ON RIDE THIS SUNDAY

ON RIDE  THIS SUNDAY


·         We celebrate another Casey Stoner Motor GP win in Laguna Seca in California

·         We hear Casey’s thoughts about this year’s Phillip Island Moto GP courtesy of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation

·         We chat to Angry Anderson about his latest endeavour with Fraser Motorcycles to protect Aussie kids

·         We find out some interesting stuff about sand drag racing in Australia

·         We review this Sunday’s Blanket Run in Sydney’s West as well as the official opening of Sys HD’s new shop at Campbelltown

·         And find out why band Black Label play at so many biker events

·         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

ANTI-BIKIE LAWS 1

Today's  Herald  Sun in Melbourne. The VOTELINE question is Should the
Victorian Government introduce anti-bikie legislation? Consorting laws are not
consistent with a free country. Where there is crime, enforce existing laws.

To  vote  no,  Victoria should not have anti-bikie laws, dial 1900 956 435.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

Thursday, July 26, 2012, 11:42:55 AM, you wrote:

Hi all

Discussion  over  conviction of "Foster" in NSW first person charged &
convicted for knowingly associating with a criminal Biker! Loving this
on triple j : Hack: Wednesday 25th July

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/daily/hack_wed_2012_07_25.mp3

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/

Be  careful  who  you party with, that's the message from NSW Attorney
General  Greg Smith who tells Hack that new laws designed to crackdown
on  bikie  gangs  should  discourage you from hanging with people with
criminal  records. If you don't, you could be serving some time.

So are the  laws  being  used as they were intended to be?

Dale Robert Maggs
Mob 0432 776 458
Independent Riders Group

HI VIZ VEST LAW 9

G'day ...........

Many thanks for the Shepparton News story on flouro vests. I'll pass it on.

I hear Ulysses Wodonga will have a meeting on flouro vests on August 16 and Snr Sgt Gore will speak in favour. If I can get an invite, I'd like to speak against.

Thanks again.

Damien
IRG
Melbourne

Thursday, July 26, 2012, 9:18:06 AM, you wrote:

http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/shepparton/bikers-say-no-to-flouro-1.24612

MAKING THE LAW

The current threat of a high visibility vest law for Victorian motorcycle & scooter road riders within 18 months has generated a lot of angry comment. It's one thing to shout about a proposed law, it's another to do something about it. Most of Australia's 1.3 million road riders talk about freedom but few do anything to protect it.

We have a very good system of government but, like too many things, it can be abused. The first step towards protecting your freedom as an Australian and your right to ride as a motorcyclist is to learn a bit about how we govern ourselves. Call 03 8682 2653.

Ring up and have then post you this video. It is free. It's a short documentary on our system. Don't complain about bad laws after they've been passed. Apathy will see you legislated and taxed off our roads.

RADIO RIDER

ON RIDE  THIS SUNDAY


·         With the upcoming Pink Ribbon and Prostate Cancer Awareness rides we talk to Deputy Prime    Minister Wayne Swan and Parramatta MP Julie Owens about their cancer scares

·         Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott announces Supercross at the Oz GP at Phillip Island in October

·         We talk to Steve Andrews in Perth about the Black Dog Ride to Central Australia

·         And Richo from Bikers Australia updates us on the Blanket Run

·         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 at  www.greghirstenterprises.com.au

HI VIZ VEST LAW 8

Doug Sunderland from Wangaratta rang last night (23/7/2012). He said Snr Sgt Gore was on WIN TV News pushing his high-visibility vest law "opinion". When someone bypasses all the proper channels for developing a law and says that hi viz vests will be legislation within 18 months and if we don't like it we can give up motorcycling, that's not opinion.

I have no problem with anyone offering opinions. It's a free country. It's a great country, but to keep it free we have to protect our democracy. Bullying 325,000 Victorians who legitimately choose to ride motorcycles & scooters with a threat that if we don't like a new law that's just too bad, is not good for our country. Opinions good, threats bad.

Doug also said that there was a meeting planned for Wodonga to discuss this very thing.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

BIKE BIGOT 1

This is bigotry. No other name for it. It's not based on fact. It's based on prejudice and fear. Australia's motorcycle & scooter riders make up a community that is larger than many religeous or ethnic communities yet we are treated like this. If a publication ran a campaign like this against an Australian religeous or ethnic group, they'd be in court. Trouble is, the motorcycle communities reps for the most part, are too soft.

Damien Codognotto OAM

Hi Gentlemen

Again the papers love to print these type of articles against the rider but they hardly ever print the response from the lobby groups around Australia with articles such as this appearing more and more and the Transport Initiative submission for the years 2012-2050, 90 pages, and it doesn't make mention of a motorcycle
but mentions all other forms of transport. It makes one feel they dont what us on the road, or am I just paranoid? This article seems to be written by what I call the cotton wool brigade. If they had there way we would be legislated against before we do anything at all. 

Cheers & Respect

Prickle

motorcycle_safety_taken_for_a_ride

HECKLER

I STILL can't believe it, really. I can legally drive this vehicle on the road. It has no seat belts, no air bags and no side impact protection. There's no bumper bar, no windscreen, no window wipers. In fact, there are no windows.

