Category: Organisations

1. Helmet laws: not a question of safety, but a question of liberty

   Posted on 10:03am Sunday 2nd Feb 2014

   Lembit Öpik, the Motorcycle Action Group’s (MAG) Director of Communications & Public Affairs, has spoken out against the implied imposition of a mandatory helmet law for cyclists.

   The threat has arisen as a result of the Advertising Standards Agency’s (ASA) directive to Cycling Scotland, requiring them to feature cyclists wearing helmets, and refusing to authorise a television advertisement which showed a
   rider without a helmet – claiming that to do so would be ‘socially irresponsible.’

   Lembit says ‘in 1973, British motorcyclists suffered a hammer blow to their liberty with the introduction of a mandatory helmet law. Over the last four decades we have never wavered from our principled position of opposing this authoritarian regulation. It’s not because we’re against safety; rather it’s because we’re pro-choice. At the heart of any truly free society, citizens have the right to make personal decisions about their welfare and the level of risk they’re willing to entertain. No government has the moral authority to forcibly impose its opinion about what’s best for citizens, because such a move is counter to the very freedoms which democracy exists to uphold. As such, we offer our full support to Britain’s cyclists in opposing the mandatory wearing of helmets. This is a symbolic test of the liberty. A defeat on this would be a catastrophic failure of politicians to respect the personal liberty of the people.’

   MAG Chairman John Mitchell adds ‘I have instructed MAG’s Reps to provide whatever support is necessary to assist the British cycling community to successfully resist this ominous legislative menace. The ASA has effectively used its position to censor Cycling Scotland’s right to illustrate cyclists’ liberty to ride without a helmet. They have evidently not got the right to veto the portrayal of a legal activity, but the precedent is extremely dangerous. Their action has reignited an issue which has been quietly smouldering for some time as far as motorcyclists are concerned. Make no mistake, we’re ready, willing and able to take this issue to the politicians, and I have no doubt that
   this debate will now extend to bikers as well as cyclists. The Cycle Touring Club, which represents cyclists is firmly against compulsory helmet use, as it feels that mandatory helmet use will reduce the numbers of those people who take up cycling. What unites us all is our belief in personal choice. The very last thing elected politicians who ignore this can expect is an easy ride.’

   
   www.mag-uk.org

2. Future looks bright for Wheels 2 Work – the number of schemes in the UK rose by a third last year

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 27th Jan 2014

   The Wheels 2 Work concept received a vote of confidence this week with an endorsement from Transport Minister Robert Goodwill, who was pleased to announce that the number of schemes has risen 35% since 2012. At the beginning of 2013 there were 24 schemes. There are now 33, with several others in the pipeline.

   Speaking at the Wheels 2 Work Association’s (W2WA) second annual conference in London on Wednesday 22nd, Goodwill sympathised with the “chicken and egg situation” that exists for people who are unemployed in the countryside and can’t afford transport, which prevents them from getting jobs. He stated: “Wheels 2 Work is one solution to that problem. That’s why we have supported schemes through ... the establishment of the Wheels 2 Work Association.”

   The Minister also welcomed a new handbook, launched this week by the W2WA, which sets out best practice for running a scheme. The Minister summarised this as: “Clear, concise and includes everything you need to set up a new scheme or improve the running of an existing initiative.”

   He also related a story about how he had been a W2W “pioneer” himself, in buying a former young employee a motorcycle, the cost of which was deducted from his wages each week.

   Chairman of the Wheels 2 Work Association Nigel Dotchin says the Minister sent clear signals regarding funding: “Innovation and working in partnership seem to be key elements in a successful funding bid. The Minister mentioned the importance of working with Local Enterprise Partnerships several times, which Wheels 2 Work schemes looking for funding will need to take on board.”

   Endorsed by young politicians

   The W2W concept was also endorsed by 19 year old Gabi Ohlsen, the Young Person’s Representative on a Parliamentary working group set up to tackle rural isolation. Gabi is a staunch advocate of affordable and accessible travel for young people, and came to address the conference to offer her support. She considers the Wheels 2 Work concept is the most appropriate way to tackle a lack of transport for those living in the countryside, who may well have unemployed parents too. One study she highlighted described these as a growing “rural underclass”.

   The group Gabi belongs to have looked at a number of alternatives to provide rural transport, but W2W seems to be a favourite: “Wheels 2 Work is effective and innovative as it helps on an individual basis, serving individual needs. It’s much more cost effective than running a bus to all the different villages and hamlets. I thoroughly believe that all young people should know about it and have access to it, if they are in need of the service. The fact is there has been very little political discourse on rural isolation, even though it affects many many young people.”

