Galway Motorcycle Protest Ride Eyre Square Sunday 25th September 2011

Sunday 25th September to protest various anti-bike proposals both from the EU (Type approval, etc.) and our own home grown quangos (Mandatory high-viz). Our freedom to ride is under threat as never before. Protests are taking place countrywide.

1- The Anti tampering Regulation: Specifically Article 18 which wants to stop all modifications to complete power train, from airbox to controlling the rear tyre profile.

2- Compulsory ABS. If we can't stop this, we must get a switch so that we have an option in difficult conditions where ABS doesn't function well.

3- Automatic headlights on- passing the blame for poor observation on to us.

4- OBD. On Board Diagnostics so that easy roadside checks can be made of our emissions and so that constant readouts of engine performance can be obtained. Expensive, complicated and with the threat, rather like a tacho, of identifying past riding style...

5- RMI. Repair and Maintenance Information. Rather than keeping it hidden and available for huge expense, there is a chance that manufacturers will be forced to provide ECU codes etc for a fee. What that fee is remains to be seen.

6- The very worrying article 52: "If systems, components or seperate technical units on a list in a delegated act to this regulation, have a dual use, for vehicles intended exclusively for racing on roads and for vehicles intended for use on public roads, they may not be sold or offered for sale to consumers"

So if your K&N filter can fit a CBR race bike and a CBR road bike, the best way to police that, is to make it illegal to sell the filter in Europe.

The Delegated Acts are the most scarey thing, as they are the lists and details drawn up by the unelected and we won't get to see what they are including until after the Regulation has been passed!

7- In solidarity with the French we will be drawing attention to their recent gov proposal to ban all bikes over 7 years old from an urban area and to make the wearing of day-glo/ reflective clothing compulsory.

8- Full sleeve day-glo clothing for riders and passengers has been proposed in the Irish Parliament too.

9- All these issues lead to the same thing, that we must take the blame for the incompetence of other road users. And while the emergency stop has been removed as a compulsory element of the car driving test, we are jumping through hoops with ill judged UK interpretation of EU licencing directives.

10- Another EU licencing Directive is on its way (3DLD) to step the bike licencing system still further and the DfT and DSA still haven't sorted even the consultation process, even though it is meant to be in law by now and enacted January 2013.

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[BigBillChicago]

What a bunch of crap! I remember reading about one of our elected idiots proposing a seat belt requirement for motorcycles. Thankfully that one went nowhere.

[larrythelookout]

@BigBillChicago Can you Imagine that. I bet he rides in a car.

[coconutjoe666]

im so pissed of with this like all my bikes are over 7 years old



[larrythelookout]

@coconutjoe666 Thats why we need to keep the presure on. i go to work in the town on my bike. Next i shall have to take the car. thats worse for traffic congestion.

[kd4ysi]

nice one buddy

[larrythelookout]

@kd4ysi Thank you for the support.

[larrythelookout]

@RedanWhiteRebel Im sure there shall be another chance Ger. 

[larrythelookout]

@Hank2wheels We need to do another run Hank. Only Way to get our point across is maybe block the Motorways.

[larrythelookout]

@KeukaRyder Thanks for the support. Glad ya pop in now and then☘

[larrythelookout]

@805ROADKING Ha hah. The rain would not stop us. When the EU start to feck us about. Thats when we all come as one.

[larrythelookout]

@cashstore1 I think ye are to strong for that over your side. it would be like taking the Harleys of the road. Thanks for the support.

[cashstore1]

It's much more restrictive in Europe, I hope it does not get like that over here. 

That would be sad.

[805ROADKING]

Good thing the rain didn't ruin your Rally!! I didn't see any real motorcycles there, what's up with that!!☺