Yes, I'm talking about that human missile on two wheels, the motorbike. But if you think this incomplete list of the lack of safety features is mind-blowing, it gets worse. I can basically wear anything I like. If I want to wear black at night, I can. If I want to hurtle along the F3 at 110km/h in shorts, singlet and bare feet at 1am in heavy rain, I can, as long as I am wearing my Australian Standard approved helmet.

Sure I'd feel a whole bunch safer wearing gloves with strengthened palm and knuckle protection, abrasion- and tear-resistant jacket and pants and a pair of high-performance leather boots with ankle support system. But these are all optional. I don't have to. And you have to pity the poor pillion passenger. Apart from wearing a helmet, they're sitting there holding grimly onto thin air feeling more helpless than a lamb waiting to be ritually slaughtered.

I'd rather be lit up like a Christmas trees at night but some riders prefer the camouflage of wearing black. A whole host of workers must wear high visible clothing for work health and safety reasons but there's no compulsion for motorcycle riders to wear high-visibility gear for safety, health or occupation reasons, apart from the highly visible Australia Post riders.

Face it: if anyone tried to launch the motorcycle today, it wouldn't be approved. Waaaay too dangerous. They'd have as much hope as someone trying to introduce cigarettes into the market.

''So this vehicle can travel at speeds up to 200km/h, and has no safety features apart from a helmet that the rider wears, which impedes their vision. Mmmm, I don't think so, Mr Whacky, now please stop wasting my time. OK, Mr Benson, Mr Hedges? You're next … ''

If the government was half serious about rider safety, it would introduce mandatory warning decals for motorbikes depicting disfiguring injuries or the dismembered bodies of riders who died as a result of their own reckless indifference to safety.

Big Tobacco has been a formidable opponent in opposing government attempts to promote healthy lifestyles and warning the public of the dangers of cigarettes. It will take a courageous government to take on the motorcycle lobby and bikie gangs and confront how we tolerate major safety inconsistencies between motor vehicles and motorcycles and introduce some commonsense changes to protect riders from themselves.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/motorcycle-safety-taken-for-a-ride-20120718-22alv.html#ixzz212MALbXu

$1 MILLION TOURISM BOOST

Mildura  in  North  West Victoria hosted the Ulysses Club AGM in 2012.
Ulysses  is  a  club  for motorcycle & scooter riders over 40 years of

age.  The  event attracted over 4000 Ulyssians from all over Australia

and contributed over $1 million to the local economy.


Tourism  Victoria  is  working  on a motorcycle & scooter tourism plan
similar  to  its'  bicycle  plan.  The  bicycle plan says that bicycle
tourers  contribute  over  $360  million to the Victorian economy each
year. Informal surveys by the Independent Riders' Group indicates that
motorcycle & scooter riders contribute more than double that amount.

www.tourism.vic.gov.au/images/stories/Victoria%20s%20Cycle%20Tourism%20Action%20Plan%202011

Click  the  link  to see what a colourful, exciting and well organised
event the Ulysses Club AGM in Mildura was.
*********************************************************************
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbwVFAhBkc

Check  out  this  site for a short youtube on the Ulysses AGM in Mildura
2012  Bob Munro features near the end and in the official speeches. To
pause  on  this film simply click on the small button which goes along
at  the  bottom and hold and the film will stop allowing a better time
to view any particular subject.


Bob Tate
*********************************************************************

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

GIVE BLOOD NOW 2

GIVING BLOOD isn't easy in Australia in 2012. There are fewer blood banks. Too many are hard to get to and many have difficult opening hours. The booking system is rigid and there's the red tape.  


It means you can't always donate blood or plasma conveniently. That's counter productive, especially in a volunteer system. Questionaires for a first timer are understandable but a blood test and a few questions asked by a nurse should be enough for regular donors.


Surely screening the blood donation itself is a safer bet than forms and questionaires could ever be. But don't let them put you off becoming a blood donor. Make the effort. One day it might be you or one of yours that needs a life-saving donation.

Over the last decade or so the Red Cross Blood Service has become increasingly corporate hiring spin doctors and young administrators with diplomas and certificates and a comprehensive lack of experience dealing with volunteers.


Charities are good places for marketing and management types to spend a couple of years before climbing on up the corporate ladder. It looks good in their CVs. That's probably why there is a high turnover of staff at the blood service HQ.

Melbourne's Herald Sun. July 23, 2012.

But their shortcomings should not put you off. Giving blood is a very good thing to do. If you can give blood, become a regular donor. If you haven't given blood for a while, book in today.




Call  13 14 95  or  donateblood.com

Melbourne's Herald Sun. July 23, 2012.

GIVE BLOOD NOW

The Melbourne Herald Sun. July 24, 2012.

Please consider becoming a regular blood donor. If you already give blood make your next appointment today. Contact details are below. 

Regardless of the Red Cross Blood Service' effectively shutting down our BLOOD CHALLENGES giving blood is the right thing to do.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service spends  $31 million a year on imported blood products! And more on expensive TV ads and spin doctors. The  number of Australians donating blood has been around 3% for years, so current campaigns do little to encourage local donors. Several times a year the media tells us about  another blood shortage.

It's not the donors fault. The  corporatisation  of our blood bank over the past decade or so has seen volunteers alienated, country  blood banks closed, a difficult booking system putting an end to BLOOD RUNS and cost-effective promotions like the MRA BLOOD CHALLENGE effectively shutdown across Australia or rebadged  excluding motorcycle & scooter organisations. 

