Mutch's Diary
The Road's editor
I am minded to vote for Boris Johnson as London Mayor. Why you ask? Now the ROAD and MAG are both politically neutral in the party sense but I shall expose my own choice in this instance because I saw him cycling on the public road without one of these idiotic cycle helmets. Yes he might fall off, yes he might hit his head yes the health service would have to pick up the tab - accidents happen, that's life. He might fall down those marble steps in the House of Commons and hit his head, he might just fall in the street, are we all going to wear helmets when we go out walking? I recognise that I have a more blase attitude to protective gear than most riders but that's why I helped form MAG. I have written to Boris Johnston explaining that I will vote for him so long as he continues to cycle without a helmet. If he makes London helmet free for motorcyclists too, I'll campaign for him but I suspect that may be a little beyond his remit.
Like many people I am sick of the nanny state compensation culture in which noone assumes the responsibility of their own actions and everyone is a victim who has been 'failed by society.' Against this background it is just so refreshing to see someone in the public eye flying in the face of perceived wisdom. For the same reason I will defend the Isle of Man TT. Is it safe ? Of course it's not safe, it's utterly barking mad, dangerous out to lunch loony and the competitors are probably certifiable. That said, no one has to go, let alone take part. So for those who would ban or emasculate all such things let us say with one voice - 'SOD OFF!'
I hope you've all noticed that the ROAD is undergoing a bit of a freshen up in style to bring it in line with the new marketing material we are using these days to project a revitalised image of our organisation. MAG never stands still and while we shall not abandon one iota of principle for popularity we do want to broaden our appeal to pull in the large majority of riders who, while probably agreeing with most of our policies in principle, have never quite made the step to individual membership.
More members equals more money equals more staff to build a ceaseless lobby of parliament and the media so that motorcycling enjoys the profile and consideration of other minority lobbies. We intend to cultivate a culture in which those who frame or suggest anti motorcycle legislation are marginalised as the unacceptable face of Britain today. It can be done. "Oi no bikeist comments in here please!" It could come. We almost got a biker as deputy Prime Minister in the shape of Hazel Blears but as time passes there are more people in the governing strata of society riding bikes so who knows?
Huge thanks to the thousands of you who braved the worst summer weather in living memory to make this year's Farmyard Party, you're all heroes. I got just North of Doncaster before giving up as a truck on the other side of a dual carriageway hit a lake and sent a solid wave of water over me. I did make it by Saturday though.
My enormous thanks to those who marshal MAG events without pay and often little thanks. The viability of all our fund raising rallies rests with the generosity and dedication of these few. If you feel that you could give a few hours of your time, even once a year, to marshal a MAG event then please contact your local group or Regional Rep. (See meetings page 64-65). In-between the rain I've managed to fit in some great rides with trips down to my home from home in Glastonbury which gives me the opportunity of rolling down the A303 over Salisbury Plain and past Stonehenge. Whenever I do it's with the memory of that time in '78 when I was on my way to one of the first really big helmet protest demos that was headlined by the Newton Abbot six. A bunch of Devonshire men and women, 'the six' set out to get themselves jailed rather than accept the right of the government to criminalise those of us who exercised the right to choose how we dressed when we rode our motorcycles.
It's interesting that Ken Livingstone climbed down pretty smartish when the cycle lobby slated his plan to register all bicycles and as for compulsory cycle helmets, pah! no way hose. Not everyone likes the cycle lobby but they are a force to be reckoned with. I'm inclined to think that rather than demanding that they 'enjoy' the same restrictions that we do, there is probably more to be gained from studying their success. Time to ride methinks.
Ian 'wet and dry' Mutch
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