Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester

Bill CBF1000 · 06-03-2008, 09:20 PM

Bit early in the day I know, but if anyones up and about ....

Bikers plan city fuel protest
Dean Kirby
31/ 5/2008

A MASSIVE 'go-slow' protest against high fuel prices is set to bring roads across Greater Manchester to a standstill.

More than a thousand bikers are expected to join forces to cause havoc on motorways and major routes into the city centre to demonstrate their anger at the soaring cost of petrol.

Motorbike club members from across Britain are expected to link up with local riders for the rush-hour gathering on Thursday.

Commuters are being warned to expect delays on the M60 and the M62, as well as on major roads into Manchester and Salford.

Fighting back

A 24-year-old rider known as `Maverick', one of the protest's organisers, said: "Too many people are happy just to sit watching the news and to accept the fact that fuel prices and taxes are going up.

"But we've decided that we can make a change and that we're going to do something about it. We're going to be that voice that stands up and fights back. We'll make a difference."

Motorists in Britain pay the highest fuel tax in Europe - 68p per litre of unleaded, compared with the equivalent of 35p in Ireland and 31p in Spain.

The average Briton pays almost £900 in petrol taxes annually.

Dozens of lorry drivers caused chaos when they held a fuel protest in London earlier this week.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has suggested a 2p rise in fuel duty, due in October, would be postponed.

Wildfire

Maverick added: "If 60 lorry drivers can do something, then 1,000 riders can do a lot more.

"On Thursday, I would seriously expect a traffic slowdown on the M60 and possibly the M62, and on roads into Manchester."

Independent bikers from Rochdale began organising the protest less than 48 hours ago and word spread like wildfire on networking websites and via e-mails.

They say the heavy fuel tax makes it difficult for bikers to take part in regular charity rides.

More than 200 riders were set to gather in Rochdale last night to plan their protest route.

Greater Manchester Police, meanwhile, said it was unaware a protest was due to take place.

Concerned

The riders are expected to gather at Birch services on the M62 near Middleton before starting their protest at 8am.

They expect to be joined by a fleet of lorries and taxis, whose drivers are also concerned about the fuel tax.

The cavalcade will head down the motorway to Salford Quays, but some of the riders will head down major roads into Manchester.

One 46-year-old rider, nicknamed `Triumph Man', said: "Manchester United were denied a victory parade through the city after they returned from the Champions League final.

"But our protest is going to be even more spectacular. There will be a real carnival atmosphere and we will ask police to be there to keep it safe.

"All we want is for a small percentage taken off fuel tax."

Bikers plan city fuel protest - News - Manchester Evening News

lady clara · 06-03-2008, 09:22 PM

If I could get the day off work I'd definitely be there.

Spree, are you 'Maverick' in disguise??

grotbag · 06-03-2008, 10:04 PM

Good find that Bill, I've posted it as a news item too and in a few other places

I wish I was nearer and not at work so early and I would come too

deano · 06-03-2008, 10:13 PM

too far for us and anyway mrs deano has to go out & earn my crust

Rerb · 06-03-2008, 10:17 PM

Are you up for this Bill? or anyone else?

I'm owed a few days off.

Bill CBF1000 · 06-03-2008, 10:22 PM

Im finishing my night shift at 7am here in Liverpool and should be going home to bed, so Im bright eyed n awake when I get back here at 8pm .... but bloody right Im going !!!

Only thing is, I wont ride past Junction 17 clockwise on the M60 cos thats where I had the accident nearly 4 years ago (so getting to Birch services on back roads), but in the middle of a 1000 bikers coming anticlockwise - probably will.

Hope to see lots of you there

grotbag · 06-05-2008, 10:12 AM

How did it go Bill?

Got the attention of the beeb!! Bikers protest over fuel prices

Bill CBF1000 · 06-05-2008, 10:13 AM

Was you there? I was

was a good [slow] ride out with a good atmosphere - shame about the ttitude of some of the police on the M602. Only bad bit of riding I saw was by a bike-cop who nearly run me over after we parked up at Salford Quays

