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 Bikers Are Voters 2005
General Election Bikers Are Voters Word Doc - PDF
The Campaign
The Bikers Are Voters campaign is two fold, presenting riders views to Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPC’s) and seeking their views on motorcycling.
Although the main political parties’ candidates are important, for maximum impact we need the concerted effort of every rider to lobby all parties PPC’s, even those that don’t make parliament this time are important.
MAG will be co-ordinating the main campaign through its structure of regions and local groups. But we still need individual riders and non MAG members to let their voice be heard, we are all in this together.
Contents
A sample letter as a guide to the candidates.
- Set of questions to PPC’s.
- Presentation of MAGs manifesto for motorcycling
- Advice on contacting candidates.
- Return of questionnaires to MAG, so that when the new government is formed we will know where our support and opposition lies and every MP in Westminster will know that - Bikers Are Voters !
- Which PPC’s did not reply.
Why Campaign?
MAG UK has organised Bikers are Voters questionnaires during every election campaign since 1992, when every parliamentary candidate was asked ten motorcycling related questions. These campaigns have proven to be highly successful, contributing to the main political parties becoming aware of our issues.
By raising the awareness of motorcyclists’ rights the Government formed the Government Advisory Group on Motorcycling and MAG was “plugged” into Government and its various agencies.
MAG has worked in conjunction with Government, the Motorcycle Industry, user groups, the police and others to deliver the National Motorcycle Strategy in February 2005.
MAG expects, as laid out in the strategy, that: “motorcyclists have the right to expect both central and local Government to take account of motorcycling in the planning process, when designing and maintaining the road network, when managing traffic and when considering safety.”
The strategy also encompasses: “important initiatives including better training to take skills to a higher level; improving rider and driver attitudes and behaviour; improved motorbike design; better infrastructure and smarter traffic management.”
The National Motorcycle strategy is a beginning and must not be relegated to sit on the shelf.
Whichever party is elected to Government they must take forward the clear program of the strategy, which presents a sensible, practical and deliverable package of measures to make a positive difference for motorcycling.
While supporting the strategy, MAG has produced its own “Manifesto for Motorcycling”, which deals with the issues that are still of major concern. Ensuring that the needs of motorcyclists are fully considered when making future decisions whether beating congestion as a form of sustainable transport or just riding for the sheer fun of it!
Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs
MAG UK
PO BOX 750
Rugby
CV21 3ZR
Tel: +44 (0)870 444 8 448
Fax: +44 (0)870 444 8 449
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
www.mag-uk.org
Sample Letter
Standard letters can get ignored.
For maximum impact every letter needs to be personal.
To give you an idea the sample letter below should be used as a guide when drafting your letters to prospective candidates
Candidate:
Address:
Date:
Dear
I am an active motorcyclist,
- and a member of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK), a nationwide organisation representing the interests of PTW’s (Powered Two Wheelers, Motorcycles, Scooters and Mopeds) in the UK..
- and/I take a very keen interest in motorcycle issues that affect me as a rider.
As a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in my constituency and a possible MP representing my views in Parliament, I wish to learn your views on some issues, which are set out in the accompanying set of questions that concern me directly as a motorcyclist.
In order to assist me in making choices as to which prospective candidates I shall support for the constituency in which I reside, I would appreciate your positive and clear answers to the enclosed questions.
I do not believe that the issues I have detailed in the accompanying set of questions present any partisan or party politically sensitive matters.
I would like to take this opportunity to point out the first National Motorcycling Strategy published by the Department for Transport in February 2005 which offers a sensible, practical and deliverable package of measures to make a positive difference for motorcycling, and make sure that motorcycling takes its proper place in the transport mainstream as a safe, affordable means of transport.
Also included is a copy of the Motorcycle Action Groups “Manifesto for Motorcycling” I would recommend this to you and ask you to forward this to the transport policy makers in your party.
Finally may I thank you for giving me the time in reading this letter and for responding with answers to the enclosed questions.
I look forward to your reply and best wishes for the election.
Yours sincerely,
Your Name
Bikers Are Voters Question
Do you or have you ever owned a motorcycle, scooter or moped?
..................................................................................
Are you aware of motorcycle representative organizations such as MAG UK/FEMA and their activities?
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If elected, do you wish to receive regular briefings?
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- Do you agree that traffic management should deal with all modes of transport, recognising that PTW’s provide a convenient, economical and environmentally friendly form of personal powered transport, rather than focusing on one area to the exclusion of others?
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- Do you support the current research into the viability of allowing motorcycles to use Bus Lanes and Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs)?
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- Are you in favour of secure motorcycle parking provision at modal interchange points and visitor attractions?
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- Will you support motorcycle in Bus Lane schemes?
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- Do you believe that the interests of motorcyclists should be fairly recognised in Local Transport Plans?
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- Do you support the idea that car drivers should receive greater education about vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists?
