West Midlands MAG

Latest call to the Email Army

TO THE EMAIL ARMY

Issued 24th July 2007

A new logo? A new Website?

Reasons for Change.

Hi all.

Recently there have been image changes to the National Logo and website and although the structure of MAG has been used in the decision making process to ensure democracy has taken place I am anxious to make sure that this information reaches all corners of the membership and also that you all have an understanding about why and how these changes came about.

Last year when MAG was in a better financial state than it had been from some time and David Short was appointed, we were able to take advantage of having an extra pair of hands on board. Instead of the fire fighting, which Trevor Baird and I had been doing prior to this, we were able to stand back and take stock of where we were as an organisation.

David Short needed to get to know us all and the workings within MAG, so we asked him to spend time in the office as well as meeting all the key players in our organisation - both paid staff and volunteers. We asked him, with a fresh pair of eyes coming in, to do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).

He highlighted that one of the biggest weaknesses to the stability of our organisation [which we already knew], was/still is, our reliance on events for the financial running. i.e. if one of the big fund raisers e.g. Stormin or Farmyard Party couldn't run one year, then this would have a massive impact on our ability to continue in our present format. It has been said for years that we need to increase our membership to at least 20,000 to give us this stability. To do this we need to appeal to the wider biking community in a way that we have not done before. We need to present that broad community with an image of MAG that they feel instinctively comfortable with.

We are developing and enjoying significant success in the political arena, where we have been invited to address the Commons Select Committee on transport and other decision making government bodies, to share our expertise and views with them.

We are having success in projecting a positive image within the biking press and we must ensure that awareness of these changes reaches the entire motorcycle community and attracts their attention.

We are crucially aware of the importance of retaining the grass roots support of our core membership and all these changes have been made with the full consultation of the democratically elected National Committee which has unanimously endorsed them. Though MAG is evolving, the change in image has not diluted commitment to core principles by one iota. We can and we will take all of our existing members with us and welcome many more.

If we do not evolve we will become extinct, as an organisation, as a movement and as a family if you will. We will wither and die on the vine.

Now is the time for us to really make a difference by being pro active, not re active. By ensuring that motorcycling has an equal status in transport plans as other valid forms of transport we shall endeavour to protect motorcycling for the next generation.

To do this it is crucial to attract more members.

Change is never easy. However having analysed our problems and deciding we needed to do something about them, we had to try to make sure that the changes would be the very best for MAG.

So, starting in October of last year we, the National Committee, started on this journey to try actively to increase our membership. Never an easy task and one that previous managements had always tried to tackle. We had been trying to update our image via the website for some 4 years and in 2006 after I'd been Chair for seven months, we concluded that this could not be done just using our volunteers. The membership had been crying out for some years for an update to reflect the reality that we are an organisation that speaks for motorcyclists today.

We consulted a new company at the cutting edge of Market Research, whose individual members had a tried and trusted record of delivering the goods to do this and we soon realised that once we started with this process, the visual changes we made would have to be consistent across the whole public face of our organisation.

Questions were asked as to how we arrived at the logo.

We felt it retained the essence of our organisation, touching on the helmets issue as it does.
The helmet logo has been significant throughout the development of our organistion e.g. Bikers are Voters, where we had the image of posting votes through the front of the visor.
The two different styles of helmet were designed to suggest that we have a broad appeal to motorcyclists.
Having two helmets suggests that you are never alone in MAG and that we are a broad church.

Research on opinions was made using existing MAG members via telephone calls, i.e. cold calling by market researchers organised by Creo, the company whose services we have employed. Bike Forums on various websites were viewed, one to one interviews with bikers were conducted, including interviews with non MAG members, and the final logo was decided upon after consultation with Regional Reps at National Committee meetings.

We must not lose sight of the fact that in order to reach out to the wider motorcycling community we must listen to what that community is telling us.

