Dear Wakefield MAG Member,
Welcome to the May 2021 Wakefield MAG e-newsletter. We countdown to our meetings starting again on Tuesday 18th May but in the meantime, this Newsletter is THE ONLY WAY to keep up to date with what we are up to, in these quite surreal times.
CONTENTS
1) Wakefield MAG Weekly Meetings
2) York MAG
3) Yorkshire Pudding Rally
4) Where are all the electric motorcycles
5) Is synthetic fuel the saviour of ICE
6) E10 Petrol
7) MAG on track to turn hope into reality for motorcyclists
8) MAG calls on PCC candidates: pledge to tackle motorcycle theft
9) MAG club affiliation scheme
10) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
1) Wakefield MAG Weekly Meetings
All the indications are that the published timetable to end lockdown is still on track, therefore, we are still on target to recommence pur weekly Wakefield MAG meetings from Tuesday 18th May (if there are any last minute changes to the timetable, you'll find out via our Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/wakefieldmag) and our website (wakefield.mag-uk.org/).
We will then look to hold an interim AGM on Tuesday 29th June. This will be a cutdown AGM just for branch officer elections for the rest of 2021, as there are not a lot of activities to review over the past year, everyone's branch heroes points will be sadly depleted, and we can plan for the rest of the year at the weekly meetings themselves. We'll then hold a 'normal' AGM again in January 2022.
It certainly will be great to see everyone again and return to a bit of normality.
Once we get our meetings up and running again and the remaining Covid-19 restrictions are lifted (hopefully from 21st June onwards), we will look to schedule some much missed events during the rest of 2021. We'll set dates shortly, but here are some cracking events to be looking forward to:
And to supplement our own activities, we'll also be attending as many of the activities of our very good friends in the other Yorkshire MAG groups, as time dictates. One thing is for sure, you wont get bored being a member of Wakefield MAG !!!!
The first official branch meeting of the newly reformed York MAG will be Friday 21st May at the Black Swan, 23 Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR at 7:30pm (dependant on Step 3 with the 30 rule coming into action on 17th May otherwise it may get postponed).
For those of you who have been around Yorkshire MAG for a good few years, you will recall this was a meeting venue of the old York MAG, plus many Yorkshire Region meetings were held at the venue. It's a cracking olde worlde pub, close to the city centre, plentiful parking and a fantastic selection of real ales (if memory serves right). It's also a doddle to get to from Wakefield (A64, A1079, past A1 Moto Triumph, then a right at the city walls onto Foss Islands Road and it's on your LHS)
We'll organise a visit to see them once everything is up and running. In the meantime, you can follow York MAG on their Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/yorkmag/.
Good Luck to York MAG Rep Richard Suddaby and the York MAG Committee - it's great to see an active prescence in York (and North Yorkshire) again !!!
The 2021 Yorkshire Pudding Rally is SOLD OUT ..... it always does, every year, but never this quick !!!
I hope everyone who wanted to go to the 2021 YPR acted on the advice given to buy their tickets early, otherwise you might have to rely on bidding wars on eBay to secure that elusive ticket.
A big thank you from MAP (Yorkshire MAG Events Arm) for all the positivity and messages of support they have received.
Please note:
Now all we need to do is remember what goes where. See you in August, we can't wait !!!
Event website: www.mapevents.co.uk
ALL ENQUIRIES: 0800 988 3199 enquiries@mapevents.co.uk
4) Where are all the electric motorcycles
The European Union aims to ban petrol engines (as does the UK from 2030, at least for cars and vans). Car manufacturers jump at the opportunity to sell us an electric car, but the motorcycle industry does not appear to be so keen. FEMA's Dolf Willigers asks what the motorcycle industry is waiting for. And the industry responds.
Read the full article: www.femamotorcycling.eu/where-are-the-electric-motorcycles
5) Is synthetic fuel the saviour of ICE
With Ducati reportedly shunning electric in favour of synthetic fuel, is a man-made option really the saviour of the internal combustion engine? .... read more in the recent Visordown article: www.visordown.com/features/general/toad-talks-synthetic-fuel-saviour-'petrol'-engine
The UK is switching to E10 petrol in September 2021. Older motorcycles may not be compatible with the fuel so it's best to do some research beforehand so you know what steps to take to avoid potential damage to your pride and joy. Check out the advice from the AA: www.theaa.com/driving-advice/fuels-environment/introduction-of-e10-petrol-in-the-uk
7) MAG on track to turn hope into reality for motorcyclists
Continuing progress between the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) and the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that MAG is on track to turn hope into reality for motorcyclists. Roads Minister, Baroness Vere agrees that "there is more that the Department can do to provide direction and support for motorcycling."
MAG's meeting with Roads Minister, Baroness Vere in January will have a lasting impact on the future of motorcycling in the UK. A recent letter has revealed the extent of the progress made. At the meeting, Baroness Vere asked MAG to create a list of riders' top five priorities.
