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) Yorkshire Pudding Rally Report
2) Redcar Rideout Report
3) Motorcycles Banned from Public Road
4) Political Volunteers
5) Ethanol Campaign Update
6) Yorkshire MAG & MAP AGM
7) MAG Foundation
8) Barnsley MAG Art A Tarn Family Camping Weekend
9) September Rideout
10) Forthcoming Events (for September and beyond)
1) Yorkshire Pudding Rally Report
Check out the event report Here.
Check out the rideout report Here.
3) Motorcycles Banned from Public Road
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is concerned about the decision to close a public access road to motorcyclists specifically because of the behaviour of a small group of people. Brent Council has employed an experimental traffic management order to prohibit motorcycles from Rainsford Road in North London (a road close to the famous Ace Cafe). Dangerous riding and abusive behaviour that has provoked complaints from residents has been given as the reason for the order.
MAG recognises the need to deal with unacceptable behaviour but challenges the 'sledgehammer' approach that treats an entire genre of vehicle users as if they share a collective blame. MAG President Ian Mutch said; 'We sympathise with local residents but have to question the precedent-setting nature of an order that generalises about a group of people and penalises them in pursuit of a small minority. This is a geographically very confined illustration of a principle but we must look at the precedent it sets and consider the long-term implications if such tactics are recognised as legitimate. In France many miles of beautiful mountain roads in the Vosges region have been barred to motorcyclists because of the conduct of a minority or reckless riders. This is not the kind of thing we would want to see happening in this country.'
MAG feels that the problems at Rainsford Road should be dealt with in a manner that does not impact riders per se. MAG Chairman John Mitchell added; 'This traffic order is a blunt instrument that flies in the face of natural justice and represents the kind of social profiling that would not be tolerated in other contexts.'
This move is entirely the wrong one and the situation could have been easily resolved with the mere enforcement of existing laws (it is a 30MPH road that is being raced and wheelied along at more than twice the speed limit). This also sets a very dangerous precident which could see motorcyclists effectively banned from many routes, and cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged.
Watch this space for further news. MAG, BMF and other concerned groups have contacted Brent Council but if the meetings and discussions fail to bring about a reversal of the traffic management order, expect more forthright campaigning, including demos.
MAG is looking to recruit volunteers to adopt specific political projects. For example, right now MAG is looking for someone to pursue the issue of thick car door pillars that reduce drivers' peripheral vision (and hence fail to see vulnerable road users, like mottorcyclists).
People are needed who can work on their own initiative and provide coherent reports supported with information sources so that their responsibilities can be easily handed to another in the event that they are not able to sustain the effort. The role is envisaged as email-based and we aren't looking for people to go to meetings and represent MAG, but just gather information and mail the necessary people or departments to generate the bones of a campaign. The intention is to give no more than one project to any one individual so that such activists can maintain focus and not become overloaded.
If you have a little free time and would like to contribute to these important research projects, email MAG Central at mag-hq@mag-uk.org and volunteer your services.
An important consultation has just been launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) that we would like all motorcyclists to participate in ...
On the 31st August, the Department for Transport published a targeted consultation which seeks views on amending UK legislation to extend the current requirement for filling stations supplying 3 million litres (fuel per annum) or more, and choosing to supply super unleaded, that this has a maximum content of 5% ethanol (E5) for a further 3 years, to the end of 2016.
The consultation, titled 'Consultation on a proposed amendment to the Motor Fuel Composition and Content Regulations 1999' is available on the Department's website at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-amendment-to-the-motor-fuel-composition-and-content-regulations-1999
The consultation closes on 27th September and the DfT would welcome any responses you may wish to make. If you have any questions about the consultation please send these to Biofuels.Transport@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
Michael Wright, Biofuels Regulation Branch, Low Carbon Fuels, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR. Phone: 020 7944 4378 / e-mail: Michael.Wright@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Please support this by completing the Consultation Response form so classic bike riders can continue to ride their bikes for at least another 3 years. The Yorkshire MAG Ethanol Campaign still exists and will do for as long as we can ensure a ready supply of fuel that will not adversely impact classic motorcycles. See www.yorkshire-mag.co.uk/ethanol.html for further information (which can obviously be used in your consultation response !!!).
A date and venue for the Yorkshire MAG AGM has been arranged, so you can now book this in your diaries. This year it's being combined with the MAP AGM / debrief (for those who don't know, MAP is MAGic Actions Promotions Ltd, the company that runs the three fantastic Yorkshire MAG rallies that hopefully many of you have enjoyed this year) and is being held in Leeds, so nice and convenient for Wakefield MAG.
The date is Saturday 19th October 2013 and the venue is the Cross Keys Pub, Britannia Road, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0AU. With both the Yorkshire MAG AGM and the MAP AGM / debrief on the same day, it will be a long day but it does make it more convenient for the many of us who attend both. Bacon butties can be purchased on arrival between 09:00 and 10:00. The Yorkshire MAG AGM will be held from 10:00-12:00. A lunch buffet will be provided by Yorkshire MAG for lunch between 12:00 and 13:00 and then the MAP AGM / debrief will begin at 13:00. This will have to be drawn to a close at the very latest at 17:00 (hopefully a lot sooner) as the pub will need to get ready for the evening's entertainment; a band called the Vibe will be playing so you can rock your socks off for the night.
