Tuesday 27 November 2012

CITY OF MELBOURNE SURVEY

PLEASE FILL IN THIS SURVEY AND SEND IT IN.


Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group

Please note the survey below. You can complete it & forward it to your networks if you wish. Please email the survey to roadsafetyplan@melbourne.vic.gov.au

We will email an invitation to the next meeting of the Steering Group next week.

Road Safety Plan 

The City of Melbourne is developing its Road Safety Plan 2012-16 which aims to improve safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians, cyclists & motorcyclists. 

We are Victoria’s busiest municipality for pedestrian & cycling activity. On an average day, 805,000 people come into the city & our daily population is set to reach 1 million in the next 10 years. As the city continues to grow, we need to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users. 

In the 5 year period between January 2007 - December 2011:

15 pedestrians, 
2 cyclists & 
6 motorcyclists were killed; 

and

946 pedestrians, 
1103 cyclists & 
658 motorcyclists were injured. 

The Road Safety Plan will outline actions to enhance the safety of walking & cycling in Melbourne & prepare for the future growth of all travel modes. You’re invited to provide input to the development of the Plan by Monday 3 December 2012,  to assist us in identifying the key issues, objectives & outcomes.

What safety issues concern you most when you are travelling in the City of Melbourne?

Walking: ________
Cycling: ________
Motorcycling: ________
Driving: ________
Other: ________

What changes would you like to see to improve safety for vulnerable road users (walkers, cyclists & motorcyclists)? 
Walkers: ________
Cyclists: ________
Motorcyclists: ________

What do you consider to be the top three priorities for the Road Safety Plan? (Please explain your choices - why do you consider them to be important?)
Priority 1: ________
Priority 2: ________
Priority 3: ________

If you would like to be kept informed about the development of draft Road Safety Plan please leave your contact details.  

Email: ________ Phone/mobile: ________

Please email this survey to 

roadsafetyplan@melbourne.vic.gov.au  

& include any other ideas/suggestions. 

Regards,

Alex Gorelik | Co-Ordinator Traffic Engineering| Engineering Services

City of Melbourne | Council House 1, 200 Little Collins Street Melbourne 3000 | GPO Box 1603 Melbourne 3001
T: 03 9658 9423 | F: 03 9658 8886 | E: alex.gorelik@melbourne.vic.gov.au   

Sunday 25 November 2012

FAIR GO 1 - 2013

RIDE FOR A FAIR GO - MARCH 16, 2013.
Melbourne to Seymour.





































Tuesday 20 November 2012

Saturday 17 November 2012

ANTI BIKIE LAW 6
























PROTEST & TV AD ON YOUTUBE


Sunday, November 4, 2012, 5:31:10 PM, you wrote:

MEDIA RELEASE

Please  find  the  attached  Media  Release from the Victorian Scooter
Riders  Association  (VSRA)  in relation to the Motorcycle and Scooter
Protest Rally held in Melbourne on the 29th October 2012.

Video  from  the Protest Rally is now also available on YouTube at the
four links below and contains content from the addresses made by:

Damien Codognotto OAM (Independent Riders Group)

Stephen Bardsley (Victorian Scooter Riders Association)

Luke  Donnellan  MP  (Victorian Shadow Minister for Roads, Road Safety
and the Transport Accident Commission)

Heather Ellis (Member of the Motorcycle Advisory Group)

John Voyage (Maurice Blackburn Lawyers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5rTIODzzC8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_jVKikON1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrfxCJzc1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB3Kw38ZtAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEMaDP0KqeU

Regards
Stephen Bardsley
Spokesman - VSRA
0409 848 428

ANTI BIKIE LAW 5



A letter to the Premier of Victoria, The Hon Ted Baillieu MP. 

Have you sent a letter yet. Here's the email addresses:

ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au

and CC it to the Leader of the Opposition, The Hon Daniel Andrews MP

daniel.andrews@parliament.voc.gov.au

If you want me to run it on this blog (with or without ID) to encourage others to use our democratic system CC it to me too:

d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com

The old saying "if you don't use it you'll lose it" applies very much to democracy.

Premier Baillieu,

I am writing to strongly object to the proposed anti-association bill. 

As a law abiding citizen I find it objectionable that people should be considered guilty by association when they have not broken any laws. I also find it offensive that a minority group should be singled out for such attention. If an ethnic group were persecuted in such a way there would be an outrage, so how is this different? Criminal activities occur through all people groups, not just so-called "bikies". 

I ride and know many people who ride. I find them caring and passionate people with a common interest. They have a genuine concern for family and disadvantaged children. This is not a "face" that they put on. It's not a once a year event they tag along to. It is a year round involvement. 

