Very interesting indeed. I think that it's amazing how the pollution will read the ULEZ sign and won't cross over it. This is what we've got to look forward to when Labour get in power next year. Boris Johnson may have been a clown when he was PM, but next year we'll have a whole bloody circus in charge. But still people won't join MAG, out comes the book 1001 reason why I can't join.
I’d be much more inclined to read the content of these posts if they didn’t all start with a condescending lecture. Just saying…
I see no lecture, nor condescension, just an appeal to add your support to an organisation that is trying to stop the Government, local councils, cyclists, JSO, insurance companies and any other misguided organisation from stopping you ride your bike. I agree Bikerman, the same when I enter a Clean Air Zone, suddenly it seems as if every vehicle stops polluting and I'm sure I can breath easier. "A CAZ can be non-charging or charging. Whether a vehicle is charged when entering or moving through a CAZ depends on the type of vehicle and the Euro standard of the vehicle." We need to challenge this s-h-one-t. You can pollute as long as you pay to pollute. And what do they do with the money, clean and filter the air? Like on the Underground? Anyone would think that motorcycles contaminate the roads, they way the-powers-that-be behave.
I agree with the cause and am actually talking to someone within MAG regarding not only joining but also when there might be representatives for one, other or both of my two local regions (London and the Southeast). I believe that both posts have been vacant for some time, and I’d like to see at least one of them filled. I guess I’m just not keen on the repetitive messaging here which I find quite aggressive, as well as alienating me from the core objective. I fully accept that it’s only how I feel, though, and I’m not requiring others to feel similarly.
@learningtofly Just to be clear here I have absolutely no desire to *iss anybody off on this forum, or at worst alienating people who after reading these posts, could potentially be put off from joining MAG. I do find it hard to fathom out how the opening message is somehow deemed to be quite aggressive, repetitive, Yes, but as you said "it’s only how I feel though". It's not as if it's a threatening statement of physical harm if you don't join. It's my attempt to prompt people to understand how little amount of money it is, to help an organisation like MAG, to help fight the endless legislation that could potentially lead to us being taken off the road. But in the spirit of not *issing people off on this forum, I will continue to post articles from MAG without the opening statement. I will leave it up to the individual, if they like what they have read. Which falls into MAG's statement of, " Let The Rider Decide".
News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) New MAG survey seeks opinions on motorcycle parking charges. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has launched a survey to gather opinion on motorcycle parking charges. 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. 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 at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Z2NQ3VB
Thanks for giving the matter some thought before responding - I have to say that I had no expectation of anything more than that, and FWIW I think you've done the right thing (especially given your signature, which is there for all to see). Anyway, thanks again on all counts (and please don't stop posting the MAG news and updates).
Might not be many over the next 19 days as I'm off to Europe Monday morning. Ultimately this thread isn't exclusively mine and mine alone, anyone who has any updates regarding MAG, should feel free to post it as they see fit. Who knows @learningtofly if your efforts come to fruition ( which I hope they do ) You'll maybe have more of an idea of what's going on. Glad we've had a mature, and respectful exchange of views, without resorting to some of the shenanigans that seems to go on, on fartbook and twatter
News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) New Hull event announcement continues the Fight Against Motorcycle Theft. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has announced the dates for the Hull Fight Motorcycle Theft public meeting. 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. Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or [email protected]
The APPG for Better Roads are calling for central Government to reinstate effective ring-fencing and multi-year settlements for local road maintenance. Evidence and proposals presented by the APPG are aligned with MAG’s own Resurface Our Roads campaign. MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, was invited to attend the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Better Roads AGM and launch of the 2023 ‘Working for better roads’ report. MAG is campaigning for increased funding and an effective national approach to reversing the decline in the quality of the UK’s local roads network. Poorly maintained road surfaces have been shown by MAG to contribute to an average of 74 motorcyclist deaths and serious injuries every year. The APPG report demonstrates that the Pothole Action Fund (2015/16-2020/21) was a successful policy. Ring-fencing led to a marked improvement in the proportion of the local network classed as being in a ‘good condition’ with 7% of the English local road network moving into this category during the life of the Fund. In contrast, since 2021 when the Pothole Action Fund was incorporated into councils’ general block highway funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), the number of roads classed as 'good' has gone into reverse. The APPG report points to data that shows there are now 5% fewer miles of English local roads in good condition. Sir Christopher Chope MP, Chair of the APPG for Better Roads said: “Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have pledged to tackle the ‘plague of potholes’ on our local roads. But, as this report shows, funding for local road maintenance is falling and the Government’s assumption that hard pressed local authorities will spend allocations on roads is not enough. “The roll-out of autonomous vehicles and decarbonising transport will place even greater funding pressure on our local road network in the years ahead. That’s why we are calling for a Better Roads Fund to be created with longer term funding commitments, budget ring-fencing and full transparency on allocation. “This Better Roads Fund would help deliver a sustained improvement in road conditions and enhanced network resilience. It would also save money over the long term and ensure our local roads are able to support the challenges ahead.” Speaking after the launch Colin Brown said: “I fully support the proposed Better Roads Fund proposals. For motorcyclists in particular the declining state of our local road network presents and increasing threat to life. We have a clear case of funding policy changes in 2021 reversing any hope of improvement. It is time to move forward not slide further back. “I was particularly disappointed that the Roads Minister, Richard Holden, did not attend the launch and will be writing to him on this and other matters. We will continue our Resurface Our Roads campaign, and lobby MP’s asking them to read the report and support these proposals from the APPG for Better Roads.” Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or [email protected]
