Why not BRONZ?

[Ozzie]

So what would you say to a physical presence associated with this online one, which is predominately focused on organised rides and enjoyment of the interest, with a political fascet, uniting the interests of Ulysses, BRONZ, AMC and so on?

A union of Motorcycle interest groups if you will?

Not to go hardline, but attempt to make a cooperative relationship with government, AA, ACC, MoT etc?

To ensure we are heard, consulted and considered in the Law making process and all ather ellements associated with prolonging the safety and enjoyment of bikes?

[James Deuce]

Yes. Adversarial relationships with Government only lead to exclusion from the decision making process.

[Ixion]

And subservient relationships with governments ensure you will never be more than a puppet, used and ignored.

How strange also that you should say that, whilst espousing association with Mag, an ACTIVIST group well known for taking the UK government on in direct confrontation? Are you sure you know what MAG is and what it stands for

From the (abominably badly coded ) MAG website:

MAG exists primarily to protect the rights of motorcyclists to enjoy riding without undue interference in the form of excessive legal requirements, particularly where those requirements interfere with the fun and exhilaration of riding motorcycles.

The demo runs and protests that have shaped MAG over thirty years have been useful tools leading MAG to the engagement we now have with authorities and politicians.

So as the 2005 general election looms we must not forget the roots of the megaphone diplomacy that has shaped MAG since 1973.

And an example of MAG direct action, of recent date

Endangered Species – Megaphone Diplomacy

Issued 27th June 2006

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) is encouraging all motorcyclists to support Saturday's motorcycle demonstration in Birmingham that is aimed at changing the unfair European licensing proposals.

Since the conception of the 3rd European Driving Licence Directive the European Commission and the Council of Ministers have shamelessly ignored the expert opinions of motorcyclists and their representatives and with the directive finally heading to the European Parliament later this year MAG hits the streets with the megaphone diplomacy that has characterised the group since 1973.

MAG says that the hoops and hurdles of the proposed licence regime will discourage thousands from taking up motorcycling.

The proposals will:

Create unacceptable financial barriers to motorcycling without any guarantee of improving motorcycle safety.

Discourage people from taking up motorcycling at a time when the environment is desperately in need of less harmful transport options.

Encourage young riders to go outside the law to ride unrestricted bikes on a restricted licence.

MAG's Director Of Public Affairs Trevor Baird says, "The European Institutions have
tried to wear us down with the long drawn out process but our political lobby continues with
amendments to be presented to the politicians deciding the future of motorcycling."

Represented by the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA), the primary objectives that riders groups are aiming for is that the motorcycle aspects of the directive should be withdrawn or amended substantially to enable a more meaningful directive to be redrafted in full consultation with FEMA and its member organisations.

Philip Bradbourn MEP said, "As a local MEP for Birmingham I am delighted to be part of the event. As a Member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee I have been working extensively with motorcycle groups to ensure that the proposals which are currently very prejudicial to motorcyclists in the UK are at the very least amended to make them more acceptable and failing that I will be trying to persuade colleagues to reject the whole proposal."

MAG calls for all riders to hit the streets and join the demo. Camping facilities are provided at MAG’s Heart of England motorcycle rally. Those wishing to camp should advise the organisers on
0870 7743 543


Ends


Notes for editors

Ride in to the demo with MAG from the Scotland - North West - North East - Yorkshire - Greater London - Southern Regions details at www.network.mag-uk.org/dld/dld5.html

Sign the petition and lobby your MEP at www.mag-uk.org

FEMA 10th Anniversary MEP Ride 2006 Autoworld Museum, Brussels 19th June 2006 - www.network.mag-uk.org/MEPride2006


Issued by

Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs

The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation

www.mag-uk.org

More information or comments contact MAG Public Relations or Public Affairs

Which would seem to demonstrate (pun intended) an approach which meets my definition of adversarial

But, whatever, if it is possible to get enough NZ bikers off their arses and out of the pub to hit the streets for some direct action demos, I'm all for it. Can we take it that you will organise the first one? Put me down as a starter.

I doubt you'll have much joy though. The UK bikers don't seem to be cursed with the same timidity and apathy as their NZ counterparts.

