November 2011

MRA ACT Newsletter The Inside Line

EXECUTIVE President’s Report

PRESIDENT What a week the Motorcycle Awareness Week was! Thanks to all the committee Jennifer Woods and supporters and riders for the events of the week – organising and attending [email protected] – your enthusiasm is fantastic. With 93 Joe Rider sightings all week, we are 0418 215 336 delighted because that’s a huge increase in numbers of motorcycle riders

looked for and seen during the week – let’s hope all those people keep on Snr VICE PRESIDENT watching for riders all the time. The talk by Liz de Rome was fantastic and Kathleen Parsons [email protected] utterly compelling that good motorcycle clothing makes a difference in a crash. See Liz talking about the Gear Study here VICE PRESIDENT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlovDQM0TnA Major Events Coordinator The BITRE (Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics) report Trish Holdsworth published In July shows that nationally there has been a 4.3% decrease in [email protected] motorcycle fatalities for the past year and an average decline of 4.3% over the past 5 years. Good news indeed but the fight continues. SECRETARY The Ride N Thrive course is 19 November – all the details are on our website if Public Officer Nicky Hussey you want to try for a last minute booking. [email protected] The MRA ACT committee recently agreed to donate $500.00 to the AMC specifically to help enable the Chair of the AMC, Shaun Lennard, to travel and be TREASURER part of a forum that has been put together by the International Road Membership Secretary Federation, to develop input into the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. Sylvia Sinfield Shaun said “This is to be known as the ‘group of experts on road safety’, and I’m [email protected] quite humbled to have been invited to join. There are around 200 people

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: worldwide, and as far as I know the only other person from Australia involved at this stage is James Holgate from Vic Roads. In terms of motorcycling, I’m not Committee Reports 1 - 4 sure of any other rider representatives who are part of this. I understand that the new secretary of the International Motorcycle Manufactures Association Motorcycle Parking 5 (IMMA) has also been invited. I see my role in part being to put forward the in Civic views of motorcycle riders at the planning/policy development stage – the sort MC of NSW Rider of thing we have been hammering on about for a number of years”. 6 Risk Safety Videos We look forward to hearing from Shaun upon his return. Telegraph Article on On the local front, we are pleased to announce that Gordon White has stepped 8 Helemts into the role of Social Rides leader for the MRA ACT – you’ll remember Gordon organised the Family Rides last year, and I know he’ll have some fantastic social WRB - email to A Coe 9 -10 rides for us - see the newsletter and website for details of the November ride. WRB - S Corbell 11 And last, the Toy Run is almost here – is it really a whole year since the last one? We’ll be at Old Parliament House from 8.30 on Saturday 10th December – Aust Represents 13 decorate your bike, yourself, your pillion, and bring toys for kids of all ages, cash Riders Internationally and non-perishable good. Upcoming Events 14 Ride Safe Jen Woods 0418 215 336 Executive Committee Reports

Snr Vice President’s Report PROJECT The last month was very busy. I wasn’t able to attend all the events of MANAGERS Motorcycle Awareness Week however from all the reports I’ve had the events were very successful. I was able to be at BikeFest; what a great venue this year! Peter Major Black Spot Seems there were many more people attracted to the event. Trials riding on Discovery rides display with the opportunity to ride a trials bike; Stay Upright co-ordinating the Roads and Traffic Gymkhana events - this was very popular; most of the local motorcycle focused

organisations represented including Mick Owens, Motorcycle Centre, Robyn Major Ride n Thrive and Moto Garage; some of the larger motorcycle groups such as Ulysses, Canberra District Ducati Club, Canberra Riders. There was live music from Jen Woods Gravelrash, a local Canberra band and of course the Show n Shine with an Masters courses amazing array of machines on display. Communications Thanks to everyone who came along - I’m looking forward to next year being Trish Holdsworth even bigger and better! Webmaster The next major event for MRA ACT Inc is our annual Toy Run on 10 Dec 2011.

