POLICE ADVICE

Hi Damien,

Thought you might be interested in the response I received from Victoria Police online chat in the lead up to Easter.

It clarifies a question I've always had regarding the final section of the Eastern Freeway coming up to the Hoddle street exit, which is part of my daily commute. I see a lot of riders staying in the traffic where they could be using the last part of the bus lane to transit into Hoddle Street. I'm sure most of them don't know that a) we are allowed to use the bus lane in the Hoddle street at peak morning times and b) they can transition to it from the freeway bus lane as described below.

I've printed off a copy of the response and carry it with me in case I need to clarify this to anyone.

Cheers

Tim Bushell

0409 901 979

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Yates, Kelly <Kelly.Yates@police.vic.gov.au>
Date: 24 April 2013 09:08
Subject: Victoria Police - response
To: "meteorosz@gmail.com" <meteorosz@gmail.com>

 

Dear Tim,

 

Thank you for participating in our live chat about motorcycle safety in the lead up to Easter.

 

Apologies we weren't able to get to your question on the day. We had an overwhelming response so it's taken us some time to get back to everyone.

 

Please find a response to your question(s) below.

 

I have a question on road rules - specifically relating to the end of the Eastern Freeway at Hoddle Street.

 

As motorcycles, we are allowed to use the bus lane in Hoddle street during morning peak times. Can we line up behind the buses in the last 50m or so of the Eastern Freeway to make it easier to move into Hoddle street?

 

It's dangerous enough trying to get from the T2 lane across 5 or 6 lanes of heavy traffic to the far left lane, then it seem like we should be allowed to use the last bit of the bus lane on the freeway to move into Hoddle. After all, isn't the whole aim of the bus lane trial to improve traffic flow and safety for all vehicles?

 

Hi Tim,

 

Road rule 158 provides an exemption for a driver of a vehicle to drive in a special purpose lane (includes bus lane) for a permitted distance, which in this case is 100m to enter or leave the road.

 

So yes, when it is safe to do so, under the circumstances, you are entitled to travel in a bus lane under rule 158.

 

Cheers,

 

Victoria Police Solo Unit

 

FRONT NUMBER PLATES AGAIN 4

GO SEE YOUR MP
www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members

FRONT NUMBER PLATES AGAIN 3

FRONT NUMBER PLATES AGAIN 2

The Hon Marsha Thomson MLA
Member for Footscray
Victoria

Dear Ms Thomson,

I am watching with alarm the rise of anti-motorcycling propoganda in the press and signalled by Vicroads and the Camera Commissioners Office. As you know, the parliament will soon be voting on which proposals to adopt from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety, tabled last year.

I believe  it is vital that the inquiry is given a fair hearing in the chamber and not de-railed by hysterical rubbish, as written in the Herald-Sun editorial today (May 6).

I would like to request a meeting at your office where we can discuss the issues further.

Thanking you in advance

Neale Brumby- EDITOR

HEAVY DUTY MAGAZINEPublished by: BONZA MEDIA PTY LTD
HEAVY DUTY MOTORCYCLE TOURSLICENCED TRAVEL AGENCY  #33002

PO Box 96 Ascot Vale VIC 3032

Tel:   03 9317 5004

Mob: 0438 007 321

Fax:  03 9317 5006

Web: http://www.heavyduty.com.au


********************************************************************************************************************
GO SEE YOUR MP

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1409

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group

FRONT NUMBER PLATES AGAIN

FRONT NUMBER PLATES AGAIN!

The Victoria Police, backed by Melbourne's Herald Sun, are pushing front ID for motorcycles & scooters again. In my opinion this antibike propaganda is timed to vilify riders when state ministers are considering the 2012 parliamentary inquiry into motorcycle & scooter safety report and which of its' recommendations to adopt.

Victorian Ministers are looking at the PIMSS recommendations in May. Their decisions are due to be made public on June 15, 2013.

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1409

Motorcycle & scooter riders should go see their local MPs and demand a fair go NOW. There is a state election in 2014. Tell your MP you won't forget him/her on election day.

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members

With all that is happening at home and around the world the Herald Sun's front page image of a rider supposedly in Shepparton, supposedly doing 118 kph in a 50 kph zone is gross overkill.

The Independent Riders' Group does not condone in any way the irresponsible use of bikes. Irresponsible riders do great damage to our community. Fortunately irresponsible riders are a tiny minority. A tiny minority that front ID will do nothing to reduce.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman 
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

GREG'S BROADCASTING AGAIN

ON RIDE THIS TUESDAY NIGHT FROM 7PM

• We talk to Matt Johnson about the recent Australian Tattoo and Body Art Expo in Sydney and find out how the Perth and Melbourne Expos are shaping up

• We catch up the St. George Motorcycle Club'Greg Heatley and find out how dirt track racing is going at the Nepean Raceway and review the fun of the dirt track demonstrations at the Bankstown Custom Motorcycle Show
• We also hope to catch up with the Blue Liners Police Motorcycle Club about their 22nd Annual Tamworth Ride as well as the results of the Dave Rixon Fundraiser.
• Plus we find out about the events around the country that Fraser Motorcycles are planning this year

So don't forget to tune in 7pm-9pm Sydney time on Alive 90.5 FM or listen online on the Alive website and smart phone.

