MAG Backs Strong Majority of Riders in Opposing ICE Ban

[Bikerman]

MAG do all this for you for 0.07 pence a day. A bargain I think you’ll agree.

So head over to the MAG website and join up.

https://www.mag-uk.org/motorcycle-action-group-membership/
Do you care ??

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

MAG Backs Strong Majority Of Riders in Opposing ICE Ban

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) Chair, Neil Liversidge, has reaffirmed
that the organisation backs the vast majority of motorcyclists in
opposing the ICE ban.

The Department for Transport (DfT) launched its delayed consultation on
the phaseout of non-zero emission motorcycles on 14th July. The
consultation, entitled ‘L-category vehicles: ending sales of new
non-zero emission models’, proposes the end of sales of all new internal
combustion engine motorcycles by 2035, with sales of smaller petrol
motorcycles up to 125cc to be banned by 2030.

MAG Chair, Neil Liversidge, said:

“MAG totally opposes the proposed ban on the sale of internal
combustion-engine vehicles (ICEVs), whether it be from 2035, the
originally mooted 2040, or any other date. MAG likewise opposes any
policy that leads to increased fuel costs or the reduced availability of
fuels for ICEVs.”

Explaining the reason for this robust position, Neil went on to say:

“Our own survey showed that at least 80% of motorcyclists oppose it,
despite green activists having targeted our survey to skew the result.
We estimate that the real proportion of motorcyclists who oppose the ban
is well over 90%. We shall faithfully represent the views of our
constituency. A survey in the European Union produced similar numbers
and we expect FEMA to likewise represent faithfully the views of
motorcyclists across Europe. We also oppose the ban on the sale of ICE
cars proposed from 2030 and stand resolutely with the Alliance of
British Drivers (ABD) with whom we are working through our umbrella
organisation, Transport Reality.

We note that the consultation asks from ‘when’ the ban should come
about? Our answer is “Never!” We demand a dialogue on whether it
should come about at all.”

MAG plans to respond robustly to the consultation. Additionally, MAG is
seeking direct representation with Government Ministers, despite the
current leadership race. If necessary, MAG will demand to speak to the
new Prime Minister.

MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement, Colin Brown, said:

“We have already made representations to the Department’s
decarbonisation team over the last year. Officials are constrained by
the existing Net Zero policy and its timetables. These are clearly
beyond the scope of this consultation. We need to take dialogue to a
much more strategic level in order to properly represent the strength of
feeling on this issue. We do not expect this to be an easy discussion,
but we would be failing the trust of our members by not taking this
course of action.”

Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org

[Bikerman]

And then there’s this. Seems like a joke if it was funny. You get 30 years for robbing Ashly Coles, than for almost killing an motorcyclist.

News from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG)

MAG calls for sentencing rules review after appalling bike smash. MAG’s
Chairman slams “Inadequate and insulting” sentencing of drunk driver who
almost killed a biker.

Chair of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), Neil Liversidge, has
expressed his frustration over the Attorney General’s inability to
review the sentence passed by Judge David Melville QC on drunk driver
Stephen Jones at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Jones caused an accident that nearly killed a motorcyclist in April
2022, but escaped a prison sentence, despite a video showing him driving
on the wrong side of the road and narrowly missing a number of other
vehicles before colliding head-on with his victim, motorcyclist Scott Lemon.

The Police reported that Jones - who was nearly four times the legal
limit - was “so drunk he couldn’t stand”. However, Judge David Melville
QC refused to send Jones to prison, instead imposing a one-year prison
sentence, suspended for two years. Jones was also ordered to carry out
250 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for two
years. Mr Liversidge said: “A suspended sentence is inadequate and
insulting. It was pure luck that Mr Lemon was not killed.” See the video:

https://videos.metro.co.uk/video/me…641232706/640x360_MP4_6609149052641232706.mp4

Mr Liversidge also noted: “There’s a general perception in the
motorcycling community that the courts are harsh on motorcyclists when
they are the perpetrators of vehicle crime, but lenient on the likes of
Jones who perpetrate crimes against motorcyclists. That’s why I called
for a specific look at this case, and a general review of sentencing to
ascertain whether that perception is borne out in reality.”

The Attorney General and Solicitor General do have the power to ask the
Court of Appeal to review certain sentences which appear to them to be
unduly lenient, but only sentences imposed for a limited number of
offences. The offences for which Stephen Jones was sentenced are not
offences to which the scheme applies. However, a wider review is being
undertaken, led by the Sentencing Council, regarding 12 guidelines for
motoring offences – and MAG fully intends to make its views known. “We
don’t want special favours,” Neil said, “We just don’t want to be
treated as second class citizens.” To comment on the consultation, go to:

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/publications/item/motoring-offences-consultation/

Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org