Mag And Fema News

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Bus lane petition written response: no surprise and will not stop us

The Department for Transport (DfT) has today published the predictable and expected written response. MAG says the response is no surprise and will not stop us. It should serve as motivation to collect 100,000 signatures.

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) was expecting the negative written response triggered by the petition reaching 10,000 signatures. The Department has repeated claims that “Local authorities are best placed to understand the needs of their local road networks”. A default policy does not impact local authority autonomy. They also state that “Research on the potential safety impacts for cyclists, and the impact on bus services would be needed to form the evidence base for any change in policy.” But the Department has previously ruled out any intention to do such research.

Petition author, and MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement said:

“The Department has once again displayed its total lack of interest in the welfare of riders. We are not in the least surprised by this, and it is exactly why we will not let this drop. We ask all riders to continue signing and promoting the petition until we pass the 100,000-signature goal we set from the outset. Riders have a choice – they can either roll over at the first sign of rejection - accept that they don’t matter; or they can sign the petition and send a strong message to the Government. What choice will they make? I hope it is the right one.”

MAG will continue to promote the petition as well as its programme of work to get this outcome reversed. You can sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712763

MAG thanks IAM RoadSmart, BMF, NMC and others for their support in getting the petition past the 10,000 signatures. But MAG is also asking whether politicians will stand with riders and publicly support the petition.

The motorcycle press is also being urged to actively support the petition rather than just reporting its existence.

Change and progress don’t come without effort. Now is the time to put the effort in.

Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]

 

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

Weekend of Action to win a future for motorcycling

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has announced that 5th and 6th July will be marked as Riders' Resistance Weekend, a two-day national event with demonstrations across the UK. Motorcyclists from all regions are called to unite and raise their voices in opposition to the continued threat of a government ban on the sale of new conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles.

This weekend of action is in direct response to growing anger within the motorcycling community. The Government's continued dismissal of riders' concerns, and especially its plans to phase out the sale of petrol-powered bikes, has sparked widespread frustration. MAG is organising regional demonstrations throughout the UK to give riders a powerful opportunity to take a stand.

The key grievance driving this movement is the Government's proposal to end the sale of new conventional ICE motorcycles, which has been a major concern for riders who believe this move will severely damage the motorcycling culture, economy, and industry.

MAG Chair, Neil Liversidge, spoke out against the Government’s plans, stating:

“Bikers across the UK are outraged by the Government’s blatant disregard for motorcycling. The proposal to ban the sale of petrol-powered motorcycles is an attack on riders, and MAG is determined to fight it every step of the way. This is the issue that has united motorcyclists—this is about protecting our future. We’re giving riders the chance to take their protest out of the digital world and into the streets, where it truly counts.”

Riders' Resistance is not only a direct response to the Government’s harmful proposals, but it also serves as a necessary pre-cursor to broader efforts to ensure motorcycling is accepted and actively encouraged as a vital part of the UK’s transport landscape. The resistance is our rallying cry, a first step in pushing for policies that recognise the value of motorcycling, its positive impact on mobility, and the environment. Through these actions we demand a future where motorcycling is embraced, supported, and integrated into sustainable transport planning.

Colin Brown, MAG's Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, added:

“Policymakers remain unconvinced that there is a true demand for the solutions and policies we campaign for. It’s time for riders to show them how wrong they are. The Government cannot continue to ignore the needs and voices of the riding community—we must stand together and demonstrate the undeniable demand for a future that includes and supports motorcycling.”

Riders will take part in demonstrations in all four nations of the UK, with events planned across a variety of regions. Details for local rides will be shared via MAG’s regional and local communications channels, and riders who don’t have an event in their area are encouraged to organise their own.

This is more than just a protest; it's Riders' Resistance—a movement to preserve the future of motorcycling in the UK, and a critical step towards the long-term acceptance and encouragement of our community. Join us for these two crucial days of action on 5th and 6th July and make your voice heard!

This press release can also be viewed and shared directly from the MAG website: https://mag-uk.org/riders-resistance-weekend/

The Motorcycle Action Group Limited
Tel: 03300 560 886

Contact MAG at 03300 560 886 or [email protected]