MAG motorway/dual carriageway demonstration - September 25th

[Mighty Mariner]

Difficult to estimate the numbers at A63 but a lot more than I expected, probably 500 or 600 I guess.

The length of the group was more than a mile covering two lanes of the M62,M18,M180

I hope the spectacle highlights the depth of feeling.

The police were good they closed the A63 to allow the group to leave South Ferriby in one lump and closed on slips on the motorways and intersections to allow us to keep moving.

Behaviour was exemplary but could have had more impact in major towns and cities.

[Capitano]

The numbers at Pease Pottage on the A23 were overwhelming as was the sheer diversity of bikes and people involved.

Here are some photos from the Pease Pottage - A23 - Brighton run.

I expected lots of angry overtakes from cars caught up in the ride but very few cars passed and those that did were travelling slow enough to eyeball all the bikes. I think the ride must have strung out about 5 miles!

James and I had MAG T shirts on whilst parked up on Brighton seafront and had a fair few people ask what the ride was about so job done in terms of spreading the word!

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/ged_asbery/MAG%20Demo%20ride%2025Sep11/DSCF2856.jpg

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[Mawsley]

My Mum and Dad drove up from Devon to visit me in hospital this lunchtime - it took them seven hours because of holdups...but they never saw any accidents.

"Really?" I said, and innocently looked out of the window.

[Guest]

Motorcycle emissions

Just found this interesting reading http://www.cimamotor.com/en/news/2009-0 ... d5769.html - the summary reads "So with smaller motorcycles, the CO2 is less than any type of normal car, while even the very big motorcycles have less than big cars, and if you take the time your engine is running, less than any car."

Makes you wonder why the EU is hell-bent on attacking the bikers?

Bikers should wear hi-vis clothing to make them more visible to other motorists? When did the requirement for motorists not to be observant of anything in hi-vis colours change? Children are (generally) smaller, slower and on the road just like bikes - should they have to wear hi-vis clothing so that the motorists can see them also?

Wouldn't it be a reasonable idea to require all motorists to have a proper eye test every 1 -2 years? I can remember (I no longer ride) the famous phrase "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" whilst I was getting comfy on the tarmac!

The problem is not the biker, his clothing, the speed (or maintenance) of the machine it's the incompetent's behind the wheel with no grasp or understanding of what their role is.

[techno]

Wouldn't it be a reasonable idea to require all motorists to have a proper eye test every 1 -2 years? I can remember (I no longer ride) the famous phrase "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" whilst I was getting comfy on the tarmac!

The problem is not the biker, his clothing, the speed (or maintenance) of the machine it's the incompetent's behind the wheel with no grasp or understanding of what their role is.

 

Sorry mate I didnt see you lol what are they supposed to say sorry mate i did see you but pulled out on you anyway

Oh and not all car drivers are incompetant, but then not all bikers are saints either!

Welcome to the forum!

[Bogof]

Makes you wonder why the EU is hell-bent on attacking the bikers?

"Attacking? By introducing safety enhancements? Faulty logic alert!

Bikers should wear hi-vis clothing to make them more visible to other motorists?

That is seemingly one school of thought. It seems to work for HIghways Agency personnel, police officers, road maintenance crews etc. Again, a safety enhancement, so it should be welcomed maybe?

Wouldn't it be a reasonable idea to require all motorists to have a proper eye test every 1 -2 years? I can remember (I no longer ride) the famous phrase "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" whilst I was getting comfy on the tarmac!

Faulty eyesight is NOT the problem. Low conspicuity IS the problem. Motorists recognise the issue which is why (mostly) they switch their headlights on in times of low visibility.

The problem is not the biker, his clothing, the speed (or maintenance) of the machine it's the incompetent's behind the wheel with no grasp or understanding of what their role is.

The problem is a lack of understanding, so you're almost right with this one. But it's actually a lack of understanding and accepting that in EVERY RTC either party could have avoided the collision had they acted or reacted differently. The sooner people stop blaming the other party automatically, the sooner they will start to learn from their errors.

Welcome to the forum

[Guest]

I managed to get on a MAG demo video from Birch,s service,e on the M60/61

Fame at last!

[mealexme]

Welcome y_not, if your sticking around say hi in the newbies section

And I estimate we had 200 bikes at the start down in plymouth, but the paper is saying 700... There did seem a lot more on the road than there was in the service station, so not sure where they were all hiding.

It was good to see harlys, sports bikes and scooters (inc a few vespas) all come together for the same cause, even if the guys on harlys are unsociale, and never nod ack at me when on the roads lol

Also good to see a mix of experienced riders along with (only a few) L-plates (ours was on the duel carriageway) and mainly staying in lane one (apart from the odd person who overtook) and being considerate to other road users.

I think we got some awareness, got in the paper and on the local news

... When I got home I was in the same room as my mum when the camera panned over me on the TV and i had to create i diversion to take her eyes off the TV as she thought I was else where that day.. But thats another story, and one I think I got away with, just

[Mawsley]

Motorcycle emissions

Just found this interesting reading http://www.cimamotor.com/en/news/2009-0 ... d5769.html - the summary reads "So with smaller motorcycles, the CO2 is less than any type of normal car, while even the very big motorcycles have less than big cars, and if you take the time your engine is running, less than any car."

Makes you wonder why the EU is hell-bent on attacking the bikers?

Bikers should wear hi-vis clothing to make them more visible to other motorists? When did the requirement for motorists not to be observant of anything in hi-vis colours change? Children are (generally) smaller, slower and on the road just like bikes - should they have to wear hi-vis clothing so that the motorists can see them also?

Wouldn't it be a reasonable idea to require all motorists to have a proper eye test every 1 -2 years? I can remember (I no longer ride) the famous phrase "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" whilst I was getting comfy on the tarmac!

The problem is not the biker, his clothing, the speed (or maintenance) of the machine it's the incompetent's behind the wheel with no grasp or understanding of what their role is.

 

Welcome mate - cracking first post, (ignore the resident troll)

[Hoover]

Bikers should wear hi-vis clothing to make them more visible to other motorists?

That is seemingly one school of thought. It seems to work for HIghways Agency personnel, police officers, road maintenance crews etc. Again, a safety enhancement, so it should be welcomed maybe?

Welcome to the forum

tghe wearing of hi-vis is according to the eu is not so car drivers can see you on the bike its so they can see you after you have been knocked off.

[Mighty Mariner]