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Welcome to our first anniversary issue!!

With this issue, we celebrate twelve months since MAG Ireland re-launched our RoadRunner newsletter, and opened it up to subscribers as well as members.

We also celebrate 30 years of representing Irish riders. In 1984 IMAG was formed to lobby against proposed insurance premium increases of up to 300%. The lobby was successful and we have been representing the interests of Irish riders since then.

If you’re planning a motorcycle related event in Ireland in 2014, let us know by sending details to events@magireland.org and we'll add it to the Irish Motorcycle Events Calendar and the MAG Ireland smartphone app for free.

Your feedback (email to roadrunner@magireland.org) is always welcome.

Editor

In 1984 riders saw a major threat to Irish motorcycling taking shape. They banded together to voice their opposition, they defeated the threat and in doing so realised what was possible with cooperation.

Since then the voice of Irish motorcycling has been heard and heeded on concerns as diverse as discriminatory ferry prices, quality training, clothing standards and European legislation.

Read more on the first three decades ...

It's hard to believe that it's now a full year since we relaunched RoadRunner as an e-mail newsletter and opened it up to an audience beyond our membership.

Since then we've worked to bring you relevant and interesting news not just about riders issues, but about a broad range of topics related to motorcycling. All previous issues are linked on the website.

We're always on the lookout for relevant local news and information so feel free to tell us what's happening in your neck of the woods with an e-mail to roadrunner@magireland.org.

Thanks for being a subscriber!

MAG Ireland’s remit is to promote and protect motorcycling, and with so much of the effort of late focused on legislation and political issues, it’s time to focus on the positives and show the the benefits that biking can bring. Here’s how you can help!

The idea is simple, get on your bike and ride to work, school / college, or simply meet up with a few like minded souls for breakfast or a coffee. The aim is to get as many bikes on the road as possible, and to raise awareness among other road users about the benefits of motorcycling.

Encourage others who usually only ride at weekends, or ride classic or vintage machines to participate.

Promote motorcycling as a positive and beneficial activity by simply taking your bike to work!

More details on our web site.

Following the successful recent launch of BikeSafe North East, Sergeant Patrick Dowd, Meath Traffic Unit, is currently seeking expressions of interest from riders with a view to establishing a BikeSafe initiative in the Eastern region, covering Meath, Westmeath, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Offaly and Wicklow.

Click here for details.

Featuring a four stroke air cooled 150cc Honda-based GY6 engine with a top speed of 50mph/80kmph and can do up to 98 miles to a gallon of fuel or 34km per liter.

Features of the trike include,

1. Two seats
2. Fully automatic
3. A roof with windshield wiper
4. A lockable boot
5. Alarmed and immobilised
6. Three wheels for extra stability
7. FM radio and MP3 connection
8. Limited slip ( posi traction) - Simultaneous power to both rear wheels
9. Dual piston front caliper - Drilled discs for better cooling & stopping
10. Mobile phone recognition - Alerts the rider that a call is being received
11. And a two year parts warranty

The road tax on the scooter is €67 per year and insurance costs between €300 and €370 for a first time rider.The trike can be driven on a full car license obtained prior to the 16th of January 2013. The insurance is through Carole Nash who are the exclusive insurer of the scooters.

More info at eurotrike150.com

Horizons Unlimited Meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled. The event is taking place in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh from Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20, 2014.

RoadRunner caught up with Jochen Riehn to see what it's all about.

Why Come to a Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting?

You can meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or Africa or across Asia, or even around the world. Admit it, all your 'normal' friends and most of your family fear for your sanity.
So, this is your opportunity to meet the people who will encourage you in that craziness, share their experiences and advice on how to do it, and maybe you'll meet them again in Mongolia or Timbuktu!

As well as hearing inspiring stories of overlanding adventure from around the world, you'll get the low-down on preparing for your journey, navigation, first-aid, photography, filming and a host of other essential topics. Whatever your past experience or future plans may be, there's something here for everyone.

Some people value Horizons Unlimited events for what they learn from the many presenters. Others value the chance to chill out and swap ideas and plans with like-minded people. Most people enjoy a little bit of everything, and everyone goes home smiling and fired-up for adventure.

HU Ireland 2014 will include a packed schedule of presentations and activities across the three days. In addition to presentations from 'ordinary' guys like you & I, we're delighted to have renowned authors Graham Field & Geoff Hill on board this year. All within the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that Horizons Unlimited is known for.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran with wisdom to share or a complete novice hungry for ideas and guidance, it doesn't matter. Regardless of whether you ride a motorcycle, a bicycle, or drive any kind of expedition vehicle, HU Ireland 2014 is for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled.

Details & registration are at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/ireland-2014
We're also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/625985960791209/

We're pleased to announce that work will begin shortly on overhauling the MAG Ireland web site.

We last relaunched the site towards the end of 2010 and it is now showing its age.

Since then of course, we've added hundreds of articles and there has been a big move from desktop to mobile with roughly half of our visitors now using mobile devices to read the site.

As a RoadRunner reader, we'd like your views!

