Dear Wakefield MAG Member,
Welcome to the Wakefield MAG Newsletter. If you can't attend our Tuesday meetings regularly, it's the next best thing to keep you up to date with what we are up to.
CONTENTS
1) Wakefield MAG May Day Bike Show Report
2) May Rideout Report
3) Wakefield MAG Curry Night / Alex Reunion Report
4) FYP (& YPR) Rally Tickets
5) May Social Evening (Killer Pool) Report
6) ITV Rally Report
7) YPR Marshal Registration
8) Campaign for default bus lane access
9) Contact your MP
10) South Yorkshire and Huddersfield MAG present the Market Top Box Sale - Saturday 23rd July
11) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)
1) Wakefield MAG May Day Bike Show Report
Check out the event report Here
Check out the rideout report Here
3) Wakefield MAG Curry Night / Alex Reunion
Check out the event report Here
*** NOT LONG NOW TILL FARMYARD PARTY 2022 *** 17th-19th June, Duncombe Park, Helmsley
Judging by ticket sales this is going to be one hell of a Farmyard Party, and boy do we have an exciting weekend awaiting you all. Whether you have been before or fancy giving it a go, this is the year to attend.
Over 25 acts, World Class Comedy Show, BIG TOP MAIN STAGE, The LAST EVER UK PERFORMANCE(s) of the world famous Purple Helmets, the SOLD OUT Custom Marquee, food from around the world, 4 music stages with bars offering a truly diverse range of music old and new(ish) (Rock, pop, disco, punk, swing, acoustic, ska, blues, 70's, 80's, 90's and noughties), camping with or without fires, thousands of like minded people enjoying themselves. We have even booked the weather, so what are you waiting for.
All of this for only £45 pre-book!!! (Limited Saturday only tickets available too)
Car passes for bikers in cars are available (with proof of full motorcycle licence required) for anyone unable to ride to the event for whatever reason.
We still have tickets (which are actually barcoded wristbands this year) for FYP & YPR for sale at our weekly meetings (the last date to buy your FYP tickets from us at the branch meetings is Tuesday 14th June (on-line ticket sale deadline is midnight Sunday 12th June, tickets available at www.mapevents.co.uk). Remember, if you buy your tickets directly from us, you save on the on-line booking fee and postage (£2.50 per ticket !!!) .... more money in your pocket = more beer money .... what more of an incentive could you possibly want !!!
Ticket prices and dates are:
See the Yorkshire MAG Events site for more details of the fantastic Yorkshire MAG rallies: www.mapevents.co.uk
5) May Social Evening (Killer Pool) Report
Check out the event report Here
Check out the event report Here
Marshal Registration is now open for Yorkshire Pudding 2022. Please click on this link: www.magmarshals.co.uk to access the forms.
If you have marshalled at a previous event, then you can just go straight to the Marshal at an Event section and use your email and password from previous years. If you cannot remember what the email address you last used was, then you can email us at marshals@mapevents.co.uk and we should be able to tell you your email username. If you have changed your email address since last using the registration forms and you wish to use the new email, you can Re-Register with your new email before registering to Marshal at an Event. If you cannot remember your password, then go to the Get Help section to reset it.
If you wish to register to marshal at an event for the first time, please complete the Registration page, then go to the Marshal at Event Section to sign up for Yorkshire Pudding 2022. It is helpful if you can state which is your local MAG group when you register and you can tell us a bit about any relevant skills and experience on the special requirements section, such as an SIA badge holder or marshalling at other events. Someone may contact you to find out a bit more about what would be a suitable role for you, whilst we will try to accommodate everyone's request to marshal, it is always at the Event Manager's discretion. Please also ensure to let us know under special requirements if you have any disability or health condition that limits what you can do, we need to know to ensure everyone's health and safety.
Also, you should receive a confirmation email for every form you fill in and submit. Should you not receive the confirmation email, again, please email us at marshals@mapevents.co.uk so we can get you fully registered on our system.
You can go back into your form and update it at any time until the closing date, which is Friday 22nd July 2022 at 1pm. Please ensure you press the submit button at the bottom of the form if you do this.
The shift confirmation email will be sent to you within the week starting Monday 25th July.
Please remember to bring your own re-usable drinks bottle as we are continuing with our quest to reduce the amount of waste at our events so there will be no water in bottles again this year.
If you have requested to be on the build up crew, then it is at Pete Walker's discretion and you will receive a separate email to the shift rota email, letting you know what time to arrive on site.
If you require a car pass, please email Pete Walker at pwalker@mapevents.co.uk putting 'CAR PASS YPR 2022' in the heading and your name and car registration in the request.
We also now have a Facebook page exclusively for all marshals called Yorkshire MAG Marshals Page. Please ask to join and invite all the marshals you know to join. It's for you to air your views. We do accept constructive criticism as this allows us to adapt and move forward but any kind of nasty or unacceptable comments will be removed.
Thank you very much for your continued involvement with the Yorkshire MAG events, without you they wouldn't happen. If you have any queries, please reply to marshals@mapevents.co.uk, we will try to reply by email but it will help if you include a phone number.
Carol and Jayne
Marshal Admin
8) Campaign for default bus lane access
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has launched a new campaign for default bus lane access. New research shows that motorcycles can currently use 48% of all 'with-flow' bus lanes in the UK. MAG say it is time for local authorities to stop debating and start delivering.
