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 MAG says “Bikers Are Voters” 2005
General Election 2005
A big thank you to all who took part in MAGs “Bikers Are Voters” 2005 General Election campaign.
Promoting motorcycle issues to parliamentary candidates through MAG’s “Manifesto for Motorcycling” and “Bikers Are Voters Questionnaire” MAGs campaign can be hailed as a success.
But we cannot rest, we need to keep pushing MPs and MEPs to put motorcycling in the mainstream of transport policies.
The Campaign 2005
The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is harnessing its members and bikers nationwide to remind politicians that more than ever - bikers are voters.
Past efforts to send this message to parliament have resulted in the
formation of the Government Advisory Group on Motorcycling which has brought MAG to the table with good results.
The exemption of motorcycles from congestion charging, the bus lane access trials and the enhanced parking provision in city centres are all examples of a preferred transport status option for which MAG has argued.
The group now wishes to see those initiatives rolled out nation-wide with full central government backing.
Besides the pro-motorcycling initiatives aimed at enhancing the usefulness of motorcycles as a means of addressing our congestion and environmental problems MAG seeks an end to the negative portrayal of motorcycling.
Detractors in influential positions are still misrepresenting data in an effort to marginalise a form of transport that is enjoying increasing patronage by all classes, sexes and age groups.
MAG is urging its members to send MAG’s manifesto plus a list of questions to candidates in an effort to identify where support and opposition lies throughout the political spectrum. It is also hoped that candidates who hold no views on our issues will be encouraged to look at the arguments we are presenting and support motorcycling.
MAG’s Public Affairs Officer Trevor Baird said, “In 1997 Labour promised to put motorcycling at the heart of transport policy. MAG remains politically neutral but we have no problem insisting that whoever wins the General election adopts that pledge and acts on it.”
MAG’s President Ian Mutch emphasised that motorcycles can help achieve the environmental and mobility challenges of the 21 st century, we want to see all parties accept the simple logic that bikes make sense.
MAG’s Campaign Pack, Manifesto and Questionnaire are available at Bikers Are Voters 2005 or from MAG’s office Tel 0870 444 8448
Let the politicians know Bikers Are Voters before the the General Election on Thursday 5th May 2005.
The Aftermath - The Follow up to BAV
What next?
Continuing the campaign MAG will be writing to MPs to welcome them to parliament and forwarding them a CD portfolio on motorcycling.
What Can you do?
Write to your MP welcoming them to Parliament.
You can use the draft letter Here
This is your chance to revitalise MAG’s position as the leading riders rights organisation and continue mainstreaming motorcycling in transport policies.
Check to see the results with BBC map Here
Locate your MP Here
Trevor Baird
Director Public Affairs MAG UK
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