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) Salford & Norwich Demo Reports
2) Reservoir Run October Rideout Report
3) Wakefield MAG Clothes Bank Donation Fundraiser raises Twenty Pounds
4) Wakefield MAG Bingo Night Report
5) 11th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
6) NEC Motorcycle Show
7) Yorkshire Region AGM Report
8) FEMA General Secretary Vacancy
9) More MAG Bus Lane Success in Sussex
10) Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
11) MAG Sport to re-launch in 2015
12) Challenge to the EU 3rd Driving Licence Directive (3DLD)
13) Forthcoming Events (for November and beyond)
1) Salford & Norwich Demo Reports
Salford MAG held a demo on Saturday 25th October in response to the Proposed Mandatory Cycle Lanes on Salford roundabouts segregated by the dangerous Armadillo physical delineators. A good many Yorkshire MAG members made their way over the Pennines for the Demo, which was also attended by MAG's Director of Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik. The demo received good coverage in the local press (Salford Star: MASS BIKERS PROTEST IN SALFORD AGAINST KILLER ARMADILLOS AND MORE), who estimated 120 riders took part.
Meanwhile, in Norfolk, bikers were protesting at the dangerous 'Cheese Cutter' wire crash barriers installed on the A11, which can be lethal to bikers in the event of an accident: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-29762933?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_radio_norfolk&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=english_regions
2) Reservoir Run October Rideout Report
Check out the rideout report Here
3) Wakefield MAG Clothes Bank Donation Fundraiser raises Twenty Pounds
We had 5 bags worth of un-wanted clothing donated at our Clothes Bank Donation Fundraising evening at our meeting on Wednesday 1st October. These were taken to a local clothes bank, where we were be paid for the donations by weight, which raised twenty pounds for the MAG Fighting Fund. A simple way to raise funds for MAG, and a great way to get rid of our old rally T Shirts !!!!
4) Wakefield MAG Bingo Night Report
Check out the event report Here
5) 11th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
It's November ..... and the most competitive event of the Yorkshire MAG calendar ... the hugely popular Wakefield MAG Bikers Quiz Nite .... IS THIS MONTH !!!
The quiz will be held at 8:00pm on Wednesday 19th November 2014 at the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 4EJ.
We wont mess with a winning formula so it's the same tried and tested 60 questions, 30 of which will be motorcycle related and 30 will be general knowledge (but there will be a bike related link / theme somewhere, however tenuous).
Open to All. £1 entry fee p.p. Team (Max. 5) or individual entry. Great prizes for the winners (1st, 2nd & 3rd), plus booby prize for the least number of correct answers.
And just for a change ....... All proceeds to the MAG Fighting Fund ;-)
The annual NEC Motorcycle Show (or Motorcycle Live to give it it's proper title) is rapidly approaching and the show dates are Saturday 22nd - Sunday 30th November 2014. This is the UK's Largest Motorcycle Show, and the showpiece for the major manufacturers to show off their new models and products. MAG will be there, and their stand will be in Hall 4, Stand 4E55. Ticket prices are the same as last year, namely: £17 Adult; £7 Child (6-16) - 5 and under Free; £11 Senior (65+). These prices are pre-book and there is a £1.50 booking fee (per transaction, not ticket). On the Gate entry is: £20 (Adults); £9 Child (6-16) - 5 and under Free; £13 Senior (65+).
Wakefield MAG are organising a trip this year (to attend on Saturday 29th November) and so far we have four confirmed (who have already paid for their tickets) and three provisionals i.e. still to pay. We are investigating travel options to determine the cheapest way to get there but it all depends on numbers. If you are thinking of going, why not come with us (on Saturday 29th November), and you will get there far cheaper than if you went under your own steam. Let me know asap, as we can include you in the travel arrangements (plus pre-book your ticket for you and hence save money on the booking fee, and against the 'on the gate' price).
More info at the Show website: http://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
7) Yorkshire Region AGM Report
The Yorkshire Region AGM was held on Sunday the 19th October, at the new Leeds MAG venue, The Royal Hotel in Pudsey. Six Wakefield MAG members attended, each earning 75 branch points, which go towards our own Branch Heroes presentation at our AGM in January.
Linz, Yorkshire MAG's secretary has already written up and circulated the minutes (way to go linz !!), but here are the key points:
All that remains to be said is "THREE CHEERS FOR YORKSHIRE MAG ... HIP HIP HOORAY"
8) FEMA General Secretary Vacancy
The current FEMA General Secretary is moving on and FEMA are looking for a replacement. All FEMA member organisations (of which MAG is one of the founders) are invited to look within their own organisation for candidates for the position of new General Secretary of FEMA. Applications (to include application letter, CV and picture) must be sent to the FEMA Board, at this email address: president@fema-online.eu, before Friday 14th November. Interviews with selected candidates will be held in Brussels, Saturday the 29th November.
The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) is the Brussels-based Non-Governmental Organisation representing motorcycle riders' interests within the European Union institutions and the United Nations agencies. They are looking for a dynamic individual to be the voice of European riders as FEMA's General Secretary.
