BENDIGO SAYS NO TO WIRE ROPE BARRIERS

https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/5432145/wire-rope-barriers-not-preferred-for-sedgwick-black-spot-works/

VIC RIDERS TO BE TOLLED

THE AGE

MELBOURNE

Peter Baulch and the VMC/AMC do not speak for me!

For many years Victorian motorcycle & scooter riders were exempt from road tolls due to an agreement with toll companies that goes back to the Kennett Government.

Riders were sold out in the early 2000s by people claiming to represent all riders. They said Victorian riders were happy to pay their way. This rider is not. We already pay much more than our fair share of road costs. 

Toll companies were assured by pseudo bike representatives like Baulch, that there would be no opposition to the companies sorting out their technology so they could toll and pad their profits. The profits do not go back into safer roads, they go to shareholders. A significant number of shareholders and company accounts are not in Australia.

Let’s get one thing absolutely straight, so there is no misunderstanding. Neither Peter Baulch nor the Victorian Motorcycle Council speak for, or represent me in any way. And, there are many other riders who feel that way.

Road registered motorcycles & scooters pay too much already and should be exempt from all road tolls.

https://amp.theage.com.au/national/victoria/motorbikes-free-citylink-ride-to-end-20131015-2vk39.html

Damien Codognotto OAM

IRG/MRA

Mobile: 0419 846 855.

BICYCLE RESEARCH ON TV

WEEKEND SUNRISE
CH 7

Your item on bicycle safety & research this morning (Mat 26, 2018) was interesting.

From memory, the report claimed that in 63% of collisions involving cars and bicycles, the car driver was at fault. We think that research was done in and around Brisbane.

In Melbourne bicyclists have called for phone blockers fitted to cars to stop drivers being distracted by their phones, tablets, etc. See attached. The Independent Riders Group thinks blockers have problems, not the least of which is the cost of retrofitting the entire Australian car fleet. We would like to see more police motorcycles in traffic using helmet cameras. See attached.

The IRG accepts the 63% figure. We think that if the same research was done in Melbourne traffic the percentage of collisions where the car driver was at fault would be much higher. 

In collisions involving a car and a motorcycle or scooter the car driver is at fault around 70% of the crashes.

Why don’t car drivers see the two wheelers? The short answer is they do not look for bikes because they are not trained to look. Car drivers are conditioned to look for THREATS. But they don’t always look for threats either. They are also conditioned to say I did not see him/her on the bike. This avoids the responsibility of driving safely and being blamed/charged for the driver’s role in the crash.

A longer answer involves the dumbing down of the driving task, the lack of road user education in schools, the increasing isolation of the car driver in a comfortable shell and the huge increase in in-car distractions over the last two decades.

While VicRoads controls the so called "whole of government" response tp Parliamentary Inquiry recommendations, few recommendations will be adpoted regardless of road safety.

Damien Codognotto OAM

IRG/MRA

Melbourne

BLOCK CAR PHONE SIGNALS

The Victorian Government released a report which reportedly says car phones and like devices will contribute to an increased road toll if we do not do something to stop their use by car drivers.

I thought they were already contributing.

The issue got TV time on Ch 7's SUNRISE this morning. It got pages of print in the Melbourne Herald Sun.

Top traffic cop Doug Fryer got stuck in on the side of Bicycle Network Victoria who want car phone signals blocked to car drivers.

Four million cars in this state. Putting a blocker in each one would be a big job. Even if, for argument's sake, the blockers only cost $25 each, you are looking at $100,000,000 over a long time. I doubt it will happen.

A much easier, quicker and more cost effective way to crack down on distractions in cars would be more motorcycle cops with helmet cameras as in other states. They would also detect seat belt and child restraint offences. The bonus would be many more unroadworthy cars off the road or sent for repairs.

BUT, motorcycles & scooters never got a mention .... again. Not the RACV, VACC or FCAI or any of the major clubs or representatives mentioned motorcycles or scooters. The IRG got a letter in the Melbourne Herald Sun but that's all.

Damien Codognotto OAM
IRG/MRA
Melbourne

The Melbourne Herald Sun. May 24, 2018.

The Melbourne Herald Sun. May 18, 2018.

The NEWCASTLE TOY RUN is 41 years old. It is a seriously great motorcycling event. It is one of the few traditional TOY RUNs left in Australia and is by far the biggest attracting 10,000 machines each year.

https://mailchi.mp/5e506a5ad37f/2018-toy-run-exclusive-details-and-your-chance-to-support?e=3269019986

FATHER BOB NEEDS YOU

Father Bob will be at the Foundation office at 

91 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park
at 11am on Sunday, June 3, 2018. 

Father Bob helps a lot of people. To keep that up he needs your help. Mid calendar year, a bit before the end of the financial year the Father Bob Foundation has a cash flow crisis. 

It's winter. Some people really need hot food and warm shelter. Please help Father Bob to help them.

There are coffee shops, lunch places and pubs an easy walk from 91 Victoria Avenue and there's plenty of parking.  

Let's go everyone. Organise a group. Come and meet Father Bob. Drop a dollar in the tin. Every cent counts.  

Cash on the day is welcome. Donations over $2 are tax deductable. 

If you can't be there on the day, you can donate direct via the Father Bob Foundation website. 

Cate - Toy Run for Fr Bob Admin. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/981425932033842/

https://www.fatherbobs.com/take-action/

Donate using credit or debit card via PayPal 

https://www.paypal.com/donate/token=N7lBStTRsSnxRRFlurRXm6Z3pAzoz6idQGGQV0pRDiSqPioCzV_ZJI2M0E4uVUn0lKJSkm&country.x=AU&locale.x=AU

DIRECT DEPOSIT
NAB Account: The Father Bob Maguire Foundation
BSB: 083-004  Account Number: 56-488-7321 

SEND US A CHEQUE

The Father Bob Maguire Foundation
91 Victoria Avenue
Albert Park Vic 3206

ABN 23 715 381 965

DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT IT

2018 IS AN ELECTION YEAR IN VICTORIA. 

If you want better roads in regional Victoria:

1. Write to your local paper.

2. Ring talk back radio.

3. Go see your MP and the candidates trying to take his/her seat.  Their names will be in the local paper. They want votes from you and yours.

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members

www.facebook.com/fixourruralroads

Damien
IRG/MRA