And, the Capital Rally which is held the first weekend in January 2012. Details Vacancy Quarter Master are one the website and in the upcoming events in the newsletter. Some other events of interest include the Celebration of Women’s David Ault Motorcycling being held in Yackandandah on Jan 2012, email Triathlon support [email protected] for more info; Bathurst Street and Custom Motorcycle Show in Feb 2012, contact 02 9635 0761 for more details; National Ducati Clubs Rally in March Leen Parsons 2012, hosted by Canberra District Ducati Club http://www.cddc.org.au/ Editor ndcr2012registration.htm; Tas Rally hosted by North West MRA, www.mratas.org.au for more information. Submissions for the next edition sent to: Leen Parsons [email protected] or [email protected] by

Thursday 1 Dec 2011

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Executive Committee Reports

Vice President’s Report It was wonderful to see the Canberra community the various safety signs that Vic Roads have displayed supporting Motorcycle Awareness Week. From the along the route such as ‘Gloves protect hands’, ‘Boots Ride of Remembrance when we remembered those can save toes’ ‘Micro sleeps kill in seconds’… the one who had ridden on, and the launch of Motorcycle that I found quite poignant was ‘We are always Awareness Week , Liz de Rome discussing her learning’. Truer words were never spoken……. research on relevant motorcycle gear, catching up It’s on again! The 31st Annual Toy Run is being held on over a biker’s breakfast of egg and bacon rolls on the Saturday 10th December. Starting at the Museum of lawns in front of the Museum of Australian Australian Democracy with the best breakfast of Democracy (Old Parliament House), and culminating coffee and egg and bacon rolls, a mass ride along with BikeFest at Epic! What an exciting week it has to the roundabout at Woden and been! What is even more exciting is that there were back into . There are prizes and awards 94 reported sightings of JOE Rider! Let’s hope that we for the best dressed rider and decorated bike, the are continued to be ‘spotted’ out on the road. largest club representation, the largest corporate Thank you to all those who supported the Motorcycle group and the largest group dressed in Christmas Riders Association to make Motorcycle Awareness theme, so start planning your Christmas theme for Week the huge success it was! you and your bike! Bring along toys for all ages, cash Another exciting event in October was the Grand Prix and non-perishable foods to brighten the festive Race at Phillip Island. We were amongst the many season for those less fortunate in our community. who rode into Phillip Island to support Casey Stoner in Trish Holdsworth his quest to win the 2011 MotoGP World Championship title. Meandering through the beautiful scenery of Victoria, I became familiar with

Webmasters Report There are lots of activities coming up in November and December. Check out the MRA website for information about Discovery Rides, where the next Social Ride will take us, MRA General Meetings held on the second Tuesday of the month, the upcoming HART Ride and Thrive course, and best of all, the 31st Annual Toy Run. Read about the day Pete Major and Jen Woods took Alistair Coe for a ride around Can- berra to show him first hand the problems faced by motorcycle riders in the ACT. There are also a number of interesting responses regarding the use of Wire Rope Barriers. A concern for all motorcyclists. All this, and more, on mraact.org.au.

Trish Holdsworth

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Committee Member and Triathlon Support Co-ordinator

The Council of ACT Motor Clubs is again hosting Remember that “One’s Not Enough” is still on “Marques in the Park” at John Knight Park in exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery Belconnen (behind Lake Ginninderra College) on on London Cct until 20 November and contains Sunday 13 November. MRA will be present at this many unique and rare examples of (pre)historic event and invite riders and motoring enthusiasts to come along. I is another great opportunity to motorcycles belonging to private collectors and showcase the strong motorcycle fraternity we riders Peter & Ann Toet. have in the ACT, whilst also engaging with like- David Ault minded enthusiasts and public. Entry is free and you don’t have to be a MRA ACT member to join in with us. All riders groups are welcome.

We are still in need of riders to assist MRA ACT in supporting Triathlon ACT’s events by providing bike & rider for their on-road events. I have the David and Jen TACT 2011/12 calendar, listing 8 events totalling promoting 25 riders across these events. If you would like to know what’s involved and the dates please MRA ACT and Motorcycle Awareness at the contact me so we can continue to assist these Canberra Home and Leisure Show activities. There is a financial reimbursement toward your costs.

