The MRA (Vic) is awaiting the release of a public discussion paper due this week by Victorian Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas. This paper has been foreshadowed by action items in the Arrive Alive Road Safety Strategy 2008 – 2010, and also the Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009 – 2013.

RIDERS NOT HOONS

Victorian motorcyclists are united in dismay at the confusing messages about motorcyclists being sent to the public by the authorities.

The internationally recognised Victorian “Road Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009–2013” recognises motorcycles as a legitimate form of transport. The recently launched VicRide Assisted Rides coaching program initiated by the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council (VMAC) demonstrates that we're not a problem; we're a solution that comes with problems.

The MRA(Vic) supports the rank and file members of the Victorian Police force and recognises the difficult job they perform but question the political comments by their leadership that sought to vilify an environmentally friendly and less congestive group of vulnerable road users.

Media Release June 23rd 2010 – Motorcycle training initiative sabotaged.




Representatives from the MRAV were in attendance this morning at the launch of the VicRoads Assisted Ride program by the Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas. This program initiated by the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council (VMAC), and funded from the motorcycle “safety” levy, will invite 2400 probationary riders to participate in on road coaching training. The program is part of major research aimed at providing evidence that training and education can make a difference to the motorcycle road toll.

Active sabotage of a major project.
At the same time, Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) Ken Lay (a member of the VMAC), joined Neil Mitchell renewing a call for front number plates for motorcycles. Evidence shows that .03% of motorcyclists were avoiding camera detection several years ago – exactly the same proportion as that of other motorists avoiding detection through dirty, obscured or false front number plates. No other jurisdiction in the developed world has seen this as an essential safety measure related to motorcycling. The proposal was put forward and dropped some years ago as being both unnecessary and virtually impossible to carry out. Photographs Ken provided to the media from the Traffic Camera Office showed supposed “hoon riders”. What Mr Lay suspiciously failed to inform the media is that some of these photos were not taken this year.

3AW’s well documented anti-motorcycle bias proved the perfect platform not only to raise the issue of front number plates again but provided the opportunity to disrupt the launch of an important motorcycle program.

The MRA(Vic) calls for the State government to look seriously at the entire proposal made by Mark Skaife on the 13th June Sunday Night segment on the Seven network and not separate individual aspects from it.

The MRA(Vic) has for a long time supported the concept of improving driver and rider education and concurs with Mr.Skaife’s recommendations as a major part of a long term solution. The majority of collisions and crashes occur because of simple mistakes people make, demonstrating a lack of driving/riding skill and poor judgment.

Examining successful systems used in other countries, as observed by Mr. Skaife, is fundamental to changes required by the government to reduce Victoria’s road toll and is supported by MRA(Vic).

Media Release April 20th 2010

As reported in the media, Victoria Police have announced that “On Tuesday the 20th of April 2010, Operation Pipedown, targeting excessively noisy motor vehicles and safety related offences will commence.”

Although the Victoria Police are to be commended for their initiative regarding road safety, the MRA(Vic) has concerns with this statement in their advice;

“Excessively loud motor vehicles are a community disorder issue with much of the blame placed on drivers of illegally modified cars and motorcycles, or sport bikes equipped with illegal exhaust systems such as straight pipes, drag pipes or performance pipes.”

Motorcycle riders are a vulnerable road user group. Many riders believe that having a louder exhaust on their bike enhances their safety when using the roads rather than the “civil disobedience” that the statement above suggests. In many countries the slogan “loud pipes saves lives” is used to describe how some riders feel driver awareness of a rider nearby is increased.

Media Release

Tuesday 6th April 2010

As reported by the Media, The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for a debate on the issue of bicycle registration.

On behalf of its members, the Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria does not endorse any proposal to require bicycle riders to be licensed or registered to use the roads.

The latest TAC motorcycle “safety” advertisement has increased the risk for Victorian motorcycle and scooter riders. Riders have reported that an increase in verbal abuse, aggressive driver behaviour, an expectation by non-riders that riders are solely responsible for incidents and the belief that all riders are “law breaking hoons” have all heightened the risk for Victorian motorcycle riders.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria (MRA (Vic)) are concerned at the fact that the TAC have not consulted with motorcycle stakeholders and community representatives on the motorcycle "safety" campaign to be launched on Tuesday 20th October.

The campaign appears to be not primarily about safety, but rather intended to act as a deterrent to motorcycling!

Disturbing reports have emerged that the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is penalizing some seriously injured riders with serious injury payouts automatically reduced by up to 50% for “contributory negligence" – even though they have not committed any offenses. The concept of "no fault" appears to be inappropriate, with riders presumed by the TAC to be negligent simply for riding a motorcycle or scooter.

MRAVic President John Karmouche today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, of the Victorian Road Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers (PTW). “This is a significant day in the history of PTW in Victoria because it represents the culmination of what riders have been seeking for the last 30 years. The MRAVic is very pleased to see that the development of this strategy was carried out in concert with rider experts, clubs and industry representatives. This group invested their time and experience to ensure that the Brumby Government got it right this time.”

A copy of the plan can be downloaded from here

29 July 2009 - One of the most highly anticipated events on the Phillip Island MotoGP calendar is Honda’s “Champions Dinner”, a night out like no other where fans can fulfil their ultimate dream of meeting international team riders in person.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria MRA(Vic) today added to the road space sharing debate by calling for a total review of all current road space allocated to every type of vehicle on Victoria’s roads.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria MRA(Vic) today called for the placement of some bicycle lanes to be reviewed due to the dangers posed to powered two wheelers (PTW) by the poor planning and lack of consultation involved.

I can continue to report good progress on a number of fronts on the VMAC work program.

Motorcycle Riders Association (Victoria) President John Karmouche today called on the Minister for Ports and Roads Tim Pallas to take action and introduce specialist lanes for every vulnerable road user (VRU).

At present lane separation is limited to bicycles and does not take into account the needs of the even more vulnerable segment of powered two wheelers.

23rd June 2009

Following the Minister for Transport's announcement that Springvale Road is to have a vehicle lane replaced by a bus lane in either direction, the Motorcycle Riders Association (Victoria) has called on the Minister for Transport to ensure that motorcycles will be permitted to use these lanes.

Motorcycling Australia’s (MA) Riders’ Division has received a tremendous shot in the arm with the recent appointment of Matthew Bennett in the role of Riders’ Division Assistant.

14th April 2009

RIDE FOR THE HILLS bush fire victims relief 2009

Chairman’s Report

As of today, more than 1700 forms from this year's Challenge have been received. That means over 1700 blood donations, saving over 5000 lives, have now been collected in this year's Challenge. This is a fantastic result and certainly wouldn't be possible without your significant contributions. As always, on behalf of all the grateful recipients, thank you very much for all your efforts.

Rain may have been good news for Melbourne this past weekend, but it caused a reduction of 60% for gifts collected at this year’s annual MRA(Vic) Toy Run. But Riders who didn't make it can still deliver. How about it guys?