MAG Ireland

Peanut2011

I've come across these guys a number of times and I can see what they are about, however I am wondering of there are any MAG members out there that can share their reason for joining?

The membership fee is not that bad at all but the question is what do you get for it and why did you join??

The Don

I joined over the weekend at the bike show.

They have discounts for some stores but I just joined up in order to add myself to the number of members.

The more members they have the bigger the clout when they talk to the government.

paddy147

The Don wrote: »

I joined over the weekend at the bike show.

They have discounts for some stores but I just joined up in order to add myself to the number of members.

The more members they have the bigger the clout when they talk to the government.

Well we have groups like that allready.

They are called unions.

They take your money and are supposedly there to represesnt you and back you up all the time and also in tough times.

What happens when they "talk" to Enda Kenny and co???

Sweet fcuk all happens......they all fold and cave in to whatever Kenny and Gilmore says.:rolleyes::eek::mad:




Im sure that Kenny and Gilmore are now sh1tting themselves at the prospect of MAG wanting to "talk" to them.:pac:

Hotblack Desiato

Not a very constructive post Paddy. Having an organisation to represent the interests of bikers can only be a good thing. If you don't want to join, then don't.

CJhaughey

No-one else argues for bikers rights, Paddy.
NCT, Mandatory Hi-Viz, power limits, modifying restrictions etc etc.
Unions are whole other story and have no relevance in this thread.

Cienciano

I joined for the same reason the Don did. To add numbers.
I disagree with paddy. Bikers need a voice, we're not better off shutting up and saying nothing

maameeo

I'm a member of mag and i started volunteering with them in the past few months, they are constantly working for the rights of bikers and they are all volunteers doing it in their own time and because they believe bikers need a voice in ireland.
They sit down with the RSA and go through any new laws with fine combs. they are there when people need advise and they are very dedicated.

I can see if anyone on the board is a boardsie to come here and chat with anyone who wants to ask questions or volunteer.


And most importantly i wouldnt have met guy martin this weekend if it wasnt for one of the mag board members hehe!

Del2005

maameeo wrote: »

And most importantly i wouldnt have met guy martin this weekend if it wasnt for one of the mag board members hehe!

He was walking about the show on Sunday. Did you rob him as they where calling him over the PA loads of times just after I saw him?

maameeo

Del2005 wrote: »

He was walking about the show on Sunday. Did you rob him as they where calling him over the PA loads of times just after I saw him?

hehe no, was sat night after show in the bar, put a pic in the bikeshow thread. got to chat with him. much better then seeing him walk around the show!

Did you see him talk to parrish on the stage? "drink and fannies"... aww hes gas!


And back on topic, A mag board member will be on later to talk to ya'll

carsQhere

Peanut2011 wrote: »

I've come across these guys a number of times and I can see what they are about, however I am wondering of there are any MAG members out there that can share their reason for joining?

The membership fee is not that bad at all but the question is what do you get for it and why did you join??

Reason for joining? I believe that people who ride bikes should have a voice in the policies that affect riders. Laws once enacted are seldom repealed and the individual will never have any real influence on the process - only an organised lobby group can achieve that, and even then it'll be tough.

What do you get for it? Well the tangible benefits are a couple of vouchers. The intangible benefits are the dedication and enthusiasm of a small group of about a dozen active volunteers (including myself these days) who give freely of their particular skills and abilities with the aim of improving the lot of everyone on two wheels.

Right now there are a couple of "hot" issues such as the RSA's vehicle modifications proposal, the EU's Roadworthiness Testing (NCT for Bikes) proposal, and the whole licensing/testing situation arising from the third driving license directive.

There are ongoing issues too and they are well explained here so I won't repeat all that.

MAG Ireland engages with the relevant bodies in various consultation processes, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Examples here if you're interested.

Historically MAG Ireland has had problems attracting and maintaining the support of riders for a variety of reasons. There are changes underway which kicked off in 2010 and are still in progress.

The biggest change is communications. MAG Ireland is actively engaging with riders now through the facebook page and twitter feed and of course keeping people informed via the web site at: http://www.magireland.org/

The latest initiative is a smart phone app for iOS and most Android phones which is free to download and use for members and non-members alike. This is (as far as we can tell) a first for any riders group in Europe and you'll find it here.

For me MAG is not about what I get in terms of discounts or whatever. Instead, it's about protecting something I believe in. The freedom of choice, the freedom of association, the freedom of being able to ride my bike my way without undue interference from people who don't ride motorcycles telling me why I shouldn't be allowed to ride mine.

That's about it really Feel free to ask whatever. If I can answer I will.