CAMPAIGN NEWS FROM LEEDS MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP

This campaign has been running at Leeds MAG for some time and we still need you help. Crash barriers on motorways in the UK are usually designed for cars and heavy goods vehicles. They are not design to restrain motorcycles that, in an accident, are thrown from their vehicle and often slide down the road meeting obstructions such as crash barriers. The existing steel barriers can add injuries for the motorcyclist.

Secondary rails is the system most used today, fitted to the existing barriers. Currently the Highways Agency has been considering the use of a Germany design where overlapping sheet steel hides the support posts that are currently to main cause of injury. MAG Netherlands have highlighted that wire rope barriers are certainly the most dangerous and should be removed from use in all crash barriers designs.

ACTION Please will you ask your MP to raise this matter with the Minister of State for Transport as soon as possible. You can view a example letter here CrashBarrier.doc

European Driving Licence Directive:

This campaign has been running at Leeds MAG for some time and we still need you help. Due for implementation in 2011 the Directive contains restriction sections on weight limits, age limits, medical checks, eye sight tests and others. Such checks could be seen as discriminatory in some countries.

With limitations such as access to over 125cc rising from 17 to 18 years old; minimum age for Direct Access rising from 21 to 24; the possible inclusion of a stepped licence system whereby people have to be re-trained to rise up a category and finally the possibility that countries will have the flexibility to set their own age restrictions. These proposals of tougher testing and training are not necessarily going to reduce motorcycle accidents. It seems that little concern has been given to the possibility that other road users and the conditions of the roads are the major cause of motorcycle accidents.

ACTION Please contact your MP as soon as possible and ask them to raise this matter with the Minister of State for Transport Dr S Ladyman. An example letter is gived here Licence.doc

More details on all National MAG campaigns can be found in the Press Releases section of the main MAG (UK) website.

Local Action

The Art of Motorcycle Awareness

Our latest campaign is to persuade the driving schools and instructors of the Yorkshire region to adopt an action plan for promoting motorcycle awareness among learner drivers, as well as the promotion of avoidance and evasion strategies for riders following the recommendations of the 'How Close is Too Close' (MAG UK) document.

We have produced a booklet which you can download below, please pass the message on, in particular bringing it to the attention of any driving instructors you know.

DOWNLOAD AWARENESS BOOKLET HERE!

Driving schools and instructors are encouraged to support this MAG UK’s Yorkshire Region campaign by teaching motorcycle awareness to new learner car drivers. Please pledge your support by emailing sheila.mcmahon1@ntlworld.com or daveatleedsmag@ntlworld.com

What matters now is that motorcycle awareness is discussed and taught to new drivers across the region.

Motorcycle Parking in Leeds

Firstly a compliment rather than a campaign. Leeds City Council are quite helpful on the matter of motorcycle parking, they have secure parking rails on many of the motorcycle parking bays and on their website they have a downloadable pdf map showing where all the city centre bays are. Here's the link: www.leeds.gov.uk/Motorcycle%20parking

Rider Survey

We are currently conducting a survey of riders in our area and would like to hear from as many people as possible. Download the form here Questionnaire.doc (Word format), fill it in and email it back to: daveatleedsmag@ntlworld.com. Thank you!

West Yorkshire Transport Plan

The consultation process on the Second West Yorkshire Local TRansport plan is in progress. To make your views known, emphasising the need to postively embrace the use of Powered Two Wheelers in the plan (of course!) go to www.wyltp.com

CAMPAIGN NEWS FROM LEEDS MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP

Contents:

National Campaigns

Local Campaigns