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 21st Birthday Bash
2) Yorkshire Region AGM
3) MAG Annual General Conference
4) YPR Report
5) Every MP should be made to watch this
6) MAG Podcast
7) Motorcycle Parking Survey Reminder
8) Fight Motorcycle Theft - Hull Event Announced
9) Potholes Petition - have you signed it yet?
10) Forthcoming Events (for September and beyond)
1) Wakefield MAG 21st Birthday Bash
On the 9th January:
Wakefield MAG held it's inaugural meeting on Wednesday 9th January 2002 at the White Horse pub on Westgate. The branch was formed as a part relaunch of Castleford MAG (which had become defunct in Spring 2001), and part trial of MAG's Local Group Expansion Plan (LGEP) concept, to develop MAG branches in Hub towns (and Wakefield having that much bigger catchment area than Castleford). The branch was formed by the then MAG Chairman, Neil Liversedge (he's still chairman now but has had a bit of time off in-between).
To celebrate 21 continuous years of a MAG branch presence in the Wakefield and District (anywhere with a WF postcode is our catchment area), we are hosting a 21st Birthday Bash on Saturday 9th September at the Thatched House.
The Birthday Bash starts at mid-day and will feature:
Naturally, as a Wakefield MAG member, we would love to see you there to help celebrate 21 years of Wakefield MAG !!!!
The Yorkshire Region AGM will be held on Wednesday 6th September (19:30 - 21:00) at Squires Cafe, Newthorpe Lane, Newthorpe, Leeds LS25 5LX.
AGM Agenda
1) Welcome
2) Apologies
3) Appointment of chair and minute taker
4) Regional officers annual reports
5) Branch officers annual reports
6) Nominations and election of Regional Officers
7) Tony Berry Memorial Award
8) Any Other Business
All Yorkshire MAG members are invited to attend, actively participate and see MAG democracy in action (please remember to bring your current MAG membership card to vote). Hope to see you there.
3) MAG Annual General Conference
MAG's Annual General Conference (AGC) is being held at 12:00 midday on Saturday 23rd September at the Tone Vale Rally site in Devon (see below for directions).
The following roles are up for election at AGC 2023:
If you've never been to an AGC what can you expect?
This year, along with everyone else, we're tightening our belts, the pandemic hit our finances but AGC is for the members. The meeting and party is going old school, we'll be in a field with marquees.
Somerset ploughman's for lunch with free tea and coffee throughout the weekend.
You can arrive from midday on Friday 22nd September, there's a food van on site. Free camping, after the meeting, free party with live music, sorry the bar's not free but it's well stocked with local beers and ciders. If you don't like sleeping in a tent, campers are welcome and there are plenty of Premier Lodges, Ibis and Holiday Inns all within about 30min driving.
What's the catch? It's simple you just need to be a member so don't forget your membership card.
Directions:
The site is accessible from the layby just off the A38 opposite 'The Woodpile' in West Huntspill. Leaving the M5 at Junction 23 follow the A38 through Pawlett towards West Huntspill. As you drop down the hill go past the crematorium and take the next left into a layby. 'The Woodpile' is on your right just past the turning with the entrance to the layby just before the tyre garage.
Check out the event report Here
5) Every MP should be made to watch this
This Youtube video is a really good watch: THE BIG EV LIE. Why They Won't Save the Planet & All About Dirty Electricity.
It is car oriented (produced by TheCarGuys.tv Youtube channel) but the points made are equally relevant to motorcycles. It covers why banning ICE will make no difference whatsoever to global greenhouse gas emissions and highlights all the other sources that are conveniently ignored by governments, plus, doesn't just point out the many problems, it also has a number of solutions ..... Every MP should be made to watch this !!!
You may also be interested in this video, which covers the work Toyota are doing developing Hydrogen powered vehicles: Toyota's New Hydrogen Engine.
The technology is also being shared through collaborative efforts with Toyota by the big 4 Japanese motorcycle manufacturers (as covered in the June Wakefield MAG newsletter article - Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, And Yamaha Join Forces On Hydrogen Bikes).
Check out the latest MAG Podcast, here
7) Motorcycle Parking Survey Reminder
Just a reminder that MAG's survey to gather opinion on motorcycle parking charges is still open, if you haven't yet completed it. Many local authorities are looking to introduce charging for motorcycle parking bays despite the provision being sub-standard. MAG is searching for the best possible outcome for riders.
Free motorcycle parking has traditionally been the norm in the UK (every Wakefield MDC controlled car park is free (currently) for motorcycles). Recently there have been increasing numbers of local authorities making moves to introduce motorcycle parking charges. These plans often propose entirely disproportionate and unreasonable charges and meet great resistance from riders.
MAG argues that increasing attempts to disincentivise car use in congested city centres is being applied illogically to motorcycle parking. Motorcycles help reduce congestion and emissions and should be encouraged. The fact remains, however, that motorcycle parking options are sub-standard and rarely provide for the security needs of the transport mode. Motorcycle theft is disproportionately impacting motorcyclists, and MAG is finding evidence that this is also having a significant impact on road safety statistics.
If motorcycle parking charges are going to be enforced, then MAG contend that revenue must be invested into bringing the parking bays up to an acceptable standard.
MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: "We are exploring attitudes of the riding public in this thorny area. It seems that councils are hell-bent on pushing motorcycle parking charges, which is illogical, but in the face of this stupidity we may be able to find a sensible balance that delivers a better outcome for all, including motorcyclists. We cannot and will not stand back and allow motorcyclists to become simply another revenue source for Councils, but proportionate charges that are re-invested into the infrastructure may be more palatable. We need to gather views and opinions of the riders who will be impacted as a first step to a sensible outcome. Councils seem unable or unwilling to do this, so we will do it for them."