The Victorian BLOOD CHALLENGE ran for 30 years from 1980 to 2010. The Red Cross replaced the MRA CHALLENGE with a computer game (That few used) and set up an emergency services challenge saying that rider groups should compete among themselves.


The BLOOD CHALLENGE encouraged thousands of donors to give blood and was a serious summer road safety promotion generating a lot of positive media at virtually no cost to the blood bank.

Australians  are  great  volunteers. Less spin, more heart equals more blood donors and less, or better yet no need, to import blood products. Call your local blood bank today and make an appointment. If you can give blood, you should. 


13 14 95   or  donateblood.com.au

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

TAC CASH

THE AGE
LETTERS

No money for the Children's Hospital!

TAC  is  a  monopoly  with a compulsory product, vehicle insurance. It
spends  our  premiums  on  grandiose media campaigns that quickly lose
their  shock  value and air time for Bikie Wars on TV. What Bikie Wars
have to do with road safety is beyond us.

The  point  is,  it's  our  money.  TAC  should get out of showbiz and
sponsor  a  ward  at  the  children's hospital and more ambulances and
reduced premiums for safe drivers and riders.

Damien Codognotto
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

WRB LETTERS TO EDITOR'S

Darryl Wells of Werribee in Victoria campaigned to put wire rope barriers on the Princes Highway and the Maltby Bypass near Melbourne. With 40 years of road rescues to his credit, he is credible even if his letter sounds a bit like an ad for one of the three manufacturers supplying road builders with WRB in Australia.

Is it reasonable to say a reduction of call-outs on a single location, the Melbourne/Geelong road, indicates WRB is responsible for safer roads across the country? And WRB is not the only change on that stretch of highway over the last 20 years. There have been extensive road works improving the road. There have been reductions in speed limits and increased enforcement. There have been improvements in driver training and vehicle technologies. Street lighting has improved. Even the weather was dry a lot of the time during the drought. So saying call-outs to crashes "have been reduced dramatically since the installation of the fences" does not convince me that  WRB prevented any crashes.

That crashes are not as horrific as in the past may have less to do with WRB and more to do with lower speeds on that road and technologies such as better brakes, crumple zones and air bags in more cars.

It is documented fact that people, including motorcyclists, car and heavy vehicle drivers have died and been horribly injured at WRB sites. These facts have been documented by the media rather than our road authorities. That crash site data collection is sadly lacking has been raised in state and federal parliaments and  at Victorian Parliamentary inquiries.

The Victoria Police data collection system does not exactly locate a crash site in the old-fashioned tick-the-box form that is still used too often. These reports rarely mention the type of roadside object involved in a crash so when a road authority official tells you that there is no evidence to suggest WRB is any more dangerous than anything else out there he or she is right. They don't collect that information so you can't ask a computer for information about the number of casualty crashes involving WRB (or steel or concrete) and what kind of injuries resulted because that information isn't there.

Have a look at some of the input to the current Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into motorcycle & scooter safety. In particular have a look at the 2012 TAC input on crash data. The link is below.    

HERALD SUN
LETTERS
July 14, 2012
Page 31.

BARRIER GRIEF OVERKILL

DAMIEN  Codognotto,  from  the  Independent  Riders' Group, quotes all
sorts  of  dreadful stats about wire rope barriers, including cost and
life span ("Don't fence us in", July 11).

No substantiation though.

From  the  research  I've  done,  I  can't find a single casr of these
barriers being responsible for a motorcyclist's death.

I  have  been  riding  motorcycles for 50 years and would rather these
barriers than bouncing off a big tree or an armco fence.

I  have  ridden  bikes in many countries and these4 barriers are being
put in worldwide.

Surely if they are so bad this would not be the case.

Bob Rosenthal
Vermont South

http://www.banwirebarriers.org/index.php

HERALD SUN
LETTERS

Bob  Rosenthal  (July  14, 2012) can't find a single case of wire rope
barriers  being responsible for a motorcyclist's death. That's because
cause  of  death is not established until long after the crash and TIS
data on crash sites lacks vital information.

The  current  parliamentary inquiry into bike safety heard that police
do  not  have  the equipment to exactly locate a crash and the type of
roadside   object  involved  is  rarely  recorded.  Hospital  data  is
difficult  to  get.  It's  hard  to work out how many and what type of
injuries result from crashes any type fixed object on Victorian roads.

Press  photos  make it obvious that too many people have been horribly
injured and killed in crashes involving WRBs.

WRB  is  banned in Norway and some countries stopped using it probably
because it needs high maintenance and has a short working life.

Damien Codognotto
Independent Riders Group
Melbourne
*********************************************************************

References:

The  TAC  submission  to  the  Parliamentary Inquiry into motorcycle &
scooter safety - March 7, 2012.

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1407

NB Pages 690, 691 & 692. TAC submission March 7, 2012.

Parliamentary   Inquiry   into  Crashes  Involving  Roadside  Objects.
Executive Summary, page viii. - March 2005.

Herald  Sun,  page  2.  -  February  19, 2010. "DRIVER KILLED IN FIERY
FREEWAY CRASH.

SYDNEY ROAD SAFETY CONFERENCE 2012

Three questions. What is on the agenda for the motorcycle community? Who is representing the motorcycle community? What is our rep, if any, going to say on our behalf?

