RoadRunner No Images? Click here Greetings... RoadRunner has restarted for 2017. For the most part this is a monthly roundup of information posted on our website at magireland.org We'd appreciate if you forward to this to other Irish motorcyclists. Your feedback (email to roadrunner@magireland.org) is always welcome. Editor Sign up for this free newsletter at http://www.magireland.org/roadrunner. Meet MAG Ireland at the Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show, 3-5 March 2017 MAG Ireland (The Irish Motorcyclists’ Association) will be on stand A1 adjacent to the main entrance so why not stop by and say hello on your way in? As ever you’ll be able to join up or renew your membership at the show and a team of MAG Ireland volunteers will be on hand throughout the weekend with all the latest information and advice on issues affecting Irish riders as well as the latest from Europe. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the weekend. There will also be a raffle. To enter the draw you need a valid Membership number and go to stand A1 to register, there will be a prize per day and an overall prize for the show, Main draw and Sunday's draw will be at 16.00 on Sunday with each daily draw one hour before closing i.e Friday at 19.30 Sat at 17.00. any member that can't attend the show can email office@magireland.org with your current membership No and will be entered in the daily prize draw. The 2017 show will feature the AMD International Custom Bike Building Competition and the weekend’s entertainment includes Ace Global Stunt Starz competition, Ace Cafe Classic Motorbikes & Scooters Display, plus the ever spectacular Purple Helmets stunt riders return to Dublin for what’s sure to be madcap entertainment. Flat track racing is back (and you can have a go) while there will also be test rides plus the usual bargains and as ever there’s much more besides going on right across the show weekend. Full details and a list of exhibitors are on the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter show web site at: ‘First Bike on Scene’ members get insurance discount Following on from last issue's story: First Bike on Scene (FBoS) course provider B.I.K.E.R.S. Training (www.bikerstraining.com) are celebrating their fifth birthday. FBoS would like to add that FBoS-qualified riders are entitled to claim a €30 discount on their insurance quote from Principal Insurance. MAG attends FEMA Annual General Meeting in BrusselsOn Friday 3rd February last, our Chairman & European Liaison Peter Bartlett flew out to Brussels to represent MAG Ireland (The Irish Motorcyclists’ Association) the annual general meeting of FEMA – The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations. FEMA meetings are held several times a year and provide an opportunity for riders representatives from across Europe to meet and share information about what’s happening on the ground in their respective countries as well as exchange information and collaborate on common challenges such as EU regulations affecting motorcycling. Thanks to our participation in FEMA, we in MAG Ireland are able to leverage the work done by other much larger and better resourced motorcycling organisations in Europe. By borrowing from their collective research we’re much better positioned to deliver solid evidence-based proposals in support of motorcycling to policy makers here in Ireland. Feature: The trouble with TrikesThe subject of trikes has been something of a hot potato over the past year or so with several owners reporting difficulty with licensing, insurance or both. One insurance industry executive recently told MAG Ireland the situation was “troubling” and noted that underwriters were shying away from “non-standard” risks, while another told of an engineer’s report describing one particular machine as a “cut and shut” and “basically uninsurable”. The most common issue for riders new to trikes is licensing. The bottom line is this: If you obtained your full car license prior to 19th January 2013 you have an entitlement to ride a trike. On or after that date you need a full motorcycle license in the relevant category. Motorcycles must display Crit'air stickers to ride in Paris, Grenoble or LyonAccording to MSL : Motorists planning to visit Paris, Grenoble or Lyon must now display a Crit’Air anti-pollution sticker on their vehicle. The new Crit’Air anti-pollution sticker system comes into force in March 2017, and applies to both French and foreign vehicles, including cars, bikes and trucks entering the controlled zones. There are six different levels of certification (with different colour stickers for each) based on the vehicle age and engine type, which allows the local councils to ban some or all categories of vehicles at times when air pollution levels are high. Firm behind the Insure My websites slapped on the wrist over fake testimonialsIRISH INSURANCE PROVIDER Insuremymotorbike.ie has been cautioned by Ireland’s advertising watchdog for publishing fake testimonials from customers on its website. Ed: As of writing the site has a notice Site under maintenance - Apologies for any inconvenience caused Further info at: Penalty points for mobile phone use could be increased...TRANSPORT MINISTER SHANE Ross has said he is open to increasing penalty points for some offences if it saves lives. OECD report on improving motorcycle safety.Years in the making and with some serious input from FEMA, FIM and other bodies... DUBLIN CAR TRADER JAILED FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION BY COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION16 February 2017: Today, Judge John Brennan of Dublin District Court convicted former Dublin car trader, Mr Jonathan McSherry, and sentenced him to three months in prison for providing a consumer with false information in relation to the mileage of a car. The sentencing of Mr McSherry, who was trading at Station Road Autos, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, follows an investigation and subsequent prosecution by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The CCPC opened this investigation to determine whether Mr McSherry had engaged in a misleading commercial practice contrary to the Consumer Protection Act 2007. This followed a complaint to the CCPC from a consumer regarding a vehicle they had purchased from him. Commenting, Isolde Goggin, Chairperson of the CCPC said, “Misleading a consumer in the sale of a car is not only costly to the consumer, but critically, it could be dangerous. Therefore, we welcome the outcome of today’s proceedings. “If a consumer doesn’t know what the true mileage of a car is, then they can’t accurately judge the true condition of the car or realise that parts which should be in good working order might be at the point where they are about to fail. “Traders should take note, that if they mislead consumers about vehicles they are selling or if they sell defective vehicles, they are breaking the law. This year we are stepping up our monitoring of the vehicle sector, and will use our powers to challenge and take enforcement action, including prosecution, against traders found to be misleading consumers. “If anyone has information regarding a trader, that they believe has provided false information about a car’s condition or mileage, they should contact the CCPC’s consumer helpline on 1890 432 432 or email us at ask@ccpc.ie. Extensive information about what to look out for when buying a car is available from the CCPC’s website, www.consumerhelp.ie.”
Cyclists push for safe overtaking lawCyclists are campaigning for a law requiring drivers to maintain a specified safe distance while overtaking a cyclist. Further info below. The Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) Bill 2017 was published this month by Fine Gael TDs Ciarán Cannon and Regina Doherty, the Government chief whip. They are seeking support from Transport Minister Shane Ross and the transport spokespersons of other political parties. Indian motorcycles resume sales in Ireland after short breakIndian Motorcycles, last sold in Ireland in 1916, are coming ‘home’ to Dublin next month, bringing their American heritage that stretches from their inaugural motor-bicycles first introduced in 1901 to their iconic Scout and Chief models. Irish eyes will smile at the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS in Dublin from March 3rd – 5th, when the legacy of Dubliner, Charles Bayly Franklin will be introduced to his homeland for the first time in one hundred years. Franklin Motorcycles is the first company to be granted sole dealer rights in the Republic of Ireland for Indian Motorcycles, honouring Charles Bayly Franklin, the Dublin electrical engineer who left Ireland in 1917, his shop at 10, Wicklow Street closing the year previously, to become their chief designer and the creator of the original Indian Scout and Indian Chief motorcycles of the roaring 1920s. Born on Dublin’s Whitworth Road, Drumcondra in 1880, Charles Bayly Franklin grew up at the very start of motoring, his love affair with Indians beginning with time trials at Velvet Strand, Portmarnock, where his sublime racing talent was recognised. This culminated with him being picked on the British Team that competed in Europe, whereon one of his return journeys he was part of the planning that created the world famous Isle of Man TT races. Charles’s talent as a racer subsequently earned him a place on the Indian manufacturer’s team that won first, second and third places in the 1911 Isle of Man TT, Charles taking a very credible second place. After
his racing career he joined Indian as a design engineer 1917, going on to produce the Indian Scout and Indian Chief, motorcycles whose legacy still remains fresh to this day.
Are motorbikes a barometer of India's economy?India's latest economic growth numbers are expected to reflect the impact that the sudden withdrawal of currency notes in November had on the country. So how has the economy been doing? Sales of two-wheelers are among the best indicators. More info at... Help to protect motorcycling - Join UsMAG Ireland represents Irish riders and is funded by Irish riders but we can only do what we do thanks to the financial support of our members subscriptions. It now costs just €20 for a years membership, that’s less than 6 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 (See below). 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. FollowYou can follow MAG Ireland on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, RSS, email newsletter or website. We aim to make it easy to keep up with everything we're doing no matter what platform you prefer to use. Join us online today...
Help NeededMAG Ireland is interested in hearing from riders with relevant expertise to assist the effort.
Help OfferedWe are interested in hearing from riders with a specific issue or campaign which they are pursuing at an individual or local level. We're currently following up a number of parking issues for example. Let us know what's happening in your locality.
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