The market research has clearly shown that MAG is not fully reflecting the complexion of the broader motorcycling world. We have to move with the times, and avoid becoming insular.

Looking at the Logo and the website: ‘MAG – The Heart and Soul of biking. Are you passionate enough?'

The question appeals to the conscience of the reader.

Decisions were not taken lightly. I'm sure many of us remember hours spent choosing the colour and design of a rally T shirt.

Meetings with the National Committee regarding these issues have taken place in Oct and Dec 2006, February 2007 and twice in April of this year. Overwhelming and unanimous support was given by the National Committee to the course we have taken. In addition e mail reports were sent in between meetings to National Committee members.

The National Committee is your elected body and its voting members are your Regional Reps who pass information from and to the grass roots membership. At times they have to make decisions on your behalf, I urge you to support them. They are also volunteers and are trying to do their very best for MAG.

Yes there is a financial cost involved, though not as much as has been speculated in the biking press. However the message being sent to the wider biking community is that we are prepared to invest the money that you the members raise to protect the future of motorcycling.

Please do not think that in confining consultation to the NC we are expressing contempt for members' views. The breadth of the presentational changes we are making would have rendered a nation-wide consultation impractical. Those who remember how long the last debate over the changed logo raged, will recognize that there are times when the leaders of organisations have to accept the responsibility of making decisions.

The present dynamics within the motorcycle world as the threat of surveillance-based controls grows at the same time as our lobbying capability has been dramatically enhanced, convinced us that this is the time to make a great leap forward. Organisations that rest on their laurels become staid and lose ambition. Please remember that we are undergoing an identity makeover not an ethical makeover.

No MAG principle is threatened by the cosmetic changes being made. We're just trying to broaden our appeal.

Your National Committee is determined that MAG will respond to all the threats and utilize all the opportunities currently available to it and we hope that all members will support us in this.

Jane Chisholm

Chair MAG UK

Issued 4th July 2007

Congestion Charging Lobby You can now lobby against the introduction of Congestion Charging for Motorcycles as proposed in Manchester. The lobby also expands to the new transport Minister Ruth Kelly and her counterparts in the respective Shadow Cabinets. Ruth Kelly has been tasked with the responsibility of rolling out the congestion charge across Greater Manchester. Manchester is seen as the thin end of the wedge as cities in the UK wait in line to implement future national road pricing plans. If Manchester introduces charges for motorcycles, in what is being seen as a National "pilot" scheme then we will possibly have a "fight" with each city on exemption. We need Manchester to follow the lead of London and the Histortic City of Durham. You can also sign the on line petition and take part in the poll on congestion on the campaigns website. The petition is available for printing.

We hope you will join us in lobbying on this important issue.

Whether you ride a Scooter, Tourer, Custom or Sportsbike , if it has two wheels this issue affects you!

Don't let Manchester be the first to charge motorcycles for the congestion that they do not cause!

West Midlands 30th Brum – National MAG Demo

Don't forget this weekends Brum Demo.

In association with “The Heart Of England Rally” join us in campaigning against the monumental threat of road pricing and all it stands for.

New schemes that will affect motorcycling such as EVSC, Number Plate Tagging, Driving Licences, Traffic measures, Congestion charges in most cities, the lack of secure parking, Stalling on bus lane usage, Multi occupancy car lanes.

These and more , are all proposed for the very near future.

Have Your Say!

Join the demo to Centenary Square in Birmingham and let your voice be heard.

Make Councils and Government see that motorcycling is a viable alternative.

Where

Meeting at "Old Hare & Hounds" Lickey Road, Rednal, Birmingham, B45 8UU

When

Saturday 7th July 2007

Meeting at 12 noon - Riding into Birmingham at 1pm

Brum Demo Here

Issued by

Trevor Baird
Public Affairs Director

TO THE EMAIL ARMY

Issued 1st May 2007

Brunstrom - Should He Stay Or Should He Go - Now!