2012 ACRS National ConferenceSydney
Thurs 9 – Fri 10 August 2012
Register online now - only 3 weeks to go!

Dear all,

Thank you to all those who have so far registered for the 2012 ACRS National Conference – we look forward to seeing you there! For those yet to register this is a reminder that there are only 3 WEEKS TO GO!

Register now!

Revised Draft Program posted. Come and hear the encouraging message from our Patron, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Catherine King MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure.

We also have a panel of keynote speakers who are experts in their field, including Dr Anne McCartt from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Virginia, USA.

Please check out the Conference Website

http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/

For further information. The conference theme: “A Safe System: Expanding the reach!”,  has gathered support from a wide range of experts from the field of road safety.  We are looking forward to a particularly thought-provoking conference, with an emphasis on road safety professionals hearing updates on latest research and policies, as well as networking and interacting to promote an exchange of ideas and information.


The Draft Conference Program 


http://acrs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/DRAFT-2012-ACRS-Conference-Program-July-9_posting.pdf  


has now been posted, and further information is available on the ACRS Website including:


Conference home page <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/welcome/> ;


Welcome <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/welcome/> ;       


Online Registration Form <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/registration/online-registration/> ;


Sponsorship Opportunities <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/sponsorship/> ; and·       


Keynote speakers <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/program-speakers/> . 


Registration details can be viewed on the ACRS Website <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/registration/online-registration/> , and registrations can be made online via the Online Registration Form <http://acrs.org.au/events/2012-acrs-conference/registration/online-registration/> . 


If you have any queries concerning registration, please contact Claire Howe (eo@acrs.org.au <mailto:eo@acrs.org.au> ) or Christine Bethwaite (faa@acrs.org.au <mailto:faa@acrs.org.au> ) 


ACRS National Office on (02) 6290 2509 (Tuesday – Thursday).Thank you to our generous sponsors  


Kind regards, 
Claire Howe
Executive Officer
Australasian College of Road Safety
P 02 6290 2509
F 02 6290 0914
www.acrs.org.au

HI VIZ VEST LAW 7

Vic police recently announced that VICTORIAN MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WILL HAVE TO WEAR DAYGLO VESTS.

This is merely one part of their gradual approach to subjugating us and taxing us off the roads.

GET OFF YOUR KNEES!

Below is a letter that I emailed to two MP's.

You can use the exact, self-same letter if you like, or word your own adhereing to the salient facts of what Sgt Gore said.

Here's how to do it:

1:  remove this intro, keeping only the letter.

2:  change my details to yours-  SAME WITH THE SIGNATURE BIT

3:  send it to peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au and  daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au

This will cost nothing. You do not even have to get off your arse. You simply have to send this letter (or your own similar one) to these people. And please - this is a no brainer -

 4: tell everyone you know to do the same!!!


Lindsay Swift
IRG 99

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

Peter Ryan MP
Minister for Victoria Police

Daniel Andrews
Leader of the Opposition
Victoria

Dear Sirs,

Victoria Police's Snt Sgt Gore arrogantly exceeds his authority

Recently Sgt Gore of Wangaratta, a police officer, told the media that "within 18 months" legislation will dictate that motorcyclists must wear an approved style and colour of garment.


I would remind you that Sgt Gore's job is to enforce the law, not to 'predict' legislation, especially in such a cavalier and bullying manner.

Sgt Gore acted in a recalcitrant manner and overstepped the boundaries of the police's role in our community. His actions have also further enhanced the schism between police and the general population including in particular the hundreds of thousands of Victorian voters who choose motorcycles and scooters as transport, an animosity already propogated by Victoria Police in conjunction with TAC and Vic Roads.

That Gore had a couple of motorcyclists pose wearing the attire in question is immaterial and in no way bolsters any scientific argument in favour of the introduction of such clothing - of which there is none!

I call for Sgt Gore to be disciplined and recommend that he be demoted as he has clearly lost grasp of his real role as a public servant.

Regards,

Lindsay Swift
IRG 99
734 Jenolan Caves Road,
Little Hartley,
NSW                     2790.

HI VIZ VEST LAW 6

Snr Sgt Gore told riders that high-vizibility vests would be law within 18 months. And, he said if we didn't like wearing dayglo vests we could stop riding bikes. That's not all he said.

Read what he told the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into motorcycle & scooter safety on protective clothing at the Wangaratta hearings on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.

Here's the link.

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1407

While you're there. have a look at what our Transport Accident Commission's (TAC) Mr Nieuwesteeg had to say about "cleansing" crash statistics then have a think about research and spin on mandatory flouro vests and compulsory protective clothing for motorcycle & scooter riders.

The campaign to save us from ourselves is relentless. And, they're confident in righteousness. They can even tell you what the parliamentary inquiry report will recommend and what our elected representatives will vote in. Free country? Used to be.

The only thing that will stop the bike bigotry is people power. We are not opposed to the gear, it's the law that's the problem. It's likely to lead to reduced compensation in the event of a crash if a rider is not wearing gear approved by a desk-mounted bureaucrat. It will lead to less choice, higher prices, more roadside police checks and more fines.

Become an Independent Riders' Group supporter today. It's free and you can withdraw anytime. Just email us your name, postcode and preferred email address and we'll put you on our emailing list. There's more details elsewhere on this blog.