I have in the past spoken to people who belong to so called "outlaw motorcycle gangs." Does that make me a criminal? Are you going to arrest and incarcerate a grandmother who is heavily involved in her church and community and an Executive Officer in her Country Women's Association branch? Just because she speaks with someone who rides a motorcycle and belongs to a club?

I understand that criminals must face the due process of the law, but please! do not blacken the name of innocent people because they belong to or associate with a particular minority group. 

With regards,

Name withheld by request.
Victoria.


Friday 16 November 2012

ANTI BIKIE LAW 4


MP  REPLIES
Mr Geoff Howard is the Member for Ballarat East in Victoria.

geoff.howard@parliament.vic.gov.au

******************************************************************

VICTORIAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Dear Parliamentarians.

The  Attorney  General's anti-bikie bill is like firing a shotgun at a
few  bad apples in a paddock full of good watermelons. Who will be hit
next?  Sporting  shooters?  Footy  clubs  with  a bad boy on the team?
Church or ethnic groups? This is a police-state law that will trap the
innocent but have little effect on serious crime.

The  Australian  Bureau of Statistics says 1.3 million Australians are
licenced  to  ride  motorcycles  &  scooters.  The  Transport Accident
Commission  says  80%  of riders are not club members. Police say just
7000  people  across Australia are members of targeted clubs and admit
that  not  all  of  them have criminal records. It is obvious that the
vast  majority  of  riders  are law-abiding citizens who more than pay
their way in society.

A  law  removing  the  right  to  free  association  will destroy many
community  service  activities.  Propaganda says TOY RUNS, Pink Ribbon
Rides  and  like  events,  are  spin to distract public attention from
violent,  criminal  behaviour.  That  is  more  than  a  lie  and it's
insulting.  I've  been  an  organiser  for major bike events since the
1970s  and  I've  never  seen criminal involvement in any of them just
hard working volunteers.

We  urge Members of Parliament to throw the anti-bikie law out because
it  won't  achieve  it's  aims and it removes rights that go to making
Australia  the great free country it is. Blitz serious crime by giving
police  the  resources  they  need  to  enforce  existing  laws not by
introducing this unjust law.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne
*************************************************************


Damien, 

I agree. 

This might seem to be a sign of strong action by some but, as you say all criminal activity is already illegal and police need the resourcing to enforce it whether it be amongst some 'bikies' or any other community members. 

As you also identify many people who could be described as 'bikies' are sound, law abiding people. 

Law applied by label is not the way to go. 

Regards 

Geoff Howard
MLA Ballarat East


Thursday 15 November 2012

ANTI BIKIE LAW 3

WRITE TO YOUR MP.  JOIN THE IRG.

This letter has been sent, in one form or another, to all Victorian Members of Parliament and various newspapers. I urge you to email the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in Victoria to let them know your feelings about the anti-bikie bill introduced to state parliament this week.

You can use my letter as you see fit or write your own and email it to:

ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au

daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au



VICTORIAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Dear Parliamentarians.

The  Attorney  General's anti-bikie bill is like firing a shotgun at a
few  bad apples in a paddock full of good watermelons. Who will be hit
next?  Sporting  shooters?  Footy  clubs  with  a bad boy on the team?
Church or ethnic groups? This is a police-state law that will trap the
innocent but have little effect on serious crime.

The  Australian  Bureau of Statistics says 1.3 million Australians are
licenced  to  ride  motorcycles  &  scooters.  The  Transport Accident
Commission  says  80%  of riders are not club members. Police say just
7000  people  across Australia are members of targeted clubs and admit
that  not  all  of  them have criminal records. It is obvious that the
vast  majority  of  riders  are law-abiding citizens who more than pay
their way in society.

A  law  removing  the  right  to  free  association  will destroy many
community  service  activities.  Propaganda says TOY RUNS, Pink Ribbon
Rides  and  like  events,  are  spin to distract public attention from
violent,  criminal  behaviour.  That  is  more  than  a  lie  and it's
insulting.  I've  been  an  organiser  for major bike events since the
1970s  and  I've  never  seen criminal involvement in any of them just
hard working volunteers.

We  urge Members of Parliament to throw the anti-bikie law out because
it  won't  achieve  it's  aims and it removes rights that go to making
Australia  the great free country it is. Blitz serious crime by giving
police  the  resources  they  need  to  enforce  existing  laws not by
introducing this unjust law.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne
Tel: 03 9846 8621



To join the Independent Riders' Group all you have to do is email me your name, post code and email address and I'll sign you up. It's free and you can withdraw at any time. Membership in the IRG does not interfere with membership in other organisations. The IRG reserves the right to refuse a membership without explanation.

