O K somebody has to be the "grump" here & ask the possibly unwelcome questions.
What exactly was this "protest" supposed to achieve?
~~~ attention. locally - as in nationally and Europe wide.
It has got no press covearge - of course I might be looking at/in the wrong press?
~~~ doubt it - We never have featured heavily in the news. We are a 'minority interest' after all.
and well, some of the meedja are only interested in 'Bikes when someone dies and the rest are fickle. Any and every 'consumer group' has this problem.
A press release was sent far and wide. It was picked up by some. Linda's done radio interviews and phone interviews and one that will be online soon. So, not a bad result I think.
Was it supposed to influence leglislators & if so how far is it likely to have them alter their course (the lack of press coverage will not have helped here IMHO).
~~~ Influence, yes obviously that is one of the aims. Press coverage doesn't achieve much apart from 5 minutes of fame. Insistent lobbying done with intelligent argument and using the systems tools to fight back does.
This in itself seems to suprise, anger or depress some in the corridors of power.
They dont expect it of [deep breath here] Bikers/Motorcyclists/Riders (pick a label of choice here).
This is not an issue that's appeared-out-of-nowhere. It's been on the cards for quite some time.
MAG has already influenced the RSA, who agree with us that it is not a Road safety issue.
Altering their course - it already has and will do so again if and when any regulation does come into force.
I understand it was timed to coincide with Eurowide protests - but there would not have been an All Ireland Final on in Brussels competing for the public's attention (an attention span of teenage proportions?).
~~~ Was there some footballist thing going on on Saturday then?
In media terms one day apart is as good as years.
Perhaps it was only supposed to be a fun day - the pictures show smiling motorcyclists (or bikers - must keep the lingo contemporary): If so it will have achieved that aim & I missed the fun - hence grumpy questioning.
~~~ Fun - yes, and so it should be. Who wants to take part in a miserable ride out? Oh - i just say "Riders" these days. There's always some that would take offence at pretty much anything less 'neutral' for a title.
The nagging doubt prersists that it is supposed to halt potential outcomes in Brussels & in Ireland (in that order) & that it will have not advanced the chances of reversing the proposed changes - of course I'd love to be wrong; being all for freedom as long as you're not harming others at all or yourself too much.
Perhaps I'm being nostalgic for the protests of old where it was really obvious that there was a protest - riot squad, burning cars, screaming sirens, shoppers running for cover etc etc etc.
~~~ Oi! - We're not French you know!
This was part of our French bretherens reaction to the idea of a 'Bike NCT:
http://youtu.be/UmxhNndZSqk
But we dont have a Dekra office here.
What happende on Sat looks like a toy run designed to make motorcyclists look reasonable (well half reasonable - we all know that if they were reasonable they would not be riding bikes)) & will not have altered any political agendas anywhere.
~~~ it was, for a number of reasons, absolutely essential that this demo was fuss free. In our action - a literal demo of riders showing that we are well aware of our vulnerablity and can take care of our safety better than any 'well meaning do gooder' - never mind a Eurocrat that only drives a desk, not a Bike.
The next day a fun run is being organised try keeping it away from our overcrowded capital - I nominate Ballighabeama gap.
~~~ Grand - when are you organising it for?
As already said I'd love to be wrong so go on prove me wrong - make my day.
~~~ we used to have to hammer on doors and shout to get attention.
Now we DO get attention.
Now we write letters and get letters...
... and meetings in offices.
... and considered responses.
... and dialogue.
... and consultation.
It is a slow process by its nature. Sometimes good results / sometimes not.
I wont roll over and submit to ill thought out, ignorant, pointless and costly ideas put forward "for my own good" and thankfully there's a lot of us that feel that way.
PS don't try to make my whole week - it is already.
~~~ i think it's Immodium you need...
Not a dig at you Gerry, but a lot of questions can be answered by looking at our website www.magireland.org or our facebook page.
I say to anyone that doesn't agree or like what we do;
Get Involved and change it!
we could do with the help!
