Eu Hands Off Biking! National Demos - 24th June 2012

[Matlock]

Here's the details from MAG:

Sunday June 24th 2012 should be a date for your diary. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) are organising another day of action, similar to the one they held last September when over 40,000 riders took to the streets to highlight a raft of new legislation coming from Europe.
Things have moved on since then and the campaigning work has been frantic, limiting some of the worst legislative excesses and spreading awareness among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as the bike press.
June 24th aims to concentrate the action this time, with one large demo in each of the 12 regions of the country represented by MEPs.

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• It’s never easy to explain detailed legislation in just a few words but in essence:
• The EU Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation is consolidating loads of pre-existing Euro legislation, while at the same time extending its reach and placing more control in the hands of bureaucrats.
• It aims to stop owners and bike shops carrying out modifications to motorcycle power-trains, from the airbox down to and including the radius of the rear tyre.
• It aims to prohibit the fitting of any engine re-mapping device
• It admits that there is no evidence to say there is a problem caused by modifications, or what size that problem may be.
• It aims to make ABS compulsory on every machine from 50cc up, adding hugely to the purchase price of cheap commuters, which is against the wishes of manufacturers too, who believe combined braking is often better suited
• It aims to limit the availability of aftermarket parts that may alter performance
• The technical substance of exactly what is included will be written after the legislation has become law!
• The European Ombudsman has found the Commission has a case to answer that the legislation has been drafted in breach of European Treaties (evidence must exist to justify a new law)
• Other procedures seem to be at odds with democratic accountability

WHY DEMONSTRATE?

• Campaigning has many forms, and a good campaign works behind the scenes with politicians and civil servants and involves a lot of meetings and letter writing, but also occasionally requires a visual demonstration of the strength of feeling that exists about the issue.
• Talking and letter writing continues, but keeping the subject in the public eye is essential with an important EU Parliamentary vote on the subject timetabled for 3rd July (though this may be postponed as we continue to pressure politicians)
• Not all the MEPs are engaging as they aren’t yet convinced bikers matter, this day of action may show them just how many voters are concerned.
• A united day of action will show that the motorcycle industry and the concerns of riders should be taken seriously by politicians
• The public needs to see that someone is prepared to stand against unnecessary EU meddling

WHERE AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED

• 24th June 2012 will involve 12 major demonstrations, to coincide with the 12 EU Parliamentary Constituencies that exist in the UK
• Action will take place on main routes, mostly on Motorways
• Start time will be 13.00 hours
• The idea is to create a spectacle and let people see us, so blocking the roads will be self-defeating. Instead we’ll leave the outside lane free, which is also important for emergency services
• Rides will be various lengths but probably average about 40 miles and last an hour
• Some areas, like the South East, will have smaller meeting points in the morning, so that riders can gather and make their way to the main start point

START AND FINISH POINTS
If you are a facebook user you may be delighted to know that the facebook page for 24th June Demo is up and running. Please 'like' it!

It will contain loads of info about the day as it continues to develop as a page-

• Where start points are for you nearest demo,
• If smaller feeder runs are being organised so that you can ride to the start point with others if it's a good distance
• Whether or not food and refreshments will be available
• Whether the run nearest to you has a definite end point or riders should just disperse etc
• Info sheets about what the day is for and how a demo fits in with other campaigning
• Suggested local press releases and other handy info which will be added as we approach the day.

If you aren't a facebooker, you can still view the start map here
and if you bookmark the map address, you'll be able to see the start and finish point details on the left as everything is finalised.
Finally, click here if you want to view one of the info sheets as a non-facebook user.

[Studley Ramrod]

70 miles to my nearest starting point [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img] Wonder why there aren't many starting points this year ?

[Matlock]

<!--quoteo(post=242488:date=Tue 15th May 2012, 10:45 AM:name=Studley Ramrod)-->QUOTE(Studley Ramrod @ Tue 15th May 2012, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->70 miles to my nearest starting point [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img] Wonder why there aren't many starting points this year ?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They're are tying each demo in with the Euro constituencies Studders - "24th June 2012 will involve 12 major demonstrations, to coincide with the 12 EU Parliamentary Constituencies that exist in the UK"

[Rallyist]

<!--quoteo(post=242488:date=Tue 15th May 2012, 10:45 AM:name=Studley Ramrod)-->QUOTE(Studley Ramrod @ Tue 15th May 2012, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->70 miles to my nearest starting point [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img] Wonder why there aren't many starting points this year ?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not many MEP,s at a guess

[markallinson]

I did this last year.

Need more bikes on more routes.

It would be best for an all out assault on London I reckon.

[Studley Ramrod]

<!--quoteo(post=242493:date=Tue 15th May 2012, 11:59 AM:name=Matlock)-->QUOTE(Matlock @ Tue 15th May 2012, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->They're are tying each demo in with the Euro constituencies Studders - "24th June 2012 will involve 12 major demonstrations, to coincide with the 12 EU Parliamentary Constituencies that exist in the UK"<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

aaaah, right ! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

[Trevini]

<!--quoteo(post=242502:date=Tue 15th May 2012, 04:17 PM:name=MaximusPetrolhead)-->QUOTE(MaximusPetrolhead @ Tue 15th May 2012, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I did this last year.

Need more bikes on more routes.

It would be best for an all out assault on London I reckon.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


I'm with you on that. I did an anti helmet law run a few years ago (ok, a long time ago) with many routes converging on Trafalgar Square. Total gridlock, great fun and completely useless in preventing the helmet law. I got to ride alongside Ian Olgivy through Woolwich and Greenwich and scared some poor bloke to near death after he flicked his fag ash out of the window as we rode past and thumped his roof asking what was wrong with his ash trays.

I also did last years ride, but it didn't seem to have much impact. They obviously think people in East Anglia don't ride bikes. The nearest start point for me is about 90 miles away, so I won't be bothering.

This post was last modified: 15-05-2012, 06:57 PM by Trevini.