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9) More MAG Bus Lane Success in Sussex
In the Brighton bus lane trial which started in May of Last year, part of the A259 bus lane was outside Brighton City Council's control, as it came under East Sussex County Council's jurisdiction.
The Lead Member of ESCC has agreed that following the successful trial on the A23 in Brighton and on the A259 coast road from Rottingdean to Telscombe, motorcycles and cyclists will be able to use the ESCC bus lanes on a permanent basis and that the TRO will be made permanent.
ESCC has also confirmed that it is their intention (subject to the necessary TRO) that motorcycles and cyclists will also be permitted to use the new bus lanes along the A259 Bexhill Road, between Glyne Gap and Hastings, when they are installed next summer.
That is a major coup for MAG. We have won advance permission to use bus lanes before they are even built! The same thing happened with Eastbourne thanks to former South East Rep, Tony Carter eight or nine years ago.
The anti-bikes in bus lane argument is losing momentum by the day.
10) Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
Wakefield MAG's Christmas Do is on Saturday 6th December and we are meeting at the Chinese Buffet on Trinity Walk at 13:00 for a lunchtime 'all you can eat buffet', at the bargain price of £6.99 (same price as last year). Following the lunchtime buffet, we will head into town to sample many of the Merrie Cities fine hostelries and quaff goblets of foaming ale !!. You can come for the meal, or meet us at one of the many pubs in town, or do both ... the choice is yours.
We are taking £5 deposits now to secure your place (we will be making the booking in early November). Let me know if you want to come, asap please. If last years Christmas do is any indication, we are in for a jolly good time. Hope to see you there.
Christmas hats and reindeer antlers strictly optional.
11) MAG Sport to re-launch in 2015
MAG sport will re-emerge in 2015, thanks primarily to Steve O'Kane Northern Ireland rep. MAG has linked up with Emerald racing, which has a racing publication with around 6000 readers. MAG has agreed to source funding / sponsorship for their racing bikes which will be great publicity for MAG as well as helping up and coming riders.
N.B. This will be resourced through sponsorship and NO MAG funds will be used for this venture, as all of MAG's funds go towards protecting riders rights.
12) Challenge to the EU 3rd Driving Licence Directive (3DLD)
We have reported before how the changes to the Motorcycle Licencing regime have had a devastating effect on people taking their motorcycle tests. See the August 2014 Newsletter Article: Bikers - an endangered species. Quite literally, biking will die out if things carry on as they are. MAG is highly concerned about this situation, putting the blame quite rightly at the overly complicated, convoluted and highly expensive licencing regime. Having looked at this in some detail, MAG is looking at a possible legal challenge to the DVLA's stance on motorcycle testing. The EU 3DLD is only a 'directive' and not a 'regulation', and in Germany (not known for it's lax controls) all of the motorcycle test is carried out on the 'road', whereas the UK has enforced a ridiculously complicated and expensive two part 'split' off-road and on-road test. MAG is looking to form a working group for this challenge and are looking for motorcycle instructors (helpful but not essential to be a MAG member) to be part of this working group. If you are reading this as a motorcycle instructor, or know one who would be interested in taking part, please pass their details to Oliver Rose (oliver.rose@mag-uk.org)
13) Forthcoming Events (for November and beyond)
Sunday 9th November - Wakefield MAG at the City of Wakefield Memorial Sunday Parade & Service
Meet 10:50 (or earlier) at the Wood Street War Memorial in Wakefield. Rideout to Royal British Legion Riders Branch event at Mirfield, following our attendance at the Remembrance Service (bikes form part of the remembrance parade, culminating in a service at Mirfield War Memorial).
Wednesday 19th November - Wakefield 11th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
See Above
Saturday 22nd November - Barnsley and Doncater MAG (BADMAG) Race Night
Come and join BADMAG for a night of fun, place a bet (or several) and who knows you may end the evening with a fortune (relatively speaking). Races, raffles and lots of banter. Location: Skellow Grange W.M.C, 223 Skellow Road, Doncaster, DN6 8JL
Saturday 22nd - Sunday 30th November - NEC Motorcycle Show
See Above. Wakefield MAG are visiting on Saturday 29th November.
Saturday 6th December - Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
See Above
Wednesday 17th December - Leeds MAG Toy Run
Assemble at the Leisure Complex Car Park, behind McDonalds from 6pm. Leaving Cardigan Fields LS4 2GD at 6.30 prompt. Arrive at Lineham Farm Childrens Centre LS16 8AZ at 7pm. Please bring wrapped toys marked boy or girl to a value of approx £6. Bring as many as you like! All trikes and 2 wheelers welcome, (and cars if the weather is poor).
Wednesday 14th January (2015) - Wakefield MAG AGM
Review of 2014, Officers Reports, Election of Branch Officers for 2015, plans for the forthcoming year & Presentation to our Branch Heroes of 2014. Current MAG Membership Card required to vote. 7:30pm for a prompt 8:00pm start in 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.