The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK’s leading voice for riders’ rights, has received a big lift in firepower thanks to the decision by the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) to affiliate with the organisation. The TRF is the UK’s foremost group specifically dedicated to national and international trail riding.
The TRF comments, ‘the decision to join MAG was clear and in the view of some TRF members, long overdue.’ MAG Chair Selina Lavender says ‘we have been talking with the TRF for some time. We’ve also campaigned closely with them. For example, MAG’s Political Unit worked with the TRF to prevent the introduction of an amendment to legislation which could have banned riding on unsurfaced road. The TRF takes political engagement very seriously, and in this sense we have a lot in common.’
The TRF stated ‘together the TRF and MAG will be more effective at improving the rights of motorcyclists in England, Wales, Scotland and other EU countries – whether on or off the trail. The TRF and MAG will cooperate on local issues through our fifty TRF Road Conservation Officers – many of whom sit on Local Access Forums – and can influence council strategic transport planning on issues such as bus lanes and parking in town center’s.’
The strategic aim is to send a single message to central and local government representatives about riders’ needs. ‘This should make a very substantial difference to the protection of riders’ rights – especially where there is an urban and rural mix,’ adds Selina. ‘MAG has grown substantially in terms of influence and political profile, and this makes the logic of working with the TRF compelling.’
MAG and the TRF will be defining key areas of policy which both groups wish to protect from political restrictions. The affiliation of clubs to MAG is of great importance as it provides a wider network to support riders, as well as a channel to gauge their concerns and through which to spread the work of MAG for riders’ rights.
Find out more about the TRF at: www.trf.org.uk
Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org