Madam Chair
MAG's National Chairman
It's now 2 months since I was elected Chair of MAG UK and the time has flown by. It's been extremely hard work, I wouldn't have expected anything else, but with team work we have already started to move forward to what I predict to be a very exciting future for MAG. The first task we undertook was to take stock of where the organisation was, by talking to the office staff, Janet, Ian and Sarah, and Trevor, in order to review systems and procedures, data handling, Public Liability Insurance, the 6 Wheel Breakdown Cover, the Website and work overload of employees. We have alleviated the problem of the back log of office work and set a system in place to give stability on the clerical side. We are now in the process of hatching a cunning plan to help Trevor with his workload. Watch this space! New membership leaflets have been produced and Mr Mutch is working on the document 'What's MAG All About'.
This year sees us taking on a new venture, organising a Track Day at Mallory Park in August. Depending on the uptake we may be able to offer greater discount to MAG members in the future.
Fergus O'Connell, Trevor Baird and I worked on updating the Clubs' Affiliated Pack, and letters have sent out to all current affiliated clubs. Sarah Gardener, who works part time for MAG UK and part time for the MAG Foundation, has been collating contact details for other Clubs far and wide in the UK. Our plan of action is to send each, the new Club Affiliation Pack and take out adverts to promote MAG in the larger club's magazines.
Following the successful Reps' and Activists' training weekend held in February this year, we are continuing in the autumn at the end of the rally season. Early interest has been shown by the North East, Thames Valley and the Western Region. Watch out for information later in the year if any of your people are interested in joining us.
I managed to fit in helping out at two rallies. The Duk Dik, Etloe in the Forest of Dean and Into the Valley at Sledmere House North Yorkshire. The Duk Dik was run by Paul and his partner Donna Proctor. Sadly Donna was killed on her sidecar outfit the day after MAG's annual conference. Her loss has left a very big hole in our hearts and she will be greatly missed by her friends and family. The procession of hundreds of bikes which followed her to her final place of rest was an amazing tribute to an amazing woman. The Duk Dik Rally was a fantastic success but will close with her, the end of an era. Into the Valley moved to a new site and proved to be another great event, with numbers increasing every year. Great bands, thanks Les.
This year celebrates MAG's 20th anniversary of the Farmyard Party. As you know we have always proudly stated, it is a 'Party with a purpose' and all funds raised go to MAG's ongoing campaign to protect and promote riders' rights. Yet at this time we are faced with a document that threatens the very future of motorcycle riding in this country.
This document is the 'Third Driving License Directive' and if it comes into effect, within five years we could see the the motorcycle riding species threatened with extinction.
Your younger brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, nephews and nieces will be turned off and turned away from motorcycling only to choose an easier option of getting on the road, ie. using the car.
At the end of March 2006 the European Parliament's Council of Ministers agreed a 'common position' on the Third Driving License Directive, which means that it can be passed into law without any discussion. The motorcycle section in particular spells out a set of rules that will make it infinitely harder for people to gain full motorcycle licenses for all categories.
At the FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) meeting in May, we agreed to ask for the complete removal of all reference to motorcycle testing in the Third Driving License Directive. The Directive aims to cut road fatalities in half by the year 2010, that's a reduction of 25,000 deaths in the EU.
Since the Directive doesn't really tackle the causes of motorcycle accidents, its only contribution to reducing fatalities is likely to be by discouraging people from taking up motorcycling. Less bikers, less biker deaths - simple. Where will it lead?
MAG is currently targeting MPs and MEPs, see the lobbying section for details. On the back of the recent FEMA decision, MAG has decided to hold a National Demo on Saturday July 1st in Birmingham to display our determination to ensure that we are here to celebrate motorcycles in the future and hopefully the 40th Anniversary of the Farmyard Party.
So here are four things you can do to help:
- lobby your MP and MEP
- Sign the on-line MAG petition
- Sign up a fellow motorcyclist as a MAG member
- Join us in Birmingham
Don't forget you can make a weekend of it at the Heart of England Rally.
Now is the time for us to take responsibility for the future of motorcycling. As Theo from MAG Belgium said "politicians come and go, but we are here to stay". Let's make sure this happens.
Finally, just to let you know, my new partner in crime, as Vice Chair of MAG UK is Fergus O'Connell. He will continue his role as National Clubs Officer, so you will still see him out and about in your Regions.
Onwards and upwards.
Jane Chisholm
Chairman MAG UK
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