Could anyone tell me a little more about MAG Scotland? Is it a government funded body or a local pressure group and do they have an open web based forum? 8-)

Hi Netwarrior

In answer to your question about MAG Scotland. MAG Scotland is the Scottish region of MAG UK, consisting of all Full and affiliated Motorcycle Action Group members living in Scotland.

MAG is a riders rights organisation, whose principal objectives are to promote motorcycling and preserve our freedom to ride our bikes without undue interference from those would legislate to prevent us from enjoying the freedom that biking in all its diverse forms represents.

The Motorcycle Action Group, (MAG), is a voluntary organisation, drawing membership from across the whole spectrum of motorcycling.

MAG is a truly democratic organisation with a well- established constitution which enshrines the rights and responsibilities of the individual. The constitution provides the means and guidance by which every individual member can influence policy and direction.

In the UK MAG membership stands at 50,000, made up from individual, corporate and club subscriptions. There are 4 full- time staff, a part time employee and a contractor employed by the organisation. Funding is raised from membership subscriptions, events and commercial partnerships.

Though nowadays MAG takes part in a number and range of forums, committees and bodies which discuss motorcycling issues, helping put forward the views and experience of riders. MAG is entirely funded from bikers and motorcycling companys that support our principals or provide services to our members.

MAG is highly motivated, lean, efficient, economic and very effective. MAG is a non - profit making organisation and all income is reinvested into campaigning and lobbying in pursuit of the MAG Mission to Defend and Fight for Riders Rights.

MAG was born out of protest against legislation, introduced in 1973, making it compulsory to wear a crash helmet. Since then MAG has evolved from a rebel, single issue fringe group to a highly respected political lobbying and campaigns group which is central to all aspects of policy and legislation affecting motorcycling. MAG operates at the European, National, Regional and Local levels. MAG can, and does make a difference. We are respected for our responsible contributions which are informed, objective and which enrich the political debate. Throughout this evolution MAG has remained faithful to its core principles of freedom of choice and self - determination.

MAG believes that motorcycling is about freedom of expression, being at one with your machine, the immediate environment, and the elements. Above all it is about camaraderie and friendship. In a world of increasing regulation and conformity motorcycling represents one of the last bastions of individuality and diversity.

This freedom of expression and individuality is not a ‘given’; it has to be protected and fought for. This is why every part of MAG is focussed on promoting motorcycling and to represent, protect and defend the interests of riders.

To get a full flavour of what MAG is about and the range of issues that we get involved with check out the MAG UK web site

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and look through some of the National Committe minutes posted on the site while the MAG Scotland site

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will give a flavour of what we are doing in Scotland.

Hope this answers your questions.

went to the meets long time ago pub at haymarket station
pub at kirkcauldy queens way i think not there any more riped down now

Hi Maddog

Always good to hear from former members. Nowadays Edinburgh MAG meet at the Meadows Bar Buccleuch Street Edinburgh 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month, while West Lothian MAG meet at the Dovehill Arms, Main Street, Uphall (Opposite C & J wilsons) on the 2nd Monday of the month. Feel free to come along to any of the meetings and see what we are up to these days.(Meetings start at 8.30pm)

Also anyone interested in a good rally next weekend, could do worse than to pay the Edinburgh MAG Ag Ol anns an Achaidh rally near West Calder a visit. A selection of bands, good food and a cheap bar should ensure a lively party atmosphere on Friday and Saturday nights. While if you can't make that there's always the demo run at 12 noon for 12.30 departure on Saturday 2nd June from Regent Road, Edinburgh for an escourted run along Princes Street.

This years theme is road pricing and why bikes as a non-congestion causing mode should be exempt. OK so its only an idea at the moment, but if this goes ahead it threatens satalite tracking of all vehicles and introduction of ISA (Intellegant Speed Adaption) by the back door.

Hi Netwarrior

ISA intellegant Speed Adaption is a satellite driven system fitted to vehicles which monitors the vehicles position using global positioning technology. An overlay of speed limits pertanent to the vehicles position on the road can be used either to automatically issue speeding tickets for any violation of the speed limit or can be used in conjunction with the vehicles engine management system or ignition system to prevent the vehicle being driven over the speed limit.

Some might argue that this is fair enough, since in theory no one should be exceeding the speed limit, but in practice in the real world most of us have experienced situations where we've had to accelerate out of trouble. Nor is this the only drawback of this sort of technology for us, the dynamics of riding a bike particularly while cornering means that any sudden loss of power can seriously destabilise the bike and prompt a loss of control. OK most changes in speed limits occur on straight sections of road, but GPS is only accurate to about 10m and if you are passing close to a road with a different limit or under or over such a road there is no guarantee that the system will not kick in. Sure over time such technical difficulties could probably be overcome, but the human aspect of interfacing with such systems will remain.

The other real danger for us is that those using the system tend to end up relying on the system to regulate their speed to the posted limit rather than the road conditions applicable. This tends to reduce their attention to the task of actualy driving the vehicle. So any gains from a road safety perspective in enforcing absolute compliance with speed limits might stop the 5% of accidents where excessive speed is the causation of an accident and reduce the 15% where speed is a contributing factor, but are very unlikely to stop the 30 to 40% of accidents down to inattention and may well make this aspect much more likely. With of course the real losers being vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclist and motorcyclists.

God, that's Orwellian Weavie.

Perhaps my reference to 'The Prisoner' in my earlier post was more relevant than I first thought!

[quote="Weavie"]Hi Maddog

Always good to hear from former members. Nowadays Edinburgh MAG meet at the Meadows Bar Buccleuch Street Edinburgh 1st and 3rd Mondays of the Month, while West Lothian MAG meet at the Dovehill Arms, Main Street, Uphall (Opposite C & J wilsons) on the 2nd Monday of the month. Feel free to come along to any of the meetings and see what we are up to these days.(Meetings start at 8.30pm)

will try and get a long to the dovehill arms one
but are non members welcome [not long back to bikes, yes mid life and all that]

Yes Maddog

Non members are welcome and don't worry we don't go in for the hard sell. Anyone with an interest in bikes is OK with us

any one else want a wee trip to mag. nights are getting better

we can try and make it a wee club run
any more fancy it

there is a meeting this monday 11th