What Has Mag Ever Done For Us?

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by beerkat, Sep 13, 2021.

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  1. beerkat

    beerkat Senior Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    819
    243
    Cheshire UK
    Here is another of my occasional rants at fellow bikers for not becoming members of MAG.

    A woman named Kim McGuinness was re-elected in May as the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner. One of her proposals was to lobby the government Minister for Policing (Kit Malthouse) to introduce mandatory police-tracking of the speed and location of all motorcycles. Her main reason for this was to enable police to combat the problem of anti-social off road use of bikes (although there is a greater issue with quad bikes than motorcycles).
    Now I don't know about you, but I would be extremely unhappy to discover at some point in the near future that new bikes would be tracked by police (or anyone else). Fortunately, MAG have their ear to the ground, especially the ground around Westminster. A meeting was secured with Kim McGuinness and she agreed to back down. She is now working with MAG to find a better solution to the bigger problem of motorcycle theft, which leads to anti-social behaviour. MAG is also meeting with other Police & Crime Commissioners across the country, to bring them onside and hopefully secure a meeting with the Minister for Policing.
    This is just another example of how MAG is ensuring that the voice of motorcycling is not just loud, but also effective.

    So now, fellow members of the Triumph Forum, give me a GOOD reason why the above is not a commendable achievement and then explain why you don't want to support such a beneficial organisation.
     
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  2. Smilinjack

    Smilinjack Guest

    I've said all this before:
    I used to be a member, in fact l was East Midlands regional rep for a spell, which involved attending National Committee meetings. It soon became apparent that the organisation was riven with cronyism and factionism at the very least, probably worse but l'll leave it there. Perhaps unfairly now, l resolved never to give them another penny, either as a member or by attending their events. :)
     
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  3. Golgotha

    Golgotha Guest

    #3 Golgotha, Sep 13, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 13, 2021
    Let me get this straight… She wants government tracking of the speed and location of every bike to "combat anti-social offroad bike use?

    Did I read that right?
     
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  4. Cyborgbot

    Cyborgbot Guest

    I think that’s what was said - bonkers isn’t it.
     
  5. Cyborgbot

    Cyborgbot Guest

    She should do the same for cars as they are just as bad for driving chaotically. There’s a lot more of them too…

    Just head out at the school run times and witness loads of selfish and aggressive driving.
     
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  6. Golgotha

    Golgotha Guest

    Government is the problem, not the solution.
     
  7. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
    3,401
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    Ahem,,
    https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/news/mandatory-speed-limiters-on-uk-cars-from-2022
    My mate was blethering on about this the other day, but I was high up a ladder painting the gable end. Although not mentioned here he said summat about bikes not being included??
     
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  8. beerkat

    beerkat Senior Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    819
    243
    Cheshire UK
    As a former regional rep perhaps you had greater insight into the workings of MAG than I have. I do know that there were divisions in the past but as far as I'm aware that is far less prevalent now, at least at national level. The people running MAG are genuine, honest and working hard to keep motorcycling in the minds of those responsible for road safety, reducing crime, and environmental issues, that affect ALL of us.
    Yes MAG HAS become more political but in a grown up way. Instead of ranting, raving and simply complaining about motorcyclists being unfairly treated (which we are), or more often ignored (which we are), they now have a dedicated political team who work in a proactive way. By meeting with those people who wield the power (yes, mainly councillors, politicians and police organisations) and discussing the issues facing motorcyclists BEFORE unhelpful legislation, rules and regulations are set in stone, they try to make the world of motorcycling, which you and I love, a better place.
    Surely that can't be a bad thing? But they can only do it if the funding is there. The bulk of that comes from the many rallies they organise, which attract 1000's of motorcyclists, but Covid put a stop to that. The rallies are slowly recovering but they need new members. If you value the freedoms riding bikes gives us (and I'm sure you do) then join. It's less than £30 a year. That's not a lot really is it? Give it a go and if you disagree with what MAG are trying to do (and you will know because the regular magazine you will get, 'The Road' will tell you. It's a fantastic read and one of the best bike mags out there) then don't renew.
    So Smilinjack, how about you break your resolve of several years ago and give MAG a second chance? I think you will find things have changed for the better and they are worth your support.

    I'll step down off my soapbox now..for a while at least.
     
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  9. Dex

    Dex New Member

    Dec 6, 2020
    2
    3
    UK

    Sure, no problem.

    If you can just go through the list of every animal charity, humanitarian organisation and disaster relief organisation and give me a GOOD reason why you don't want to support such beneficial organisations then I'll happily justify why I don't actively support MAG.





    Or, imagine if your post had read more like this....


