The Western Region Action Group
The WRAG Magazine

April 2007

Bus Lane E-Petition

Here is a petition you should give some thought to signing if you haven’t already done so. The petition seeks to allow PTW to use bus lanes nationally, and can be found at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/bikesinbuslanes/ We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow the use of “Bus Only” lanes by scooters and motorcycles throughout the UK. Submitted by Richard Skepper - Deadline to sign up by: 22 July 2007 - Signatures: 4,000

Historic Vehicle Petition

Vehicles classed as “Historic vehicles” must have rolled off the production line prior to 30 Dec 1972 to be exempt from road tax. The use of “Historic vehicles” (Classic Cars) is mostly to complete a few miles cruising on a Sunday or to display at fetes and rallies. Lets preserve our now none existent motoring heritage by giving some incentive to the enthusiast to keep these cars and bikes going for the enjoyment of all. We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove the fixed date of 1972 to qualify as “historic vehicle” and make the qualifying date on the vehicles 25th birthday. Submitted by Stephen Clay MBE - Deadline to sign up by: 29 July 2007 - Signatures: 2,281

Cambridgeshire Green Lanes

I had this email from someone I know in Cambridgeshire: It's been brought to my attention by the county council that a number of lanes around Witcham/Wardy Hill area (west of Ely) have been closed for essential maintenance. More worrying though, is the fact that during the initial repair work in Witcham the authority discovered a number of what can only be described as booby traps, designed to damage vehicles tyres. This included flower pots filled with concrete, hidden in ruts with six-inch nails set in them! It seems that these were probably intended to puncture tyres but imagine what damage they would do to a horse or walker who stepped on them. These people are sick and it shows the lengths that some will go to. Needless to say the authority are not amused and have reported the incident to the police. As stated above these lanes are closed for now but anyone out and about in this area should be very careful. If you see/find anything, which looks like it, has been deliberately placed on or in the lane to damage vehicles etc please report it (with photos if possible) to the authority and let the TRF know. Spider

Fill That Hole

Another site is up and running for anyone who wish’s to report a pot hole and can be found at: http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/ Don’t know if this is of interest to anyone, organised by & for cyclists but obviously of relevance to bikers. I've looked at the site and it seems quite a good facility for reporting potholes. Spider

Fred’s Hospice Run

On Sunday 22nd April Roger Cox is holding a charity Ride in aide of Weston Hospicecare. The run starts from Lin & Rogers house at Sandford on the A371 (near the Ski Slope) and will end at on Weston-super-Mare sea front. Entry is £5 per bike, and all proceeds go to Weston Hospice. Meet at 11am for a prompt 12 noon start, for further Info contact Lin or Roger on 01934 853 023. All Bikers Welcome.

Krissie Willis Appeal

The Trustees of the Krissie Willis Stem Cell Appeal are pleased to have handed over £1,600 to Krissie. We have left £60+ in the fund for the moment because we may have some more coming in from two lovely person's wedding parties (thank you for that Guys).

Krissie at Taunton Party with a Purpose

There will be an official piece in the Road when I have the photo of Krissie and some of her words. She has telephoned me and was very emotional about people having been so generous so I'll give her time to put something together. Sincere thanks for your support, both individually & Groups, from Ed, Cal & Anne

Manhole Cover Campaign

The following has been sent to the new campaigns manager at Central.

Bristol MAG has been campaigning for many years (since before I joined MAG 5 or 6 years ago) to get the standard for inspection covers in roads changed and for non-slip surfaces to be required. Recently Bristol City Council has begun installing anti-skid inspection covers in its redevelopment at the town end of the M32. See http://bristol.maguk. org/campaigns.shtml and click on the manhole covers campaign link for details. During discussions with Bristol City Council's officers they have told us that no more can be achieved locally. The installations in Bristol are as a trial. The officers say that to further the campaign now we will need to approach the Government, who have said that it will be at least five years before a requirement for anti-skid covers could be in force.
At the AGC held at Weston-super-Mare on April 13th 2002 the following motion was passed: Motion 1 - Manhole And Service Access Covers
That MAG adopt a national campaign to address the problems that manhole covers and service access covers present to twowheel vehicle use.
Richard Stiling 88797 Chris Selway 84422 Vote - Carried unanimously.

We think it is now time for MAG to act on this resolution and step up the campaign for anti-skid inspection covers.
Bristol City Council's officers have made it clear that it is not only motorcyclists who benefit from the covers. Pedestrians and pedal cyclists too have safer passage and it seems clear to me that motorists must benefit where m/cycles and pedal cycles don't fall down in front of them. My own experience of riding over the anti-skid covers has shown them to be all but invisible, only a very thin steel outline in the road surface shows that they are there; and there is no adverse change in tyre adhesion when passing over them. I hope you will be able to push this campaign forward to a new level and that MAG can prevail on the Government to make the necessary changes in regulation sooner than the five years they have stated.

Demonstration of anti-skid cover

I think I can speak for all of us that this campaign really needs now to be pushed to make these Anti Skid covers a requirement for all new schemes and replacement of old worn covers. Well-done Richard & Bristol MAG. The Troll.

Ded Duk Rally

In just a few days those jolly chaps and Chappesses at Glos MAG will be holding the Ded Duk Rally, where you can sup Real Ale, Lager or Cider whilst enjoying the Live Music and convivial company at the on site bar The Slippit Inn. If you haven’t by now pre-booked through Sheila on: 01327 351425, for the paltry sum of £8, you can turn up and gain entry for the princely sum of £10. For further Info contact Nick or Bev on: 01327 351425, or e-mail Den: den.glos@blueyonder.co.uk But Hurry! New Think! Bike In Gloucestershire The Gloucestershire County Council Road Safety Unit latest recruit is now 'up and running' as the follow on to the Honda CBR1100XXV.

THINK! Bike II

The motorcycle is a Triumph Sprint ST 1050 cc ABS - ‘logoed’ with the DfT THINK! branding and is well recognised amongst the biking fraternity.

The bike is equipped with cameras and a video recorder

By being visible the motorcycle raises awareness, not just amongst riders but also drivers, and the coordinator, as a highly qualified and competent rider demonstrates safe riding practice at all times and thereby promotes by example, the ‘right message.’ The bike is used in a number of ways. “The THINK! Bike is an ‘eye catching’ item for drawing attention. Ideal for ‘media’ exposure it can be used at displays, dealer days and events across the County acting as a catalyst promoting discussion on motorcycle rider safety. It will also be a visible reminder when being ridden to THINK!
The motorcycle is also used for other promotional purposes and road and rider safety/training videos.
It can be used as a training vehicle in association with the Rider Assessment and Better Roadcraft schemes as well as in support of the Police Bikesafe initiative.
The motorcycle is used to visit the scene of motorcycle collisions to assist in gathering information about the circumstances that led to the incident and for safety audits etc. relating to motorcycles. Nigel Murray

And Finally

After 12 years Bill finally made an honest woman of Di on Friday 23rd March at an intimate little ceremony in Bridgwater and finished it off with a party the following day. Congratulations to you both

April Events

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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