On March 23rd at 7:10pm a 5 year old was knocked down in Derwent Road,
Bristol. The vehicle involved was a Customised Blue Yamaha R6 motorcycle, which
failed to stop at the scene and left the child badly injured in the road. The
Police are appealing for witnesses and any information on the vehicle. If you
know who this idiot is Please ring: 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555
111.
We don’t want idiots like this on the road.
The National BikeSafe Motorcycle Show is being held over the weekend of 2nd - 3rd April 2005, and is being hosted by Gloucestershire Constabulary, and is an initiative to encourage bikers to take a more responsible attitude towards motorcycling, as well as 45 minute assessed rides with police motorcyclists, there will also be Show stands from some of the leading marques as well as trade stalls, family entertainment, custom bikes, vintage bikes and much more. For further details go to: www.bikesafe.co.uk.
Well it can‘t be long now before the powers that be decide to hold the General Election, to see who will run the country for the next four years. So it is time for us bikers to start targeting our current and prospective MPs, and to find out where they stand in regards to Motorcycles and what they are prepared to do to make our lot a better one. With the growing threat of congestion charging across the country, we have to push Motorcycles as a viable alternative to the old tin box. What you need to do is find out who your MP or prospective MP is (this can be done through the MAG website’s political wizard), and write to them to get their views and stance.
Once again those excellent chaps and chapesses of Glos MAG organised a most excellent rally, with everyone enjoying themselves. Although we nearly lost the marquees to a mini typhoon that swept up the Severn on the Thursday afternoon, just after they were erected, but with all hands hanging on, we were not blown into the next county. This year’s Tale of Woe went to a chap whose trike’s main frame broke at a point which could have been very serious, both for the trike and a certain part of his anatomy that was perilously close, there were also the rallyers who travelled all over the Forest looking for the Slippit Inn, before being directed to the rally site by the locals. Thanks must go to the volunteers who helped set up and the marshals, also to David and Irene for being such convivial hosts, even though Irene’s Daffodils got trampled.
Police officers have visited Fowlers Motorcycles in Bristol, to view a variety of machines and accessories and to find out what the motorbike industry are doing to make motorcycle theft more difficult, so that their officers are up to date on current technology.
Avon & Somerset Police are urging bikers to take care as the death rate
has risen alarmingly within the force area. In 2004 there were 21 biker deaths,
a rise of 91 per cent on the previous year.
Superintendent Lawrie Lewis,
head of the force’s road policing unit said: “This upward trend in
fatalities is both a cause for extreme concern and also very disappointing.
Many of these fatalities could be avoided by the motorcyclists themselves taking
more responsibility for their safety and by them riding in a more responsible
manner.”
British motorists are to be tracked down for parking tickets and speeding fines incurred whilst travelling on the continent. The new law which comes into effect in 2007 will allow EU governments to pursue offenders for payment of any penalty after they return home.
One of our regional officers and a keen rallyist had a rather hot surprise
while attending a rally, as he received a call that his house was on fire. On
dashing home he found several fire appliances pulled up outside his home,
tackling a fire in the roof. While considerable damage was done to the roof and
one bedroom, the rest of the house only suffered from smoke and water
damage.
Thankfully they were not at home at the time and did not suffer
injury, although with a big hole where the roof should be, things are now
somewhat chilly. Still the camping gear will come in handy!
A British company has built a hydrogen powered motorcycle; it has no gears, a top speed of 50mph and a range of 100 miles. Designed by Seymourpowell and built by Intelligent Energy its fuelcell can be detached and used to power anything from a motorboat to a small home.
Weston & North Somerset MAG will be holding their pet food run on April
24th 2005, meeting at the café in Burrington Combe at 10:00 am, for a prompt
10:30 am start.
Cash donations, and donations of tinned cat and dog food (in
jelly, preferred), also cat biscuits and old clean blankets or duvets would be
welcome.
The BikeFest will take place on Saturday 6th August at Weston’s Town
Square, next to the Sovereign Centre, so polish up the ol’ steed and bring
it along; you never know you might win a trophy.
Proceeds on the day will be
split between MAG and the Freewheelers.
The 10th Bristol Bike Show will take place on Saturday, 20th August 2005, at
the usual place, St Nicholas Markets, Corn Street. If you would like to exhibit
your bike, please contact; Info@thebristolbikeshow.org.uk
for an entry form.
There will be all the usual stuff, and fancy dress is
optional, and don’t forget the infamous Bristol MAG after show party. www.thebristolbikeshow.org.uk.
The Motorcycle Action Group accepts no responsibility for the content of this publication and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or MAG.
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