GoldWings gather for the Annual Toy Run into Manchester
Being grounded still, I was unable to attend last Saturday’s Toy Run in person, but there was a decent turn out of GoldWings, among many, many other bikes.
And it was by all accounts a successful event, in spite of withdrawal of Police assistance and some messing about of the organisers about the route they would be allowed to use.
There is a write up of the Event on Dave Turvey’s Blog and there are some interesting comments about the unhelpfulness of the Police on the GoldWings North West Website.
It would appear that despite three Police cars and two bikes being available to spend two hours accepting Salvation Army hospitality before the run started, Police assistance for this annual Charity Event had already been refused this year on the grounds of insufficient resources. Police were nevertheless on hand as the Parade started to stop and book the lead bike for looking a bit too much like the real thing for their taste.
There is an unfortunate pattern developing of Police Forces in various parts of the Country being unhelpful to biking charity events during this past year and it might be spreading. The problems we had at this year’s Blackpool Light Parade were due to a Police error of communication and should not recur next year – and they did not (despite misinformation to the contrary) result in any prosecutions. Nevertheless it did disrupt our Parade unnecessarily and we could have done without it.
There was a mass “re-occupation” of North Wales by bikers this year in protest at what has been pretty blatant picking-on of bikers for nit-picking routine stops to discourage then from riding in that area. MCN are currently running another campaign for nominations for a Police Plonker of the Year Award. Bikers can if necessary organise themselves very effectively to protest.
Hopefully someone somewhere at a senior level in Greater Manchester Police will realise that a charity run of this sort, organised well and run safely at a moderate speed is something the Police should be supporting as best they can rather than disrupting it to prosecute a minor technical Construction & Use offence which, in the circumstances, had road safety value rather than presenting any significant risk or nuisance to anyone.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I wonder if these events are becoming a victim of their own success?
Numbers go up each year as events get more popular and maybe harder to police without a huge number of police so they would rather withdraw their support.
Maybe motorbike groups need to meet together and talk of a way forward with the police. This years run to the wall went well without a big police presence, but did the police expect so many bikers to turn out? But then again the reasons behind that paticular event I suppose would cause a public outcry if not allowed to go ahead. Scarborough Light parade had gone well this year, mind you its still a newish event so maybe the yorkshire police were not aware of how many goldwings would turn up, lets hope the yorshire police service dont get together with other forces to see what they are doing, if they do maybe that could bring problems in the coming year too.
It saddens me that when bikers try to show their caring side that we start to get knocked back
November 10th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
A developing culture of what I call Blame Avoidance seems to me to be an important factor too; the Police, both individually and institutionally, seem to be obsessed with not being blamed if something goes wrong. So they don’t want to be responsible for marshalling in case it goes wrong in case anyone complains or sues. And as this Toy Run has shown, nor can they leave people alone to do it themselves, even though they are doing it safely and responsibly.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
This email was sent to the Riders who registered their email addresses at the Toy Run ….
Dear Bikers
On behalf of everyone at The Salvation Army Central North Division may I say a very sincere word of thanks to all who participated in the 2009 Toy Run Appeal. It was a magnificent display of around 600 bikers arriving at the Trafford Centre with your generous gifts of toys and financial donations enabling children across the region to have a happier Christmas.
The toys are currently being allocated to many Salvation Army centres across the North West and the total monies raised to date is in the region of £3,000.
Our heartfelt thanks to all who made the day possible and successful.
Kind regards and may your own Christmas be happy and peaceful.
Yvonne Field
So although the police indifference was there let’s remember what the event was for and how successful it was for the children of the North West who need it most!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
We were left stunned by the police action – taking the free tea and coffee and then summonsing the guy who wants to help!! Lost for words….. One point, nobody was at the Trafford Centre to tell us where to go but this is only a minor point, for the future. It was a great turnout by the biking circles – and to support something worthwhile. What next – no parades because the police cannot be bothered! A mass demonstration would not work because it would be negative but something needs doing and FAST!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
It only needs someone to float the idea……the Federation, perhaps?
I’m up for it, as I’m fed up of bikers still being regarded with 1950’s attitudes, that we’re all greasy, long-haired (sorry Bill!) troublemakers.
French bikers have a history of not being trodden on like us, so perhaps it’s time to follow suit. Vive la Difference!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:29 am
What type of action would be appropiate??
November 12th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I don’t really want the Blog to become a Forum, of which there are several available to Wingers who want further discussion, so I think it’s time to call a halt to further Comments on this Article.