MAG Press Release

[mcbiker]

MAG PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Issued 20th September 2005



European Licence Demo



The Motorcycle Action Group and the British Motorcyclists Federation are co-operating with Motor Cycle News in the organisation of a protest gathering and ride in Brussels on Saturday 1st October in response to the EU proposals on motorcycle licensing.

We feel that the risk posed to the future of motorcycling by these draconian regulations is considerable as it is likely they will severely discourage new riders from taking to two wheels. In all probability millions of potential riders will take to cars instead as access to them will be far easier by comparison.

This is bad for the future of the riders’ movement as it diminishes the pool of potential support as well as reducing the percentage of total traffic that we represent.

The regulations would appear to have been designed simply to discourage people from taking to motorcycles as a crude means of reducing the gross numbers of motorcycle accidents, a policy which will be resisted totally by the riders’ movement.


MAGs Director of Public Affairs, Trevor Baird says, "If Governments or non democratic institutions wish to introduce these regulations they should produce evidence justifying these proposals and not bring about extra and unnecessary regulation, in the name of safety."

The intention of the demonstration is simply to attract media and political attention to the issue in order to bolster the negotiations that have been on-going for some time.

The provisional plan is to meet at the Atomium in Brussels at 1pm on Saturday October 1st and after a few brief speeches, to ride past the Parliament buildings in order to provide a photo opportunity for the media.

There is no organised rally or social dimension to this event however details of a campsite and telephone numbers for accommodation will be posted on the MAG and BMF websites and in MCN.

We apologise for the short notice of this demonstration which has been prompted by the sustained intransigence of EU institutions under the banner of harmonisation.

Ends



Notes:



European proposals will discourage motorcycling by placing further obstacles in the path of new riders in the name of harmonisation.

For British riders the main changes are:
The minimum age for riding bikes over 125cc/11kW but less than 35kW rises from 17 to 19.

The minimum age for riding bikes of over 35kW rises to 21.

For Progressive Access there will be rigid two-year steps between categores A1 (Light Motorcycle), A2 (less than 35kW Motorcycle) and A (Unlimited Motorcycle).

Riders will be required to take either a minimum number of hours of training or a practical motorcycle test to progress from each category.

For Direct Access where riders can train and test to qualify for over 35kW motorcycles the minimum age will rise from 21 to 24.

Minimum Test Vehicle specifications will not be democratically decided and may include minimum engine capacities of 600cc for category A2 and 800cc for category A.
The Demo is meeting at the Atomium Brussels Boulevard du Centenaire.

Speeches will take place at 1pm (Brussels time) before the demo sets of to the European Parliament.

The run will be marshalled by MAG Belgium who have a campsite organised and a list of local cheap hotels. Details to follow at www.mag-uk.org

MCN invite you to join the protest ride to the European Parliament and help protect the future of biking. Full details including ferry deals in tomorrows MCN issue out Wednesday 21st September. Or visit MCN website www.motorcyclenews.com

Maps are available at www.network.mag-uk.org/maps/brusselsdemomaps.doc

Lobby your MEP, MP and Transport Minister at
https://www.network.mag-uk.org/dld/3rdDrivinglicencedirectiveactiondemo05.doc
Issued by

Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs

MAG UK
PO BOX 750
Rugby
CV21 3ZR

Tel: +44 (0)870 444 8 448
Fax: +44 (0)870 444 8 449
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org

The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation

www.mag-uk.org
____________________
Pete - Honda FJS 600 ABS Silverwing Maxi Scooter
Previously owned - Piaggio X9500sl, Kwak GT550, GT750, ZZR600, ZX9R, MZ ETZ250, Yam Divi900, TDM850, Honda C90, CG125, CB400N, CBF600SA.
I won't die on my bike, probably a few minutes later in a nearby field.