MAG rage-ride 25th September 2011

[Rogerborg]

MAG SMASH!

We're not going to take this Eurotrash any more!

At 1pm on Sunday 25th September 2011, all true bikers are required to get out there and, uh, ride around for 20 minutes.

That'll show Them that we mean business! Doing what we do every Sunday! Yeah!

A few more details here, but I think I've about covered it. Check back closer to the day for your local rage-ride kick off point.

The whisper that I've heard is that it'll be rolling roadblocks. On a September Sunday afternoon, so that'll really show those two Polish wagon drivers and that caravan club outing.

https://www.tootingpopularfront.com/citizensmith.jpg
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[LordShaftesbu...]

Yeah not sure why they went for a 20 minute duration. It should be organised more like the French protest if you ask me.

But I'll probably go anyway, if only because I've never been on a ride-out before. I am rather fearful that hardly anyone will turn up though, most bikers aren't that bothered about the new rules.

[Rogerborg]

I imagine there will be decent numbers summed across the whole country, but with varying local turnouts. If a local group doesn't hit a critical mass, it'll likely fizzle. It'll be interesting to see how many kick-off points there are.

At this time, the point of it eludes me. I agree with their issues, but futile protest has never really appealed, and nor does riding like a dick for the sake of it. I'm going to need to see a tangible, constructive goal before chumming up with Harley Bear for the day.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Andy_Pagin]

"On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm and vanish 20 minutes later. This is the first time."

What difference is slightly more bikers being in a few particular areas for a few minutes going to make to anyone?

https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7782/suicidesquad.jpg
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Skudd]

The Welsh protest a few years ago made a point. Wales brought to an almost standstill at all the popular haunts.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Rogerborg]

This isn't the Welsh protest though. I'm trying to keep an open mind as to the goals.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[jennycook163]

Official FB page now live ... with interactive map of start points- this will increase and there are loads already.....

Please note given recent events etc this is a legal , peaceful protest .Many letter have been written , MEP's met and meetings held already. This is too raise awareness and so every rider can say NON, NON to this nonsense.

On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm and vanish 20 minutes later. This is the first time.

All start points (inc interactive map) and more details can be found on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/25th-Sept-2011-Action-Now-EU-Hands-Off-Biking/218514361530962?sk=wall

or

https://www.mag-uk.org/en/campaignsdetail/a6883

There's a raft of issues emanating from Europe that will have a profound effect on riders and the motorcycle industry generally and we must stand up. Some of them are driven by the EU Commission, like the new Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation that will see the introduction of compulsory ABS, the sealing of powertrains from airbox to the diameter and aspect ratio of the rear tyre, restrictions on the aftermarket industry, possible roadside checks by police or other Gov agencies to inspect emissions or for owner 'tuning' and more.

There's EU funded development of electronics to control and govern speeds either through warning systems or actual throttle control and the plans in Ireland for compulsory, full sleeve day-glo jackets for riders and pillions.

As with France, where reflective/day-glo clothing is being debated, the onus should not be on the victim. Will insurance companies start saying that because we weren't dressed in day-glo it's our own fault that an inattentive driver drove into us?

France also wants to ban bikes over 7 years old from urban areas for environmental reasons! Their congestion is already terrible and putting more riders into cars that pollute terribly when they are stationary, is bonkers.

Bikes are part of the urban transport solution, not problem.

Enough! There will be a vote by the MEP committee discussing the above Regulation, at the start of October (4th/5th or 6th). We need them to listen. They represent us. MAG and many others in the motorcycle community are negotiating hard with our own Government and our European representatives.

Join us to keep EU hands off biking.

We will be listing all the actual start points here, on the Riders Are Voters.org website and many other places. We've already got venues from Plymouth to Aberdeen on most M-ways and major trunk routes, but if you or your bike club would like to be a 'starter', contact us for co-ordinated action.

Website
https://www.mag-uk.org[url][/url]

[Rogerborg]

Thanks Jenny. I'm in agreement with all of your points about overbearing EU legislation, but am struggling to see the purpose of this ride.

Actually, I see there's now a confirmation about the method:

[jennycook163]

Your points may be valid Rogerborg , however there are lots of other actions being taken , meeting with , letters to MEP's , contact with Euro ombudsman , there will be press releases and radio interviews etc on the 25th , it's all arranged.....

Doing nothing and staying home def will have no effect...

This is the FIRST time we do it .... next time it could be a monday at 8am.....

[LordShaftesbu...]

Yes, I've read elsewhere that there will probably be more protests, hopefully with a higher profile. I'm going to go anyway though, might as well and it'll get me out of the house.

[Rogerborg]

Thanks again Jenny. I want to be clear that none of the following comments are aimed at you - I genuinely respect your goals and intentions.

Think of me as vocally apathetic, as opposed to silently apathetic. I'm happy to engage with you, and the same arguments that will convince me might convince others.

[jennycook163]

No comments taken personally !

The timing is because the EU and their IMCO are due to try and put the rubber stamp on this little lot the following week....

The Action Now! EU Hands Off Biking nationwide simultaneous events are a great vehicle (pun intended!) for raising awareness of all riders of the issues , as well as the public (EU is not overly popular with many..)

It also demonstrates to our MEP's / the IMCO the strength of feeling among riders about the issues and may help ensure the suggested amendments to the proposals are put in / the worst of them stopped when they meet at beginning of October.

Total chaos is not the effect we are looking for ..... recent events show us that's no way to make your self heard....

MAG members have been hearing about and campaigning against these proposals for months.... the bike press are only just picking up on it .....

[LordShaftesbu...]

Damn it, looks like I won't be able to go after all, apparently I'm going to holiday to the Isle of Sky that weekend! And I was looking forward to it as well ...

[dogbot]

Protest is only worthwhile if it has an instantly measurable effect, eh?

Right. Good excuse to sit on your fat arse, I spose.

[Andy_Pagin]

I think a better 'protest' would be something like this..

Bikers meet up at various town centres, then at a specific time the whole lot queue up at one single small convenience store and each buy one item, tin of beans, packet of fags whatever. We let little old ladies/mums with kids/anyone in possession of a cute kitten jump the queue.

This would have an impact that the press, local traders and shoppers couldn't fail to notice, and would make the point that bikers are part of the community and part of the economy and not a bunch of selfish yobs.

Obviously we'd have to clear it with the police and make sure local traders knew we were coming and one of them was in for one hell of a bonanza.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[LordShaftesbu...]

We should blockade the homes of the people responsible for coming up with these idiotic ideas.

[Andy_Pagin]

[Rogerborg]

[LordShaftesbu...]

So what if it pissed them off? Not much they could do about it stuck in their house.

Just make sure and cut their phone/internet.

[tvr321]

Fuck that undemocratic, unelected European commission.

[LordShaftesbu...]

[Andy_Pagin]

[bradshawd]

Why not sign the petition. 100,000 signatures forces it into parliament for discussion.

Derek
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If men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. Where in the universe do Drummers come from?

[Rogerborg]

[SuzukiTom]

Where are the links to the EU documents about all these proposed changes? all i have seen about these changes is information from MAG, not from any other source anywhere....i dont doubt they have big plans but i want to see it from the horses mouth, not watered down.