[James Deuce]

OK then. I'm out. I'm not heading down the left wing greasy shouting biker path (again).

[Ixion]

Try the BMF (British Motorcyclists Federation) instead. Suitably right wing and deferential to their betters. Wouldn't say boo to a goose without getting approval from Goose Central first. Like to preen themselves on being big bad bikers. Bit like Ulysses actually.

[Ozzie]

Please view this thread here

[oldrider]

Followed a truck (Unseen but quite fresh) on Saturday for bloody miles.
This was just one truck on this road on Saturday but usually there are multiple trucks going up and down this road and for a bike it gets pretty bad at times.
The rain washes it clean then it all starts again.
If Bikers crash on this sort of stuff, bikes are declared "dangerous", up go the costs of registration, ACC etc, while these guy's get off Scott free.
Bikes can stay on the clear pieces of road but you end up paying more for less road!
Add on all the rest of the road fouling practices of "Industry" and we are getting less and less for more and more cost.
They cant have it both ways, I can cope with the road fouling but I don't see why I should pay for it as well.
Who in our motorcycling world is capable of and interested in doing any thing about it, other than BRONZ?
I don't know, so BRONZ gets my vote of confidence so far. Cheers John.

[scumdog]

Had a few scares with the 'green line' myself John, worse time is if it has dried and then a day or so later theres a light shower - you cant' see the 'green line' and it is ultra-slippery.

Why oh why is there no legislation on it?
I know we have enough rules'n'regulations but this one's a 'must' IMHO.

[oldrider]

Coming home over the Lindis Pass on Wednesday there was an oil streak just as plain as that shit streak in the pic, all the way from the top of the pass to Omarama, of course I didn't have the camera. Damn! John.

[Brian d marge]

Sorry folks but this might seem a bit blunt , but ,, Mag and british biker groups work because we after all are winging poms ..if we dont like something we dont sit around and form committees ,,,

New Zealanders tend to be IMHO passive, and if its alright in my backgarden ,,,

I mean the springbox rugby tour is STILL being talked about , Try poll tax or council tax what ever they call it now... and the tour made people stop and think ...now I am not promoting that ,,but remember the fart tax??? or the tractor up the steps of parli ...conistant and visual pressure by well presented/articulate people

The aim has to be clear and simple WITH NO ABIGUITY
such as ,,MAG/BRONZ/ARM/Ulyssis is an organisation that gives biker a voice in govenment.

If you like to ride then its your responsibility to add wieght to that voice by turning up to those rides/protests etc

or

you cant complain about . revenue grabbing , rego , LTSA ..

IMHO of course

Keep the message clear and simple and actively promote the benifits ....

Stephen

[sunhuntin]

Ulysses are not a suitable lobby group fro motorcyclists in general because, by definition, they exclude a very large proportion of motorcyclists. (ie those who are not old).

Also , they are SO old. And conservative. And po-faced.

I think that putting forward an organsiation with an average membership age of about 120 (OK, should not be rude. But they ARE so OLD), is the exact wrong way to go.

We need more young people. Not more old farts.

was thinking along the same lines, ix. not really a suitable group to "use" id be more inclined to go for the local triumph or HOG groups....more likely triumph though as they dont exclude anyone, by either age or bike.

problem though in your comment about needing more young people to get involved, as i dont know any other person my age who rides who is actually there for anything other than the cool factor. [like that chick that newspaper had who was wearing little more than a helmet] like, they dont see a bike as a way of life, so dont give a crap about things like this. like, id be willing to look into something, but dont have the confidence to the time to do so. would rather leave it to someone who knows what they are doing, and then back them 100%.

[Ozzie]

We are all sayin we've had enough, support who or what or whatever!

But, very few have signed up to BRONZ in the last week, and FA people have responded to my initiative.

Agree? Disagree?

Stand up people! You don't have to be the front runner, i am prepared to be, but what cred do I have standing up and saying I represent me?

Answer....None, just like the level of support I have.

Read my thread, are these some of the passions you have? Help out the newbees, get some benefits, and stand up for our rights as well?

Get behind me, i need your support. I will take it all the way, if i have the support of the biking communitee.

Posting threads here is nothing more than a vent, make your vent count, stand by me, we will be heard!