MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) – FLASH MOB MOTORWAY MAYHEM - 25th September 1pm

[LordElpus]

Given everything emanating from Europe at the minute, both as legislation directed at British bikers and as possible threats, like compulsory day-glo, many riders want to act, stand up and say ‘listen to us and our industry’.

The Type Approval Regulation that is working its way through the legislative process at the minute and is at committee stage and amendments are being discussed. Some of these are good, the Chairman of the committee, Malcolm Harbour is prepared to listen to us and has tabled some good amendments, but at the same time, under pressure from the ABS industry, German MEPs have tabled amendments to fit ABS to everything from 50cc mopeds up, which will add so much to the cost of commuter bikes that there’ll be no reason at all to own one. Others wish to include all dirt bikes as well, trial and enduro, while a French MEP wishes to see road-side stop and check powers given to police or gov agencies to check we haven’t tampered with ANY part of power train, from air filter to rear tyre size, as well as checking our emissions.

Luckily our own Dept for Transport is concerned that there have been no impact assessments carried out on the effect all this legislation will have on consumers and the aftermarket industry, so we have the ears of them as well. Not wholly sympathetic, but they are listening to our man Nich Brown who’s been meeting them.

Then there’s the crazy ban on bikes over 7 years old from cities in France and the dreaded day-glo/reflective clothing requirement, which is also proposed in Ireland, but the Irish want full sleeve dayglo jackets for riders and pillions! (including not being able to wear a rucksack if it obscures the dayglo!)

ENOUGH!

All this crap is strangling motorcycling, so it’s our duty to highlight this and what better way than to strangle the nation’s arteries, it’s motorways and dual carriageways?

Here’s the plan for Flash Mob Motorway Mayhem.

September 25th is a Sunday. It’s a week before the IMCO Committee vote on all their final amendments. 

We want to show that we are mature, and while still in political negotiations, have chosen a Sunday for our FIRST event, not a week day. Gathering from noon at selected service areas, we roll at 1pm, all over the country at exactly the same time.
If it’s a 3 lane carriageway we use 1 or 2 and ride at a perfectly legal 45-48 mph.

We ride for maybe 15/20 minutes and bugger off, Flash Mob style. Yes, 125s won’t be able to come, but there are dual carriageways everywhere, so possibilities exist everywhere.  We’ve all witnessed the tailbacks that can happen when a truck tries to pass a caravan…

The strength of this is in simultaneous action, so that national radio and press notice and we sidestep local news, though they too will pick up on it.  There will be one central phone number for press contact, so there’s no need to panic!

There will be no roundabouts or traffic lights to split the run. No-one, can take a wrong turning. No overheating engines.

We do not need marshals, just one person with a watch to see when it’s nearly 1pm.

We have the right to peaceful protest. We do not cause congestion as a mode of transport, but there is no reason why we can’t all go for a Sunday ride at a safe and sedate pace. Isn’t that what the Police keep asking us to do?

We won’t be the congestion, all the traffic behind us will be. Anyway, we may choose to only ride a couple of junctions and then turn around and go home the other way…

It’ll only take a couple of hours of our time and we’ll still be home in time for Late Sunday lunch.  This is local, everyone, even Cornwall has a main traffic artery somewhere.
 
Speak to your local MAG group about organising one near you, why travel?   The MAG website and MCN will be advertising all the start points, ask everyone you know to attend one. What else are you doing on a Sunday?

September 25th. Keep it Free! Direct Action Politics is back!

An event is being organised in Carmarthen - further details to follow,

[LordElpus]

The details of the event are now firmed up and are as follows:

Our rendezvous point will be at Halfords, Carmarthen. Meet at 12.30pm for the off at 1pm.

At the alotted time we will take the A48 and ride the 15 miles to the start of the M4 at Junction 49. If appropriate we can have a short stop at the Pont Abraham services, have a cuppa and discuss the next leg.  This part will be suitable for any learners and at a steady speed of 48 - 50mph, should take about 20 mins to half an hour.

After that, those that wish to, can then do another stint along the M4 towards Junction 45, where we will turn off onto the A4067, A474 and A4069 to Llangadog and then off to West End Cafe at Llandovery. Should any learners wish to re-join the main group, they can leave Pont Abraham services and take the A48 to Penllerger, left towards Morriston and meet up with the main group again at the A4067/J45 interchange. The timing and details of this can be arranged on the day.

For those that don't wish to continue from Pont Abraham they can end their involvement there and return home, with our thanks.

For those that don't fancy the A48/Motorway route you could perhaps still meet and start at Carmarthen and take the A40 dual carriageway back towards St. Clears, with the same effect!

Please remember, if it's a 2 lane road like the A48, we will only occupy the inside lane.  For any 3 lane bits (on the Motorway) we can occupy lanes 1 & 2.   

Please note: MAG does not condone or want any part of anything that is not lawful.  It only opens us up to criticism and a heavy hand by the Law!

