TO THE EMAIL ARMY (You can join MAG’s Email Army - receive MAG Press Releases - Network Here

Issued 18th August 2005

Dear All

I hope this email finds you well.

Rather than send you a batch of emails I have gathered together some of the latest issues for lobbying.

You may have received these by other means such as Streetbiker, Network or MAG Press Releases.

Two of the issues; "Sidecars and Trailers" and "Clarkson On Noise" have only come up in the last two weeks and will be featured in coming MAG publications.

Because there are four issues and I appreciate that they can be time consuming, I have put a simple code beside the issue.

Urgent: Should have done it yesterday
Very Important: Right Away
Important: As soon as you can
Information: When you can

Many thanks in advance for your time and effort as activists, for responding to these issues and as ever your feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs (MAG UK)

European Licence Fiasco - Barrel Load of Madness (Very Important)

Three pronged lobby to bring sense to the proposals contained in the 3rd European Driving Licence Directive. A complicated issue of bewildering over-regulation in an effort to cut motorcycle accidents.

Action Document Here

Motorcycle Friendly Crash Barriers (Important)

Campaign for the fitment of Motorcycle Friendly Crash Barriers which seeks to have crash barriers tested for motorcyclists and motorcycles within European standards, the fitting of motorcycle-friendly secondary rails in identified danger spots and the removal of wire road barrier systems from the UK roads

Action Document Here

Sidecars and Trailers (Urgent)

MAG Belgium have put the issue of motorcycles with a sidecar towing trailers back on their agenda.

The situation in Belgium at present is:

- a motorcycle towing a trailer: permitted - a motorcycle with sidecar towing a trailer: not permitted.

The issue was on the agenda in 2004 but with changes in the government at the end of 2004 the case was closed and looked like being lost.

MAG Belgium have tabled a new question to the Minister responsible, asking what the government are going to do to resolve the problem.

At present their parliament is on holiday and an answer is expected from the Minister by September.

If the answer is negative then MAG Belgium will decide on what further action to take.

In the meantime MAG Belgium are counting on our support for this issue.

They are asking that you send them as many emails asking why travelling by sidecar with a trailer is forbidden by law in Belgium.

This will enable MAG Belgium to build support for its position and to present it to their members of the parliament.

The principle of freedom of movement prevailed in Spain when the ban on motorcycles towing trailers with restrictions was lifted.

FEMA press release on the issue can be viewed Here

The complete ban was lifted as the result of a complaint introduced in 1998 by the European Commission against the Spanish government, with the active support and co-operation of FEMA, before the Court of Justice of the European Communities (EC). Indeed, Spain was in breach of the EC Treaty's articles on 'the free movement of persons and goods' and the freedom to
provide services and their obligations under EU legislation.

Suggested Letter, send to:-

Erwin Steegmans
Vice President
MAG Belgium vzw
Email: ondervoorzitter@mag.be:

To whom it may concern.

I am a UK motorcyclist.

I have recently been informed that it is not permitted by law for riders of motorcycles fitted with a sidecar and towing a trailer to travel in Belgium.

I would like to know why a vehicle that is allowed in the UK is not permitted in another EU country.

Until 2004 motorcycles with trailers were not permitted in Spain but due to a decision in the Court of Justice of the European Communities the European Commission forced Spain to comply with EU Legislation and to respect the principle of freedom of movement in the European Union.

I would be permitted to travel throughout Europe, travelling with my family as these vehicles are designed and approved to do so but I am prohibited from Belgium.

Belgium is now excluded from my travel plans as a gateway to other countries in the European Union.

This exclusion means that the money I have to spend on accommodation, fuel and luxury goods would be spent in other European countries.

As a European citizen it is my opinion that Belgium is in breach of the principle of freedom of movement and is failing to recognise EU Legislation.

Kind Regards

Your:
Name
Address

Clarkson on Noise (Information)

Jeremy Clarkson, the main presenter on the BBC program Top Gear, broadcast on Sunday 7th August 2005 made a comment regarding motorcyclists with loud exhausts fitted, he said that he would like to 'shoot them in the face.'

His main complaint was that the city boys come down on their latest machines at weekends dressed like power rangers and blast past his house in the Cotswolds making too much noise.

Talking to MPs this is one of the main complaints they receive from their constituents in rural areas.

The comment appeared amidst was one of Mr Clarkson's rants the legitimacy of which are often diminished by the gratuitously provocative elements they contain. Accompanying Mr Clarkson on the show was Richard Hammond, a columnist for Motor Cycle News, who mentioned on air that Mr Clarkson had previously advised putting wire across the road to slow motorcyclists down.

Clarkson is a menace in some respects. My organisation, The Motorcycle Action Group, endeavours to promote motorcycling as a more sustainable form of transport than the car while Mr Clarkson consistently glorifies the most extravagant cars on the market and indulges his appetite for abusing motorcyclist at every opportunity.

If you wish to make a complaint then you can at:

www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/contact/tv_radio_other

There is also a petition set up calling for Jeremy Clarkson's sacking Here