In relation to the ongoing ban on motorcycles in Buslanes, MAG are organising a 'Ride to Rules Demonstration'. This will take place on Tuesday 7th October 2008, during morning rush hour traffic (for maximum effect).
It is planned that the Demonstration will commence from four separate locations (see Poll) and converge simultaneously in one central location at Merrion Square in Dublin City Centre.
The idea is for each of the four groups to contain 15-20 riders. These riders will travel along their designated route in mainstream traffic (ie,. Not in bus lanes) riding in single, staggered formation ,approximately one car length apart . It is envisioned that each rider will be equipped with high vis clothing with a slogan on rear.
As the Poll results come in, we will be posting further information and will arrange information meetings with all participants closer to the date.
MAG would be grateful for your support.
poll to follow.
..............................
see below for letters to and from the RSA.
MAG letter to RSA in Relation to Buslane Issue
Mr. Noel Brett
Chief Executive Officer
Road Safety Authority
Moy Valley Business Park,
Primrose Hill,
Dublin Road,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo.
24/07/2008
Re: Motorcyclists and Bus Lanes
Dear Mr. Brett,
It was with surprise and no little anger that we read the headline article on Wednesday’s Irish Times motor supplement indicating that the RSA has decided to recommend to the Minister for Transport that motorcyclists should remain banned from bus lanes following the RSA’s commissioning of a report from the Transport Research Laboratory which apparently indicates that there is “little or no” safety benefit from allowing them to do so.
In the first place, we had understood from previous correspondence with your goodself that MAG Ireland would be at least afforded an opportunity to present our case to the RSA on the issue before any decision was made. As the only representative group for motorcyclists and moped riders in this country we have always felt that we should be involved as an essential stakeholder in any discussion process on this issue and it it all the more disappointing to note that not only are we not considered relevant as a stakeholder, but further that our opinions are obviously considered to be of no relevance at all in any such consultative process. If not us, then who?
With regard to the actual decision which you have apparently made, whilst obviously the essence of your brief is to consider issues such as bikers in bus lanes from a safety point of view, if the recommendations of the report are that there is little or no safety benefit to allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes, then conversely there is also no reason from a safety perspective to recommend that they should not be allowed into bus lanes. If the information quoted in the newspaper is correct, then it would appear that motorcyclists are essentially safety neutral on this issue. However, it is well nigh impossible for us to comment without sight of the report from the Transport Research Laboratory and we therefore ask you to release a copy
of the report to the Board of MAG Ireland for it’s consideration. Otherwise we will have no choice other than to request same under the FOI procedure. Perhaps you would also let us know how much the Irish Taxpayer paid for this report?
We note from our records that we wrote to you on the 11th of September last in this issue and in replying, you indicated that you would take the opinions of MAG Ireland on board before making any decision. Whilst the RSA is often happy to request other expertise from us it seems that on substantive issues such as this one, our opinion is ignored.
As you may be aware, many motorcyclists are outraged at the lack of consultation afforded to their community. As citizens, as taxpayers and lawful legitimate roadusers, we demand on our members behalf that our views should be taken into account.
Whilst safety is obviously one issue to be considered in this debate, MAG Ireland feels that the Minister, in his final decision making, should also consider other aspects which of necessity fall outside the brief of the RSA, these issues would include:-
1. Experience from other cities. Similar cities in the UK such as Bristol and Belfast have allowed motorcyclists to use bus lanes on a permanent basis and have reported significant improvement in accident rates. Have their experiences been taken into account in the RSA’s decision making?
2. Congestion. Dublin City Councils own traffic survey showed that motorcyclists were the only group to show a sigificant increase (30%) in commuting numbers. Many frustrated commuters are voting with their wallets by adopting the flexible, fuel efficient,and cheaper option of two wheels yet the relevant authorities appear to be choosing to ignore this fact.
3. Incomplete public transport infrastructure. The existing system of public transport simply does not often connect people between their homes and workplaces, or, if it does do so, it does not allow them the flexibility of moving employment to an alternative job location not served from their existing home address.