Damien



Wednesday 14 November 2012

ANTI BIKIE LAW 2

PROPAGANDA

This propaganda was placed on Crikey.com in 2006. It is probably a rehash of a story that appeared in Readers Digest in the 1990s.  Brumby from Heavy Duty Magazine asked me to write a response. The response is below.

In 2012 police are reviving the old hate campaign as Victoria introduces its' anti-bikie law.






































ANTI-BIKIE LAWS 1


DIRTY DEEDS
heraldsun.com.au 

The Baillieu Government introduced its' anti-association bill to the Victorian Parliament yesterday, Wednesday, November 14, 2012. State Attorney General Robert Clark MP expects the laws to be passed by the end of the year and to be working against motorcyclists by early 2013.

In my opinion this law will have a devastating impact on the motorcycle & scooter community Australia-wide. It may adversely effect other groups in society if they don't fit the nanny-state model but consider just one aspect of our lifestyle that will be directly effected virtually immediately.

Police are already rehashing the old propaganda that riders' good works like TOY RUNS and PINK RIBBON rides are just positive spin to cover our violence and drug dealing. A senior policeman was on the radio the other night spouting this hate propaganda.

If you are a motorcycle event organiser, let's say a TOY RUN, under Clark's law you risk serious bother. 1000 people turn up. Among them is a member of a banned organisation. Police photograph you chatting to the banned person, maybe selling them a TOY RUN badge. You may not be charged  but do you need uniforms at your door giving you a lecture on who you can associate with while the car-driving neighbours watch? There will be fewer and fewer volunteers prepared to take the risk of organising motorcycle & scooter events and a whole aspect of our lifestyle could disappear.

Please read the articles below. If you feel strongly about this police-state legislation email Premier Baillieu and cc the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Andrews MP and the Independent Riders' Group at:

ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au

CC

daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au

d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com



































































































































































































































































The Australian Bureau of Statistics says over 1.3 million Australians are licensed to ride motorcycles & scooters. The vast majority of Australians who ride are law-abiding citizens.

The Transport Accident Commission says that 80% of Victorian riders' are not in any sort of bike club.

The last Victoria Police estimate I heard was that about 7000 people were members of what police call OMGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs) across the country. Just as not all police do the wrong thing, not all members of patch clubs are crooks.

Clark's anti-bikie law makes a community of over a million Australians second class citizens guilty by association. Its' a law Australians should be deeply ashamed of.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

Thursday 8 November 2012

SPARE A FEW BOB FOR THE FATHER BOB DOCO

Father Bob and his crew do good work. Ghost Pictures are making a documentary about him. They need money to produce the footage they have already shot. Please invest in the doco if you can.

vimeo.com/51047623?action=share&post_id=100000228322018_367017843393293#_=_

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

JOIN THIS FACEBOOK GROUP


RIDERS AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY LAWS

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/262152063888175/permalink/272406736196041/

HIRSTY'S WIRELESS PROGRAM


ON RIDE THIS SUNDAY

·The AMC’s Shaun Lennard joins us to review the highlights of the motorcycling year

·Chris Mearns from MRA QLD updates us on motorcycling issues from Qld and explains why the MRA isn’t having a toy run this year

·We ask how Barry Sheene’s daughter Sidonie found the recent ride to Phillip Island held for 10 years in his honour.

·And we hope to find out how riders in the Apple Isle celebrated on their 25th Motorcycle Awareness Ride in that states north

·Plus lots of news, views and music from Australia and beyond

TUNE IN in Sydney live on 90.5 FM and across Australia on www.alive905.comfrom 7pm -9pm EST on Sunday. Please check out Facebook and if you like the programme don't forget to Like this page and recommend it to you friends.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/RIDE-on-2ccrfm-with-Greg-Hirst/265400733475447              
Ride                      
                                                                        
What’s the next best thing to having some motorcycle fun? Listening to others who are having it as well!And you can do that on Sundays for two hours from 7pm EST. on Alive FM 90.5 when national motorcycling identity Greg Hirst will entertain you with

·Humorous stories of a motorcycle nature
·Interviews with well known motorcycle riders
·Stories from Aussie motorcycle clubs about their positive activities
·Update of key some motorcycling issues
·News on local and national motorcycle events (especially for those listening online)
·Studio guests to talk about their personal motorcycling experiences                                                

And lots of great Aussie rock, blues and alternate music, plus a little overseas stuff. So listen in every Sunday for some motorcycle radio fun: on radio in Sydney or online on www.alive905.comaround Australia.Alive 90.5 FM broadcasts all its programmes online and so Ridecan be heard in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania at 7pm,Qld at 7pm, South Australia and Broken Hill 6.30pm, the Northern Territory at 6.30pm and in Western Australia at 5pm.

