Letters
Your thoughts, opinions & adventures
Off road
I fully support Neil Liversidge's argument (The ROAD issue 2) against MAG becoming involved in the upcoming Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill.
As someone who helps manage several thousand acres of countryside I'd like to comment on the proposed restrictions on vehicle use of Rights of Way (RoW).
Firstly we should ask ourselves why are these measures being considered. RoW became established many years ago, at a time when the heaviest vehicle would be a passing hay cart, long before the recent boom in 4X4 ownership. Today the problem is that people buy large thirsty leisure vehicles and as a boost to their macho image they want to push them to the limit, resulting in noise, fumes, churned up lanes, gates been left open, broken fences and escaping stock - all issues I regularly have to deal with.
I welcome the quiet enjoyment of our countryside, it is a place to escape the pressures of modern urban living, not a playground for boys and their toys, as if just buying such a vehicle automatically grants the right to drive wherever you want. As I keep telling my kids you can't expect to have everything you want.
However, I realise that trail riding has a longer pedigree than 4X4 use, and if ridden sensibly at reasonable speeds and with courtesy to other users, I have no objection to their presence, which is often less irksome and less damaging than the lycra clad masses haring down paths on mountain bikes. In order for trail riders to access the RoW system I suggest compulsory training or a licensing system that limits access to members of specific responsible clubs.
There are places where 4X4s could be accommodated without spoiling the countryside, at specific off-road tracks for instance or, as the MAG chairman suggests, the desert. Cars should stay on the road, if you want to use paths and bridleways get a horse or a pair of wellies.
Phil Stuckey
Let there be cameras
Call me paranoid, but as Meredydd Hughes the new head of the ACPO has stated he would like cameras every four hundred yards on motorways (read UK roads), his wish is government's command. The public have little idea, and even less inclination to act on how their environment and privacy is pervaded. To drive is criminal. We are farmed like aphids by ants. Overheard two teenagers talking about satellite surveillance, the ability to read over your shoulder from space, and the volumes of data available, and they thought it was 'cool'. These are our future governers.
As psychiatric asylums have been closed down, so the Island institution asylum has arrived. It's the end of sanity. I'm gathering my things and looking for the door, but it might yet be bolted. Sturgis may stay a dream.
Derek Reynolds. I can still remember my name, but if I forget, there will be a government office somewhere with thousands of pages of information all about me, and pictures of where I've been.
Feel safer yet?
Derek Reynolds
Bus lanes
Can we step up a gear on the campaign to allow motorcycles into bus lanes?
It is not fun riding in this weather but needs must. We do it for economical reason, environmental reasons and practical reasons.
Yesterday a large plastic bag blew across my path and I wove into the bus lane to get around it. A fine for that manoeuvre would have left a bitter taste I can assure you. I, man now using the motorbike in all weathers in my role as a London letting agent. I've been knocked down four times by frustrated car drivers doing U turns though. (Can't happen in a bus lane). Where is the health and safety mob when you need them? We are as vulnerable as cyclists.
Gregory J Kirby
Satellite distraction
Can you believe channel 5's motoring program testing Sat Nav devices?
The presenter was shown driving along wet snowy roads whilst prodding the buttons & commenting on how one screen was small and not very easy to see, which means that you will have to spend longer looking at it!
This latest twat in the cab device is just another good reason for drivers not to look where they are going, to the detriment of other road users. Also just out of interest, a friend of mine reported seeing a motorist with a DVD playing on his dashboard last weekend on the way back from Dorset...say no more!
My bike was wrecked by a guy in a sports car who pulled out of a side road and said the inevitable "I just didn't see you." I was riding a 1200 Triumph with a sidecar, what hope is there!
Harry Humphrey
Beard count
I have a small goatie beard. I wear black T-shirts & jeans much of the time. I also have a tattoo. I live in a semi, own a dog and go out to work. I enjoy riding my bike whenever I can. I've ridden to Europe a couple of times this year. I'm Mr sorta average really, I suppose. I joined MAG after reading Streetbiker online and realising that there were others who, like me, don't desire the latest high powered sports bike and don't want to wear stuff that matches my bike. I was pleased to make this discovery. It's funny that a sports bike rider (Pete Adams) should be trying to get The Road changed into a more sporty read. The reason I enjoy The Road (and previously Streetbiker) so much is that nearly all other bike magazines go on endlessly about sports bikes, increasing power, shaving off a few grammes of weight, etc, etc...