P A G E 4 Motorcycling Parking in Civic

As I have been in and around Canberra City, I have been talking to other motorcycle riders that have noticed that parking for their bikes is being reduced in size. Some of these parking spaces are being cut to a third in favour of disabled parking. The parking that is left is now being overcrowded, and bikes that are squeezing into these spaces are getting damaged. In these times with so much traffic in Civic, I would think that riders would be encouraged to ride their bikes in and leave the car at home. With the weather getting warmer, more riders are doing this. The problem is that as more riders come in, it is getting increasingly more difficult to secure a parking space. I have heard that some riders have used a car space to park in just to ensure that their bikes don’t get damaged. The problem of having to take a full car space then arises that car drivers get angry that a smaller bike is taking up ‘their’ car space, even though the rider has had to pay for that park. As we know, a single car space will safely hold up to four bikes. That’s four cars not driving on the roads. This cuts down traffic congestion and moves people faster through the city.

This bike will be ticketed and fined for parking here, although it is not impeding the disabled car next to it. Note; this was originally all bike parking. Now it has been reduced. Another view of a disabled parking space marked out over bike parking. As this is Motorcycle Awareness Week, shouldn’t we also secure more parking for riders? It seems to be a trend that motorcycle parking isn’t important and is being used for car parking. In other capitol cities, there are allowances for riders to even park their bikes on the footpaths in the inner cities, as long as they do not obstruct foot traffic. We should look into this as well.

As you can see that this parking space next to the Uni Lodge, the space has again been reduced. This space used to have about 10 – 15 in it. Now it has been reduced to 4! It might be also noted that around in this area, the residents are uni students. Some of them choose to own motorcycles or scooters instead of a car, but as you can see, there is no room to park. Could we get a couple of people to investigate this further? If riders cannot get a park in civic where they work, they will not ride in. If there was a chance that my bike would be damaged by riding in, I would leave it home and drive my car. It is also interesting to note, that for the cost of getting a bus in to town is $9, that’s half a tank of fuel on a bike. There is also the question of the reliability of using buses to get to work, even though they can move 45 people at a time. I certainly prefer to ride a motorcycle into work as this guarantees I get to work on time, leave whenever I want too and I have the knowledge that my transport is both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Casper 0416 835569 P A G E 5 Motorcycle Council of NSW

Release Rider Risk Safety Videos

Thursday 20 October 2011 - Press Release

The Motorcycle Council of NSW today announced the release of its "Rider Risk" video series, a ten part series of riding skills videos aimed at improving rider skills and is now available on the MCC of NSW website. www.mccofnsw.org.au

Each video subject is based on the statistical risk of a type of crash. A motorcycle rider needs certain skills and techniques to manage particular risks and avoid becoming a statistic. Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman, Christopher Burns said "A good rider is a good risk manager. These videos can help a rider to understand the risks, but it's up to them to learn the skills and implement them." The NSW Government funded the video series as part of a "Make Motorcycling Safer" partnership with the MCC of NSW. "Motorcycle Awareness Week is a time to remind riders to sharpen awareness of their own personal skills and to do a training course if in any doubt" said Mr Burns. The video series covers steering, selection of protective clothing, cornering, first aid, braking, handling traffic and many other finer points. "The MCC of NSW encourages all riders to take refresher skills training" said Mr Burns, "it's easy to spot an unskilled rider." For further details feel free to contact the MCC of NSW on (02) 9615 9605, [email protected] or check out the website at www.mccofnsw.org.au http://www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/332.html

THE MCC of NSW United we ride - Divided we walk

For further information and all media enquiries please contact: Christopher “CJ” Burns Chairman MCC of NSW 0418 486 660 (02) 9615 9605

www.mccofnsw.org.au [email protected]

The Motorcycle Council of NSW(MCC of NSW) was established in 1982 is the state’s pre-eminent motorcycle advisory group and represents 40,000 motorcycle riders from 38 social clubs and motorcycling organisations.