Take a moment to tell us what you like, and what you don't about the current site. We'll use that information to keep the good bits and get rid of the bad bits as far as possible.

email: webmaster@magireland.org

1984: The year of the Kawasaki GPZ900R, Yamaha FJ1100 and Honda VF500F.

Jim Fisher, former Chairman of MAG Ireland, former Chairman of I.R.T.A. (The Irish Rider Training Association) and for many years a leading light in MAG Longford passed away on Wednesday 30th April last.

A well known figure with his Wiltshire accent and irrepressible character, Jim was a remarkable, unforgettable man. A genuine ambassador for motorcycling and a staunch defender of motorcyclists and the right to ride. Rest in peace Jim, you will be missed by many.

Read more on our web site.

PJ Gallagher: ‘You live more in five minutes on a bike than most people do in a lifetime’

Telling jokes to buy bikes and riding bikes to save lives – Comedian PJ Gallagher on finding a passion for volunteering.

Read the full article on Journal.ie

Ireland Bike Fest Killarney 2014 takes place over the June Bank Holiday weekend (30th May to 2nd June), and MAG Ireland will be there!

2014 is the 8th annual Ireland Bike Fest and has something for everyone. Centered on the Bike Village with it’s carnival atmosphere, there will be ride-outs, competitions, technical assistance, test rides, music, DJ’s, food, traders area, and much more besides.

MAG Ireland reps will be on hand in the welcome tent on Sunday ready to answer your questions, so please say hello if you’re passing through.

Ireland Bike Fest Killarney is a family friendly event suitable for all ages, with plenty to see and do for riders and non-riders young or old.

It is anticipated that in excess of 35,000 visitors from from countries including Ireland, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, the United States will attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Irelandbikefest.com

On Friday 23rd May next we'll be holding a draw for a three night stay for two people at Travel Inn Killarney for BikeFest weekend worth over €300.

The draw is open to all MAG Ireland members who hold a current valid membership on Friday 23rd May 2014.

The winner will be in good company with a large turnout expected for Bikefest and accomodation now all but booked out. Winner will be notified immediately after the draw which will take place at 1:30pm.

You gotta be in it to win it, so check your membership is current, and if not see www.magireland.org/membership where you can join or renew today.

Originally published in the January 2014 issue of Bike Buyers Guide, our feature on licensing is now available on our web site.

Written by our lead researcher, Proinnsias Breathnach, "A ticket to Ride" looks at the licensisng landscape a year on from the most significant shake up since the introduction of the 125cc learner laws in the 1980's.

By making what can be a very dry and technical subject readily accessible, this feature is a must read for anyone contemplating a first time motorcycle license.

Read the feature on our web site.

MAG Ireland represents Irish riders and is funded by Irish riders. 

Has your membership expired?

If your membership has expired, we’d really appreciate your continued support with a renewal online at www.magireland.org/membership

Not a member?

MAG Ireland works tirelessly on behalf of all Irish riders but we can only do that with the financial support of our members subscriptions. It costs just €25.00 for a years membership, that’s less than 7 cent per day. Not only that but we aim to save you the cost of your membership many times over via our exclusive vouchers and our group discount scheme. If you can’t stretch to a membership subscription but you’d still like to help, just click the donate link on the menu at www.magireland.org and give whatever you can.

Get your member-only discounts - Following feedback from members we’ve made it even easier to claim your member discounts with a link on the top right hand side of the web site. All you need is your membership number to potentially save the cost of your membership many times over with great discounts like 10% off at all Halfords stores. http://www.magireland.groupscheme.com

Courtesy lightningmotorcycle.com/

Coming - May 17

MAG Ireland members have exclusive access to our online group scheme which has recently been updated with a range of new offers.

Of course that's all on top the the huge range of existing discounts on everything from consumer electronics to weekend breaks to car accessories.

If you haven't looked lately, dig out your membership number click here and see what you could be saving today!

Highlights: 

• Friday 30th May, Ireland BikeFest Killarney
• Friday 20th June, Kells Road Racing festival, Kells, Co. Meath.
• Saturday 21st June, Balor Demons MCC 4th Hole In The Road Rally

For full details and more events check out our calendar.

Organisers: To add your event, send an e-mail to events@magireland.org with a brief description of the event, facebook or web site link and the contact details of the organiser. 

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Previous issues can be seen on the website.

You can also follow us on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, RSS and download our smartphone app.

MAG Ireland is specifically interested in hearing from riders with relevant expertise to assist the effort.

Areas include

• Civil/Roads engineers for barrier and parking issues
• Accountancy
• Journalism/copywriter
• Research (accidents / legal / roads / international / political)

We are also interested in hearing from riders with a specific issue or campaign which they are pursuing at an individual level or local level.

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If you have received this from someone else please visit www.magireland.org/roadrunner for your free subscription.

We aim to bring you information of interest to Irish motorcyclists on a monthly basis. Please feel free to forward this on to other Irish riders. If you are in a club we'd particularly appreciate if you could forward it on to the other club members.

If you have friends or club members who would like to receive RoadRunner every month they can sign up at our website or you can just send us their name and email address.