Motorcycle Action Group not good

[wraith]

Just been reading The Road magazine that MAG dose. After reading a article that Ian Mutch, President of MAG has put in, I'm feeling a bit dismayed, so I will quote what he has put.

"Majority of riders in this country and in Europe around 98% don't deserve rights, they don't deserve liberties, they don't deserve motorcycles and they certainly don't deserve to enjoy the efforts of an organisation like MAG"

This is in as I say The Road that MAG sells to non members at stalls and gives to its members, it's in issue 48 on page 53 and it's about being a active member of MAG and riders not being a member. What gets me, is I always understood MAG as a riders right group for all bike riders not just MAG members with its mane thing as riders choices to do what they think is right but if this is the new thinking of MAG that you need to be a member of MAG and be active to have rights then I'm sending my membership card back.

[Katgeezer]

Methinks Mr Mutch is trying to drum up business and exposure by startingg an argument. Either that or he's lost the plot.

[mikefido]

What he's saying is that only 2% of motorcyclist across Europe are paying to support the various members of FEMA who in turn are watching for government anti-bike policies and acting to quash them before they can become law.
I've been a MAG member for 29 years now and I hate to think what would have happened in those 29 years if organisations like MAG didn't exist.
At the moment the worrying thing for me is the proposals to stop you making ANY modifications to your bike, even down to tyre choice.
All my bikes are modified, the GPZ and Katana have suspension modifications and my FJ1200 has a one off built hardtailed frame and most of the cycle parts are one off aswell.
If your not a member of any FEMA organisation then, with only 2% of motorcyclists being members and funding them, perhaps, in the not to distant future there will only be ex-motorcyclists groups to belong to as they've been legislated off the road.
I'd urge any motorcyclist to join MAG and help fund them to stop any anti bike legislation, as I care enough not only to be able to continue riding bikes but also being able to do what I want to modify my bikes without government interferance

[fossie]

In all honesty I completely understand what Ian mutch means. He is a dedicated, educated man with a passion for motorcycle in it's present form.
Firstly these comments were intended I believe for this debate to happen.

In a much much smaller vain with reference to this club I can associate , we have over 100 full members paid up , only 35-40 attend events but we have 3x that many who visit this site . These people feel they are part of the club community which they are , . So in essence this is the nature of a club.
However MAG is taking on polilticians with backing and agenda so just supporting the ideals is not enough, the coffers need topping up.

I am one of the 98% who support MAG and FEMA ideals who shout the shout but when my membership lapsed neglected to renew.
Sufficed to say shamed into renewal next month!
Lets face it my job depends on action groups really .

So Mr Mutch ......................job done.

[johnr]

i agree with mutchie. the overwhelming majority of bikers in the uk dont get involved in riders rights, its like society in general, millions of folk vote in the x factor, but many of them dont see a general election as something worth taking part in. some might see his words as abrasive and controverial, but mag has done so much for riders rights over the years and most bikers just think they are entitled to be protected but see no reason to participate or finance the organisation that saved us from 100bhp limits, leg protectors, compulsory hi viz etc. ive always been a mag member, indeed im a life member, and i always will remain a member.

[wraith]

well, looks like it gave you all something to think about , I'm not shore the wording was right that Mutchy used but I do get his point, I've been very active over the years with MAG and do think they have done alot of good, I just got fed up with all the infitting in MAG and most of the people in the local groups would not even report a pot hole but would go on about it to you at the bar haho
I will still soport mag but not as a member each to there owen or as mag says fredem of chose

[AndySwad]

I'm a member because it's included free in my Moto Guzzi membership but if it was not I would pay as I do support their actions