What does a Rep Do?

The following is an extract from the "Reps Introduction" handbook and gives an indication of what the Reps job is about.

What is the Reps job? Basically, it's whatever needs doing to forward the PTW user's lot – but this is tempered by:

• What time do you have to give to the job? We all have different demands on our time – family, job, hobbies, etc. – whatever time you can give is valuable – the more the better but however much, you must be comfortable with it. This is not like work, which can often impose unreasonable demands and stress; the Rep's job is to be enjoyed. Having said that, as a person passionate about motorbikes there will be times when others don't see things your way that may cause moments of stress and tension.
• What the organisation of your area is. Each region is run by a Regional Chairman who structures their area as best befits the resources available. You may therefore have an area that you alone are responsible for or you may share an area with other Reps; if you share with others, then you will need to decide how you split the work load.
• What are you good at? Each of us have different skills – within the needs of the job, it is best if the use of these skills can be maximised and areas where you are less skilled or comfortable are handled by others where possible.

There are a variety of activities that a BMF Rep may get involved in. The list below shows some – there may well be others in your area. If there is more than one Rep in your area, you need to make sure you know which of you is doing what; write down a list of responsibilities and activities – it can be quite revealing.

Regional Meetings

This is a must. Your Region will have routine Reps meetings where all the Reps gather to hear the words of wisdom from the Region's Chairman and for you to report on your activities. Your chairman will determine the frequency and location of these meetings. There will also be an Annual Regional Meeting (ARM), where not just the Reps but all the individual members from the Region can attend as well as representatives of affiliated clubs in the Region. As well as discussing the Region's activities, there are elections for Regional Chairman, Council Members plus votes on motions to be put forward to the BMF's AGM.

Area Meetings

Most areas have a regular meeting, usually monthly and often in a pub – these are listed in the back of Rider magazine along with the names, phone number and email addresses (where available) of all the Reps in the different areas. The number of people attending these meetings varies considerably. The purpose of the meetings is:

• to communicate BMF information to the membership and get member's views
• general social gathering
• organising social events; where time permits and someone is willing to take on the task, runs, barbeques and other social activities can be organised

Contacts

Contact with dealers and clubs in your area. For dealers (who may be corporate members) the contact is to get BMF membership forms and other literature onto the dealers counter or message board. Also, some dealers have "open days" and may invite the BMF to have a stand as part of the event – an opportunity to spread the word and get more members.

Club contact is twofold; for clubs that are affiliated to the BMF it is part of routine contact to "pass on the message" and pick up any comments or complaints the club may have. For unaffiliated clubs (especially those that have been affiliated in the past) it is to find out why they are not members and see if they can be persuaded to (re)join – this may take a long time to achieve and should not be seen as a short term activity, more as investment of your time.

Shows

Other clubs and organisations in your area may hold local shows of their own. It is always worth asking if they would like a BMF stand at their show – but check with your local colleagues and/or your Regional chairman about the availability of tents, tables and related equipment for putting up a stand. Your Regional Chairman will provide the literature, membership forms, etc. for stands and dealers.

Local Government & Legislation

Planning

Influencing Local Government plans is one the most important activities the Rep performs.

All local authorities have both Local Transport Plans (LTP) and Local Structure Plans (which contain elements of the transport plans) and sometimes Local Development Plans. These plans are prepared on different multi-year cycles and put forward to the public and interested bodies for comment and objection. Of these plans, the LTP is by far the most significant as it sets the transport parameters for a five year period and all transport projects justify their budget by inclusion in the LTP – if the LTP does not sanction it, then it probably will not happen in the next five years!

The Reps job in this case is to obtain these plans at the draft stage and examine them in relation to BMF polices and any local PTW issues. The plans are often available on the Council web site – if they are not, write to the council requesting a copy and taking the opportunity to introduce yourself and the BMF. 

Having examined the plans, you can present objections on behalf of the BMF as necessary. There may even be a standard BMF submission that you can use as input to the planning process. Remember that these objections or submissions, properly constructed, serve two purposes – first to ensure PTWs are catered for within the plans and secondly to raise the profile of the BMF. 

This latter purpose should not be underestimated. Continued presentation of reasoned and reasonable arguments in support of the BMF polices and under the BMF banner continually improves the standing of the BMF within the community. Hence the more we are listened to. Again, it is a long-term activity.

Forums

Some areas have PTW or Motorcycle Forums, comprising one or more county, city or town council, police, dealers, training groups, safety organisations and rider's representatives (i.e. BMF and MAG). These forums have become more prevalent as central government has pressured the local authorities to include PTWs in the LTP. The BMF is ideally suited to these activities with its bias to long-term argument rather than direct action.