After the MAP meeting and before the band the lovely MAP folks have arranged for a meal to be provided at a local Italian restaurant. The meal will consist of two courses (a starter and a main course) and will cost MAP £10.00 per person and HAS to be booked with Pete Walker (pwalker@maphq.karoo.uk) before the meeting; the restaurant will not be able to accommodate people just turning up on the night. Any beer or pudding you want will have to be funded by you. The restaurant is around a mile away from the Cross Keys.
Feel free to attend either or both of the AGM's, but remember your current MAG card to vote.
Last call for anyone wanting to be a trustee of the MAG Foundation (MAG's Charitable Arm).
If you are interested please send your CV and letter of interest to MAG Central Office, marked 'Foundation'. If we don't get three suitable candidates by December, the Foundation may be wound up.
For further info on the Foundation, check the MAG website (www.mag-uk.org/en/aboutmag/a6319) and/or the Foundation website (www.mag-foundation.org/index.html)
8) Barnsley MAG Art A Tarn Family Camping Weekend
Our good friends in Barnsley MAG are hosting a 'Art A Tarn Family Camping Weekend' on Friday 13th September from 12 noon to Sunday 15th September at Silverwood Camp Site near Silkstone Barnsley (the first YPR venue). Please note that this will be a low key chill out event as it was always intended to be. This is NOT a mini rally. There will be no live music or a marquee as Barnsley MAG are testing the water for next year. You make your own entertainment, (including collecting wood and building a bonfire) but if there is an interest there will be run out for bikes on Saturday morning to 'Last of the Summer Wine' country. Entrance fee is a tenner for adults over 16 and six quid for kids over 6. This will cover camping fees to Silverwood Scouts and any money left over will be split between MAG nationally and Barnsley MAG to help build it's funds so they can put on bigger, better and more organised events in the future. Please arrive after 12 noon on Friday - Families in cars (and on bikes of course) welcome. The site is a short walk to Silkstone village where there is a pub and a club and further up at Silkstone common there are another two pubs. There is a food take away and a Petrol station and mini market and Barnsley town centre is only two miles away. The site is on the Manchester Road (A628) on the left only about a mile from Junc 37 of the M1 opposite Silkstone golf club, down the hill with a small sign marked 'Silverwood Scouts'. Ignore the car park on the right when entering as there is a large car park in the main site. Follow the main winding track into the woods for about 300 yards. Get away from your house and street for a couple of days and relax in a lovely open place with like minded souls. If you aren't going to Spat out of Hull, don't stay at home, instead enjoy the weekend with our good friends in Barnsley MAG !!
Our monthly rideout for the month of September, will be led by Mick Culpan, who is going to take us on a scenic route (avoiding the A64 at all costs) to Castle Howard.
Meet on Sunday 22nd September at 8:30am (leaving at 9:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT. A picturesque route is guaranteed !!!! Hope to see you there.
10) Forthcoming Events (for September and beyond)
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th September - Yorkies (MAG Affiliated Club) Get Merry at the Ferry Rally
Quality food and beer, bands on Friday and Saturday, rock DJ both nights. Trade Stands, 24hr Showers and Toilets. Breighton Ferry, Bubwith, Selby, YO8 6DH. Ticket Price: £10.00. Contact Mick Culpan (Wakefield MAG) or email Sandie Shaw (Yorkies) Sandra.shaw@talktalk.net for further info.
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September - East Yorkshire MAG's Spat Out of Hull Rally
Bonfire, Comedians, Live bands, Excellent food. Dene park sports club, Beverley road, Dunswell HU6 0AA. east-yorks.mag-uk.org
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September - Barnsley MAG Art A Tarn Family Camping Weekend
See Above.
Sunday 22nd September - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Castle Howard)
See Above. Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT
Sunday 6th October - Wakefield MAG Rideout (Destination: Devils Bridge)
Meet 8:30am (leaving at 09:00am) at Redbeck Cafe, 339 Doncaster Road, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1RT
Saturday 19th October - Yorkshire MAG AGM
See Above. 10:00-12:00. Cross Keys, Morley. Current MAG membership card required to vote
Saturday 19th October - Magic Action Promotions AGM / Yorkshire MAG Events (ITV, FYP & YPR) Debrief
See Above. 13:00-17:00. Cross Keys, Morley. Current MAG membership card required to vote
Saturday 9th November - Barnsley MAG Race Night
Betting opens at 19:30, 1st race at 20:00, at the Keel Inn, Wombwell Lane, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 3NT.
Sunday 10th November - Wakefield MAG at the City of Wakefield Memorial Sunday Parade & Service
Rideout to Royal British Legion Riders Branch event at Mirfield, following our attendance at the Remembrance Service. 10:50, Wood Street War Memorial, Wakefield
Wednesday 20th November - Wakefield MAG 10th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
Our hugely popular and hotly contested annual quiz. Just like a pub quiz, but for bikers. 60 questions, 30 biking related, 30 general knowledge. Great prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, and a booby prize for the least number of correct answers. Enter as a team (max. 5) or an individual. £1 p.p. entry fee. The action starts at 20:00 in the Grey Horse, Kirkgate, Wakefield (but be there earlier than that to get a seat !!!)
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.