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.

ANGIE'S FAREWELL

A celebration of life for Angela Frances Killeen will be held at Rotary Park Merimbula, 11am, Saturday July 1st followed by a wake at Wolumla Hotel.

All welcome to celebrate.

As purple was mums favourite colour we invite you to wear something purple.

Kellie

Angie Killen was the first Secretary of the original MRA. She is pictured here with Vice President Chris Swallwell preparing the MRA's first mailing in 1978. Angie contributed in a big way. She is not forgotten. She is missed.

HIRSTY'S FAREWELL

THE TRIBES GATHERED TO FAREWELL AN ELDER.

The Elder was Greg Hirst. The service was big. It was very moving. Greg was a husband and father, a motorcyclist and a man of God. He is missed. He won't be forgotten.

Sincere sympathy to Colleen and the family and all who loved him.

Damien
IRG

HIRSTY'S FAREWELL

Hi all!

Please share Hirsty's Farewell event page on all your social media.

It's this Monday 19th of June, and Brotherhood CMC invite riders to join them in the Funeral Processional Ride, to escort the hearse and family to Penrith Panthers Marquee (not the main building), for the Funeral Service.
Refreshments will be served after the service.

Hirstys wife Colleen would ask that you please consider donating through the Street Level Supporters link here:http://streetlevelchristiancommunity.org.au/supporters/ and until the end of July we will direct those donations to causes and charities close to Greg's heart.

Hirsty’s books will also be available at the wake for a suggested donation of $20 each.

https://www.facebook.com/events/109716116299117/?active_tab=about

Much appreciated,
Cate 

RIDER DIES

CONDOLENCES to family and friends.

VALE GREG HIRST

https://motorbikewriter.com/vale-greg-hirst-official-ecology/

RIDERS DIE - RIP

CONDOLENCES TO LOVED ONES.

60% of Tasmanian motorcycle casualties are mainlanders.

PLEASE be careful out there.

Damien
IRG

HIRSTY'S LAST RIDE

Hi Damien 

Good to talk... as discussed...

Grunt

Please join Colleen, her family, Brotherhood CMC & Street Level Community - as we mourn the loss of a great man, Gregory John Hirst. It’s also a celebration of a wonderful life, achievements and legacy that Greg has left behind. A mass ride will be followed by a service and wake. Refreshments will be served after the service. I hope you can join us.

Funeral Service

Monday, 19th of June

Arrive at 11am for a 11:30 start (We are expecting a big turnout so factor this in)

Penrith Panthers Marquee (not the main building)

Access via Retreat Drive, Penrith

Funeral Processional Ride

Arrive at 9:30am for a 10am ride

Andrew Campbell Reserve

William Lawson Dr, Eastern Creek

Brotherhood CMC are hosting a ride to escort the hearse and family to the venue. All riders welcome. Please note we will be travelling along the centre lane of the M4 at 80KM/H in a staggered formation. Respect all other traffic and allow vehicles to merge across the centre lane when necessary. Take the Mulgoa Road exit and turn left into retreat Drive. Please obey all road rules. 

Colleen’s home is now filled with flowers and chocolates, which she has received with much gratitude. So, rather than bringing her a gift please consider donating through the Street Level Supporters link here: http://streetlevelchristiancommunity.org.au/supporters/

and until the end of July we will direct those donations to causes and charities close to Greg's heart. 

Hirsty’s books will also be available at the wake for a suggested donation of $20 each.

http://brotherhoodcmc.org.au/

ST KILDA MOTORCYCLE PARKING

FYI
And still waiting to confirm other info.

"I have considered all comments (internal and external) in line with the Council resolution. I have approved the three sites as a 6 – 12 month trial of the dedicated motorcycle parking. We are expecting to have signs installed by 1 August 2017. If during the trial it is found that the locations are not used, we will reconsider the trial. I will also arrange for an update on the CoPP website as soon as possible (no more than a month).

As per my previous e-mail the three sites are:
Site 1, Shakespeare Grove car park – the first two spaces in the all-day section on the side of O’Donnell Gardens
Site 2, Irwell Street car park – the first space behind shops close to the street
Site 3, Cavell Street – the first parallel parking space behind a disabled parking space on the theatre’s side

Once again, thank you for your assistance.

Regards
Stefan Mitrik
Coordinator Transport Safety Engineering | Sustainability and Transport
T: 9209 6445 | M: 0419 766 991 | W: www.portphillip.vic.gov.au
Private Bag 3, St Kilda, VIC.  3182"

DAMIEN
IRG

VIC PHONES FINES

USING A PHONE WHILE DRIVING IS DANGEROUS. The VicPol blitz on phoning drivers is welcome. I wish it had been a bigger story with a picture but there you go. Of course no negative story on car drivers can be run without a balancing negative back story about motorcycle & scooter riders. In this case just one rider was doing a hideously dangerous thing.

Damien

VALE GREG HIRST

Greg Hirst died. 

He was one of the greats of Australian Motorcycling. 

Condolences to Greg’s loved ones and many mates.

Please take a few minutes to watch the youtube clip, link below.

Damien Codognotto OAM

Independent Riders Group

Melbourne 

That is very sad, I did not even realise Greg was unwell, one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and who did so much for motorcycling for so many many years.

I remember when we were all campaigning to introduce Filtering and Greg was right there for us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN5wI4CWVsc

Regards

Steve 

ITALIAN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

THE ITALIAN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL IS HELD IN MELBOURNE & SYDNEY.

http://www.italianwinefoodfestival.com.au/

POLLUTING V8s & SUVs

I like V8s. Growing up in Melbourne it was all GT Falcons and Monaros. But that's long ago. In 2017 there are over 4 million people in the greater Melbourne area and most of them drive cars. The problem is that most of the drivers have an oversized 4WD to take kids to school, go shopping or leave parked for most of the day while they're at work.

Then they complain about traffic and parking and so on.

In a decade there will be around 7 million people in this town. We are running out of room and fresh air.

What we need to do is change the road costs to reflect the space a vehicle takes up, to reflect the damage it does to our environment in cities and to reflect the damage it does in a crash. To that end the Independent Riders Group (IRG) is pushing hard for a review of compulsory third party (CTP) premiums at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). We also want the discriminatory TAC antibike tax or"safety Levy to be abolished. The TAC tax is currently around $70 a year.

Damien
IRG