These magazines also write off a lot of good bikes that don't come up to the journo's sporty expectations. So I would say to the ROAD editor - Well done! You've pitched it just about right. It's good to read about all sorts of bikes from customs to sports bikes without feeling it's necessary to exclude any particular brand or style. You also don't dismiss any bike because it's not a missile. It's good to see pictures of real people enjoying motorcycling and all the other things that go along with it. Surely it's the people that are important not just what they happen to ride?
Just for interest I did a beard count in Road issue 1 and found 75 of the furry faces - is this a record?
John w
Sturgis
Events such as "Sturgis" are what remind me that helmets are a big issue with many riders. Even the dreaded MCN in reviewing the European Bike Week commented that "The police seem to take a relaxed view on helmets so we were able to ride into town and back without wearing one." This indicates that there are substantial numbers of riders who would choose to ride without.
When did we last hold a demo on the issue? Maybe we can count Fred Hill day, otherwise , I cant remember when. You have been published in MCN several years aqo, saying that the helmet issue was on the back burner because it did not enhance our image when dealing with MPs etc.
Pleased to Hear the Quane case is not over yet. But we should be drawing it to the attention of MEPs etc.
Men are starting to rebel on motorway and road building sites, by not wearing their hats. As employers cant get staff prepared to wear lids all day, they are having to turn a blind eye. I think rules have also been altered so that it is individuals who are liable now, rather than the site manager being liable for enforcement. It was getting difficult to recruit managers because of their liability for policing the law. Meanwhile, house builders are being pressured to enforce the use of dayglow jackets and hard hats even when inside a near complete house. Or even when working in a client's own home. Madness, and we are letting them get away with it.
Ed: I doubt if I've said that our credibility among MPs is damaged by our policy on helmet compulsion. Most MPs are bright enough to follow a simple civil rights argument even if they don't want to campaign for reform.
There was a view that many bikers were deterred from joining MAG because they thought we were just about helmets. My view today is that that reason has always been something which people who wouldn't join the riders movement in a hundred years just throw in as an excuse. With all the work we've done in other areas over the years you would have to be clinically brain dead to believe that MAG was just about helmets.
My feeling is that the courts offer the best hope of progress on the issue since their decisions are not determined by public opinion but by the law itself and my hope is that we may be able to prove the helmet law is illegal.
As the threat of ceaseless surveillance threatens further liberties, the philosophic debate about personal transport which will emerge may make people appreciate the relevance of the helmet issue.
Maritime emergency
I am the captain of the Pride of Zebrugge ferry and I would like to use your excellent magazine to publicly thank the members of your organisation who came to the assistance of my crew during a perilous North sea crossing last October. Without their brave efforts I am sure all souls aboard would have been lost. At approximately 2 a.m. my ship suffered a catastrophic engine failure and began to flounder in an ever-increasing storm. We had lost all radio communication with port and, without power, control of the ship. My senior officers held an emergency meeting which was overheard by several of your members who were returning from Belgium. Without thought for their own safety they ran to their cabin and returned with a gigantic makeshift sail which they lashed to the funnel of the ship and which enabled us to make it back to port. Again, I would like to thank them for this self-less act although where they procured such a large pink frilly sail from still bewilders me.
Captain Dave Rickel
Pride of Zebruge.
Ed: mystified readers might care to read Madam Vice's column THE ROAD2 regarding the disappearance of her underwear
Cameras and 20mph limits
Government have now announced that revenue from speed cameras can be used for other road safety purposes.The number of cameras is not to be cut, they will simply be allowed to proliferate more slowly. As well as this, some speed limits are to be raised, while more 20 mph limits will be introduced "particularly where most needed, such as outside schools" . Even that anti car organisation, BRAKE, admit that children are least likely to be injured near school.
Would it not make more sense to impose twenty mph speed limits near schools on school days only and half an hour before and after school opening and closing times?