MAG has released a new report that for the first time collates UK-wide information on motorcycle access in bus lanes. The report shows that of the 159 local transport authorities with bus lanes, just 56 allow motorcycle access. Report author Colin Brown said: "This research has revealed the successes of three decades of campaigning by MAG on this issue. Given the complexity and stumbling blocks placed between a coherent national policy and a totally unnecessary exclusion of motorcycles from bus lanes, we have done well to gain access to 48% of the nation's bus lanes. We have also shown the ludicrous situation where access permissions change along certain routes or in opposite directions on the same road. We have had three decades of expensive local trials but the overwhelming result of all these is that motorcycle access to bus lanes is not a problem. It is time for a consistent default access for motorcycles, just as already exists informally for pedal cycles."
A petition has been raised by Birmingham-based barrister Dr Mirza Ahmad asking the Government to require local authorities in England to permit motorcycles in bus lanes. MAG is asking motorcyclists, and indeed all road users, to sign the petition.
Campaign plans
Firstly, MAG is calling for a further meeting with Roads Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton. The Minister previously asked MAG to list its top five priorities. Bus lane access was the issue that MAG members voted as their first ask.
MAG will then approach decision-makers in Wales and Scotland to promote the sensible approach taken in Northern Ireland. The Department for Infrastructure allows motorcycle access in all bus lanes in NI.
Finally, MAG has vowed to redouble efforts with key authorities that still do not allow access. MAG is already pushing for meetings with Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham and Leicester, as well as discussing with Transport for London (TfL) how best to get London Boroughs to accept a common policy.
Colin Brown said: "Even Sadiq Khan agrees that all London boroughs should allow motorcycle access. TfL adopted a blanket policy on all red routes, but many boroughs are still opposed to motorcycle access. If we can get Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham and Leicester on board that would be another 60 miles of access. Of course, if these councils are smart, they will back our calls for default access as this would save them money and there would be no argument for yet more trials."
Motorcycle Access to Bus Lanes: UK Stocktake 2022. Access the report here: wiki.mag-uk.org/images/6/65/Bus_Lane_Stocktake_2022.pdf
The petition raised by Dr Mirza Ahmad can be found here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/614294
MAG is pushing hard for National Government to promote shift away from single-occupancy car usage, especially for urban uses such as commuting, in favour of powered two wheelers (PTWs). As well as pressure at the top we are encouraging all riders to add pressure from the community as well. To this end a specimen email has been prepared for you to use (in adapted form if you prefer) and send to your own constituency MP. Please copy and paste the following and send asap to your MP:
Dear [Your MP]
I am writing to you as a constituent with some pro-motorcycling policies to help tackle congestion within urbanised areas. The Motorcycle Action Group has a long history of promoting the environmental benefits and lesser congestion with a modal shift from single occupancy cars to motorcycles.
The Government is refusing to listen to motorcyclists like myself in terms of future transport challenges and this message has been consistently resisted and/or overlooked by policy makers. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has written to Secretary of State, Grant Shapps with four simple cost free and yet effective policy requests. These policies, if acted upon, could greatly ease our national transport issues and support my personal transport preferences as a effective way of travel. The proposals will generate no extra cost implications beyond the funds already pledged by the Government to help local authorities reallocate road space and provide space for active travel.
The four policies are:
Modal shift from single occupancy cars to motorcycles provides benefits for air quality and congestion and should thus be incentivised by being exempt from all such charges.
To summarise, motorcycles and scooters are an effective way of travel through urbanised areas due to their smaller foot print in size which makes them agile so to manoeuvre through traffic too.
I would like to ask you, as my representative in Parliament, to support me by calling on the Government to take heed and implement these policies as soon as possible to increase the percentage of motorcycles used on the road.
I hope that you will take urgent and positive action on this and look forward to hearing from you with any progress made.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[State if you are a MAG member here]
[Your address]
[Your Postcode]
10) South Yorkshire and Huddersfield MAG present the Market Top Box Sale - Saturday 23rd July
South Yorkshire MAG are pleased to announce they will be hosting the renowned Huddersfield MAG Top Box sale at the market on Saturday 23rd of July. In addition there will be burgers and hot dogs available, plus Claire Mercer from the Smart Motorways Kill campaign will be in attendance promoting the campaign and raising funds so please donate generously to this worthwhile and potentially life saving cause.
Major thanks to the Market owners who have also helped in securing a band for us, Jagged Rocks with Wakefield MAG's own Steve 'Jagster' Jagger on drums, in addition they are also putting on a guest ale, Trooper by Robinsons and Iron Maiden.
P.S. Wakefield MAG are planning to attend this event, either a rideout, or by train so foaming goblets of ale can be quaffed - watch this space for further announcements
11) Forthcoming Events (for June and beyond)
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th June - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally
See Above. www.mapevents.co.uk
Monday 20th June 2022 - 31st International Ride To Work Day
Tuesday 28th June - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBC
20:00 in the Thatched House
Thursday 14th July - Evening Rideout to Sheffield Speedway
Further details to follow - watch this space for updates
Saturday 23rd July - South Yorkshire and Huddersfield MAG present the Market Top Box Sale
See Above.
Tuesday 26th July - Wakefield MAG Social Night - Event: TBC
20:00 in the Thatched House
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)
See Above. www.mapevents.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 Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield at 8:00pm every Tuesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.