   Schemes also received good news regarding saving money:

   · A ‘standard unit of delivery’ has been compiled through collating average costs from all schemes. This will allow schemes to know what others are paying for the same services and so seek better deals.

   · Protective clothing can now be bought at nearly half the price some schemes have been paying for it, thanks to a procurement programme, which saw Oxford Products Ltd win the tender. Procurement for other services will be looked at for the future.

    

   What is Wheels 2 Work?

   Wheels 2 Work schemes are run independently by councils, charities, social enterprises and sometimes dealerships – offering the loan of a moped, motorcycle or scooter to people who would otherwise not be able to access work relying on public or private transport.

   Young people get help with the right training and they are issued with protective clothing, which they have to wear. This means they are introduced to motorcycling in a safe and structured way and the schemes have excellent safety records as a result. Typically these help young people, who live in rural areas, but increasingly the schemes are opening in urban areas too.

   Mobile carers are one group who are often keen to take up this offer, as it offers a cost effective way of getting between clients. These schemes literally change lives, offering mobility for economic and personal use, thereby reducing social exclusion on both counts.

   Where does the Wheels 2 Work Association come in?

   This is funded through a Department for Transport grant. The W2WA was launched 12 months ago, to help spread best practice (this is vital to ensure the long term survival of schemes.

   New wave of W2W schemes

   W2W first began in the 1990s with Countryside Agency funding, but many schemes did not survive (falling to a low of 24, from a height of around 60). Building in a ‘self sustaining’ element is key and the schemes which have survived the longest have managed to do this. A number of additional schemes are in various stages of development, but will swell the numbers in the next 12 months.

   www.wheels2workassociation.org

3. Vintage Motor Cycle Club CEO James Hewing to step down on 31/12/13

   Posted on 10:22am Tuesday 26th Nov 2013

   After over nine years at Allen House I will be stepping down from my role as CEO of the VMCC LTD effective 31/12/13.

   As many of you who know me might imagine, this has been a very difficult decision for me and it is one which I have been wrestling with for some time. However, after nearly a decade in the role I felt it was time to seek a fresh challenge which allowed me to use my experience & skills in a new area. Whilst something of a cliché I am also looking forward to having more weekend time with my young family who I have neglected at times, especially over the past few springs and summers. I am delighted that many VMCC members I have met over the years have become good friends and  I am looking forward to remaining a VMCC member myself whilst taking part in VMCC runs & events as a “civilian”!

   My role here at the VMCC has been an extremely satisfying one and I am very proud of what the team here at Allen House has achieved. Against a backdrop of failing membership numbers within similar organisations we have seen huge growth in this area and events such as The VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes have brought us to the attention of a new, younger audience. I am confident that the foundations laid in recent years can now be built upon to bring further success to this wonderful, unique organisation.

   I also want to reassure VMCC Members and key stakeholders alike that I will be involved in the handover to ensure a smooth transition to what I believe will be a new management structure which will be based around the Club’s elected Directors.  

   Finally I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of support and encouragement I have received over the years in the job that some had described as “an impossible task”. Leading a membership based organisation of so many differing views, interests and opinions has certainly been a challenge but is one I wouldn’t have missed it for the World!

   With Kindest Regards

   James

   James Hewing, CEO, VMCC LTD.     

4. The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) has announced that...

   Posted on 7:45am Saturday 23rd Nov 2013

   former MP Lembit Öpik has become the organisation’s new Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

   MAG UK has also announced that Lembit won’t be tackling the communications and public affairs challenge alone. He will be working with biking campaigns guru, Dr Leon Mannings.

   Lembit’s knowledge and contacts in the world of politics can only benefit MAG UK and bring new life and maybe even a bit of fun back into biking.

   At the very worst, MAG UK will get loads of publicity and if that means people sitting up and looking – surely that can only be a good thing.

    

5. National Ride to Work Day - June 17th

   Posted on 8:39am Wednesday 12th Jun 2013

   This year's Ride to Work day is less than a week away and is your opportunity to save time, money and encourage others to take to two wheels and commute on a motorbike or scooter more regularly.

   It's easy to get involved - simply swap the car for the bike on Monday 17th June and encourage your friends to do the same! Don't forget non bike-riding friends can get a taste of life on two wheels through the industry approved Get On campaign which provides an accessible route into motorcycling.

   www.ridetoworkday.co.uk