We’ve had a great result with Bradford City Council. Not only have they put secure motorcycle parking in ALL council owned car parks but they’ve given the green light to a bus lane access trial on the Hall Ings bus lane with immediate affect.
We’ve managed to get another two articles published in the Yorkshire Evening Post, this time regarding the theft epidemic and the removal of some secure parking in Leeds. This has prompted the council to give us a list of places that will receive secure parking around the city as well as more bays planned in the centre. There are at https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/leeds-motorbike-theft-problem-needs-tackling-to-stop-illegal-and-anti-social-riders-motorcycle-action-group-3244908 and https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/leeds-motorbike-thefts-not-a-victimless-crime-say-campaigners-calling-for-action-3244922
Our media rep John Nettleship, stood in for me at a zoom meeting with members of all five West Yorkshire councils which went very well. Attached are John’s notes from the meeting
The MAG NC had a virtual meeting where national issues and campaigns were discussed.
The majority of the meeting was taken up debating the pros and cons of supporting both the CHIPT and Voters for Motors campaigns.
The vote to continue to support the CHIPT campaign that was voted on by the members at the last AGC was narrowly upheld by a National Committee (NC) vote. I took on board the members thoughts and voted to continue to support CHIPT (emails I received were 28 for continuing to support CHIPT and 3 against)
The final NC vote was literally 50/50 with lots of heated debate on both sides but with the vote being equal, the status quo remains and we continue to support Neil Liversidge’s ideas.
Theft of motorcycles has dropped by an average of 60% nationally due to lockdown
Autonomous vehicles are looming and MAG are looking at all angles and keeping close tabs on developments
National “ride to work day” is now promoted by MAG and this year will be on 21st June, so spread the word!
E10 fuel will be introduced nationally from next year. This will have an adverse effect on older bikes but premium fuel will still be available. MAG are again monitoring the situation.
Here is the link to the current “Network” which will keep you informed with MAG happenings around the country. https://wiki.mag-uk.org/images/0/0c/NETWORK_2021_05.pdf
YORKSHIRE PUDDING 2021 – Is now sold out! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone very much.
Due to the current situation events are sparse in this newsletter. Hopefully normal service will resume very soon.
If you want to get more involved at a local level (and to really get the most out of your MAG membership, I strongly recommend that you do) here are the meeting details of the five Yorkshire MAG groups – though we are looking to expand with more groups so if you haven’t got one close by and fancy getting together with like minded bikers, get in touch with me at manny@mag-uk.org
We’re very lucky in having some very strong groups in Yorkshire, but we need the members to join in, so pop along to your local meeting and help to make a difference
As we’re all aware, the lockdown restrictions are lifting from Monday 17th May and this means that meetings can restart!
On Wednesday 19th May, Huddersfield MAG are resuming meetings – Hurrah, at last, the day has come when we can go out to go inside a pub!! You know what that means … the Field Head is open for us to meet inside! On a Wednesday! So, Wednesday 19 May is our first social meet of 2021. We will have another social on Wednesday 26 May and then a meeting on Wednesday 2 June 2021. You must wear a mask to enter the pub and when moving around the pub, and it’s table service only, so no standing at the bar please (see The Field Head FB page for details). Other than that, ‘normal’ service is resuming … As you were, lovely folk of MAG, as you were … (if you can remember what going out out was like)
Details of South Yorkshire MAG Meetings are on the Yorkshire MAG FB page.
On Thursday 20th May, Wakefield MAG are resuming meetings – It’s the first Wakefield MAG Meeting of 2021 at 20:30 on Tuesday 18th May at the Thatched House, 434 Aberford Road, Stanley, Wakefield, WF3 4AA. Steve, Landlord at the Thatched House is ready for welcoming us back on Tuesday …… Same CV19 precautions as before, you’ll need to sign in (either by paper register or use the NHS Track & Trace App on your phone), use hand sanitiser, and observe social distancing. BUT …… we are back indoors, in a pub, able to hold a face-to-face MAG meeting ….. be great to see everyone again after all this time …… Hope to see you on Tuesday @ 20:30 at the Thatched House !!!
Thursday 20th May also sees Leeds and Bradford MAG restarting meetings from 8pm in the upstairs room at The Royal Hotel LS28 8PR. The meeting will be socially distanced and masks must be worn when up and about. We really can’t wait to see faces both old and new as it seems to have been a long road to get here.
On Friday 21st May York MAG have their inaugural meeting @ 7:30pm @ Black Swan, Peasholme Green, YO1 7PR. With restrictions easing from Monday, we are now limited to 30! We have the outside walled section to ourselves.Some of the branch members will be meeting beforehand at Strawberry Fields bike night at roughly 5:30-6pm then riding over the the pub for the branch meeting.See you there!
The 1st EY MAG meeting of 2021 is provisionally set to restart on Thursday 27th May, subject to step 3 of the Govt. road map progressing as planned on 17th May. Rules will mean meetings will initially need to be held outside. Details will be confirmed nearer the date.Usual Venue; The Foresters Arms, Beck Side Beverley HU17 0PR 8pm. There will be a warm welcome to all members and Guests.
Going forward the branch meetings will be set out as below.
East Yorkshire MAG meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 8pm at The Forresters Arms HU17 0PR
Huddersfield MAG meet every Wednesday from 8.30pm at The Fieldhead HD3 4FB
Leeds and Bradford MAG meet every 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday from 8pm at The Royal Hotel LS28 8PR
South Yorkshire MAG meet every Thursday at The Market, 2 Wentworth Rd, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8EP from 7pm
Wakefield MAG meet every Tuesday from 8.30 at The Thatched House, 434 Aberford Road, Stanley, Wakefield, WF3 4AA
York MAG – Third Friday of each month from 7:30pm at The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, YO1 7PR.
Keep safe
Manny (Yorkshire MAG rep)
