming less safe."

Reacting to the revelations, MAG's Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Lembit Opik, said "Transport for London have adopted a Vision Zero aspiration to eliminate all road deaths, but this evidence shows that there is a clear imbalance between these two transport modes ... and it's getting worse. It cannot be right to continually improve safety for one road user group whilst ignoring or, as we are now seeing, increasing the risks for another group. TfL claim to want to reduce all road casualties, so why are we not seeing improvements in the statistics for motorcyclists? We need TfL to investigate and to take action to reverse this trend immediately."

These revelations follow similar findings from widely reported analysis by Swinton Insurance, which showed that London is the most dangerous region for motorcyclists in the UK. Colin Brown remarked "The Swinton analysis shows a 5% decline in the number of collisions involving motorbikes nationally between 2016 and 2017, but an 8% rise in London. We would caution against adopting the standard approach of suggesting that it is the behaviour of London’s riders that causes this anomaly. It would seem inconceivable that if all London riders did a month long exchange visit to the West Midlands and vice versa, that the statistics would dramatically change for that month. The riding environment being created in the capital is, undeniably, very different to that in other parts of the country. I believe that this environmental difference is the most obvious place to start looking for explanations, and would like to see TfL making this a top priority."

Vice Chair of MAG, Andy Carrott, stated "We welcome improvements in cycle safety but fear that the impact of some policies, introduced to achieve these gains for cyclists, has not been fully considered. Other vulnerable road users, motorcyclists in particular, may have been placed at increased risk. We request that TfL provide evidence that the two trends in casualties are not causally linked but, more importantly, we urge TfL to take steps to reverse the trend in PTW casualties without restricting their use."

4) Yorkshire Pudding Rally Report

Check out the event report Here.

5) DVSA reveals top driving test faults

Failing to look properly at junctions and not using mirrors effectively are the top reasons people failed their driving test in it's first year of operation, following changes made to the driving test in 2017.

The most common faults made during driving tests between 4 December 2017 and 3 December 2018 were:

  1. Junctions - observation
  2. Mirrors - change direction
  3. Control - steering
  4. Junctions - turning right
  5. Move off - safely
  6. Response to signs - traffic lights
  7. Move off - control
  8. Positioning - normal driving
  9. Response to signs - road markings
  10. Reverse park - control

The driving test faults reflect the factors that cause accidents - 39% of all accidents in Great Britain in 2017 were a result of a driver failing to look properly. Given the above, it is logical to conclude that more effective training and a higher bar for obtaining a car driving licence would invariably be a positive for motorcycle KSI (killed and seriously injured) figures, probably far more than focusing purely on making the bike test harder to pass .... I can feel a letter to the new Transport Secretary coming on.

6) Sites you may wish to visit

7) EGM - Finance Officer Election

Following the sudden death of Justine Travis, our long standing Finance Officer, it was necessary to call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to vote in a replacement, to serve until the AGM on Wednesday 15th January 2020. Congratulations to Martin Burgess, who was unanimously voted into office. Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), held on Wednesday 3rd July 2019 can be found: Here

8) Will we ever get to Willingham Woods Rideout Report

Check out the Rideout Report Here.

9) Whitby Memorial Rideout Report

Check out the Rideout Report Here.

10) Evening Rideout to Huddersfield MAG Report

Check out the Rideout Report Here.

11) Forthcoming Events (for August and beyond)

Sunday 11th August - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBC)

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

Wednesday 28th August - Wakefield MAG Evening Rideout (Destination: TBC)

Meet at Redbeck Cafe, Doncaster Road, Crofton from 18:00 onwards, leaving at 18:30

Friday 30th August - Sunday 1st September - NE MAG's 29th Stormin' The Castle 2019

Custom Bike Show, 15+ Bands on 2 stages, 3 bars including Hogoblin Real Ale Bar, all the usual entertainment & more. Check website for more details: www.storminthecastle.co.uk

Ticket: Adults £35, OTG £45, Prebook day ticket £25 & kids £10. Witton Castle Country Park, Witton-Le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0DE

Sunday 8th September - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: TBC)

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

Wednesday 25th September - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBA

20:30 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield

Saturday 28th September - MAG Annual General Conference (hosted by West Yorkshire MAG - Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield)

See Above.

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.