Forums tend to have three objectives, often unspoken, with different champions; improved safety (police) – especially in rural scenic areas with high casualty rates; local transport solutions (councils) – aimed primarily at congestion reduction; improved PTW facilities (riders' groups) – secure parking, bus lane usage, advanced stop line usage, road surfaces, etc.

If there is not a Forum in your area, consider setting one up – contact the local council (either transport or safety departments) to see if they can be persuaded to take part – as well as their governmental role they can usually also provide meeting rooms, minute taking capabilities and other resources. Also contact the traffic police, groups such as the local Institute of Advanced Motorists riders section and training companies and dealers. It will not be easy and often there is a high initial drop out rate but long term persistence can generate improvements for motorcyclists including sections in the transport plans.

Local Press

Always watch the local press for PTW issues but make sure you are familiar with the BMF's External Communications Policy before you write to anyone on issues you spot; also, check that your Regional Chairman is happy for you to respond. It goes without saying that there is little to be gained by being confrontational but much to be gained long term by reasoned argument.

Campaigns

Areas may have various campaigns underway, usually long term. These may be on local or generic issues (such as secure parking). The usual BMF method of reasoned, documented argument usually succeeds best because most of these campaigns are directed at local government, and hence local government officials who do not respond well to raised voices.

Charity Runs

Many areas have toy, Easter egg, Christmas, children's hospital, pet food or similar charitable runs. While these do not directly promote PTW interests they are fun, charitable and make good press for the BMF if local papers are made aware of the activity. You may want to organise one for your own favourite local charity. There are a number of small items that may help it run smoothly:

• When selecting a date, make sure you know what other runs are going on around the same time in the area – Easter and Christmas get very congested.
• Start planning early – it's never too soon.
• There are lots of websites where these events can be advertised free including the BMF's own RiderSpace
• Put leaflets/posters in all the local dealers and any "biker meet" pubs or cafés.
• See if you can get the local press to advertise it for free as a general news item or something for the motoring section
• If you are expecting a large number of bikes, contact the police to see if they will provide an escort. This not only improves the safety of the run, enabling junctions to be controlled at police direction, it also turns it from a "gang of bikers blocking the road" into an official "event" in the eyes of the general public – all good for the PR.
• Ensure that you have sufficient marshals equipped with fluorescent BMF bibs so that they are easily identifiable. 
• On the day, brief the participants to make sure that they know where they are going and that they must abide by the rules of the road and make room for marshals who may be travelling up the convoy after controlling a junction. 
• When controlling traffic at a junction, it is often helpful (time permitting) if a marshal can walk over to the first stopped car and explain what is happening – especially the "charitable" bit.

Miscellany

• Volunteers v. Reps - many Reps also act as "volunteers" – i.e. help out at one or more of the shows – talk to your Regional Chairman if you can donate some time. If you can, find other BMF members who do not have the time to be a Rep but do have some time for volunteer work.
• RepSecure – this is an area of the BMF website only accessible by password, intended as an information source for BMF activists. It contains a lot of general BMF information and is well worth a visit; if you have got suggestions of what should be in there – say so – otherwise it will never happen. Your Regional Chairman will organise your access to the website. If you would like other things added to the site, contact the Director of Public Relations and Communications Dave Muckle
• Expenses – you cannot spend BMF money without your Chairman's agreement – and you will only be allowed to spend it on BMF business - so ask first. You will however be allowed to claim mileage for attending the Regional meetings (travelling the direct rather than scenic route). Remember that BMF funds are there to promote the cause of motorcycling – not for personal enjoyment!
• Your details will be added to the list in Rider magazine – again your Regional Chairman will organise this – check to make sure they are right.
• If in doubt on anything or if there is an urgent matter you do not know how to resolve – contact your Regional Chairman – the first port of call in any storm.
• If you have any comments on this document, anything you would like added, changed, updated – contact me – the author
• Also, if you have any comments about the Reps job – how it is run, how it should be changed, contact your Regional Chairman but let me know as well so that I can collate all the views.

Note 1: PTW – Powered Two Wheeler – the awkward name used to cover motorbikes, scooters and mopeds. Other organisations sometimes use the acronym TWMV – Two Wheeled Motor vehicles – just as bad. Can you think of a better inclusive name and acronym?

Note 2: Note that in planning terms, all comments and suggestions are called 'objections', as well as what we would think of as 'objections'.