WIRE ROPE BARRIER CRASH

A 2010 crash on a Melbourne freeway where a truck brushed aside wire rope barriers.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2748721/wire-barriers-can-be-killers/?cs=11

"But VicRoads regional director Bryan Sherritt said the barriers were a “proven safety method” and “incredibly important” for saving lives and reducing injuries.

“There is no evidence from research in Australia or overseas that indicates wire rope safety barriers increase the risk of injury to motorcyclists when compared with other barrier types,” he said.

“VicRoads will continue to improve protection for motorcyclists by fitting rub-rails to guard fence and post cushions to wire rope along many popular motorcycle routes.”

NSW Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendegast noted the wires could better absorb crash forces compared with concrete and steel guardrails.

This WRB crash happened on the Hume Hwy in a 110 kph zone on November 6, 2014. The WRB did not stop the truck. I t appears the drivers skill, not the WRB, avoided a head on crash. When part of a WRB is damaged the whole structure is weakened leaving road users exposed to greater risk of cross-over crashes. We understand road authorities' guidelines say WRB should be repaired in under 3 days. This site had still not been repaired on December 2, 26 days after the crash.

She said the centre was investigating all options to increase motorbike rider safety while maintaining safety for other road users."

These damaged WRB posts are steel, set in concrete and facing oncoming traffic on the Hume near Holbrook. They were left in this state for nearly a month. Close your eyes and imagine a downed rider sliding/rolling into these post at 100 kph. Road authorities do not put the same value on the life of a motorcyclist or a truck driver as they do on the life of a car driver. If they did this situation could never have happenend.

A 4WD brushes aside WRB near Ballarat, Victoria in 2011. 2 dead, 3 with horrendous injuries.

Wire rope barrier costs the taxpayer more than any other barrier type. It has a shorter working life at 15 to 20 years compared to w-beam at 40 to 50 years and concrete at up to 100 years.

WRB is easily damaged and require more repairs than the other types.

The Independent Riders Group has asked the Victorian Auditor General to to do a cost comparo on roadside barriers and will ask again.

Damien Codognotto OAM

Spokesman 

Independent Riders Group

Melbourne

 

HELMET HARRASSMENT IN VIC

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/helmet-hassles-bikers-accuse-police-of-giving-out-petty-visor-fines/story-fni0fit3-1227147660982?sv=498f083a4990f483be82df3d9fb07bb9#itm=newscomau%7Chome%7Cnca-homepage-network-most-popular-masthead%7C1%7Cbikers-hit-out-over-helmet-hassles%7Chomepage%7Chomepage&itmt=1417992300011#itm=newscomau%7Chome%7Cnca-homepage-network-most-popular-masthead%7C1%7Cbikers-hit-out-over-helmet-hassles%7Chomepage%7Chomepage&itmt=1417992304826

Word is that, regardless of the tourist dollar and in spite of police claims that they only pull up riders who are doing nothing wrong for the rider's safety, that this holiday season police in Victoria will blitz the blue blazes out of the motorcycle community.

Be careful out there.

Damien
IRG 

Luke Donnellan MP
Minister for Roads

The attached newspaper stories demonstrate how motorcycle statistics get distorted, how rules in need of review are neglected and why we need a campaign to improve the relationship between police and scooter road riders.
I have been in several meetings where police have claimed that a significant percentage of Victorian road riders do not wear helmets which is rubbish. Victoria has a 99% compliance rate with helmet laws for road riders. The way police collect data on riders and crashes is what causes the distortion in the figures.

This is very bad for road safety in this state and grossly unfair to riders trying to do the right thing. 

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesperson
Independent Riders' Group (IRG)
PO Box 4330
Doncaster Heights  Vic  3109
www.damiencodognottooamblogspot.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htoKLe48n84

THE HERALD SUN
LETTERS

Rider Luke Johnson isn't alone being booked for a trivial offence in 2014.

I was near King Lake. I was pulled over. He couldn't find anything wrong with me or my bike so I got a 15 minute lecture on safe riding. I have been riding since 1967. Cars passed us obviously over the speed limit.

A thirty-something business man was pulled up out of Healesville. When no offence was found, he was booked for his store-bought number plate holder.

A young bloke going to work was booked for a helmet camera. Bicyclists are encouraged to use helmet cams and footage has been used in court.

A highway patrolman told the press his officers would pull up just about every motorbike they saw on the way to the Phillip Island GP. Touring riders pump some $800 million into the state economy each year. Police discouraged a lot of tourers from coming back.

Luke was fined $295 and 3 points for riding without a helmet. He was wearing a good helmet but his visor was tinted. Sun glasses are allowed though. This demonstrates the state of neglect of motorcycle & scooter laws in Victoria, the unreliability of our road safety statistics and the nature of policing when it comes to motorcyclists. It's not about safety.

Would police treat 4WD or ute drivers this way?

Damien Codognotto
Independent Riders Group

Melbourne 

BENDIGO TOY RUN 2014

 http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2747398/bikers-ride-for-charity-in-annual-toy-run/?cs=80

TOY RUN TOMORROW - DEC 7 2014

Father Bob with prizes for the raffle in Albert Park (Melbourne) tomorrow.

www.melbournetoyruns.info

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBXRyWeib6o

IRG VIDEO NEWSLETTER

Hi Guys here is the newsletter 11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cmnAM9W_3s

Cheers

Bernie

FOOTPATH PARKING THREAT

Hi all,

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE RACV

"Why have the city's footpaths become parking bays for Motorcycles? They hinder traffic. Would a better use of this space be cycling lanes similar to many European cities? (Ref. RACV Magazine Dec 14/Jan 15 P.11).

Further points to consider:

RACV do not want us on the footpath

RACV do not want us in bus lanes

RACV do not want us in push bike lanes

RACV do not include us in their monthly magazine (not for a long time.)

RACV do not want us using up road space. "Would a better use of this space be cycling lanes".

The RACV has a representative on the Motorcycle Advisory Group (MAG).

Motorcycle Advisory Group

The Motorcycle Advisory Group (MAG) was established in mid-2011 to provide VicRoads with strategic advice on issues relating to the management and development of motorcycling in Victoria.

 

All riders and pillions need to keep a close eye on the RACV regarding their bias motorcycle and scooter policies.

Please circulate this important warning  as you see fit.

Rodney Brown

LESS-THAN-PERMANENT AUSSIES

Episode 7 Sunday December 7 at 3 pm on ONE

We discover ANDRA and motorcycle drag racing at Darwin's Hidden Valley. 

Jonesy checks out the Indian Classic. 

In Hobart we discover a mate of Charlie Boormans and check out Joe's Garage. 

We find out why some Aussie riders went for a spin in Vietnam. 

Hirsty talks to John Voyage from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers about his advocacy work. 

We meet the Bogans Social Motorcycle Club from Perth.

We check out a brilliant Cairns bike show, find out why a biker couple got married there 

And then discover who is the man to beat in top fuel motorcycle drags.

Check you local Guides for other repeats and variations during each week or check out recent episodes on Tenplay http://tenplay.com.au/channel-one/temporary-australians

www.temporaryaustralians.com.au 

Check this out!

If your feeling like a long ride but your backside gets sore then checkout an Airhawk inflatable seat cushion. Lots of people at the Melbourne Motorcycle Expo reckon they work great. They have sizes to fit all bikes and riders can regulate the amount of air for a custom fit. Check out the details for motorcycles as well as mining and transport vehicles www.airhawk.com.au or call 1300 783 128.