In the letter, Baroness Vere admits that delivering on the priorities raises complex and challenging issues. The Minister states that MAG and the DfT will need to work together to better understand the specifics of each ask. She goes on to recognise the extensive contacts and influence that MAG has developed in various forums. The Minister concludes by saying: "I am pleased that MAG is taking such a collaborative approach and that, whilst work is still continuing on the consideration of your 'top five priorities', we have in place forums with the right expertise to not only address these concerns, but to explore what more the Government can do to support motorcycling."
MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, commented: "I am delighted by this further evidence that we are on track to deliver real results. Factors like the recent formation of the National Motorcyclists Council and MAG's continued work mean that riders can hope for a brighter future. We are at the early stages of a complex and no doubt lengthy process, but we are undeniably moving motorcycling to where it needs to be - at the heart of transport policy. If you are not already a member, now is the time to join MAG. The work we do does not happen by chance and there are costs involved. More riders investing in MAG membership will help us to turn hope into reality on your behalf."
You can support MAG's work and enjoy many member benefits by taking out full membership for just £27 per year. Join online at www.mag-uk.org or by contacting the MAG Central office during normal office hours on 01926 844 064.
8) MAG calls on PCC candidates: pledge to tackle motorcycle theft
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is calling on candidates for Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) roles to make a pledge to tackle motorcycle theft. MAG has contacted every PCC candidate for Hertfordshire and West Mercia following worrying revelations from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
MAG has highlighted the positive effect that COVID has had on motorcycle theft in 2020. However, two particular police force areas appear to have bucked the trend in a big way. MAG is collating national figures by police force area. Hertfordshire Police's FOI response to MAG showed a 50% increase from 134 to 201 in 2020. This was closely followed by West Mercia's response, which shows a 42% increase from 103 to 146.
MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: "We still have a few responses to come back, but Hertfordshire and West Mercia's responses are sticking out like a sore thumb. Out of 34 responses so far only three have shown an increase. When the national trend is significantly down we have to ask why Hertfordshire and West Mercia have such ominous increases."
MAG has written directly to all seven candidates for Hertfordshire and West Mercia. The request is that each candidate pledges to review motorcycle theft in their area and to work with MAG to tackle the issue.
Colin said: "Naturally we would hope that all PCCs will commit to work with us on tackling motorcycle theft. The figures for Hertfordshire and West Mercia make them of particular concern. London remains the worst affected area by far, but we cannot ignore such worrying figures coming from these two force areas. We will publish any responses we receive from the candidates no later than Monday 3rd May so that voters can see where the candidates stand on this matter."
9) MAG club affiliation scheme
Did you know that MAG offers a Club Affiliation scheme?
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the leading UK riders' rights organisation, offers various membership categories, one of which is Club Affiliation. Clubs can affiliate to MAG for as little as £30 a year; a small price to pay for the benefits received, including exposure on our social media feed (MAG's Facebook page has over 22,000 followers).
Affiliated club benefits include:
Selina Lavender, MAG's National Chair, says: "Club affiliation is an important aspect of MAG membership. Riders may think of MAG as an organisation for individuals; however, we also offer club affiliation. Not all clubs need a 'one size fits all' package so our affiliation scheme offers add-ons such as PLI. MAG benefits through engagement with the wider riding community, and the numbers it can genuinely claim to represent. When speaking to politicians and decision makers, numbers really count. No matter the size of your club, this is important to us as it makes a real difference."
A spokesperson for one affiliated club said: "Riders' issues are very important to us and we know that we need to be part of something bigger to get the message across. We also know that protecting freedom isn't free. Through affiliation we help to fund MAG, which ensures that the rider's voice will be heard."
Whether you are a motorcycle, scooter, sidecar or trike club, find out more about our club affiliation scheme by visiting www.mag-uk.org/affiliated-clubs/ or by contacting the MAG Central office during normal office hours on 01926 844 064.
10) Forthcoming Events (for May and beyond)
Tuesday 18th May - Wakefield MAG First meeting of 2021
See Above. 20:30 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield.
Tuesday 29th June - Wakefield MAG AGM
See Above. All members are invited to attend the 19th Wakefield & District Motorcycle Action Group Branch Annual General Meeting. This will be an AGM for the Election of Branch Officers for 2021 only as not much happened in 2020 for us to review. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. 20:30 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield.
#### Cancelled for 2021 #### - Farmyard Party (FYP) Rally www.mapevents.co.uk
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th August - Yorkshire Pudding Rally (YPR)
See Above. www.mapevents.co.uk
TBC - Belated Birthday Do
TBC - Bingo (Oct)
TBC - Auction - to whet your Appetite, a list of items for sale can be found on our 'For Sale' page (a few new items have recently been added too !!)
TBC - Biker Quiz Nite (Nov)
TBC - Christmas Do (Dec)
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 (Covid-19 restrictions permitting) at the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield at 8:30pm every Tuesday. New (and Old) faces are always welcome.