Mike Baker, Cornwall
Ferg
I must say that the second issue of "The Ferg" sorry, "The Road" is a big improvement on issue 1 (which in itself was a big improvement over Streetbiker, not that Streetbiker was ever a dissapointment). Your new cub reporter in the form of Ferg is making a splendid contribution, you have trained him well. I had the pleasure of his company at the NE Lincs MAG 53rd Christmas Party, one of our conversations went something like this...
Ferg "What time do bands come on?"
Me "pardon"
Ferg "I don't normally see bands, I'm usually having a drink somewhere, what time do they start?"
Me "nine, nine thirty, what time does it finish?"
Ferg "I don't know, I've not organised anything like this for years, 12 oclock.... late... two... something like that"
Me "are they doing 2 sets?"
Ferg "I don't know, I'll ask them, see what they want to do. People keep buying me drinks, it's great"
And with that he disappeared into the crowd, later to be seen strutting his stuff on the dance floor.
The band, by the way, played 2 excellent sets. "Starvin Sids" the name, and well worth seeing. It was an excellent party and well supported, and considering it was only NE Lincs 53rd they should pat themselves on the back for a job well done. I'm looking forward to their 27th.
Andy Carrott
Mid Lincs MAG
India touring
I must congratulate Zak Fordham on the excellent article on his Blazing Trails trip round India. In March 05 my two brothers and I, along with some friends from York did the very same trip. Fond memories returned when he mentioned Garath, Jo and Ranji.
He spoke of the very reliable Enfield and the use of the horn. We had great fun barging our way through Mysore, Belur and the like with horns blaring, you just would not get away with it in this country.
He also expresses some very useful tips about dehydration and not drinking the water! Another tip, be careful of being fleeced. Make sure you know what you are getting for your money, Indians can be very shrewd at times.
For anybody with an interest in riding bikes and socialising then a ride round India on an Enfield is a must.
Rich Carter, York
Untaxed cars
Walking through my local tesco car park I noticed 6 cars with no tax. After mentioning this to my colleagues they said that this is due to the area being mainly an immigrant area, and the police deliberately won't prosecute because of the cost of translators and speed of execution for the court cases. Doubtful of this I wrote to local Police HO at Uxbridge, the Met and Middlesex HO. I was told that this was a low priority and that resources were better spent elsewhere.
I wasn't happy and wrote to my MP, and to the MP that ensconced said tesco, both tried but got the same response , but with the addition that they would deploy a mobile camera van. Months on, the situation is worse, and at any given day you can find 20-40 untaxed (uninsured and probably unregistered ?) cars in this one car park alone. Having been the victim of uninsured car drivers I find this appaling, I have offered to take the the details and submit official complaints but I didn't get a reply? Viva southall and its uninsured drivers, Bikers please beware around here !
Gilly
Arrrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhh!!!
I had to put pen to paper regarding your Kilmarnock rhino. This is the famous one that's been in all of the films. His name is Neil and his most famous film was probably Love Story, you must have seen him - Rhino'Neil. This statue includes his daughter Tatum.
Sorry,
Dave Walker
More spies
I agree with a lot of comments made by Mark Burley, (favours compulsory re-testing) I found taking my bike test also gave me a new sense of awareness and improved my car driving. I have also had a few near misses from car drivers who just don't see bikes. Being a high mileage driver I am appaled at the decreasing standard of car drivers, and their lack of awareness of what is going on around them. My idea would be for a force of retired driving professionals - police, driving examiners etc. They would drive around observing other drivers and when they saw any poor driving standards they would be authorised to stop the drivers or access vehicle records to identify them. With the use of video cameras they could point out the poor driving and depending on the severity of the offense, either give a few words of advice or issue a notice of intention to attend a driving course. There would be no need for fines as the payment for the driving course would be a deterrent and would fund the driving enforcement people.
A win win situation, what do you think ?
Snapper
Ed. hmmm
Eco bull ?
I have read in issue 2 of 'The Road' that MAG is playing the 'Green' card in the hope of bending the ears of parliament and politicians in general. Carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles does not amount to any significant contribution to the CO2 figures of the world as a whole.