Dear All

We have just issued a press release, copied below, regarding the Chief Constable for North Wales, Richard Brunstrom and his use of certain images in a "road safety" message..

You can vote in MAGs Poll at http://tinyurl.com/2q2ssm on Brunstrom and email MAG (David Short Campaigns Manager) using the Feedback Form or direct at campaigns-manager@mag-uk.org to register your concerns.

This will add weight to the official letters from MAG to HMIC (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies), Police Authority (North Wales Police Authority) and the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission).

David Short can be contacted direct on:

Mobile – 077389 48080

Office - 01347 822214

Email: campaigns-manager@mag-uk.org MAG Press Release

Brunstrom - Should He Stay Or Should He Go - Now!

Issued 1st May 2007

The Motorcycle Action Group fully support the family of Mark Dibney, the motorcyclist fatally injured in a tragic accident, whose images were disclosed to journalists by North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom.

Such a crass and insensitive tactic to sensationalise a 'road safety' message without the consent and support of the family can never be justified under any circumstances.

The public have become used to a certain degree of shock tactics where the police, with full consent of families disclose images to the press to demonstrate the potential consequences of some accidents, drug abuse and other social ills. However to do so without any consideration of the feelings of the families and loved ones demonstrates a catastrophic lack of judgement and ethical conduct.

The Motorcycle Action Group have been inundated with telephone calls and e-mails from MAG members expressing disgust at the Chief Constables actions, demanding that action should be taken. This abhorrence is also reflected in the wider motorcycling community.

In recognition of this deep felt injustice the Motorcycle action Group will be making representations on behalf of the MAG membership and the wider biking community to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies, the North Wales Police Authority and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

MAG Campaigns Manager David Short said, “Richard Brunstrom seems to delight in courting controversy in his personal road safety crusade. This latest demonstration of the tactics he considers legitimate is a serious misjudgement and has far reaching ethical implications. It is totally unacceptable. Our sympathies go to Mark's family and loved ones. They can be assured of the full support of MAG.”

Ends

Issued by Trevor Baird
Public Affairs Director MAG UK

LOSING THE PLOT – BIKE SPACES BEING CONVERTED
Issued 2nd January 2007

Information through MAG Greater London Region http://greater-london.mag-uk.org/ and Motorcycleparking.com www.motorcycleparking.com can also be viewed in Network MAG Activists newsletter http://www.network.mag-uk.org/jan07p11.html

Further details from Caty Randall at saynotobikepermits@yahoo.co.uk

Deadline for comments is 5th January 2007 hence the urgency.

Dear All

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea are consulting on new motorcycle parking arrangements.

The Council is concerned at the relatively high levels of motorcycle theft in Kensington and is aware that demand for motorcycle (scooter/moped) parking has been increasing in recent years.

Kensington used to have a policy of introducing free motorcycle parking in residential areas that could be used by any motorcyclist. They are now proposing to change most of these bays into secure bays for residents only.

This means that on residents with a residents permit will be able to park there. The Council have given an assurance that some free parking for visitors to the Royal Borough will remain, but we have had no assurance that this will be sufficient.

If this will affect you, then you need to write to the consultation team. I only have a snail-mail address for them, but if you want to send your comments by e-mail to Greater London MAG rep. The deadline for comments is 5 January 2007.

A sample letter is reproduced below. Please adapt it to suit your needs.

Parking Permits

Please can you spread the word as the vast majority of bikers are NOT aware that FREE biking bays are to be converted into PERMIT bays.

A sign placed on a lamp post this week informed me that the borough are proposing to change current FREE motorcycle parking bays to permit holder parking bays. The sign states that any objections to this proposal should be placed in writing and sent to the following address before 5 January 2007 :

Project Centre, Saffron Court , 14b St Cross Street , London , EC1N 8XA

Having spoken to many biker friends in this area I soon became aware that no body was aware of such proposals. So I have taken it upon myself to disseminate such proposals to as many bikers as possible.

