25th September EU hands off biking, UK protest ride!!

[topgun44]

ok people hope u lot are going to this 25th Sept 2011 - Action Now! EU Hands Off Biking this is what it all about
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. On the 25th September you can make your voice heard. Starting from service areas across the country, we all ride at 1pm, 45mph, using the inside lanes and disperse 20 minutes later. Negotiations are ongoing and as citizens we must be considered. This is the first time. Let's show what we could be capable of.....
so IF YOU LOVE BIKES you should be planing to go to this ride out all over the uk be there to show you care :wav:

 

[topgun44]

Re: Suffolk / Cambridge Riders?

this is a update
Another MP, Mark Lancaster has now confirmed he'll be riding from Northampton services on the M1 and 6 MEPs have said they will be at their local runs to show support. This number is likely to grow as more call the office each day.



The IMCO vote has now been postponed again!

This time to the 22nd November, which means that the EU Parliament won't now be voting on this Type Approval Regulation until next year.



The great news is that all this delay is directly related to the fuss we are causing. This Regulation will not be rubber stamped.



There appears to be some friction between National Governments and the EU that didn't exist before you all started writing letters.



The standard responses we were receiving from MEPs earlier in the year have now become more focussed.



The Labour block of MEPs now appear to be supporting either a switch on ABS, or no compulsion.



The UK Government is now as concerned as we are, that there hasn't been the research to back much of the content in the Proposal and that the Impact Assessment carried out was not robust.



They are concerned about the impact on consumers (us!), the increased costs and complexity of bikes and the right of the UK to maintain its Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) system, so that one off customs can still be built.



On a less positive note, we've run out of T-shirts! Orders came in so thick and fast that we had to reorder from the suppliers and they were all sold before we'd even received them! Sorry if you missed out, but some of the start points may still have a few for sale on the day.



The other 'not so helpful' development, is that the Road Safety Authority in Ireland has confirmed that it intends to make hi-viz clothing compulsory for all motorcyclists from 2014.



The Motorcycle Action Group (UK) requested confirmation after the RSA told a reporter on the Northern Irish newspaper 'NewsLetter';



"...at present the RSA's preference is for the voluntary wearing of high visibility jackets rather than compulsion."



This contradicted the RSA's position in the National Motorcycle Safety Action Plan 2010-14 which proposes the introduction of regulations for the mandatory wearing of high visibility upper body clothing with full sleeves for ride and pillion passenger.



Brian Farrell, Communications Manager at the Road Safety Authority, emailed MAG(UK) in response to a request for clarification, saying;



"I can confirm that the RSA has not dropped the position outlined in the Motorcycle Action plan. We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in 2014, subject to consultation with motorcyclists and industry on the most appropriate type of hi-viz material."



MAG(UK)'s General Secretary Nich Brown said; "too many riders have been unwilling to believe they will be forced to

wear day-glo clothing in the near future. Until now the RSA has soft-pedalled its determination to legislate, but now there is no doubt that the authorities are serious"



For Sunday, so we would just like to say we hope you have a great day, please remember that the rules of the road have not been suspended, respect other road users and don't stop on the hard shoulder if your mate breaks down. Carry on to the next exit.



The Highways Agency will be putting on extra patrols to help out near each start point and they have confirmed that the motorway signs from 6am all across the country, will read 'Think bike!'



Not only are the Police being 'understanding' but we now know quite a few of them will be joining us if they have the day off.



Now, let's hope it doesn't rain!

 

[Cloggy]

This Sunday there are a lot of people going to be taking to the street to protest against EU proposed legislation.
Here is the link from the MAG (motorcycle action group) website.
I moved the above posts into this thread, as it was a seperate topic.

 

[Nelly]

Re: Suffolk / Cambridge Riders?

this is a update:
The Motorcycle Action Group (UK) requested confirmation after the RSA told a reporter on the Northern Irish newspaper 'NewsLetter';



"...at present the RSA's preference is for the voluntary wearing of high visibility jackets rather than compulsion."



This contradicted the RSA's position in the National Motorcycle Safety Action Plan 2010-14 which proposes the introduction of regulations for the mandatory wearing of high visibility upper body clothing with full sleeves for ride and pillion passenger.



Brian Farrell, Communications Manager at the Road Safety Authority, emailed MAG(UK) in response to a request for clarification, saying;



"I can confirm that the RSA has not dropped the position outlined in the Motorcycle Action plan. We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in 2014, subject to consultation with motorcyclists and industry on the most appropriate type of hi-viz material."



MAG(UK)'s General Secretary Nich Brown said; "too many riders have been unwilling to believe they will be forced to

wear day-glo clothing in the near future. Until now the RSA has soft-pedalled its determination to legislate, but now there is no doubt that the authorities are serious"



For Sunday, so we would just like to say we hope you have a great day, please remember that the rules of the road have not been suspended, respect other road users and don't stop on the hard shoulder if your mate breaks down. Carry on to the next exit.



The Highways Agency will be putting on extra patrols to help out near each start point and they have confirmed that the motorway signs from 6am all across the country, will read 'Think bike!'



Not only are the Police being 'understanding' but we now know quite a few of them will be joining us if they have the day off.



Now, let's hope it doesn't rain!

