Monday September 12, 2011.
Page 10.
BIKERS IN DEADLY PERIL
By Ashley Gardiner. State politics reporter. gardinera@heraldsun.com.au
"Motorists should be re-tested every five years to make roads safer for motorcyclists, MPs have been told.
Soaring motorcycle use has seen increasing numbers of serious injuries and deaths of riders.
On Saturday, a motorcyclist was killed after being hit by a car leaving an East Melbourne car park.
In a submission to a State Parliament inquiry into motorcycle safety, law firm Maurice Blackburn said there was a need for licence refresher courses.
'Other road users need to accept that motorcyclists are entitled to share the road space in a safe manner,' the firm's principal, John Voyage said.
'Motorcyclists are not risk takers. These are Victorians who understand risk and take steps to mitigate it.'
Driver Awareness Rides were annual events in Melbourne. The lead truck sponsored by Budget led a procession of thousandas of riders around the city.
This crash scene on a tray truck toured Melbourne in the 1980s. It promoted strong reactions and generated valuable media coverage. The message - LOOK BIKE!
Experienced motorcyclist Catherine Elliott, who was in hospital for eight months after a crash said everyone needed refresher training. 'There is not enough training for motorists on how to look out for motorcyclists, cyclists or pedestrians." ...http://www.news.com.au/national/test-motorists-to-make-bikers-safer.html
http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/more-news/7732-fatalcollision-in-east-melbourne.
http://t.co/OtGpdnO
The Herald Sun
Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
Page 26.
YOUR SAY
"I'm a driver. When I took up riding a motorcycle, other drivers told me I was nuts, that riding was dangerous.
It's a commonly expressed notion and it shows that drivers recognise that driving skill is generally poor, otherwise the roads wouln't be thought to be so dangerous.
Maurice Blackburn's call to retest and retrain drivers is valid (TEST MOTORISTS TO MAKE BIKERS SAFER Herald Sun Sept 12)
If drivers are looking out for motorcyclists then they'll be looking out for all manner of hazards and the roads will be safer as a result.
Rob Salvv, Altona Meadows."
"When I originally went and got my learner's permit, the instructor told me: 'Ride like nobody can see you.'
The advice sums up what our roads are like.
There is not one day goes by where a car does not attempt to merge into me, despite the driver having looked directly at me.
Maurice Blackburn and Associates I take my helmet off to you.
Michael Langford, Pascoe Vale."
The Herald Sun
Wednesday, September 14, 2011.
Page 28.
YOUR SAY
"MOTORCYCLISTS who weave in and out of traffic are as much to blame for accidents as drivers. Don't blame the motorist for the behaviour of these morons.
Barry Musgrove, Lancefield."
The LOOK BIKE! campaign came from England via New Zealand in the 1980s. The MRA told VicRoads and VicRoads improved it featuring a TV ad based on a new concept, the video game. That was before vicRoads adopted the policy of not doing anything that could be construed as encouraging motorcycling.
"As a CFA member, I can say there is nothing more frustrating than motorists who have total disregard for emergency service vehiles ('Firey's siren call', Your Say, Sept 13).
Every time we turn out we run the gauntlet of motorists not willing to give way.
There needs to be a campaign to better educate all drivers on safe procedures when emergency vehicles are approaching, instead of people going into a panic and not knowing what to do.
Simon, Ferntree Gully."
Barry Musgrove (H/S 14/9/2011) generalises that motorcyclists are as much to blame for crashes as drivers. His use of the word moron may indicate an attitude that does nothing to improve safety. Some moves, seen by car drivers with no experience riding in traffic, look dangerous through the windscreen but from the saddle make good safety sense.
Most riders drive cars. Most drivers do not ride bikes. Riders are safer drivers.
Common Causes of bike crashes are cars moving into road space occupied by a bike. It is usually safer to "penetrate traffic" on a pushbike, scooter or motorbike. Ask a police rider. Other common bike crashes are cars failing to give way, cars hitting bikes from behind and car occupants opening doors without looking.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are right, driver skills and attention need improving through training and retesting. This would reduce pedestrian, bicycle, scooter and motorcycle casualties and help emergency vehicles get to where they are needed.
Darebin Council recently called for mandatory high-visibility clothing for bicyclists and VicRoads/TAC/Police have called for high-visibility protective clothing to be compulsory for motorcycle & scooter riders. Australian road authorities tend to blame the victims it's refreshing to hear people who deal with the consequences of road trauma in court blaming lack of driver skill and attention for too many vulnerable road user injuries and deaths.
http://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au
The Herald Sun
Sept 15, 2011
Page 36
YOUR SAY
"KEEP EYE ON ALL ROAD USERS
I took up motorcycling later in life than most.
I neverheard of the acronym SMIDSY (Sorry mate I didn't see you) before I rode.
Now, after a few years on two wheels, I think it should be changed to SMIJDL (Sorry mate, I just didn't look).
C'mon drivers, it's not hard, turnyour head and look before you try to run into me.
Does my life really mean that little to you?
Peter Faulks, Candelo, NSW"
The Herald Sun
Sept 16, 2011
Page 32
50/50
"THE pros and cons of riding my motorcycle to work: I don't pay tolls, I beat the traffic, parking is free, and it's fun. I get wet when it rains and I can get killed by a moron who pulls out in front of me.
Mark, Parkville"
The Herald Sun
Sept 17, 2011
Page 83
YOUR SAY
"BRIGHTEN UP MOTORCYCLISTS
MOTORCYCLISTS who want to stay safe on the roads need to take some responsibility themselves. If the common comment after an accident (crash) is that the driver did not see the bike - help fix the problem.
Dark clothing/helmets/bikes disappear by blending with the road colour.
Start wearing bright helmets, bright protective clothing and ride a bike with a bright colour and lots of sparkling chrome.
Give motorists a good chance to see you! - itis in your own best interests. Stop passing the buck to anyone else but yourselves.
Lynda, North Balwyn (Vic.)"
THE HERALD SUN
LETTERS
Lynda from North Balwyn (HS 17/9/2011) calls for motorcyclists to take responsibility and show bright colours on the road. She accuses us of passing the road safety buck.
Too many car drivers do not look for bikes. If they did they would see the bright/light colouring of many road bikes. The would see lots of silver and chrome. They would see helmet designs, leathers and gear with body armor in a wide range of colours, including black, and designs.
Some bikes are dark coloured but all have reflectors front, side and rear by law. Most bikes run headlamps at all times. Some machines have audible conspicuity which makes them safer and is more effective than visibile conspicuity.
Most of the recommendations in the report of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Visibility (March 1992 - http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/ ) are fact in 2011. It is a pity VicRoads/TAC/Police did not monitor the changes in depth to guage what effect increased conspicuity really had.
If visibility was a primary safety factor for bikes, why do police motorcycles get hit by cars?
Motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians can be seen by car drivers if drivers look. "Sorry I didn't see you." is an admission of negligence or incompetence by any vehicle operator.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne
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