NEWS
|
If you are among that rarified breed which reads both BSH and our little brat sister magazine, Streetfighters, you may notice substantial similarities in this month’s editorials. We very rarely, if ever, replicate subject matter in our respective editorials, and have never, as far as I can recall, ever run the parallel commentaries that we are choosing to print this month. But some subjects are so important that they demand syndication and repetition; this is such an occasion.
A short while ago we received an email from the Motorcycle Action Group, concerning its recent meeting with the chairman of the committee of EU Internal Marketing and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and their discussions of the Anti-Tampering Regulation and other issues, which are currently passing through the EU legislative process.
If the Anti-Tampering Regulation, and its many other associated proposals, is passed, it will be the end of custom motorcycle building in the UK - all of it - and, quite possibly, of any motorcycle modification at all. We’re going to keep it as simple as we can.
If you want to be prohibited from modifying any part of the power train of your motorcycle - that’s every component from the airbox to the profile of the rear tyre, meaning you can’t even fit an aftermarket airbox filter - or from altering your gearing or tuning your engine, all of which will be banned, as well as any sort of engine tuning, will be banned - then stop reading now.
If you would be happy for the only modifications legally allowed on your bike to consist of factory-approved parts, and everything - everything from the spark plug - to be off-limits to anyone but servicing dealers, and mods to be recorded on your logbook, then stop reading now.
If you want permanent ABS to become compulsory equipment for all road bikes, stop reading now.
If you want your headlights to be permanently switched on as required by law, irrespective of whether this is safe, sensible or stupid, stop reading now.
If you want On-Board Diagnostics to be introduced so that, at any time, you can be stopped and information about your riding style, emissions, etc, can be downloaded via datalogger-type equipment, revealing all of your movements, minor speed limit infringements and slight mistakes, stop reading now.
If you want the sale of all aftermarket parts intended for dual road/competition use - your nice new K&N air filter, or crash bungs, or swinging arm bobbins, for example - to become completely illegal, then stop reading now.
If you want to be forced by law to wear full sleeve day-glo clothing at all times, as currently proposed by the French and Irish governments, stop reading now.
If you think it’s a good idea for all motorcycles over seven years old to be banned from urban areas, then stop reading now.
Every single one of these things is included in a list of EU regulatory proposals currently under consideration by the IMCO, which will vote on them in early October. If any or all of them pass, they will be swiftly moved up to the European Parliament. If any or all of them pass through Parliament, then, as ‘Framework Regulations’, they will automatically come into force in the UK. That’s it. There will be no votes in the Commons or the Lords. No democratic process or consultation. Most people won’t even know this is happening until it’s six months behind them. And then it will be way, way too late.
If the Anti-Tampering Regulation passes into law, it means there is a very real chance that custom motorcycle building, modification and alteration will cease entirely.
We must not let that happen. We’re not talking a few years down the line - the vote is in October. What can you do? Join the MAG demo on Sunday September 25th 2011. This, with your help, is going to be a massive nationwide event. At midday, ride to your local motorway service station, transport café or meeting point* where, hopefully, you will find a load of motorcyclists already waiting. Then, at precisely 1pm, leave the meeting point and ride, sedately at 45-50mph (crucially, at a slower speed than lorries use), across the UK’s entire motorway and main road network, for as long as you wish. Slow the traffic. Cause an obstruction. Make your point.
Of course, you can stay at home on September 25th if you like. As with most demonstrations, it’s easy to leave it to someone else. And there’s the lawn needs mowing, after all. And the cat’s got worms. And there’s a really good film on the telly that you’ve only seen twice. But if you do stay at home, you will have done nothing to stop MEPs destroying the custom and competition motorcycle industries here in the UK. Your silence is consent. Your apathy is agreement. Your ignorance is complicity.
If you want to keep custom and modified bikes of all kinds, if you love racing and competition (whether taking part or spectating), if you want to preserve the communities, the companies, the clubs and the camaraderie that accompany them, then get out there on the 25th and fight for it.
WILL and BLUE
(BSH magazine & Streetfighters magazine)
More details: www.mag-uk.org and www.ridersarevoters.org
* The MAG
website will carry details of some of the main meeting points. Check the
list out for your nearest one
(Republished courtesy of Back Street Heroes Magazine)
******************************************************************************
Abigail Donation Fund Run
Thanks to everyone who turned up for Abigail fund run, poor little mite was a bit scared when a bunch of bikers turned up and with the noise from the bikes it was a bit nerve racking for her but after a while she was ok with us, bless her. In the end the members decided to up her fund to £300 plus we gave her a club tee shirt, club patch, and moo moo a cuddly cow. Also £30 in cash just for her to spend on herself, as we had a whip round before we went. Abigail family said how much they appreciated the donation and would like to say a big thank you to the White Hart Bikers.
Just to inform you that the news clip in the Nottm Evening Post about Abigail Bradley fund run got some of the information wrong, they was told the money was coming from the White Hart Bikers not the Phoenix Bikers, plus they were told the White Hart is in Lenton, Not Sawley and also that Abigail tee shirt had her name on it, not her picture. Hope this answers any confusion.