Whilst I agree that most of the proposals are nonsense, like ABS and speed limiters.
As I live and work in rural Ireland. wearing Hi Vis gear is a no brainier. The weather is often crap. Along with road conditions. Irish drivers are not in the mind set to recognise bikers. I believe that my Hi Vis gear has saved my bacon a good few times. It does work.

Nelly

 

[greg]

Re: Suffolk / Cambridge Riders?

i don't want to be told that i have to wear hi-vis, it may causes problems such as insurers blaming motorcyclists because they weren't wearing hi-vis, even though it was the car drivers fault

i'll be out on sunday showing my support

 

[Cloggy]

Re: Suffolk / Cambridge Riders?

Whilst I agree that most of the proposals are nonsense, like ABS and speed limiters.
As I live and work in rural Ireland. wearing Hi Vis gear is a no brainier. The weather is often crap. Along with road conditions. Irish drivers are not in the mind set to recognise bikers. I believe that my Hi Vis gear has saved my bacon a good few times. It does work.

Nelly

I recently dug my Hi viz vest out of the cupboard, I wear mine during the darker days, but it is sleeveless (so not legal in Ireland). This is part of the problem, new rules are coming out of europe, but they are not the same in each country. and although I have ABS I find making it mandatory a step too far, I've even read that they are presently doing a study to see if making airbags compulsary is viable

i don't want to be told that i have to wear hi-vis, it may causes problems such as insurers blaming motorcyclists because they weren't wearing hi-vis, even though it was the car drivers fault

i'll be out on sunday showing my support

I agree greg, what seems a good idea on paper can often have negative legal concequences. So does a rider with a hi viz helmet get less blame than one without

The French had a similar protest not too long ago and it definately got its point across :thumbup:.

For all those taking part have a good ride :thumbup:

 

[topgun44]

not long know people:rockon:

 

[Gilo-FZ6]

been a while since i posted ..ill be representing in the south wales area on sunday..no longer an FZ6 rider but a rider none the less :thumbup:

Now that the EU have forced farmers to produce straight cucumbers,given the Spanish permission to rape our fishing grounds and F**ked up the western world economy it was only a matter of time they would pick a fight with us ...or gardeners or anyone else they can enforce rediculous legislation on ..these overpayed power mad turkeys need a reality check, hi vis vests and a modification amnisty will not convince anyone that the European Union is not the biggest white elephant in political history.

MAY COMMON SENSE PREVAIL

 

[dxh24]

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely-John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton

It frustrates me the things i see governments trying to force on people, knowing nobody wants it... for instance they just tried to ban dodgeball, kickball, and other such kids sports over here

Independent Word with John Blythe: New York wants to ban dodge ball?

Luckily some Pissed of New yorkers stood up and said this was BS, and it got thrown out quickly...

Good Luck to you guys on the ride

 

[goanookie]

Sounds like the protest ride we did yesterday to demand decent roads in Belgium. About 3500 motorcycles joined this ride which set up by a dad for his son who was injured really bad due to bad roads.

We drove from the expo in Ghent to the place of the accident on the other side in Ghent, so 3500 motorcycles who manage to introduce a very big traffic congestion. All other traffic was halted to let us pass, great to see the sour face of cage drivers who had to wait until we're all passed.

Of course the son was very emotional when he saw us arrive, talk about given lots of support for his recovery.

Greets
Peter

 

[Nelly]

Good effort by the riders in Belgium.
Well done.
Nelly

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk

 

[greg]

was great fun today on the ride, around 300-400 just at our place, and around 40,000 other bikers across the country taking to the motorways

we ended up doing a rolling roadblock around the M60 (the main ring road around manchester), going all the way around, and blocking off all the traffic lanes (we may have got a bit carried away)...

 

[Senior]

I rode on the M4 from Reading east to junction 8/9 for Maidenhead.
There must have been 500 people at it, all good natured and orderly.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TaDo3jUteA&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]EU HANDS OFF BIKING 25/09/2011 Part 1 (Reading MAG) - YouTube[/ame]


Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[topgun44]

they was about 400/500 bikes in norwich today a47 it was good day:thumbup:

 

[Cloggy]

Sounds like the protest ride we did yesterday to demand decent roads in Belgium. About 3500 motorcycles joined this ride which set up by a dad for his son who was injured really bad due to bad roads.

We drove from the expo in Ghent to the place of the accident on the other side in Ghent, so 3500 motorcycles who manage to introduce a very big traffic congestion. All other traffic was halted to let us pass, great to see the sour face of cage drivers who had to wait until we're all passed.

Of course the son was very emotional when he saw us arrive, talk about given lots of support for his recovery.

Greets
Peter

Sounds like a worthy protest, pleased to hear so many people turned up :thumbup:

was great fun today on the ride, around 300-400 just at our place, and around 40,000 other bikers across the country taking to the motorways

we ended up doing a rolling roadblock around the M60 (the main ring road around manchester), going all the way around, and blocking off all the traffic lanes (we may have got a bit carried away)...

I rode on the M4 from Reading east to junction 8/9 for Maidenhead.
There must have been 500 people at it, all good natured and orderly.

EU HANDS OFF BIKING 25/09/2011 Part 1 (Reading MAG) - YouTube


Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

they was about 400/500 bikes in norwich today a47 it was good day:thumbup:

Sounded like you all had a good ride, and definately got your point across, good on yawl :rockon:

It even looks as if the weather gods favoured you as well