4. Points one and two above have generated a whole new breed of motorcyclists, many of whom use their two wheeled transport solely for commuting. Many of these do not feel safe in mixing in close proximity to cars and heavier vehicles. Whilst CBT will help in alleviating some of this, until CBT is introduced for all road users and the majority of road users are so trained (hence many years into the future) these risks will continue.
5. Perception. Whilst the report of the Transport Research Laboratory no doubt considers safety from a statistical point of view, we very much doubt that it has taken into account the perception of safety felt by motorcyclists. The feedback from our own members is that those who choose to use the bus lanes at present, knowing full well the risk of prosecution that same entails, do so because as vulnerable individuals they feel safer in the bus lane rather than mingling with cars and larger vehicles. Perception can be reality sometimes for those involved.
We therefore await, on behalf of the growing motorcycle community, your response on these isssues and ask you once again to let us have a copy of the report on which your decision appears to have been based. This issue and the report in Wednesday’s Irish Times has aroused considerable anger amongst motorcyclists and we will consider what further action may be taken by our organisation on receipt of your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Gearoid O’Byrne
Acting Chairman
MAG Ireland
Response from RSA
30th July 2008
Re Bus lanes and motorcycles
Dear Mr.Ó Byrne,
On behalf of Mr Gay Byrne Chairman of the road safety Authority and of Mr Noel Brett who is on leave at present I am responding to your letter of 24 July 2008 on the use of bus lanes by motorcyclists.
The report in the Irish Times of the 23 July is based on information obtained from the minutes of the Road Safety Authority Board meeting and not from the report prepared by the working group. The quotations used are those of the minutes and discussions by the Board on the matter. The report deals comprehensively with the rationale for not allowing motorcycles into bus lanes; as you would expect this takes account of the implications for all existing users of bus lanes.
The report of the Working Group is now with the Department of transport and awaits its consideration and final decision. Im advance of its deliberation I feel it would be inappropiate for the Road Safety Authority to make any comment at this time on the issue. I realise that you will find this frustrating but I would like you to get the chance to analyse the report in its entirety and I expect you will have that chance when the Department completes its work.
I am forwarding a copy of your letter to the Department so that it is aware of the issues you have raised.
Yours sincerely
Declan Naughton
Acting CEO
It is planned that the Demonstration will commence from four separate locations (see Poll) and converge simultaneously in one central location at Merrion Square in Dublin City Centre.
The idea is for each of the four groups to contain 15-20 riders. These riders will travel along their designated route in mainstream traffic (ie,. Not in bus lanes) riding in single, staggered formation ,approximately one car length apart . It is envisioned that each rider will be equipped with high vis clothing with a slogan on rear.
As the Poll results come in, we will be posting further information and will arrange information meetings with all participants closer to the date.
MAG would be grateful for your support.
poll to follow.
..............................
see below for letters to and from the RSA.
MAG letter to RSA in Relation to Buslane Issue
Mr. Noel Brett
Chief Executive Officer
Road Safety Authority
Moy Valley Business Park,
Primrose Hill,
Dublin Road,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo.
24/07/2008
Re: Motorcyclists and Bus Lanes
Dear Mr. Brett,
It was with surprise and no little anger that we read the headline article on Wednesday’s Irish Times motor supplement indicating that the RSA has decided to recommend to the Minister for Transport that motorcyclists should remain banned from bus lanes following the RSA’s commissioning of a report from the Transport Research Laboratory which apparently indicates that there is “little or no” safety benefit from allowing them to do so.
In the first place, we had understood from previous correspondence with your goodself that MAG Ireland would be at least afforded an opportunity to present our case to the RSA on the issue before any decision was made. As the only representative group for motorcyclists and moped riders in this country we have always felt that we should be involved as an essential stakeholder in any discussion process on this issue and it it all the more disappointing to note that not only are we not considered relevant as a stakeholder, but further that our opinions are obviously considered to be of no relevance at all in any such consultative process. If not us, then who?