I have contacted Peter Weeden at the council who has provided a map of the proposed changes. From what I have seen, the majority of current biking bays are to be converted to permit bays only. They are proposing to build ONLY 3 new free motorcycle bays in the whole of the borough. Approximately only 50 existing bays in the whole of the largest borough in London will remain as free motorcycle bays. Their assumptions for the changes are based on fiction and not fact. According to Mr Weeden, the assessment team assumed that any bike seen parked in a bay overnight was a resident. The team were, obviously, unable to check this, and so have no accurate idea of the amounts of non-residents staying overnight in the borough.

These changes to current motorcycle parking are proposed to be rolled out across London which I believe will create chaos to every motorcyclist who bikes from one borough to another. It is a tax directly aimed at bikers simply to raise revenue for councils.

Further, I have made contact with many biking organisations including ACE Cafe, MCN MAG, BMF, MotorcycleParking.com and local newspapers in the hope that bikers will be made aware of this situation, and I hope many will object in writing to above address.

Parking bikes in London is already difficult, and these proposals will add to this problem. I have begun to place small leaflets on bikes in Kensington and Chelsea to make the owners aware of the situation. Hundreds are emailing me asking for more information as they wish to object. Their feelings are very strong and many are outraged and angry that they have only just been made aware of the proposed changes by reading my leaflet. I attach my initial thoughts relating to objections people can use if they wish to write to the Project Centre.

I believe strongly that bikers who visit London will be put off as parking will become so much of an issue. Bikers from everywhere will be affected.

Can you if at all possible spread the word to bikers that councils are proposing such a change to the way motorbikes can park.

There seems to be a further sting in the tale. I have probed deeper only to discover that the current bike permit costing £18 will rise by a massive 278% if these proposals are introduced. New permits will cost £50 each!

I am attempting to discover if the councils original policy of only allowing two permits per household is still valid. If this is the case I'm buggered. I have a car, and both myself and my partner have bikes. So, 3 permits!

This is simply a revenue earner isn't it?

If you require further information please do get in contact. saynotobikepermits@yahoo.co.uk

Many thanks for your support and cooperation,

Rob & Catherine

Sample Letter

Your name

Your address

Project Centre

Saffron Court

14b St Cross Street

London

EC1N 8XA

Date

Dear Sir/Madam,

Objection: Review of Motorcycle Parking in the Royal Borough Kensington & Chelsea

I have only just been alerted to your proposals relating to motorcycle parking charges. I strongly object to your proposals, for the following reasons:

1. Road Congestion

If I am forced to buy a bike permit I will be left with no other option but to revert back to using my car and selling my bike. We are constantly hearing about the importance of reducing congestion in London . This change to bike parking will add to congestion as more bikers will return to using their cars.

2. Parking congestion

Motorbikes are currently entitled to buy a parking permit, which enables them to park in car parking bays. If motorcyclists are required to purchase a residents permit they will have no incentive to park in motorbike bays, but will park wherever is most convenient. This will cause further congestion to the already oversubscribed residents parking bays for car owners. It will also put more, not less, bikes at risk of damage from reversing cars.

3. Inadequate provision of free bays for visitors

Visiting bikers will find it very difficult if not impossible to find a bike location to park. Current proposals indicate that insufficient free bike bays will be made available in commercial areas, and very few, if any, in residents areas. Although the council claim that bikers will be able to park within a one minute walk of their local residents parking bay, visitors may typically have to walk at least 15 minutes to bays situated in notorious crime spots. The bays which remain free will therefore be oversubscribed.

4. This is a stealth tax directly aimed at bikers in London . It is discriminatory and I believe contravenes my human rights.

5. Inadequate estimation of commercial requirements

Many employees who travel from outside the borough use motorcycles to get to work as it eases the congestion currently seen on the roads. Your proposals to change the current motorcycling parking will adversely affect these employees and will force them to find alternative means of getting to work as there will be insufficient free motorcycling spaces.