Over 95% of the worlds CO2 is produced by nature. The worlds total vehicle and industrial output amounts to just 1.6%. If we shut down all the world's industry, grounded all the aeroplanes, crushed all the vehicles and put four and a half billion people out of work - the reduction in CO2 levels would barely be registered. There are more important environmental issues worthy of support such as halting rain forest destruction; maintaining fishing and shooting rights (next in line after Green Lanes)
There is a petition signed by over 17,000 scientists called the Oregon petition which states "There is no convincing evidence that human release of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases is causing, or will cause in the future, catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere or disruption of the Earth's climate"
I will not follow policies I do not believe in.
Derek Reynolds
Ed: I sent Greenpeace your letter and reproduce here a part of their response relating to the Oregon petition.
"There are a few people out there who are still bleating out this rubbish, especially about the Oregon petition which has been put to death so many times and seems to reincarnate itself at the whim of those who are trying to fudge the climate change issue in their own financial interests. The "scientists" who signed the petition included Ginger Spice and the cast of
MASH. Its petition was attached to what purported to be a scientific paper, printed in the font and format of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In fact, the paper had not been
peer-reviewed or published in any scientific journal. Anyone could sign the petition, and anyone did: only a handful of the signatories are experts in climatology, and quite a few of them appear to have believed that they were signing a genuine paper. And yet, six years later, this petition is still being wheeled out."
Ed: Now I appreciate that many people are sceptical of the eco movement but if they've managed to persuade so many governments where the giant oil and industrial concerns with all their resources have not, my guess is that they are more likely to be right.
All world leaders want economic growth so the fact that so many of them are persuaded against what they probably want to believe, lends credibility to the Green lobby's view, in my opinion.
MAG has long had a policy of playing the 'Green card' as conserving fuel and road space makes sense whichever sensible way you look at it.
Fergus the bellower
Fergus may indeed possess excellent navigational skills but these do not extend to his being able to locate his own tent. At a rally in Scotland Some years ago he awoke the whole site bellowing (and I quote)"Some swine has
stolen my tent" I fear the lad should not be allowed out without a carer.
Hamish
Ed: Thank you for bringing this to our attention Hamish, I wonder if perhaps an ASBO would be in order ?
One eyed menace
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed the increasing number of vehicles driving around after dark with only one headlight- looking more often than not like an approaching motorcycle ?
Has anyone thought to check how many accidents have been caused by this phenomenon?
Has anyone thought to ask how many such incidents could have been prevented if we had proper traffic police on the roads to enforce the MOT regulations, instead of Gatsos to levy a sneak tax?
Interesting thought, or is it just me?
Pete Widdows
Heacham, Norfolk.
Good guy dealer
I was knocked off my Majesty 400 scooter by a car driver who admitted liability & her insurers paid out but not enough to buy a new Majesty & no second hand ones were available.
My local Yamaha dealer Acklams Motorcycles of Harrogate did me a fantastic deal & I am now the proud owner of a brand new Majesty.
My dealer knocked off his entire dealer margin of £500 plus he used an extra £100 of his annual volume sales bonus to cover Yamaha's delivery cost, so he actually sold me the scooter at a loss! A new Majesty 400 on the road for £3800 - good deal. He even went to the trouble of getting me a number plate with my initials on it for no extra charge, so I have a personalised plate.
I was a loyal customer before this but am even more so now.
Mitch (rascaltrousers) Nix
Tsunami bands
Just received the magazine, well done once again.
Just one thing, ref the Tsunami rally report Ferg doesn't actually mention who the Bands and dj's and PA people etc were who worked for nothing and even paid their own travel expenses (I know one band travelled from Blackpool after cancelling another £350.00 gig) to attend.
Rick
Ed See your column Rick
Editor deemed important !
Good to see you made 19th in the 50 most important motorcycle luminaries list from Bike Magazine (e.map). That's 20 ahead of Willie G and 22 ahead of Carl Fogarty and one ahead of Alistair Darling! But hold on; ex BMF Chairman Leon Manning made 17 and he's been sacked!
Scottie
Ed: He was outvoted in their election to be precise Scottie.