************************************************************************
It was a long time coming but most of the members have come to the decision on naming the club
THE PHOENIX BIKE CLUB
As you can see at the top of the home page is the new logo for the club, shown it to the existing members and by a majority we choose the above logo
AGM Report at White Hart 7th April
New club name
Going to keep this short and sweet first on the agenda was picking of the new club name, quite a few names was brought forward and we was ticking them off one by one as we went through them, it came down to the name PISTON HEADS BC but since then looking more into it there are a lot of clubs with the same name, so it looks like might go to the second option which was PHOENIX BC will keep you posted on the outcome, hmmmm been down this road before me thinks.
Membership fees
The members agreed to pay £10 for membership and includes club tee shirt or £15 for membership club tee shirt and patch. Or if you don't want the tee shirt or patch it will be just £5 on which will be the annual fee. It was also agreed that new members will get the same deal.
Club funds
As agreed before at the last meeting the club funds will be split, one half goes to the clubs party and the other half goes to charity, it was decided by the members that £100 goes to the Air Ambulance and £300 goes to the Abigail Bradley fund, who is aged 9 and suffers from cerebral palsy and needs SLR ( Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy ) treatment to help her to walk normal, the treatment cost £40.000 in America on which it was the only place to have it done, but now the treatment has recently become available in Bristol for £22.000. there will be updates on the progress of the charity funds.
Other Topics agreed by the members
Free advertising on the web site as long its got a motorbike connection.
No weekly subs as agreed from the last meeting.
Still meet at the White Hart but will be run out's to other pubs and bike clubs.
New club name will be ending in BC.
Web site fees are covered for the next two years.
Ride out's, still a lack of people coming forward to organize a ride out.
Committee members as goes Steve Mannering (Secretary)", David Appleby (Treasurer), Tim Cope ( committee member ) and me still the web master.
AOB ( Any other buisness )
It was mentioned that the home page on the web site had to many link buttons, this will be looked into.
On a last note it was disappointing quite a few existing members not renew there membership, as it was said before the club name is only changing, and when it comes to handing over cheque to a charity its nice to know what bike club it came from and that you are a part of that bike club. But what ever the reason is let's hope we all can meet up to socialize, have a drink and go for future run out's together.
Martyn (Boon) Dickinson
*************************************************************************
Alex Logan and his brother Ben, five, enjoy sitting on a Triumph motorcycle after Alex celebrated his fourth birthday with the help of some Nottingham bikers. Alex is suffering from leukaemia and after his family booked a party for him at the White Hart, the pub's bikers club offered to take over the preparations. They decorarted the pub in with baloons and banners and laid on the food and party games. They also hoped to raise money for the CLIC Sargent cancer charity. Alex mum Debbie said " we're overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by the White Hart pub and White Hart Bikers Club.
Report came from the Nottingham Evening Post
|
I
think both governments need there heads knocking together
The UK Government has unilaterally decided to end the reciprocal health agreement with the Isle of Man (see http://www.gov.im/lib/news/dhss/ministerwarnsoff.xml ) This means that, from April 2010, UK residents visiting the island will no longer be covered for medical care and Manx residents will no longer be covered for medical care should they be taken ill in the UK . Anyone taking a ferry to the Isle of Man will need to have health insurance. If
you don't agree with this and would like to let the British
Government know your feelings, sign the official petition on the
No.10 website here -
|
Thanks from Steve
Steve and his family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all of you who attended Di's funeral service. We asked for a good turnout to accompany Di on her last earthly ride and boy did we get one. Someone counted 71 bikes at the crematorium and I know well over 50 of them left Steve's place to form the cortege. We know others among you came by car and on the bus and thus are part of this tribute. Steve told me that after the service he went home to change before joining us at the 3 Horse Shoes. He confessed that when he stepped through his front door the wave of emotion he experienced caused tears to flow. These tears were not just due to the fact that he had said his last goodbye to his beloved Diana but also due to you who attended and showed your love and support. During the service the preacher said that bikers were a special lot but I know Steve considers you all to be special among the special. There are times in life when as the saying goes "You find out who your real friends are". On this day not only did Steve find out who is friends were, but, how many he and Di had got. On the day the collection that took place among you raised £420 for Steve. Not only are you friends but generous friends to boot.
Much has been said of Di's courage and dignity during her illness but let us not forget that Steve shared those same qualities too and indeed was, to quote a phrase, "Diana's rock". We salute you Steve. We are all here should you need us.
Till we meet again may you all, Ride Safely
|
HUNDREDS of people came to Skegness for the 40th reunion for rockers and bikers at the Ship and Atlantic Bar, Castleton Boulevard, at the weekend.
Most of the people came from Nottingham
and Mansfield as they relived a youth spent riding out to Skegness during the
summer. There was no room left for the number of bikes which turned up, and 50s
and 60s music filled the air.
|