6. Unrealistic usage assumptions

I object to your ridiculous assumptions made about the use of motorcycle parking bays. These assumptions are not based on fact but have clearly been created to support the council's proposals. These are not based on fact, but have clearly been created to back the council's proposals. For example, how can you, with any degree of certainty, determine whether a bike left in a bay overnight is a resident or a visitor?

7. Concealment

The council has made minimal effort to inform bikers of these proposals and appears to have actively attempted to conceal these proposals. Every biker I have spoken to is not aware of the proposed changes to motorcycle parking. The council's efforts to inform the interested public fall well short of what is necessary under law. There has been negligible effort in contacting the people who will be most affected by the proposed changes,

Signage: The only signs visible in the area are typically single sheets posted on lampposts at the end of streets and well away from motorbike bays. These signs are dated as 7 th December, and yet were not posted on the streets until significantly after this date.

Web based information: Not currently posted on the Council's webpage. Apparently this is “too difficult”. Especially if there is no political will to get the message out.

Local advertising: The local press is not adequately distributed, and its readership is very low. No adverts have been placed in the main London press – ie Metro and the Evening Standard.

Timescales: Proposing this kind of far reaching and significant change to current policies over the Christmas period, when many are away, or busy, is a typical way of camouflaging what will undoubtedly be an extremely unpopular and undemocratic change. If this proposed change is to be of benefit to bikes, as your proposal claims, then surely you should be advising bikers of the benefits, rather than concealing the proposed change.

8. Congestion charge effect

Any assessment carried out on the bike usage will have been prior to the congestion charge extension. The desired affect of the congestion charge is claimed to be the reduction of congestion. In an interview with the London Standard: “Both motorcycles and scooters are exempt from the congestion charge as they do not cause congestion. The Mayor wishes to make it crystal clear that he has absolutely no intention whatsoever of making scooters and motorcycles pay the congestion charge...”. As motorbikes are exempt from the congestion charge, it is reasonable to assume that many road users will change their method of transport into the borough, and will begin to use motorbikes and scooters rather than cars. Current proposals have clearly not taken this effect into consideration and significantly underestimate the demand for free bays available to visitors.

9. Emissions

Motorbikes release fewer environmentally harmful emissions into the atmosphere. In an age where most councils and governments are attempting to persuade their populations to cut back on harmful emissions, the Royal borough appears to be actively discouraging drivers to take a more responsible approach to the environment.

Your proposals are unrealistic, unworkable and ultimately this a stealth tax directly aimed at motorcyclists.

I strongly object to this unfair and undemocratic proposed change.

Please confirm that you have received this letter and keep me updated on the progress of this proposal.

Yours faithfully-

Issued by

Trevor Baird
Public Affairs Director

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

West Midlands MAG

Contents:

Join MAG here online application form

Find your MP

Find your MEP

FAX your MP/MEP or MSP

Latest call to the Email Army

TO THE EMAIL ARMY

Issued 24th July 2007

A new logo? A new Website?

Reasons for Change.

Issued 4th July 2007

Issued 1st May 2007

Brunstrom - Should He Stay Or Should He Go - Now!

LOSING THE PLOT – BIKE SPACES BEING CONVERTED
Issued 2nd January 2007

West Midlands MAG

Contents:

Join MAG here online application form

Find your MP

Find your MEP

FAX your MP/MEP or MSP

Latest call to the Email Army

TO THE EMAIL ARMY

Issued 24th July 2007

A new logo? A new Website?

Reasons for Change.

Issued 4th July 2007

Issued 1st May 2007

Brunstrom - Should He Stay Or Should He Go - Now!

LOSING THE PLOT – BIKE SPACES BEING CONVERTED Issued 2nd January 2007

LOSING THE PLOT – BIKE SPACES BEING CONVERTED
Issued 2nd January 2007