Former MP Lembit Öpik has joined the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) as director of communications and public affairs. The role will involve “standing up to threats to riders’ rights and expanding the use of motorcycles and scooters in the UK”. Opik believes the mood at the Department of Transport is changing and motorcycling has a rising number of allies in Government.?
Öpik is renowned for his ‘full-on’ approach to all he does, says MAG. “Now he’s channelling his irrepressible drive to protect and promote two core passions: Liberty and Motorcycling.”
Opik joins MAG’s newly streamlined team of professionals whose mission is to take a leading role to stand up to threats to riders’ rights and expand the use of motorcycles and scooters in the UK.? Opik’s new role was announced at Motorcycle Live. According to MAG, his appointment puts him at the heart of UK motorcycling and the new team at the core of MAG’s campaigning and lobbying activities. “People know me for a lot of things,” says Opik. “But few of them know biking’s been an enduring part of my life. I rebuilt my Yamaha YB100 in 1982, and have ridden two wheels ever since. Currently I’ve got a Suzuki GS1000, and am as passionate as ever – and that’s why taking on this new role feels like coming home.” ?
Opik will be working with biking campaigns guru Dr Leon Mannings. Opik says of Leon: “If Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance came to life, it would be Leon. He’s a combination of perspective and limitless resilience, and he has a tremendous record of winning for powered-two-wheeler riders.”??
Opik and Mannings have clear ambitions for MAG. Opik says: “As an MP, I chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Motorcycling. Back then, the Department of Transport saw bikers more as a hassle than an answer to congestion and pollution problems. Now, the mood at the ministry is changing and we’ve got a rising number of great allies in government. Steve Baker MP is an outstanding chairman of the all-party group. I get on well with Transport Minister Robert Goodwill MP and know he will engage on bike policy.” De Manning adds: ‘With a newly sharpened approach, a better relationship between bureaucrats and bikers is evolving. It’s about to become even more productive. I’ve worked and won on issues before, and we now have better prospects than ever for really moving the positive role of motorcycling further up policy agendas – at local and central government levels.”??
MAG chairman John Mitchell said: “If one person combines political focus with the passion needed fully to reflect MAG’s determination to defend the heart and soul of biking – it’s Lembit Öpik.”?