The short survey will only take a couple of minutes to complete and there is room for comments and thoughts to be added.
Please complete the survey, which can be accessed here.
8) Fight Motorcycle Theft - Hull Event Announced
Hot on the tail of the announcement of the Manchester Fight Motorcycle Theft meeting (on Thursday 21st September at 18:00 at the Firbank Pub and Kitchen, Firbank Road, Newall Green, Manchester, M23 2YP), the planned Hull event has been announced.
Humberside PCC, Jonathan Evison, has confirmed his attendance at the public meeting on 21st October. He will join senior officers and MAG's Colin Brown on the panel event.
Hull has seen more than its fair share of motorcycle theft and related antisocial riding. This criminal activity has led directly to loss of life. Humberside Police responded with the launch of Operation Yellowfin in 2018. Local MAG representatives fully support and endorse the response and have a good working relationship with the local police.
Motorcycle thefts increased 58% in 2022 compared to the previous year. In February this year Kane McBride, 19, and Adam Wright, 25, died after crashing a stolen 600cc Yamaha Diversion. The bike had been stolen from its owner's workplace in East Hull just over two hours before the fatal crash.
MAG published an employer's guide to secure motorcycle parking as part of its efforts to help.
MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: "Whilst we fully support Operation Yellowfin and the efforts of Humberside Police to date, it would be wrong to say that enough is being done. The legitimate, law-abiding riding community is being grossly over-impacted by vehicle theft compared to other road user groups and we need the authorities to recognise this. I have been investigating the loss of life issue that links with motorcycle theft and am increasingly shocked that this connection has not already taken centre stage in the discussion of this form of vehicle theft. I hope that the meeting in Hull will be another step towards giving the issue of motorcycle theft both the local and national priority that it should command amongst the police, and all stakeholder agencies."
The meeting will follow the established format for MAG Fight Motorcycle Theft meetings with the audience Q&A session being the main event. MAG encourages as many local riders as possible to attend to raise their specific questions and concerns.
The event has been made possible by the efforts of Garry Williams, the East Yorkshire MAG Rep, and the team of volunteers who give up their time to promote riders' rights in the area. Please help us to make this event have a real impact.
The Hull event will be held 13:00-15:00 at the Alexandra Pub Function Room, 69 Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 2AB.
Leeds Update: As you are hopefully aware, we had originally scheduled the Leeds meeting for Saturday 24th June at the John Charles Centre but we couldn't get the availability of key stakeholders on that particular date (local MP's, Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner and/or Deputy etc). Rather than see it crash and burn it was better to postpone and reschedule when we can get the availability of the key stakeholders. This original date was suggested by Leeds Council based on availability of the meeting room at the venue. We are still trying to get the availability of Tracy Brabin, who, as the Mayor of West Yorkshire, is also responsible for functions previously exercised by the Police and Crime Commissioner including setting out a police and crime plan and determining police and crime objectives. A key stakeholder indeed. However, MAG's requests for her availability to attend the Fight Motorcycle Theft meeting are falling on deaf ears, which unfortunately sends out a clear message that she does not consider this a priority.
Feel free to contact our Mayor and ask why she is seemingly unwilling to attend a West Yorkshire Motorcycle Theft Meeting with very concerned constituents who do regard this as a major crime issue impacting bikers in West Yorkshire.
WY Major Email: mayoral.enquiries@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.
9) Potholes Petition - have you signed it yet?
For a subject that raises such anger amongst road users, there seems to be little appetite to act. The online petition to increase funding for the repair and resurfacing of roads has yet to make the 5000 signature mark, never mind the 100,000 needed to provoke a parliamentary debate.
MAG's 'Resurface our Roads' campaign is aimed to make road surfaces safe for motorcyclists to use. MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, has made the campaign as simple as possible with five easy steps. Please visit the campaign page and follow all five steps.
The roads won't resurface themselves and council's won't invest in the maintenance if we don't hold their feet to the fire.
Resurface our Roads campaign page.
10) Forthcoming Events (for September and beyond)
Wednesday 6th September - Yorkshire Region Annual General Meeting
See Above. Squires Cafe Bar, Newthorpe Lane, Newthorpe, Leeds LS25 5LX at 19:00. Current MAG membership card required to vote. www.squires-cafe.co.uk
Saturday 9th September - Wakefield MAG 21st Birthday Bash
See Above
Saturday 23rd September - MAG Annual General Conference
See Above
Saturday 21st October - Fight Motorcycle Theft 2023 HULL
See Above. 13:00-15:00 at the Alexandra Pub Function Room, 69 Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 2AB
TBC - Fight Motorcycle Theft 2023 LEEDS
Sunday 11th 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.
Tuesday 28th November - Wakefield MAG 19th Annual Bikers Quiz Nite
20:00 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield. £1 p.p (to cover cost of prizes)
Saturday 2nd December - Wakefield MAG Christmas Do
Meeting from 12:00 onwards (meal at 13:00) at the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield. £19.95 for the 4 course Christmas meal (Traditional Christmas Dinner, Salmon or Vegetarian Pasta). Come for the meal, or meet us after for drinks, or do both ... the choice is yours. Christmas hats and reindeer antlers strictly optional.
Tuesday 12th December - Deadline for Kidzaware Christmas Toy Collection Donations
20:00 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield.
Tuesday 12th December - Wakefield MAG Christmas Hamper Draw
20:00 in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield.
Tuesday 16th January 2024 - Wakefield MAG 22nd Annual General Meeting
19:30 for a prompt 20:00 start in the Thatched House, Stanley, Wakefield
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.