Exactly what I'm talking about, but here is an example of the IAM trying to affect social change. I would view this as a political agenda.
https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/fleet-m...t-institute-of-advanced-motorists-iam-/54461/
Not that I have a problem with that particular article or them commenting on matters on which they are knowledgable.
But the IAM like others blurs the lines between "club" and charity fulfilling it's objectives. Again nothing wrong with that but I would argue it has to be carefully managed to make sure those looking for social interaction do not get cajoled into being voluntary employees to meet its objectives.
Edit
"IAM RoadSmart provides for the public an advanced driving and motorcycle test, and through its research into many aspects of road safety,
seeks to become a significant influencer of road safety policy and practice."
https://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details?regid=249002&subid=0
Now tell me they are not political!
Tell me how it is ?
Is it advocating one political party over another ?
Its raison d'être is the promotion of road safety. I'm not aware personally of any of the main political parties having any position on road safety, let alone motorcycling.
Each IAM group is a separate charity, with it's own charitable purpose and aims, they are only affiliated to IAM Roadsmart.
Some people here know exactly who I am, and of which bike group I'm a member of.
Does the AA or RAC take part in social engineering when they partake of government initiatives ?
Is the IAM a pressure group, possibly.
Does it lobby on behalf of its members, sometimes.
Does it help develop and evolve road safety policy at a local/national/international level, yes.
Should groups be more involved at a local government level, maybe.
After all, nobody complains about all the cyclist organisations, some fund solely by the public purse, lobbying on behalf of their interests.
How do you evidence that having motorcycles in bus lanes actually makes it safer for cyclists, or that it can reduce accident rates. Only if organisations, such as the IAM, fund research.
Both MAG and BMF do work hard, at local level to raise awareness of motorcycles and their concerns and issues. MAG has a good record with aĺl party parliamentary group of motorcyclists too.
How do you influence the policy makers, the civil servants, from DVSA, trl and the like, who make the recommendations to the councillors and MP's ?
If groups such as IAM, weren't funding research to disprove certain perceptions against motorcycling, who do you think will ?
Road safety for all user's, needs to change and modify to meet the competing challenges of society and future priorities.
Why did the UKgov drop road safety targets but Scotgov kept them, which is the correct way forward and who will fund the research into assessing those outcomes, if not the IAM ?
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