News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) Deputy Mayor and Chief Inspectors to be grilled in Manchester. One week in advance of the Manchester Fight Motorcycle Theft meeting MAG is confirming the panellists. The hustings style meeting will give attendees the chance to demand answers from the Deputy Mayor and two Chief Inspectors from Greater Manchester Police. The Manchester Fight Motorcycle Theft meeting kicks off at 6pm at the Firbank Pub and Kitchen, Newall Green, in Manchester next Thursday, 21st September. MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, will Chair the hustings style meeting. The panellists will be: Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Stephen Warriner, Chief Inspector, Neighbourhood CoM South District, and Mike Parker, Chief Inspector, GMP Safer Transport Team (Roads Policing) The event is open to all riders in the area and will give them the opportunity to raise concerns, and ask questions about what action is being taken to reduce motorcycle theft in the Greater Manchester area. Colin Brown said: “I have spoken to the Deputy Mayor’s Office and Chief Inspector Warriner to confirm the format and set expectations for the meeting. I would like to thank the Deputy Mayor, CI Warriner and CI Parker for being willing to engage with the riding public in this way. I look forward to a strong attendance and robust discussion – these meetings can lead to better relations between police and public and tangible outcomes through increased co-operation and partnership working. Tackling motorcycle theft can, and should, be moved up the agenda in many parts of the country. Hopefully we can start to achieve this in Manchester next week.” Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or [email protected]
The deputy mayor and especially the Mayor should be GRILLED. Preferably on a bonfire. Also a huge problem in Greater Manchester is the amount of illegal off road bikes that seemingly are ignored by GMP.
News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) MAG pushing hard for bus lane access and more. MAG warmly welcomes the Government announcement on bus lane access but wants more. Plans have been announced for “revised guidance to local authorities on allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes and hold a consultation about whether motorcycle access should be standard.” MAG is calling on the Department for Transport (DfT) to broaden the discussion in line with the wider policy direction. The latest Department for Transport policy paper “The plan for drivers” was published on Monday 2nd October. One of the actions listed in the plan is to “refresh the technical advice, making it clear local authorities should use their powers to ensure bus lanes are open to motorcycles, and will launch a consultation on motorcycles using bus lanes as a default” MAG has campaigned loudly for a consistent default access to bus lanes for many years. With 48% of all bus lanes allowing motorcycle access already, the time is overdue for a consistent national approach. But whilst MAG is celebrating this apparent victory for motorcyclists, calls are being made to Ministers to broaden the consultation to cover motorcycle access to Advanced Stop Lines and through traffic filters and bus gates designed for traffic management. MAG has proven in Oxford that it is logical to allow motorcycles through traffic filters and want to see this taken forward as a broader policy as part of the claimed work to “restrain the most aggressively anti-driver traffic management measures”. MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said: “This does appear to be a great victory for motorcycling in the decades long fight to win riders universal access to bus lanes. We have fought long and hard to get to this point, but we will not be complacent. Mark Harper states that he wishes to restrain the most aggressive anti-driver management measures, but we have always stated that motorcycles are part of the solution. When motorcycles are given proper consideration in policy decisions this is widely accepted. We have evidence for this shown in the recent MAG victories in Oxford’s traffic filters and Cambridge’s proposed Sustainable Travel Zone. Motorcycles were exempted from both as the policy aim was to manage four-wheeled transport, not two. I have written to the Minister asking for the opportunity to raise these points before the consultation is launched. We need a much broader scope of issues included in this discussion, not simply bus lane access.”
News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) Humberside motorcycle crime in the spotlight. Humberside motorcycle crime, including theft, anti-social behaviour and related criminality will be discussed at a public meeting with PCC Jonathan Evison and Chief Inspector Derek Hussain on 21st October. Both the PCC and Humberside Police are encouraging riders to attend to raise questions and concerns. The next MAG Fight Motorcycle Theft Meeting will take place at 1pm on Saturday 21st October. The public meeting will be chaired by MAG’s Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement, Colin Brown. Riders will have ample opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and get direct answers from Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison, and Chief Inspector Derek Hussain. The meeting is the fifth, in a series of public meetings being held around the country. Motorcycle theft is a major issue for motorcyclists with the average motorcycle eleven times more likely to be stolen than the average car. Stolen motorcycles are often used for anti-social activity, and other criminal activity, causing a blight on local communities as well as law abiding motorcyclists. Operation Yellowfin is the Humberside Police response to the issue. Speaking about the upcoming event Chief Inspector Hussain said: “Op Yellowfin is a Humberside Police operation tackling this criminality, we are keen to engage with the motorcycling community to hear their views and answer their questions. I am looking forward to work with you in partnership in tackling this specific crime type.” Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Evison, will also be on the panel for the meeting. He said: “I would encourage riders to come along to let us know first hand what impact this criminality has on them. In an environment where police forces have limited resources and many priorities, we still need to be sure that the riding community feel that they are having their voices heard. I hope that this public meeting organised by MAG will be productive and help us to work more closely with the motorcycling community.” Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or [email protected]
