Campaigns
Campaigns
MAG campaigns are dynamic, developing to meet the needs of MAG members and the larger riding community. They address issues and threats to motorcycling that may arise from any angle. These may be restrictive pieces of legislation limiting home maintenance, bike modification or enforcing clothing standards, or they may be misinterpretations of EU licensing directives that ultimately restrict the numbers of new riders entering the congestion busting world of powered two wheelers.
MAG campaigns also aim to be proactive, often working in conjunction with other organisations to reduce road casualties and promote motorcycling as the green option for personal powered mobility.
MAG campaigns to improve education not legislation regarding road safety and to ensure that the right for the rider to choose, remains paramount.
The prominence of some campaigns is dependant on the life cycle of the legislative threat they may be shadowing. Issues like power limits for bikes, come and go. Although MAG, with the help of other European riders rights groups defeated this particular issue in the 1990’s, it did not go away. France adopted the legislation on the grounds of unproven road safety suggestion and has seen no reduction in road casualties as a result. How would they? The majority of accidents still occur in urban areas where power limits aren’t a factor.
Please view our position statements to see where we stand on new issues and long running ones, or get involved with Riders Are Voters, our newest all encompassing campaign in the run up to the next General Election.
Riders Are Voters (RAV) is supported by the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) and the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and is a cohesive voice for the demands of all riders to ensure that all the candidates for the new House of Commons, whoever they may be, know that riders and the industry are working together and that we all have a vote.
Even though MAG campaigns at Local, National and European level, we encourage everyone to get involved. You know what matters in your area, so please share your knowledge with us, but if you want to keep up the pressure on the national and international issues, campaigning starts here. Arm yourself with the knowledge from our information sheets, contact us direct or visit a local group meeting in your part of the country.
From time to time we need members to act quickly with very little notice and are reliant on our ‘E-Mail Army’ to answer the call. This may be to answer petitions, contact MPs or councillors or attend demonstrations. If you think you could join the team, please click here.
Motorcycle Friendly Crash Barriers
The aim of the campaign is to persuade the UK Government to make an immediate public commitment that:
There will be no more wire rope type barrier systems fitted in the UK.
That these high maintenance and expensive systems will be systematically identified and replaced expediently.
A review of the placement of crash barriers needs to be undertaken with those identified as dangerous for motorcycles to be fitted with a motorcycle-friendly guard rail.
Decisions by road authorities to install Vehicle Restraint Systems should take into consideration the safety of motorcyclists so that they are not a greater danger than the obstacle they are intended to protect.
Our campaigns aims regarding Europe are bearing fruition:
In Europe the new standard for crash barriers - EN 1317 should include testing with motorcycles, so that crash barriers can be proven safe for all road users.
Motorcycle-friendly secondary rails and all other forms of post protection devices are included in the standards of tests for other vehicles.
Thus allowing road authorities in the UK the freedom to fit these systems and devices without expensive and time consuming secondary UK testing.
