TRANSPORT CHALLENGE - MCs NOT INCLUDED?

To GOLD FM

Following your transport challenge this morning (29 July 2017) I'd like to know why motorcycles or scooters are never included in those challenges. Maybe because they would be sure winners? I find this constant omission very discriminatory. An explanation would be welcomed.

Georges GOURON

Independant Riders Group

GOLD FM RADIO
MELBOURNE
Tel: 03 9420 1043
Email: info@gold1043.com.au

We understand GOLD FM hosted a “Transport Challenge” this morning and that motorcycles & scooters were not included. We too would like to know if motorbikes were not included, and WHY?

There are approaching 200,000 road registered motorcycles & scooters registered in Victoria and over 400,000 Victorians licences to ride them. Motorcycles & scooters will increase in numbers as our population grows.

A large percentage of road registered bikes are in the greater Melbourne and Geelong areas. A significant percentage of them are used to commute, run messages and for recreation like visiting city restaurants and theatres. 

People choose to commute, shop and go out on powered two-wheelers because riding saves time and money. It reduces pollution, road damage and traffic congestion. It’s fun. Riding also frees up car parking space.

AND, riding motorbikes in Victorian traffic is safer than it has ever been.

If you exclude riders from community activities like your Challenge, you marginalise a legitimate part of society. This increases the risk to riders from careless and or aggressive car drivers. Drivers who are not looking for motorcycle & scooter riders in traffic or who resent riders and would deny them their place on our roads can do terrible damage.

We urge GOLD FM to include motorcycles and scooters in any future transport challenges. The Independent Riders Group will be happy to publicise such challenges and help in other ways if we can.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders Group
Melbourne

PHONE PUSHIES

PUSHBIKE RIDERS in Victoria can now be fined $476 for using a hand-held mobile phone while riding. BUT, how do you catch the offender if you are on foot, and, how do you identify the rider if you do catch him/her???

CONTACTS

you may also wish to contact your local State Member of Parliament.  You can find their contact details at https://electoratelookup.vec.vic.gov.au/

If your matter is a federal government responsibility, you may also wish to contact your local Federal Member of Parliament.  You can find their contact details at http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/

REVENUERS

WHILE SPEED & RED LIGHT CAMERAS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN ROAD SAFETY, there is no doubt that they are over used and that they have a significant role to play in the Victorian budget. Over $1 million a day is serious money to a state treasurer.

RIDER DIES NEAR TOWNSVILLE

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/townsville/2017/06/24/fatal-traffic-crash-alligator-creek-near-townsville/

RIDER DIES AT TOOLANGI IN VICTORIA

https://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/news/toolangi-fatal-crash

BAD ROADS COST PEOPLE AND DOLLARS

TO ALL VICTORIAN MPs

It seems to us that VicRoads has made a mess of road maintenance across the State and has its’ priorities seriously wrong.

This makes the roads more dangerous than they need to be and costs the tax payer a fortune in funding VicRoads. And, it increases prices because it costs business operators, from tourism through services to commodities, more to supply the public. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joa7RxahSaQ

Can/will VicRoads repair the damage without independent supervision?

Damien Codognotto OAM

Independent riders Group

Melbourne

This article is two years old but it says everything about what's wrong with our roads and with VicRoads.