We had the opportunity to have a say on the "bikie ban" at the Baxter Tavern in Victoria this week. Hopefully the Frankston Leader will run a picture story this week. Let me know if you see it.
Now a pub in Essendon, a Melbourne suburb reportedly banned a young couple for wearing protective clothing used on their motorcycle.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19700074/qld-police-warn-pubs-not-to-let-alleged-bikies-into-premises-as-crackdown-steps-up/
Queensland police have issued a warning to hoteliers that they have to keep "gang members" out or risk their licences, their means of earning a living. We have seen no list or definitions of organisations or their clothing from any police so how do publicans can identify who gets banned?
Good, safe riders go home feeling insulted and betrayed! Riding to a pub for a meal and/or a social surely reduces the drink/drive menace. This disgraceful witch-hunt frenzy is spreading to Victoria.
It's a very big net catching way too many fish.
I heard a story that a number of Harley Owners Group riders were heading for a day out on Phillip Island last weekend. The story goes that they were stopped by police, presumably because they were on
motorcycles, and given a hard time for half an hour or so. I'm waiting for confirmation on this, hopefully photos or video. If true, this would seem to be a serious blow to regional tourism.
We estimate that touring motorcycle & scooter riders contribute more than $750 million to the Victorian economy each year. That is mostly spent in regional Victoria. It does not include bike road costs (VicRoads/TAC) which are similar to car road costs. Most riders own cars so they pay more than once..
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne
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