    "These MAG guys really are working hard for us - just the other day I found out about this.... <insert hilarious clickbait style story about motorcycle tracking here>

    To me, that seems like something which is really worth supporting, don't you?

    But how can I support MAG? I hear you cry

    Well, membership only costs £27 a year and you just need to click this link to sign up:
    https://membership.mag-uk.org/signupv2/

    You also get a range of benefits, such as these....
    https://www.mag-uk.org/mag-benefits/


    But if signing up for membership seems like too much of a commitment you can always check out their shop and support them by making a purchase through them:
    https://www.mag-uk.org/shop/

    Thanks for your time"




    See, doesn't that sound much more positive and inviting?

    Happy to help. Ride Safe
     
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  10. beerkat

    beerkat Senior Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    819
    243
    Cheshire UK
    Hmm, I'd intended to leave this for now, with the intention of not badgering people too much (more than I already have) but..

    People must pick and choose the charities or organisations that they wish to donate to, depending on personal beliefs or circumstances or whatever. No-one (except perhaps Bill Gates) can support all of them, even if we'd like to. So it's more likely a case of not being able to support them rather than not wanting to.
    I am attempting to persuade people to support MAG, in this case using an example of a success that could have affected all of us. The point being of course that by joining MAG you are helping to keep motorcycling alive and kicking.
    If this forum was concerned with animal charities, humanitarian or disaster relief organisations then I may well be writing in support of them (which incidentally I have done elsewhere) but it's a bike forum, so I'm sticking to bikes.
    If people aren't informed then they cannot make informed choices. If it's something you feel strongly about, as I do in this case, then I feel justified in asking for support from likeminded people (motorcyclists).

    If you feel my post(s) was too long-winded and lacked positivity, then that's unfortunate but you read it and responded, which is a success of sorts.
    If your 'improved' version prompts forum members to join then I am very happy to let you rewrite any future posts :cool:
     
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  11. Dave Roxburgh

    Dave Roxburgh Well-Known Member

    Jul 5, 2019
    63
    68
    Suffolk
    Yeah! Anarchy rules.

    I've just booked a week away in Somalia - I've heard it's nice there... ;-)
     
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  12. Dave Roxburgh

    Dave Roxburgh Well-Known Member

    Jul 5, 2019
    63
    68
    Suffolk
    Thanks for the poke, beerkat... I too was a MAG rep for a year and walked away unimpressed. I have to admit that you have a point though - organisations can change and improve and we as bikers should club together - or watch on the sidelines as our freedoms are taken away from us.
     
  13. Golgotha

    Golgotha Guest

    #13 Golgotha, Sep 20, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2021
    Yeah, right dude. If there's a problem, just add more government and bureaucracy. That ALWAYS fixes things. I mean, just look at history.

    Spare me. :rolleyes:

    And BTW- Somalia is largely ruled by Sharia, which is absolute. Have fun with that.

    Do a little more research next time.,
     
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  14. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
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    I think it was said in jest mate ;)
     
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  15. Cyborgbot

    Cyborgbot Guest

    I got the joke.

    Edit: It usually takes a while but I’m pleased with myself that someone didn’t have to explain (this time) ;):joy:
     
  16. Golgotha

    Golgotha Guest

    Sarcastic? Probably. "In jest?" We'll have to agree to disagree there. Either way that's his right.

    The world is full both those who think the desire for less government/less regulation automatically means wanting no government(aka anarchism) as well as those who are perfectly content to allow the "government" to completely run their affairs. I've run into them all over the world.
     
  17. Cyborgbot

    Cyborgbot Guest

    There must me thousands of human shaped grease marks on roads, pavements and parks (with tyre marks to match) all over the globe. People have no doubt been puzzling over the cause and correlation.

    Now we have the answer.

    I hope this is a joke, could be sarcasm. Could be a serious dose of stupidity.

    Maybe all four.

    I’ll get my coat.

    ;)
     
  18. Iceman

    Iceman Crème de la Crème

    Apr 19, 2020
    1,980
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    Yes you read it right that was her proposal, I wrote a lengthy response in opposition to the ill conceived idea but no reply to date. There are many more ideas being looked at by various local authorities to curtail or freedom on 2 wheels.
     
  19. Golgotha

    Golgotha Guest

    #19 Golgotha, Sep 20, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2021
    I have copious Brit buddies, both Stateside and back in the UK, as well as 3rd country ex-pats. Top notch dudes, for the most part. I learn of regulations and restrictions going on over there all the time that are nothing short of mind-boggling. Difficult for those like me to even comprehend.

    I've said it before and I'll say it again… my heart goes out to you.
     
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