Damien Codognotto OAM
IRG 1

MELBOURNE BUS LANE TRIAL

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1407

Bicycles have been permitted to travel in some bus lanes in Victoria for some time. Even in 70 kph zones, in hilly suburbs like Doncaster bicyclists are permitted to ride in bus lanes during peak period traffic. VicRoads did no trials or surveys on pushbikes in bus lanes, they just wrote the regulation. 

The Sunday Herald Sun published an article on bicycles in traffic on July 8, 2012. It was headed. WAR ON ROADS CAN ONLY GET WORSE. Bicycle Network Victoria says the number of bicycle commuters to Melbourne's CBD increases by 20% each year. Transport Accident Commission (TAC) road safety manager Samantha Cockfield made an interesting point. She said. 

"... the growth meant that motorists and cyclists needed to learn to share the road safely. She said the proliferation of clearly defined bike lanes would help to keep heads cool. If we're not expecting cars to get stuck behind cyclists going 30 km/h in a 60 km/h zone ... we're not going to have the angst build up. ..."  

That makes more sense than VicRoads permitting pushbikes, that probably do a lot less than 30 km/h up hill, to travel in bus lanes and hold up 50 commuters taking public transport to work. Then there's the risk to consider. What if a bicyclist drops their bike at 30 km/h in front of a bus? What happens to the passengers when the driver slams on the brakes?

Anyway, it seemed to the Independent Riders' Group, that it made sense to permit motorcycle & scooter riders to travel in bus lanes. It's been called for before by responsible organisations because it helps traffic flow, powered two-wheelers can keep up even in 100 km/h zones and it's safer. Anywhere a bike is away from cars it's safer. Obvious. But not to VicRoads. A trial permitting motorcycles & scooters to use the bus lane on Hoddle Street, between the Eastern Freeway and Victoria Parade/Street began in November 2011.

Motorcycles & scooters are permitted to use bus lanes in NSW and elsewhere.

The Hoddle Street trial may not be your idea of a well-thought-out project. The bus lane on the Eastern Freeway was excluded making the Hoddle Street bus lane difficult to get into. This bus lane is short, straight and flat, hardly representative. 

One of the reasons to commuting on two wheels is to save time. This trial does not allow riders to turn right towards the city with the buses but requires a left-hander into crowded Victoria Street. Time saved in the 1.6 km bus lane is lost making the left hand turn. Some riders merge back into the sea of single-occupant cars before that intersection.

A rider seeks to avoid the left turn into chaos by merging right out of the  Hoddle Street  bus lane.

The trial is welcome though, even if the bicycle community did not have to jump through the  hoops we do. Some say this trial was set up to fail. We'll see. It was supposed to be done by June but the IRG has been told that "data and feedback" collected in the Hoddle Street trial is being analysed and the trial will continue until "a policy decision" has been made.

A policy decision? Why does that make me feel uncomfortable? VicRoads' policy to discourage people from riding motorcycles or scooters was real 20 years ago and probably still is. The Age. July 15, 2011. By Ian Munro.

"... As a state parliamentary inquiry uncovered almost 20 years ago, the state roads, licensing and registration authority, VicRoads, had a policy of 'not implementing any programs that could be construed as encouraging motorcycling'. Having decided that motorcycling was inherently risky, Vicroads thought it best to do nothing to make it safer in case this encouraged more people to take it up. VicRoads has formally abandoned the policy, but in the licensing system its'legacy seemingly lingers. ..."

If VicRoads makes a policy decision to ban motorcycles & scooters from all Victorian bus lanes, it will be interesting to see what spin they use to justify allowing bicyclists to continue to use bus lanes. 

Damien Codognotto OAM

IRG 1 

HI VIZ LAW 5

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1407

Wednesday, July 11, 2012,  4:04:11 PM,  Aussie Sadler wrote:

Peter Ryan MP
Minister for Police
Victoria

Dear Peter Ryan,

Snr Sgt Gore of Wangaratta Highway Patrol was quoted as saying at a forum, "Within 18 months the government will legislate that all your (motorcyclists') jackets have got to be this colour." That is dayglo lime green. I don't know on what authority he states this, but I would like to know the research behind his statement. A compulsory "lights on" law with its' horrific legal ramifications and lack of research was thrown out some years back. Seems it's a case of  "Here we go again."

In my forty six years fo riding motorcycles I have never been involved in a car/bike accident. Initially, believing in the "Be seen, be safe" moto, I wore a bright yellow jacket and had my light on at all times despite  doing electrical damage to my early model motorcycle which was not suitably designed. I found that drivers generally treated me with disregard at best and at worst, blatant aggression.

Following a near miss with a car crossing on my left in front of me AFTER we made eye contact, I reviewed my strategy on the grounds that everyone sees and respects a black leather clad outlaw bikie. Since then I have worn dark leathers and momentarily turn the light on and off at my discretion when a situation calls for it. Coupled with a philosophy of, "Regard a;ll car drivers as idiots" I'm still happily riding. I guess one could say that I have done my own unintentional research.

Snr Sgt Gore goes on to say that motorcyclists should do everything in their power to see they don't fall off.
I couldn't agree more. However I fail to see what dayglo jackets have to do with this statement. He also says, "If you don't like this, stop riding motorcycles." With such beligerence one could question his ability to uphold the law in a fair and just manner.