grotbag · 06-05-2008, 10:21 AM

BLUDDY BRILL -

druidsam · 06-05-2008, 05:04 PM

excellent

.............................Sam

06-03-2008, 09:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bill CBF1000 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leigh Lancs Posts: 619	Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester Bit early in the day I know, but if anyones up and about .... Bikers plan city fuel protest Dean Kirby 31/ 5/2008 A MASSIVE 'go-slow' protest against high fuel prices is set to bring roads across Greater Manchester to a standstill. More than a thousand bikers are expected to join forces to cause havoc on motorways and major routes into the city centre to demonstrate their anger at the soaring cost of petrol. Motorbike club members from across Britain are expected to link up with local riders for the rush-hour gathering on Thursday. Commuters are being warned to expect delays on the M60 and the M62, as well as on major roads into Manchester and Salford. Fighting back A 24-year-old rider known as `Maverick', one of the protest's organisers, said: "Too many people are happy just to sit watching the news and to accept the fact that fuel prices and taxes are going up. "But we've decided that we can make a change and that we're going to do something about it. We're going to be that voice that stands up and fights back. We'll make a difference." Motorists in Britain pay the highest fuel tax in Europe - 68p per litre of unleaded, compared with the equivalent of 35p in Ireland and 31p in Spain. The average Briton pays almost £900 in petrol taxes annually. Dozens of lorry drivers caused chaos when they held a fuel protest in London earlier this week. Chancellor Alistair Darling has suggested a 2p rise in fuel duty, due in October, would be postponed. Wildfire Maverick added: "If 60 lorry drivers can do something, then 1,000 riders can do a lot more. "On Thursday, I would seriously expect a traffic slowdown on the M60 and possibly the M62, and on roads into Manchester." Independent bikers from Rochdale began organising the protest less than 48 hours ago and word spread like wildfire on networking websites and via e-mails. They say the heavy fuel tax makes it difficult for bikers to take part in regular charity rides. More than 200 riders were set to gather in Rochdale last night to plan their protest route. Greater Manchester Police, meanwhile, said it was unaware a protest was due to take place. Concerned The riders are expected to gather at Birch services on the M62 near Middleton before starting their protest at 8am. They expect to be joined by a fleet of lorries and taxis, whose drivers are also concerned about the fuel tax. The cavalcade will head down the motorway to Salford Quays, but some of the riders will head down major roads into Manchester. One 46-year-old rider, nicknamed `Triumph Man', said: "Manchester United were denied a victory parade through the city after they returned from the Champions League final. "But our protest is going to be even more spectacular. There will be a real carnival atmosphere and we will ask police to be there to keep it safe. "All we want is for a small percentage taken off fuel tax." Bikers plan city fuel protest - News - Manchester Evening News
	Thufferin' Thuccatash

06-03-2008, 09:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
lady clara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Co. Durham Posts: 1,506	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester If I could get the day off work I'd definitely be there. Spree, are you 'Maverick' in disguise??
	Lady Clara

06-03-2008, 10:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
grotbag Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Near Hornsea,on the East Yorkshire coast Posts: 8,346	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester Good find that Bill, I've posted it as a news item too and in a few other places I wish I was nearer and not at work so early and I would come too
	Some time's my mind doesn't only wander, it leaves completely ...........

06-03-2008, 10:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
deano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,016	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester too far for us and anyway mrs deano has to go out & earn my crust
deano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,016

06-03-2008, 10:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rerb Administrator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Staffs Posts: 1,793	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester Are you up for this Bill? or anyone else? I'm owed a few days off.

06-03-2008, 10:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bill CBF1000 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leigh Lancs Posts: 619	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester Im finishing my night shift at 7am here in Liverpool and should be going home to bed, so Im bright eyed n awake when I get back here at 8pm .... but bloody right Im going !!! Only thing is, I wont ride past Junction 17 clockwise on the M60 cos thats where I had the accident nearly 4 years ago (so getting to Birch services on back roads), but in the middle of a 1000 bikers coming anticlockwise - probably will. Hope to see lots of you there
	Thufferin' Thuccatash

06-05-2008, 10:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
grotbag Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Near Hornsea,on the East Yorkshire coast Posts: 8,346	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester How did it go Bill? Got the attention of the beeb!! Bikers protest over fuel prices
	Some time's my mind doesn't only wander, it leaves completely ...........

06-05-2008, 10:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bill CBF1000 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leigh Lancs Posts: 619	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester Was you there? I was was a good [slow] ride out with a good atmosphere - shame about the ttitude of some of the police on the M602. Only bad bit of riding I saw was by a bike-cop who nearly run me over after we parked up at Salford Quays
	Thufferin' Thuccatash

06-05-2008, 10:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
grotbag Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Near Hornsea,on the East Yorkshire coast Posts: 8,346	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester BLUDDY BRILL -
	Some time's my mind doesn't only wander, it leaves completely ...........

06-05-2008, 05:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
druidsam Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: central scotland Posts: 5,135	Re: Rideout / Fuel Protest in Manchester excellent .............................Sam
	trust me! im a druid

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