Compulsory re-tests
I write in support of Mark Burley who advocates compulsory re-testing, as I share his view that many road users fail to appreciate the hazard they present to other road users due to their poor driving and/or riding style. While your editorial comment raises the issue of suddenly losing a license for failing a test, I believe this can be easily overcome by allowing re-tests to be taken during the final 6 months, or maybe even a year, of the period of validity of the current license. This will give sufficient time to prepare for the re-test and leave adequate time for another re-test if necessary.
The safety of air travel is in part due to the fact that pilots have to regularly undergo re-validation of their flying status. There is no reason why the same ethos cannot be applied to road travel.
Glenn Comiskey
Ed: I think if you want to advance an idea like this you have to prove that very experienced drivers are over-represented in accident statistics - are they ? You also need to consider whether it's lack of ability or bad attitude that causes the problems you identify. We don't send murderers to martial arts schools do we ? You also have to ensure that the extra army of examiners will be available. There's three possible reasons for starters.
Filtering
Firstly congratulations on the new look mag. I'm concerned however about your continual references to motorcycles filtering through traffic as some sort of solution to congestion without mentioning the legal dangers involved.
Having had a 'filtering' accident I was sent a photocopy detailing the relevant law, in defence of the decision to pay me only 20% of my damages despite being the victim.
Anyway, all the best,
Alan Thomson
Ed : Your experience sounds worse than many but reflects the fact that when filtering, the law expects you to assume a far greater responsibility than normal. The problem is that the circumstances surrounding accidents involving filtering tend to make them 'grey' areas so it is hard to frame clear amendments to the law without being unfair to somebody.
The fairest course is probably to assess every case on its merits. The speed of the rider will certainly be one of those and 30mph in a 30 mph limit will often be considered too fast. I say this as an ex London courier who spent most of every day for five years filtering.
A little more thought
Firstly let me congratulate you on the new magazine format. Now then, why, when you write so eloquently with real emotion do you have to go in to your right wing rant about inadequate sentencing? Why does a person go out and continually commit crime? Will long prison sentences help? I doubt it very much.
In issue one you gave the message; 'it's my country and my head dammit.' In principle I do not agree with the helmet law but as I agree with the National Health Service and find it hard to argue against the 'who pays for it if you don't die' reasoning.
Please continue in your individual way but a little more thought on the crime/ punishment aspect.
D Sugg
Ed: Why is it that if someone doesn't agree with a viewpoint then they accuse its author of not thinking it through?
Reform is only one aspect of custodial sentences. Deterrent is another and protecting the public is a third. I think it is valid for us, as a road user group, to contrast the enthusiasm for prosecuting road users with the reticense of the courts to deal adequately with 'real' criminals. To do so provides a much needed perspective to a culture of law enforcement that has lost it.
I suspect we are being used as scapegoats for society's ills as it is so much easier to identify and apprehend those guilty of motoring offenses than to catch muggers and burglars. By doing this the government creates an illusion of clamping down on lawlessness and we suffer.
On helmets, before you resort to the public burden argument you might consider what difference compulsion made to health service costs and whether, in the interests of consistency, you would be prepared to criminalise obesity, smoking etc.
I appreciate your flattery and assure you that I shall continue to think through these issues, I just wonder if you might like to do the same ?
Replies
Just a quick word to say how impressed I am at the way every time I have send an email to MAG I get a reply. Now I know time is a very limited resource today but the fact that a reply is sent at all just goes to show that there are still folks out there with common decency and I for one applaud that. Keep up the good work,
Don
That Rhino
What Ian Phillips told you about the Kilmarnock rhino is a load of rubbish. The real reason is this.
Several years ago Princess Anne was due to visit Kilmarnock and the itinerary included the town hall. The town hall toilets were in a pretty poor state so a council official told the caretaker to slap a fresh coat of paint on and get some lino. He was a bit deaf and six weeks later the two rhinos turned up. Of course, it was thought better to keep quiet about the cock up, in true council fashion, and put the rhinos on the roundabout, under the guise of promoting local art. Needless to say, the council official was soon promoted.
Your obedient servant
Graham Russel
Ed : Didn't we call time on rhino stories?
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