·For more information contact Greg on www.greghirstenterprises.com.au


Tuesday 6 November 2012

TASSIE AWARENESS RIDE


From: Archers Manor [mailto:archersmanor@bigpond.com.au]
Sent: Monday, 5 November 2012 7:15 PM
Subject: FW: 2012 MRA Awareness Ride

Subject: 2012 MRA Awareness Ride

Hi All

Please find attached the poster for this years awareness ride - feel free so share it around and get it out there to as many people as we can

I have included both an A3 & A4 size for those that may wish to print it

We want to see a BIG turnout for our 25th Awareness ride so invite everyone you know

Regards

Nathan Blair

Secretary
North Motorcycle Riders Association Tasmania Inc
Ph - 0411 313 598
Email - secretary@mranorthtas.org.au  secretary@mranorthtas.org.au
Web - www.mranorthtas.org.au  www.mranorthtas.org.au
Facebook -http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Motorcycle-Riders-Association-of-Tasmania-inc/135107826563425?ref=hl 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Motorcycle-Riders-Association-of-Tasmania-inc/135107826563425?ref=hl

See you there

Cheers Al

Archers Manor
Hotel & Function Centre
17 Alanvale Rd Newnham Tas
Ph 03 6326 3600
Email; archersmanor@bigpond.com.au

Website; www.archersmanor.com.au

Sunday 4 November 2012

BIKE SHOW IN MELBOURNE



If you want to see more motorcycles & scooters and road bike issues on
TV, support this crew. Please spread the word.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne
********************************************************************

RIDER INVITATION

Series  2  of  Temporary  Australians  will be launched at this year's
Australian Motorcycle Expo at  the  Melbourne  Convention  and  Exhibition
Centre  on  Saturday, November 24 at 2.30 pm on the QBE stage inside
the Expo.
Greg Hirst asks Georges Gouron why he wore out three 900 Diversions riding round the world.

Live  to  Ride  and Two Wheels Editor Miles Rangeley will join Brendan
Jones and Greg Hirst to announce details  of  the  2013 series and preview
some of the new stories from the great Aussie Biker Culture.

Also launched at this year's show will be a range of Temporary
Australians merchandise including the official

DVD  of  Series  1,  Temporary  Australians t-shirts and cloth badges,
Greg's stories from the biker scene

called  'My  Motorcycling  Life  1 and 2' all on sale at the Temporary
Australians stand number 730.

The  official  Temporary Australians DVD contains all 13 episodes from
Series 1 in a quirkily covered three disc set will be on
sale  for  the  special  show price of $30, along with t-shirts $25,
cloth badges $5 plus Greg's books $15 each.

As  a  special show deal this $90 value will be on sale in one package
for $60.

www.temporaryaustralians.com.au




           

PHONES IN CARS

TOP COP CALLS FOR A BAN ON MOBILE PHONES IN CARS!

Lately it seems we don't agree with Victoria Police on a lot of things but on the front page of the Herald Sun in Melbourne today (5/11/2012) Inspector David Griffin called for a new law forcing drivers to switch off their mobile phones when driving.

151 drivers are fined for mobile phone use in cars everyday in Victoria. That's only a small percentage of the offences. There are over 4 million cars in this state and there's a mobile phone for every Victorian. Do the sums. It could be as high as 1 million car phone offences a day.

Police should put more police bikes in traffic in pairs to book more drivers breaking existing laws and records should be checked for phone use after every crash.

"Have your say.

Should it be illegal to have mobile phones turned off in cars?"
heraldsun.com.au

CASH FOR PUSHIES

2012-13 CITY OF MELBOURNE BUDGET

The "centrepiece" of the Council's budget this year is a bike package costing ratepayers $5.6 million.

To the city council bike means pushbike not powered two wheelers.

There does not appear to be a package for motorcycle & scooter riders.

The Transport Accident Commission continues to increase its' unfair tax targeting motorcycle & scooter riders. It is now over $70 a year for most riders.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/abolish-tac-antibike-tax.html

Friday 2 November 2012

PROTEST RUN 13


 Damien,

The Protest Rally is now on YouTube. The maximum time limit YouTube
allows for an individual clip is 10 minutes, so I have broken it
down into four clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e jVKikON1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_jVKikON1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arfxCJzc1M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrfxCJzclM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB3Kw38ZtAU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB3Kw38ZtAU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEMaDP0KqeU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEMaDP0KqeU

Regards
Steve Bardsley
VSRA