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P A G E 7 Hi my name is Liz. I’m a motorcycle researcher. I wrote the Good Gear Guide and I also ran the Gear study, in which we interviewed 212 riders after they crashed, to see how well their gear protected them. We found that most of the gear worked really well, but over a quarter of the motor- cycle jackets, pants and gloves failed in crashes. So now we are looking at ways of getting reliable information to riders about which products will do the job. We are conducting a survey of riders in Australian and New Zealand to investigate the potential for an Australasian program to provide riders with independent evidence-based information on the quality and effectiveness of motorcycle protec- tive clothing products. The project includes a review of consumer rating and testing systems used overseas and their applicability in Australasia. The study will not make recommendations about regulating or mandating motorcycle clothing. If you would like to take part please go to: http://j.mp/u9xhBC Here is a link to the results of the Gear Study http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlovDQM0TnA . Cheers Liz

The Daily Telegraph - October 27, 2011 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/cheap- motorcycle-helmets-are-okay-after-all/story-e6freuzi-1226177798815 SOME of the cheapest motorcycle helmets on the market have come out on top in a new RTA star rating system, it can be revealed. The RTA's new so-called CRASH program is the first independent assessment and rating of motorcycle helmets sold in Australia. More than 30 motorcycle helmets were belted, smashed and comfort-tested in the RTA's high-tech CrashLab in Western Sydney. Check out the test results here http://www.crash.org.au/ All of the helmets already met the minimum safety standard, but the tests revealed some major design or safety flaws. In some cases the most affordable helmets were safer and more comfortable than the mot expensive on the market, the RTA said. The tests included how well the helmets reduced the severity of an impact on the rider's head, and if the helmet then stayed on during subsequent impacts. The rankings also included scores for vision, noise, wet weather, and strap safety. “The helmets which have been tested not only meet Australian safety standards but are given star ratings for both their crash protection and comfort level,” NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads, John Ajaka said yes- terday. “Motorcyclists will now be able to look at detailed independent advice on the best helmet protection available to them.” Westmead Hospital Neurosurgeon Associate Professor Brian Owler - the face of the RTA's successful 'Don't Rush' anti- speeding road safety campaign said he often saw the horrific trauma associated with head injuries as a result of motor- cycle crashes. “Unfortunately I see the devastating effects of injuries in motorcycle crashes when riders or passengers don't wear a safe helmet or protective clothing,” Prof Owler said. “I would urge anyone getting on a bike to help avoid a serious injury by choosing carefully.” In NSW in 2010 there were 2481 motorcyclists injured and 61 were killed in road crashes. Across Australia, there were 224 motorcyclists killed in 2010. The program assessed 31 motorcycle helmets which includes 21 full-face and flip-up helmets and eight open-face hel- mets and two dual purpose helmets which can be used on and off the road.

P A G E 8 Email and Response to Alistair Coe on Wire Rope Barriers (WRB)

From: Margo Sent: Saturday, 10 September 2011 12:36 AM To: COE Subject: Road safety: wire rope barriers

Dear Mr Coe

The subject of wire rope barriers (WRBs) has been raised as a matter of concern by motorcyclists and their representatives for the past 15 years or so, both nationally and at the State and T erritory level. The issue has recently been raised again in the ACT due to the use of WRBs in conjunction with new roads being constructed in the ACT, including, the Extension and the Glenloch Interchange. I am writing to express my strong concern about the use of these barriers in view of the serious hazard that they pose for motorcyclists. I understand that WRBs may be a cost-effective solution for most (although not all) 4-wheeled motor vehicles; however their wires and posts present a particular threat to motorcyclists.

Research has been either undertaken or proposed by accident research organisations, within Australia and overseas, for some years, but has not always received the funding required to generate the type of ‘evidence’ demanded by policy-makers. Several of these reports, based on the best available evidence and expert analysis, have noted that the lack of information about actual accidents has inhibited the ability to gather evidence about the role of WRBs as a cause of injuries and deaths, although information can be acquired through methods such as crash-test simulations and computer modeling. I understand that some countries have imposed a moratorium on the installation of WRBs until more information is available.