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- Do you support the UK motorcycle strategy which addresses safety, accessibility, environment and security for motorcycle users?
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- Do you support the kind of post test rider assessment which is offered by Bikesafe?
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- Do you think it’s reasonable to make the wearing of safety clothing including helmets mandatory for motorcyclists?
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- Do you think motorcyclists should be forced to wear conspicuous (e.g. fluorescent) clothing?
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- Do you think it’s right that motorcycles should be manufactured with their lights hard wired so that riders can not switch them off?
..................................................................................
- Do you think motorcycles play a positive role in easing traffic congestion and should therefore be treated as a preferred transport mode?
..................................................................................
- Do you think motorcyclists should be exempt from all congestion charging schemes?
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- Do you think motorcyclists should be exempt from tolls on bridges and tunnels and tolled roads?
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- Do you think that total ceaseless surveillance of vehicles and their operators is justifiable in the interests of road safety?
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- Do you think that 100% enforcement of speed limits is a desirable objective?
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- Do you think that in general, where adults do not endanger others they should be allowed to determine their own level of risk in their life choices?
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- Do you think it reasonable in the interests of mobility and sustainable transport, for Government to encourage a modal shift from car use to motorcycle use?
..................................................................................
- Do you think the balance between the treatment of errant road users and malicious criminals needs attention?
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- Do you think motorcycle use should be discouraged?
..................................................................................
Your Details:
Name:………………………………… Party:……………………… Date:..............
Constituency Standing as a Candidate: …………………………………………………………….
E-mail address (if you wish to receive further information):………………………………………………
Contacting Prospective Parliamentary Candidates
The Bikers Are Voters campaign steps up a gear for the 2005 General Election.
This election we are asking that as many Prospective Parliamentary Candidates are contacted. They may never step inside the Houses of Parliament as MP’s but may continue their political career in local government or become policy makers.
Every candidates view is important to enable to build up the positive and negative support.
NOTE: Parliament is dissolved on Monday 11th April. Once Parliament is dissolved, you do not have a Member of Parliament.
So do not send letters to your MP's Parliamentary address, use their constituency address.
Contact Information
You can find a full list of candidates standing in your constituency by contacting your local authority election office.
To find the name and contact details for your local authority, visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Click on the link for your local authority's contact details.
Either click on the first letter of your local authority or enter the name of your local authority.
Another website of use is: www.politics.co.uk
This website has a search engine which will enable you to search for your constituency via your postcode and will give results for Prospective Parliamentary Candidates.
1) Websites of main political parties in England: these will have links to local constituencies:
The Labour Party www.labour.org.uk
The Conservative Party www.conservatives.com
The Liberal Democrats www.libdems.org.uk
UK Independence Party www.independenceuk.org.uk
The Green Party www.greenparty.org.uk
2) Websites of main political parties in Scotland:
The Labour Party www.scottishlabour.org.uk
The Conservative Party www.scottishtories.org.uk
Liberal Democrats www.scotlibdems.org.uk
Scottish National Party www.snp.org
Scottish Socialist Party www.scottishsocialistparty.org
UK Independence Party www.independenceuk.org.uk
Scottish Green Party www.scottishgreens.org.uk
3) Websites of main political parties in Wales:
Plaid Cymru www.plaidcymru.org
Welsh Liberal Democrats www.demrhyddcymru.org.uk
The Labour Party www.labour.org.uk (constituency links)
The Conservative Party www.conservatives.com/wales
UK Independence Party www.independenceuk.org.uk
The Green Party www.greenparty.org.uk
4) Websites of main political parties in N.Ireland:
Alliance Party www.allianceparty.org
Ulster Democratic Unionist Party www.dup.org.uk
Ulster Unionist Party www.uup.org
Progressive Unionist Party www.pup-ni.org.uk
Social Democratic and Labour Party www.sdlp.ie
The Conservative Party www.conservatives.com (Post code search)
Green Party www.greens-in.org
Sinn Fein http://sinnfein.ie
Because of the political diversity in N.Ireland contacting the political parties is at your own discretion.
5) A selection of other political parties:
Pensioners Party www.thepensionersparty.org
Official Monster Raving Loony Party www.omrlp.com
Legalise Cannabis Alliance www.lca-uk.org
Liberal Party www.liberal.org.uk
National Democrats www.natdems.org.uk
ProLife Party www.prolife.org.uk
Socialist Party www.socialistparty.org.uk
While understanding that not everyone has access to the internet, it is the best way to source information.
You could try your local library for a list of candidates.
And the only way to contact your candidates is by good old fashion letter writing: on paper!
Please return completed questionnaires and responses from PPC to
Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs
MAG UK
PO BOX 750
Rugby
CV21 3ZR
Tel: +44 (0)870 444 8 448
Fax: +44 (0)870 444 8 449
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation
www.mag-uk.org
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