All those intending to come please let me know either on here or PM me. Please also tell as many of your biking friends as possible - they are all welcome.

Lets make this an event to remember.

All the best
Gary LLoyd-Coxhead
Carmarthen MAG Rep
aka LordElpus

[Foody]

I presume any details of an East Wales (Cardiff - Newport areas) event will be arranged at the launch of the new Cardiff MAG on the 11th of August ??
Or is it just the one South Wales one at the moment.   See you on the 11th.

[The Stig]

Well said, it would be good to also get details on any action planned in mid & north Wales also.

[LordElpus]

As far as I am aware, as the Rep hasn't even been elected yet in Cardiff, he/she will then need to organise something.
I am aware Aberystwyth MAG are organising something too.
Hopefully, ALL the notified events will be published nearer the time in MCN etc., and people can tag along to their nearest one.

All the best

[ryan2305]

I have always the impression that europe(the rest of) was more biker friendly than the uk.  How wrong am I?
I will be attending.

[blueracer]

Would be good to get dates 

[ryan2305]

Would be good to get dates 

It will be held on September 25th at 1pm.   

Clarification closer to the date would be welcomed.   

A good show nationwide would show the eurocrats and european ministers that we are not ready to live under dictatorship on this island.   Hasn't history taught them anything?

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[ryan2305]

My wife wishes to attend in her car.  she wants to be the first congested car in support of us bikers.
Valid point she just rose were; are the french also planning on a ban on cars over 7yrs old from city centers?
Are the German MEPs also planning on making ABS compulsory on all cars which have a weight disadvantage over bikes under braking?
If the answer is no to both the above then it is a discriminatory act against a minority by the European Union.  Or maybe not?  Who knows?

will it also be illegal to use a top box in Ireland as it will obscure the high VIZ clothing of rider or pillion?     If I couldn't carry a rucksack I'd be lost on how to get my lunch and other essentials to work and back as I don't drive.   
I am not a militant man normally but when this sort of rediculous dictatorship raises it's ugly head, I need to bite my tongue before I say something inappropriate and get myself in trouble.  History has taught me that.

[LordElpus]

All the events will be at the same time and date, just the locations will change.

All the events should be published over the next few weeks.

[LordElpus]

I have always the impression that europe(the rest of) was more biker friendly than the uk.  How wrong am I?
I will be attending.

It is well known that European Motorists certainly seem more understanding and courteous towards PTW's, but the main thrust of the proposed EU legislation is coming from the European Parliament who want to achieve 'harmonisation' throughout Europe.  They have achieved compulsory ABS for motor cars as well as 'type approval', but they don't seem to understand that there is a BIG difference between twin track vehicles and single track vehicles and how they handle etc.

The French are going their own way by proposing larger number plates for bikes, making filtering unlawful, giving mandatory prison sentences for speeding 30mph above the limit, compulsory dayglo, removing advanced warning of speed cameras and making it unlawful to have a Sat Nav that warns you of where the speed cameras are, banning all vehicles over 7 years old from city centres and a few more I can't remember at the moment.

[shazza]

why dont they get us to go back to the dark ages and walk everywhere and never leave our home towns and stay there for life and just have kids and nothing else  do anyone else remember the good old days YEA RIGHT THE YEAR 1900s HERE WE COME

[Foody]

Just a reminder, there is a MAG meeting for the new Cardiff Group tomorrow at 7.30. The Ninian Park pub, Leckwith Road, Cardiff.

Come and show your support, and have you say.

See you there?

[Bloke]

This is retarded. Sorry mag but you're worse than mcn and the bnp combined at spreading hyperbole. If I understand correctly; Most of what you cite as your reason for creating a disturbance does NOT apply to mainland UK, dont mask the mag's anti-european sentiment with seemingly legitimate but fallicious/exaggerated reasons.

Next you'll be "gettin ya taxes back innit".

I wont be attending.

[ryan2305]

Bloke has got a point, no he ain't, he's totally missed it.    The point is that the european ministers want a single european wide legislation and if these proposals become legislation in other countries they could become legislation here if the Nazis (european ministers) get their own way.  This is the point that MAG are trying to make a statement and protest against.   There is good reason to be anti european when a bunch of unelected (and mostly failed) MP's who can't even be unelected as they were hand chosen by each other to do very little work for double a British Prime Ministers salary (making them easily persuadable) just so Europe can display their anti-American sentiments in a political manner while trying to convince their public that europe is not an American dependent by dragging member countries into bankruptcy or financial turmoil.  There must be some sort of financial reward in there for Bloke to release such an aggressive verbal attack on an organisation that are trying to protect your rights as British Citizens.  Anti-European, Anti -American,  not the debate here.  What the protest is about is the totaltarianism approach of the eurocrats enforcing their rediculous laws on Britain, it's not about being anti-european, it's about being pro-British. 

P.S:-  I don't hold strong political views, I just thought Blokes comments were to aggressive for somebody sober and deserved of a reply. 
          I got a nasty reply coming I think.  lol. 

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