In the meantime, however, the ACT has continued to cite compliance with current standards as the justification for using WRBs. This approach is disappointing, for a number of reasons.

First, it means that the ACT is proceeding in the face of widespread concerns about these ‘safety barriers’ constituting lethal hazards for motorcyclists, a category of road users whose numbers are continuing to grow.

Second, it signals that, when it comes to road safety – which should be viewed as a significant public health issue – the ACT has no interest in taking a leadership role, as it has done with other public health issues, but is happy to take the easy, lazy option. A standard principle in public health is the ‘precautionary principle’: this holds that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public, in the absence of a clear scientific consensus that the action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those wishing to take the action. If it is possible to demonstrate, or to provide ‘proof’, that WRBs are not harmful to motorcyclists, this evidence should be provided.

Third, the use of WRBs seems to rest on the assumption that, since no documented deaths have occurred in the ACT as a result of these barriers, no preventive action needs to be taken. Again, this is contrary to the approach adopted for the avoidance of other serious harms. Whose husband, wife, son, daughter, father or mother will be the one whose horrific death finally triggers a re-think about the use of these barriers?

P A G E 9 Email and Response to Alistair Coe on Wire Rope Barriers (WRB) cont.

No one plans on whether, when or where to have an accident. What we know is that accidents occur and that the approach of responsible authorities is to ensure that everything possible is done to minimise both the risk of accidents and the severity of their consequences. Everyone wants to see a reduction in serious injuries and fatalities, and motorcyclists certainly value the protection that effective safety barriers give to them. It is of interest to note that the WRB manufacturers are taking note of motorcyclists’ concerns and in some countries, including New Zealand, are proposing to introduce modifications to the barriers specifically designed to address these concerns. I would hope that, by working in consultation with accident research authorities, safety barrier manufac- turers and representatives of all road users, agreement could be reached on the use of barriers which are effective but are less likely to cause such catastrophic injuries to vulnerable road users who each contrib- ute, through their registration fees, to the ACT’s roads.

From: Coe, Alistair [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of COE Sent: Thursday, 13 October 2011 4:17 PM To: Subject: FW: Road safety: wire rope barriers

Dear Margo,

Thank you for your email and I’m sorry it has taken me a while to respond.

I recently met with Pete and Jen from the MRA and discussed the issue of WRBs amongst other issues affecting motorcycle riders. I also went on a ride with them to see what these issues are firsthand.

I am hoping the Minister has responded to your email by now, however if he hasn’t I am happy to pursue the issue further with him. Please let me know if you would like me to do this.

Thank you again for raising the issue with me.

Kind regards, Alistair Coe MLA Liberal Member for Ginninderra Shadow Minister for Urban Services; Transport Services; Housing; Heritage; and Youth

T: 02 6205 0101 F: 02 6205 3002 E: [email protected] W: www.alistaircoe.com.au

Legislative Assembly for the ACT GPO Box 1020 Canberra ACT 2601

Published with permission.

Photos courtesy of Darrell Burkey

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P A G E 12 Australia Representing Riders Internationally Chairman - Australian Motorcycle Council

This is an update on news from the subject line and a couple of other items. I’m honoured to let everyone know that I’ve been asked to be part of a forum that has been put together by the International Road Federation, to develop input into the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. This is to be known as the ‘group of experts on road safety’, and I’m quite humbled to have been invited to join. There are around 200 people worldwide, and as far as I know the only other person from Australia involved at this stage is James Holgate from Vic Roads. In terms of motorcycling, I’m not sure of any other rider representatives who are part of this. I understand that the new secretary of the International Motorcycle Manufactures Association (IMMA) has also been invited. I see my role in part being to put forward the views of motorcycle riders at the planning/policy development stage – the sort of thing we have been hammering on about for a number of years. The areas this group will look at include:

