Wycombe MAG: Political Issues

The Motorcycle Action Group, as you may know was founded in 1973 to campaign for the voluntary, rather than compulsory use of crash helmets for motorcyclists. Since that time MAG has broadened it's scope considerably, making it the leading body campaigning on behalf of all motorised two-wheeled users in the U.K.

M.A.G. is first and foremost a riders rights organisation; the general maxim is that any restriction which unjustifiably inhibits the freedom and pleasures of motorcycling earns MAG's priority attention. Members and MAG officials currently liase with local, county, national and increasingly European authorities to ensure that the enjoyment and liberty of motorcycling is maintained for all riders in the future.

For national issues, please go to the relevant page at MAG UK.

Wycombe MAG has worked with local councils and authorities to ensure better facilities for 'Bike Riders in the Wycombe area: we are particularly proud that we have been instrumental in the provision of motorcycle parks in Wycombe Town Centre. In addition, we have been working with the local authorities into allowing motorcycles into the area's Bus Lanes: a project which, unfortunately has been going on for some time...

UPDATE!!!!

Following a lot of letter writing, nagging and a minor shift in local government attitudes nationally, Wycombe District Council started a trial of bikes in the London Road (A40 westbound) bus lane. It's for an 18 month period (from December 2008) after which a decision will be made whether or not not to make it permanent.

Also during this period the same extension has been granted to taxis who will also be evaluated with a view to alowing their ongoing use of the lane. Previously it's use had been restricted to buses (duh) and bicycles.

This obviously represents an opportunity to make for a slightly safer and potentially quicker run into town with reduced filtering and more elbow room. However:-

1)      The bus lane is not continuous. This means that every time it breaks you'll have traffic drifting back kerbwards from your right. It's a 'mare when you're driving a bus and I doubt we'll get as much consideration on bikes. Remember those lifesavers folks.

2)      We are being watched. Aside fom the roadside CCTV, Truvelos etc. a lot of buses now have full motion video cameras inside and out which the companies are more than happy to share with the council and police.

3)      This is a trial. It's taken a long time to get this far and will be reviewed. If human nature holds true to form then at that review all interested parties will be looking not to share with anybody else at it's conclusion. The taxi drivers and bus companies meet with the council on a regular basis and will obviously have a lot of input but also, as has happened in other trials, the cyclists seem to have a knack for letter writing too.

On the subject of letter writing, if you'd like to tell the council how your life has been enriched by the bus lane experience, this is the lady to send it to,

Trish Eastham,

Legal and Democratic Services,

County Hall,

Aylesbury,

Bucks

HP20 1UA

Let's make the best of this one.

If you think that Wycombe MAG should become involved with any particular issue relevant to bikers in the Wycombe area, please contact us, Jon