With regard to the actual decision which you have apparently made, whilst obviously the essence of your brief is to consider issues such as bikers in bus lanes from a safety point of view, if the recommendations of the report are that there is little or no safety benefit to allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes, then conversely there is also no reason from a safety perspective to recommend that they should not be allowed into bus lanes. If the information quoted in the newspaper is correct, then it would appear that motorcyclists are essentially safety neutral on this issue. However, it is well nigh impossible for us to comment without sight of the report from the Transport Research Laboratory and we therefore ask you to release a copy
of the report to the Board of MAG Ireland for it’s consideration. Otherwise we will have no choice other than to request same under the FOI procedure. Perhaps you would also let us know how much the Irish Taxpayer paid for this report?
We note from our records that we wrote to you on the 11th of September last in this issue and in replying, you indicated that you would take the opinions of MAG Ireland on board before making any decision. Whilst the RSA is often happy to request other expertise from us it seems that on substantive issues such as this one, our opinion is ignored.
As you may be aware, many motorcyclists are outraged at the lack of consultation afforded to their community. As citizens, as taxpayers and lawful legitimate roadusers, we demand on our members behalf that our views should be taken into account.
Whilst safety is obviously one issue to be considered in this debate, MAG Ireland feels that the Minister, in his final decision making, should also consider other aspects which of necessity fall outside the brief of the RSA, these issues would include:-
1. Experience from other cities. Similar cities in the UK such as Bristol and Belfast have allowed motorcyclists to use bus lanes on a permanent basis and have reported significant improvement in accident rates. Have their experiences been taken into account in the RSA’s decision making?
2. Congestion. Dublin City Councils own traffic survey showed that motorcyclists were the only group to show a sigificant increase (30%) in commuting numbers. Many frustrated commuters are voting with their wallets by adopting the flexible, fuel efficient,and cheaper option of two wheels yet the relevant authorities appear to be choosing to ignore this fact.
3. Incomplete public transport infrastructure. The existing system of public transport simply does not often connect people between their homes and workplaces, or, if it does do so, it does not allow them the flexibility of moving employment to an alternative job location not served from their existing home address.
4. Points one and two above have generated a whole new breed of motorcyclists, many of whom use their two wheeled transport solely for commuting. Many of these do not feel safe in mixing in close proximity to cars and heavier vehicles. Whilst CBT will help in alleviating some of this, until CBT is introduced for all road users and the majority of road users are so trained (hence many years into the future) these risks will continue.
5. Perception. Whilst the report of the Transport Research Laboratory no doubt considers safety from a statistical point of view, we very much doubt that it has taken into account the perception of safety felt by motorcyclists. The feedback from our own members is that those who choose to use the bus lanes at present, knowing full well the risk of prosecution that same entails, do so because as vulnerable individuals they feel safer in the bus lane rather than mingling with cars and larger vehicles. Perception can be reality sometimes for those involved.
We therefore await, on behalf of the growing motorcycle community, your response on these isssues and ask you once again to let us have a copy of the report on which your decision appears to have been based. This issue and the report in Wednesday’s Irish Times has aroused considerable anger amongst motorcyclists and we will consider what further action may be taken by our organisation on receipt of your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Gearoid O’Byrne
Acting Chairman
MAG Ireland
Response from RSA
30th July 2008
Re Bus lanes and motorcycles
Dear Mr.Ó Byrne,
On behalf of Mr Gay Byrne Chairman of the road safety Authority and of Mr Noel Brett who is on leave at present I am responding to your letter of 24 July 2008 on the use of bus lanes by motorcyclists.
The report in the Irish Times of the 23 July is based on information obtained from the minutes of the Road Safety Authority Board meeting and not from the report prepared by the working group. The quotations used are those of the minutes and discussions by the Board on the matter. The report deals comprehensively with the rationale for not allowing motorcycles into bus lanes; as you would expect this takes account of the implications for all existing users of bus lanes.
The report of the Working Group is now with the Department of transport and awaits its consideration and final decision. Im advance of its deliberation I feel it would be inappropiate for the Road Safety Authority to make any comment at this time on the issue. I realise that you will find this frustrating but I would like you to get the chance to analyse the report in its entirety and I expect you will have that chance when the Department completes its work.
I am forwarding a copy of your letter to the Department so that it is aware of the issues you have raised.
Yours sincerely
Declan Naughton
Acting CEO
). 
. 
.
Written like a true civil servant - he'll go far 
gmios
thats my daily commute that is. 