 accident statistics

 road accidents knowledge base

 road safety guides

 sharing the roads

 road safety management training courses

 speed and traffic control devices

 road surface characteristics

 financing safe road infrastructure There is also a strong interest in non-infrastructure issues from members, the most popular in a pre-poll being road safety education and training. There have been a series of launch meetings– meetings in India and Abu Dhabi have already been held. Following generous donations from MRA SA and MRA ACT, the executive has accepted the invitation, and I will be attending the launch meeting of this group in Geneva next week. This is being hosted by the UN at the Palais de Nations, so it’s fairly high-profile. I’m only sending this news now as my ability to travel for this was only confirmed on Monday after shopping around for cheapest possible fares! I will only be away for a short time, which on Monday includes a meeting with the British Motorcyclists Federation in London, before travelling to Geneva. Travelling such a long way for a one-day meeting may seem unusual, but in a way it’s like an initial meeting of a large project team, where a face-to-face meeting is held to get something underway and then much of the subsequent business is done via email. The executive was of the view that this was an opportunity for motorcycling worth seizing, so I thank them for their confidence. Any comments or ideas to be considered are most welcome. As soon as the Geneva event is completed, I will be returning via Perth for the 2011 Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference. The RAC of WA has kindly sponsored my registration at this conference. This is thanks to the excellent negotiation and sales skills of Dave Wright – thanks Dave. The TMC is also assisting with travel costs in respect of the Perth conference. Thanks again to MRA SA, MRA ACT and the TMC for making all this possible. An interesting couple of weeks ahead. Best regards, Shaun Shaun Lennard PO Box 527Cotton Tree Chairman QLD 4558 Australian Motorcycle Council Mobile: 0417 396 835 Twitter: @aust_rider

P A G E 13 MRA ACT Recreational Riding Charity Rides Other Motorcycling Activities

November 2011

Tuesday 8 Nov - MRA ACT General Meeting come along and have your say about how we can improve motorcycling in the ACT. The MRA meets at the Harmonie Club at Narrabundah with the meeting starting at 19:30 and dinner and a chat starting at about 18:30.

Saturday 19 Nov - Discovery Ride - meeting at Robbo's Fyshwick at 0930 for a 10:00 departure. The ride is tailored to the needs of the group and is paced at the speed of the slowest rider. It is to introduce new and returning riders or riders looking for a no pressure ride to riding in a group environment and promotes roadcraft and rider safety

Ride n Thrive—Saturday 19 Nov 2011 on road 8 hours of experienced based roadcraft training delivered by HART . The MRA ACT subsidises this training by paying half. All details and booking information is at http://www.hondampe.com.au/repository/motorcycles/training_licensing/special-courses/ride-thrive.aspx

Sunday 20 Nov – Social Ride led by Gordon Meeting at 9.00am at BP Watson for a 9.30am departure. This ride is 275 km and will take approximately 5 hours, and is tailored for the intermediate and experienced rider. This ride will take in a combination of several back roads, Currawang Road, Range Road, Garrundah Road and Mullins Creek Road. To access this ride map : http://www.netspeed.com.au/gwhite/m_Goulburn_Backroads.html

December 2011

Saturday 3 Dec - Discovery Ride led by Rob - meeting at Robbo's Fyshwick at 0930 for a 10:00 departure. The ride is tailored to the needs of the group and is paced at the speed of the slowest rider. It is to introduce new and returning riders or riders looking for a no pressure ride to riding in a group environment and promotes road craft and rider safety

Saturday 10 Dec 2011— Annual Motorcyclist Toy Run meet from 8.30 for coffee and breakfast at Old Parliament House. The Run leaves at 10.00 rides past Parliament House toward Woden, around the big roundabout at Woden and back into Garema Place. Bring toys suitable for all ages, non perishable foods and cash to support those in our community who’ll be doing it tough this Christmas. Awards presented for the best dressed rider/pillions and bikes., and largest group attendance.

Tuesday 13 Dec - MRA ACT General Meeting come along and have your say about how we can improve motorcycling in the ACT. The MRA meets at the Harmonie Club at Narrabundah with the meeting starting at 19:30 and dinner and a chat starting at about 18:30.

There will certainly be other events coming up. They will added to the website www.mraact.org.au as they come to hand. Other clubs and motorcycling bodies if you would like to be added to the list contact us at [email protected]

Remember, if your club has an activity coming up please let the MRA ACT know so we can support you.

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