MAG EU protest Ride Out this Sunday 25th - LOLed in my lid.

[Rogerborg]

Posting here as relatively few people read Biking News.

In protest against the EU's pending "FUN IST VERBOTEN" Directive - have we all responded to the DfT's consultation on it? - the Motorcycle Action Group are organising slow motorway rides setting off from motorway service stations the length and breadth of the country this Sunday 25th September 2011.

All runs will start sharp at 1pm, run at 45-48mph along the inside lane(s) of motorways for 20 minutes / 15 miles (or as long as you want, it's your run). The Highways Agency are onside and all motorway signs across the country will show THINK BIKE! on Sunday. Several MPs will be joining in or supporting from the kick off points. Local coppers seem friendly to it.

MAG's details are here, there's a Facebook page or you can just go straight to the list of kick-off points.

The proposed regulations in their current form will prohibit any modification of the powertrain (air filter to rear tyre): it will ban selling the parts necessary to do it, criminalise the act of doing it, and mandate technical measures to prevent it. This will prevent some home maintenance tasks.

It will mandate ABS and prohibit disabling it.

It will introduce regular checks on bike emissions and unmeddled powertrains.

It will mandate the introduction of OBD spy-chips that will - at a minimum - nag you if any non-standard part is fitted. Manufacturers might very well will take the opportunity to put bikes into "limp home" mode to force you to pay a dealer to fit an OEM part.

This is not hyperbole, it's the plain language of the proposal. If it is not strongly opposed by MEPs then it will pass in its current form. If you are in any doubt, please read it and decide for yourself. This is a real threat to biking, it's happening now, and we have a limited window of opportunity to prevent it.

If none of this bothers you, consider that you'll be paying for all of this technology whether you want to or not. New prices will rise, relatively more so on low end bikes, and that will knock on to used prices. More expensive new bikes means fewer new bikes means more people chasing used ones. Less choice, more cost, more untried technology to go wrong and cripple your bike. This will effect you.

There's also the threat of mandatory hi-vis coming from France and Ireland - they've got us surrounded. Best to nip that one in the bud too. I choose to wear it, but I will defend your right to choose not to.

The good news is that the current lot in the DfT, headed up by my man-crush Mike Penning, are pretty hostile to the proposed directive. Sunday is our opportunity to show them that by opposing it, they are representing our views.

I'll be there, and I hope that I speak for all of us when I say

https://i55.tinypic.com/11t66qd.jpg

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UPDATE (also posted at the end)

Hamilton Services, SE of Glasgow.

https://i53.tinypic.com/fv90tj.jpg

I couldn't fit all the bikes in! That's a completely full car park, plus some spillover and late arrivals. At a conservative estimate, there were 200 bikes in the ride, from 2 stroke scooters to ZXRXZXRR bikes and everything in between. Mad to everyone who manned and womaned up, it was an amazing buzz to be part of it.

Inevitably, it turned into a rolling roadblock . This is totally missing the point - we want vehicle to pass us, otherwise it's just the same few dozen cars that get stuck among us. But as it is inevitable, there's not much point in decrying it.

The highlight was that many of the bikes went right through Glasgow and on to the M77, where we passed hundreds of bikes coming the other way. I genuinely Laughed Out Loud with the sheer joy of it.

Whatever happens, even if it was futile, it was 30 miles that I'd ride again in a heartbeat. So, futile maybe, but certainly not pointless. If it happens again, don't miss out.
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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

[Kris]

Will be there (on the M2 services meet-up part).

Death to the EU!
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Rowey]

I wish there were some start points neared to west London. Nearest ones are about 40miles each.

Anyone setting out near the A40?
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[Nick__C]

Meddling stasi bastards! When will it end?!
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'02 GS 500.

[Snorty]

Hope they're proposing cars have to be dayglow as well then. Idiots. Whoever dreams this stuff up is out of touch.

[Nick__C]

Stopping bikes at the roadside to check their measures are being implemented but no such action against car drivers? :S

Any LimpDem or Labour MP's out for it? to the four Tories.

[dardappa2004]

Ill be there too, ill be down leicester forest east services station down the M1, ill be on a 2002 zx6r if anyone wants to say hi

[The999Kid]

ME and my OH wll be riding from the colsterworth truck stop on the A1 if any lincs bods want a join us?

were on a Red VFR with an obnoxiously loud can
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NDB 19/10/1989 - 1/11/2010 |Nowhere.Elyseum wrote: I get the distinct feeling that Tim should be our secret weapon for future trolling. I don't know many people that can rip the piss in Iambic pentameter

[EXC-Rider]

who will be at Porkies Dinner on the 127 ? i prob will be attending with my step dad
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owned bikes: DR50, Thumpsta 110 , Honda CR85, Speedfight 100, Yamaha XT125X, Honda CRF450, Honda Hornet '07
current bikes: KTM EXC525 AKA the wheelie machine
A friend in need is a friend indeed but a friend with weed is better!

[Andy_Pagin]

[WannaBeDude]

[The999Kid]

[Andy_Pagin]

Its a pity the channel tunnel isn't a road route, we could blockade it and isolate Europe from the free world.
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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

[WannaBeDude]

5th white is effectivly a ban, as all you can do is view as you can as an observer, bans due as is a sabatical.

[Willson]

BannedDude... You're a penis.

I should be at the M5 J3 services (Frankley) on a 58 plate Bandit in my sports leathers (/fail). I'll try and twist Benson_JV's arm into coming out as well. Anyone around near me?

Willson
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Benson: Wouldn't life be easier if we were all turtles?
Me: Pig on bread = The way forward.
Riding: '00 Suzuki SV650S. Previous: '99 Kawasaki ER5 - sold, '02 Suzuki GZ125 Marauder - sold

[Polarbear]

I'll be at the Northampton services on an orange street tirple r. Sporting a totally illegal numberplate with my polarbear on a bike picture in place of the EU symbol. Say hello if you are around!
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[neil.]

[Snorty]

If I turn up to one of these places, am I likely to be greeted by just one or two other bikers? Or will it be quite an organised large event?

[Nick__C]

Anyone from the Nottingham/Derby area going?
I asked about t-shirts and they've ran out of them centrally
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'02 GS 500.

[EXC-Rider]

[WannaBeDude]

You call me a penis and then go on to say your ' coming out ' in sports leathers on your sv65o

[Nick__C]

I was wondering that snorty. If it's a couple of bike travelling 30mph slower than you're meant to it'll just look strange.. If there's 2 dozen or so it'll atleast look like something is happening.. Gonna go along either way and see
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'02 GS 500.

[WannaBeDude]

If they tried to bring it in it would be bike gridlock wear hi vises

[carlosthejack...]

Closest one to me is Barnsley/Tankersley, from where I'm planning to go from. Anyone else? Got my t-shirt already...
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[st3v3]

If anyone who's bike isn't working/on the road/etc wants to join, what choice is there? Mine has a couple faults i wouldn't trust it for a run of any kind but I have thougt about stickering the car up with some stuff of education to passing motorists and anging back behind any bunch that appear at my local meet point..

Objections?
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