I don't need him to tell me what to wear or how to ride a motorcycle any more than he needs me to tell him how to be a policeman. Having said this, maybe some public relations counselling might not go astray.

I would actually support less cameras and more police on our roads as well as more comprehensive rider AND driver training as is practiced in a number of European countries. I couldn't believe the respect and road courtesy displayed when I was over there.

I sincerely hope that Snr Sgt Gore is wrong in his forecasting this totally dictatorial, discriminating, useless law. I for one will face court action sooner than abide by it and I certainly won't be giving up riding my motorcycle!

Yours

Aussie Sadler
Mornington,
Vic.       3931.

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IRG SEEKS SUPPORTERS

The Independent Riders' Group began signing supporters on July 1, 2012. The IRG began in 2007 as a response to the lack of an organisation that represented ordinary road riders in Victoria. Transport Accident Commission surveys indicate that only 20% of riders are club members. By becoming an IRG supporter you let road authorities know that you ride and you vote and you are sick of restrictive, discriminatory laws and taxes. IRG supporters are mainly involved online.

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

The IRG is independent and national. Its' aims are the same as the original MRA which we started in Melbourne in 1978. The IRG is run by me, Damien Codognotto OAM with a tight group of supporters.

We are currently developing a list of draft policies which supporters will be able to vote in or out by email or letter. An example would be. The IRG opposes compulsory high-visibility clothing for Australian motorcycle & scooter riders. Another would be. The IRG opposes the use of wire rope barriers on Australian roads because they are an unacceptable hazard for motorcycle & scooter riders and they do not stop larger vehicles.

http://www.banwirebarriers.org/index.php

We are also developing a website at:

www.independentridersgroup.com.au

Our prefered online forum is:

melb-moto@yahoogroups.com

The IRG will raise funds through sale of merchandise, donations and proceeds from events.

The IRG logo is the Australian wedge-tailed eagle. Stickers cost $1 for a 4cm sticker and $2  for an 8cm sticker.
Send a cheque or money order made out to the Independent Riders' Group
at PO Box 4330, Doncaster Heights, Victoria 3109.

It costs nothing to become an IRG supporter. Just email us your name, post code and email address and you will go on our email list for five years. The list is confidential. We will use the post code to target marginal seats at elections. You can withdraw from the IRG list at any time.

Damien Codognotto OAM
IRG 1

HI VIZ VEST LAW 4

Good evening Damien

If you could post this it would be appreciated you can leave the id as i always stand by what i write

IRG, i am on your blog is there another as i thought that was IRG Independant Riders Group

my mistake if that is not correct i will support any group that tries to keep the Authorities honest

Cheers & Respect
Prickle


On 7/11/2012 8:45 PM, Damien Cognotto OAM wrote:


Many thanks.

Can I put your email on my blog? I can remove your ID if you like.

Hi Damien 

Its seems the greater rider community are angered, justifiable so, when statements such as Snr Sgt Gore made in this article say the way to reach Zero Fatalities is to remove the motorcyclists from the road. All that is achieved by the mandatory wearing of Hi-Vis is that there will be revenue raised. This is within lines of the police being seen as tax collectors and there history would be kept intact as was the case back at the Eureka Stockade days of the past. 

As has been stated, there is no evidence that that Hi-Vis would actually reduce the fatalities of motorcyclists, cause as the Government own statistics state the majority of motorcyclist fatalities are single vehicle accidents, so who there to see the Hi Vis, as always the Governments enact legislation without any credible evidence. 

Governments are encroaching into our personal lives with work place health and safety policy. BHP and other Companies have recommended removal of Hi-Vis vests in the work place as they have found that they have caused work place injurys with entanglement issues, which in the case of riders being made to  wear Hi-Vis Vests as mandatory which could lead to entanglement injuries so are we being made to endanger ourselves by this mandatory enforcement? So what then, can we lay the blame on whoever introduces this mandatory enforcement? 

Snr Sgt Gore states we as riders always find someone to blame. Well I say lay the blame at the feet of the cause, SORRY MATE I DIDNT SEE YOU the other part of that is BECAUSE YOU DIDNT LOOK (see link below). Below is a chart of what is used in the work place it seems the Government would like to introduce WH&S regulations in reverse and into our private lives.

What about the Governments showing the compensation claims of Australia Post in relation to how many riding posties are injured in the workplace as they are required to wear HI-VIS FLURO on there person and all off the saddle bags and have great long  fluro flag as well. 

As has been said by myself and many others that have reached our age and are still here to ride is that we must be doing something right, one of things we are doing right im sure is our attitude while on the road and after reading this article it shows the attitude out there is very bad and that is what needs changing before any mandatory band aid enforcement of Hi-Vis Fluro.

Yours Sincerely

Prickle

MRAQ VP

SMIDSY BIKER KILLER CLEARED         http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...#ixzz1zb7SLg30

WH&S CHART

1 Elimination-----------------Most Effective

2 Substitution

3 engeneering

4 Administration/ Education

5 P. P. E. ---------------------Least Effective

The government going for the Least effective way of trying to  fix the problem. 