Ride is proudly sponsored by:

Fraser Motorcycles: check out their stores in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Melbourne and Perth.

 

Newhaven Park House Bathurst for your AGM, weekend ride or just lunch www.newhavenparkhouse.com.au .

GO SEE YOUR MP 5

Sent: Thursday, 2 May 2013 1:51 PM
To: 'Marlene.Kairouz@parliament.vic.gov.au'Subject: RE: Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety

Dear Marlene,

Thank you for your reply.

Perhaps you could meet with me and my group of riders in the next couple of weeks.

We will probably be riding again Sunday after next. We could even meet you at your Electoral Office.

If that’s not convenient for you (it is your free time after all) I can arrange a 1 on 1 meeting in the next few weeks.

Regards

A

  

From: Marlene.Kairouz@parliament.vic.gov.au [mailto:Marlene.Kairouz@parliament.vic.gov.au]
Sent: Thursday, 2 May 2013 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety

Dear A

Thank  you very much for your email and you taking the time to bring this matter to my attention. I will forward your detailed email to the Chair and  deputy chair of the road safety committee. I am sure that both of them will no doubt be pleased to hear that you support the recommendations of their committee and request that they consider your email.

I support all aspects of road safety for all road users and I'd be happy to meet with you in the next few weeks if you are still interested in doing so.

Once again thank you for you email.

Regards

Marlene Kairouz MP
Member for Kororoit
Opposition Whip Legislative Assembly
From:        Don Nardella/ALP/PARL 
To:           A ,   "Marlene Kairouz" <marlene.kairouz@parliament.vic.gov.au>
Date:        01/05/2013 07:58 PM
Subject:        Re: Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety

---

Dear A,

Thank you for your email to me and as you live in Caroline Springs, your local Member of Parliament is Marlene Kairouz and I have forwarded her your email for her attention and response.

I do ride a motorcycle and have an interest in safe riding - if only we could get those cars off the road!

I do agree with you about road surfaces as you have discussed in your email.

Yours sincerely,

DON NARDELLA MLA
Member for Melton

From:     A  
To:        "don.nardella@parliament.vic.gov.au" <don.nardella@parliament.vic.gov.au>
Cc:        "khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au" <khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au>, "andrew.elsbury@parliament.vic.gov.au" <andrew.elsbury@parliament.vic.gov.au>, "bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au" <bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au>, "colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au" <colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au>
Date:        01/05/2013 04:39 PM
Subject:        Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety

---

Dear Mr, Nardella,
 
My name is A.

I am a family man and have been a keen motorcyclist for many years.

I founded and run an informal network of motorcyclists. We have 115 members on our mailing list and we ride all over Victoria and interstate on average every fortnight.
 
I have recently been made aware of the Inquiry Into Motorcycle Safety conducted by the Victorian Government.
I have attended a recent rally organized by the Independent Riders Group regarding the above mentioned inquiry and have read through the media releases.
 
I have read through the recommendations.

I strongly support recommendations 1 to 23.

I support recommendation 24 (performance audit of the motorcycle safety levy) only if it can be a means to achieving recommendation 25 (abolition of the motorcycle levy).
 
I very strongly support recommendation 25; I believe this levy is unjust and discriminatory against a minor segment of the Victorian motorists. I know for a fact that the TAC has been making considerable surpluses in their revenue in recent years; these surpluses should be used to improve all transport safety in Victoria including motorcycle safety.
 
I support recommendations 26 to 36 but only if recommendation 25 is not enacted. Otherwise these recommendations are not applicable.
 
I strongly support recommendations 37 to 53.
 
I support recommendation 54 on the basis that only European standards, which are not applicable to Australian conditions, be replaced by specific Australian Standards.
 
I very strongly support recommendation 55 “investigate way of improving motorcycle safety through behavioral change programs”. I feel strongly about this and think there’s a lot that can be done.
 
I strongly support the remainder of the recommendations; 56 to 64.
 
One thing that was not covered in the recommendations  was the relative ineffectiveness of Slow Vehicle Turnouts  on popular motorcycling routes such as the Yarra Ranges and the great Ocean Road and the lack of understanding by other motorists as to how these should be used. From my experience I believe great gains can be made via illuminated signs at such locations and an awareness program.
 
Another thing that was not covered in the recommendations is the aspect of road condition; as you would know, good road surfaces are much more critical for motorcyclists than they are for car drivers. The Great Ocean Road has been allowed to deteriorate greatly in the last few years and I believe we have a very dangerous situation there at the moment. This aspect should also have been covered in the inquiry.
 
I would be happy to meet with you in the next few weeks if you wish so that we can discuss these issues further.
 
Otherwise I strongly urge you and your colleagues to support the recommendations, as I have outlined above, when the time comes to vote on these matters.
 
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1409
 
Regards
A