MOTORCYCLE  CONSPICUITY  AND TRAFFIC  ACCIDENTS 

M.  J.  WILLIAMS 

The  Australian  Road  Research  Board,  Vermont  South  3121,  Victoria,  Australia 

and E.  R.  HOFFMANN 

Department  of  Mechanical  Engineering,  University  of  Melbourne,  ParkviIle  3052,  Australia 

(Received  30 August  1978) 

Type  1. Driver  “did  not  see”  motorcycle.  No  obstruction  to  vision.  The  driver  stated  that  he 

did  not  see  the  motorcycle  prior  to  commencing  the  initial  movement  which  produced  a 

collision. There  was nothing  to  indicate  that  the driver’s  vision of  the motorcycle  was physically 

obstructed. 

Type  2.  Driver  “did  not  see”  motorcycle.  Vision  obstructed.  The driver  stated  that he did not 

see  the  motorcycle  but  it  was  possible  that  his  view  of  the  motorcycle  may  have  been 

physically  obstructed  when  he  decided  to  make  a  manoeuvre.  The  obstructions  included 

moving  or  stationary  vehicles  nearby,  parked  vehicles,  fixed  objects  or  a  crest  or  curve  in  the 

roadway,  glare  from  a  low  sun or  heavy  rain. 

Type  3. Driver  “did  not  see”  motorcycle.  Concentrating  on  another  vehicle.  The  driver 

stated  that  he  began  to  move  when  another  vehicle  yielded  right-of-way.  He  was  probably 

concentrating  on  this  other  vehicle,  and/or  his  view  of  the  motorcycle  may  have  been 

obstructed  at  the  time he decided  to manoeuvre. 

Type  4.  Driver  saw  motorcycle.  The  driver  stated  that  he  saw  the  motorcycle  but  still 

manoeuvred  his vehicle  into  its path,  usually  because  he  underestimated  its  speed. 

Type  5.  Aberrant  driving.  There  was  some  indication  that  at  least  one  of  the  operators  was 

driving  in  an  irresponsible  manner  or  his  faculties  were  impaired  by  alcohol.  Irresponsible 

driving  included  travelling  at a speed  exceeding  the  limit or  committing  some  serious  breach  of 

road  traffic regulations. 

HI VIZ VEST LAW 3

------ Forwarded Message
From: Desktop User <info@heavyduty.com.au>
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:40:13 +1000
To: <peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au>
Conversation: Re hi-vis clothing for motorcycle riding.
Subject: Re hi-vis clothing for motorcycle riding.

Dear Minister,

Can you explain if the quote from Sgt Gore in the Wangaratta Chronicle,
June 2012 is, in fact, Victorian government policy? Or is Senior Sgt Gore 
allowing his personal feelings to dictate his statements? 


After the disgraceful effort by the TAC to blame riders for the stupidity of
other road users, the infamous broken neck TV ad, can we expect Gore to 
front a new series of expensive and pointless ads? 


Is his quote, “If you don’t like this, stop riding motorcycles” to be the new 
TAC slogan?

I believe the roads are there for all users, Minister. Will you be legislating
to force all pedestrians crossing the road to whip out their  hi-vis vests
before stepping off the pavement?

And how is it that Senior Sgt Gore can predict the inquiry results, well
over twelve months before it is tabled in parliament?

I would appreciate some answers minister. I will be publishing this letter
in my magazine in September. It would be good if you replied.

Neale Brumby- EDITOR 
HEAVY DUTY MAGAZINE
Published by: BONZA MEDIA PTY LTD

HEAVY DUTY MOTORCYCLE TOURS
LICENCED TRAVEL AGENCY  #33002

PO Box 96 Ascot Vale VIC 3032

http://www.heavyduty.com.au

***************************************************
HI VIZ VESTS LAW 2

"WITHIN  18 MONTHS THE GOVERNMENT WILL LEGISLATE 
THAT ALL YOUR JACKETS HAVE GOT TO BE THIS COLOR." 


Snr Sgt Gore of Wangaratta in Victoria told a forum and the media what
the  current  Parliamentary  Inquiry  into motorcycle & scooter safety
would find. The inquiry ends in December 2012. Sans ifs or buts he was
quoted  saying  dayglo  jackets  for  road  riders  would be law in 18
months.

He  used  Ulysses  Club  members  to  give  his  theory  on compulsory
high-visability vests for riders some credibility and the Wangaratta
Chronicle ran a picture story on June 22, 2012.

There is NO evidence to suggest that hi viz clothing keeps riders safe
because  no  good  science  on  the  subject  has  ever  been  done in
Australian conditions. Road safety laws must be evidence-based, not
opinion-based.

IF  hi viz gear works, it is a minor contributor to bike safety. A far
greater  contributor  to  the  safety  of  all  vulnerable  road users
(pedestrians,  bicyclists and motorcycle & scooter riders) would be an
improvement  in  car  driver  awareness and behaviour. Most vulnerable
road user casualties are caused by car driver error. A real crackdown on
in-car distractions would be a start.

It is likely that riders who take care to buy and wear hi viz gear are
careful road users generally and so crash less.

That  kind of logic and the lack of good science on hi viz gear didn't
seem to trouble Sgt Gore. The law according to Gore.

"If you don't like this, stop riding motorcycles," he said.
 
"Within  18 months the government will legislate that all your jackets
have  got  to  be  this color."  Dayglo lime green?

Little  wonder  most  riders  feel  authorities  target  motorcyclists
unfairly.  To  many  riders  Sgt Gore's message was too similar to the
recent TAC campaign - BLAME THE VICTIM.

Independent  Riders'  Group spokesman Damien Codognotto OAM responded.
"I've  been riding in traffic since 1967. I wear darker colours on the
bike  and  I'm still here. Police will have to prove their theories in
court because I won't routinely wear a dayglo vest."

------ End of Forwarded Message

HI VIZ VEST LAW 2

"WITHIN  18 MONTHS THE GOVERNMENT 
WILL LEGISLATE THAT 
ALL YOUR JACKETS 
HAVE GOT TO BE THIS 
COLOR." 

Snr Sgt Gore of Wangaratta in Victoria told a forum and the media what
the  current  Parliamentary  Inquiry  into motorcycle & scooter safety
would find. The inquiry ends in December 2012. Sans ifs or buts he was
quoted  saying  dayglo  jackets  for  road  riders  would be law in 18
months.

He  used  Ulysses  Club  members  to  give  his  theory  on compulsory
high-visability   vests for riders some credibility and the Wangaratta
Chronicle ran a picture story on June 22, 2012.

There is no evidence to suggest that hi viz clothing keeps riders safe
because  no  good  science  on  the  subject  has  ever  been  done in
Australian conditions. Road safety laws should be evidence-based.

IF  hi viz gear works, it is a minor contributor to bike safety. A far
greater  contributor  to  the  safety  of  all  vulnerable  road users
(pedestrians,  bicyclists and motorcycle & scooter riders) would be an
improvement  in  car  driver  awareness and behaviour. Most vulnerable
road user casualties are caused by car driver error.

It is likely that riders who take care to buy and wear hi viz gear are
careful road users generally.

That  kind of logic and the lack of good science on hi viz gear didn't
seem to trouble Sgt Gore. The law according to Gore.

"If you don't like this, stop riding motorcycles," he said.
 
"Within  18 months the government will legislate that all your jackets
have  got  to  be  this color."  Dayglo lime green!

Little  wonder  most  riders  feel  authorities  target  motorcyclists
unfairly.  To  many  riders  Sgt Gore's message was too similar to the
recent TAC campaign - BLAME THE VICTIM.

Independent  Riders'  Group spokesman Damien Codognotto OAM responded.
"I've  been riding in traffic since 1967. I wear darker colours on the
bike  and  I'm still here. Police will have to prove their theories in
court because I won't routinely wear a dayglo vest."

If  you  think  Sgt  Gore has exceeded his authority telling the media
that he believed it was inevitable the Victorian Road Safety Committee
would find for tougher bike laws and that hi viz vests would be law in
18 months, let Police Minister, Peter Ryan MP, know.

peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au

Cc the Leader of the Opposition.

daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com

HI-VIZ VEST LAW 1

To  The  Wangaratta  Chronicle
LETTERS - FLOURO MYTHS
From  Doug Sunderland
Wangaratta, Vic.

Congratulations to R.S.N.E. (ROAD SAFE North East) & they deserve
much praise  plus  a  medal,  for  bringing  to the public a very excellent
report on cycling CRASH statistics.

I  personally  find  the  use of that incorrect term 'ACCIDENT' by the
media to be out of order, the correct term should be 'CRASHES'. (Check
your dictionary).

In  this  Country  there  is a lack of driving EDUCATION, (only to get
your license it seems) with far too many gadgets in cars today, taking
driver  attention off the road. Many motorists never have time or care
for others.

Having  had a motorcycle license since 1943 & with just over 4 million
kilometers,  here  &  in  19 other World countries, I find this FLUORO
Jacket nonsense nothing but a very weak excuse for car drivers to use.
"SORRY,  I DID NOT SEE YOU". Flouro jackets would do nothing to reduce
motorcycle  crashes.

If  a  car  driver  can  not see a bike it's because they fail to turn
their  head  & LOOK. If police accept a driver can't see my motorcycle
on  a sunny day, with a very bright headlight on permanently, then how
on earth would they see a primary school child riding to school?

Fluoro  vests  for  all  pushbike riders? But many riders already wear
fluoro  gear  & they still get knocked off their bikes! I wonder???


Just  ask the Posties who wear a bright yellow coat & pants, but still
get  knocked  off. Read Shana Morgans good write up Chronicle page 3 &
P.20 (June 20, 2012) very well written & self explanatory.

More  than 78% of car drivers involved in another survey admitted they
TEXT  on  their  mobiles  whilst driving, & with 46 cycling crashes in
this  rural   city,  car  drivers  again use that stupid, weak excuse
"SORRY  i  DID  NOT  SEE YOU" because they were too busy combing their
hair  or  stuffing  a  big  mac into their mouth, to give a damn about
anyone else.

Forty six push  bike crashes a year happen in our rural city WHY??

The solution is easy, "EDUCATION" in all grades of all schools, & with
a  great  deal of more honesty about the real causes of crashes. Every
night  the  TV  news  show the daily crash scenes, & we can see over &
over  again  the  large majority feature DOUBLE LINES, meaning someone
crossed those lines, so why not tell people the true causes, so we can
learn  &  act.  We all make mistakes in life, but with untold reasons,
how can we learn??

Doug  Sunderland
IRG 19
Wangaratta