In the lead up to the Moto GP last year the TAC ran a Hints and Tips competition, filmed the tips and now you can view the clips online.
One on the winners was the MRA's very own DJ McCarthy.
You can view all the clips Here
A milestone for motorcycle safety, said FEMA President Hans Petter Strifeldt as he officially opened the World’s First Vision Zero Road for motorcycles along RV 32 in Telemark County in Norway 7 May 2008.
Rider group representatives were left wondering whether their attendance at a Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit organized by the Federal Government, held in Canberra on 10th/11th April 2008, was worth the effort as a result of media reporting of a statement put out by Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese’s office on Friday.
The Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC) today welcomed the Prime Minister’s interest and concerns around motorcycle safety, and looks forward to the establishment of a national road safety advisory council – as long as the true facts are considered in formulating plans.
2 May 2008, Melbourne – In response to a statement from the Rudd Government today outlining recent statistics that show motorbike riders are at much higher risk on the road than car drivers, Honda Australia says making positive moves forward in regard to safety initiatives is the answer.
Tony Hinton, Honda’s General Manager, Motorcycles also said the figures reported are typically much more complicated than the way in which they are presented in the media.
“The number of motorcyclists in this country has grown in leaps in bounds over the past few years.”
“Further the single vehicle statistics that are often quoted do not take into account the fact that a motorcyclist may have been trying to avoid another vehicle.”
“We need comprehensive, accurate statistics to be collected as they do in Europe so that more targeted decisions can be made regarding safety initiatives.”
Hinton, along with Honda’s Managing Director Stuart Strickland, plus other representatives from the motorcycle industry, rider groups, state road authorities, Police and Government officials including staff from Federal Transport Ministers office recently attended a “Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit” in Canberra to discuss these issues.
“What was great about this forum, as opposed to what is sometimes reported in the media, is that we discussed how to make positive moves forward,” Mr Hinton said.
“The Federal Transport Minister, Mr Albanese, echoed the sentiments of those at the Summit when he said today that car drivers need to be more aware of motorcycles and respect their presence on the roads.”
The Motorcycle Riders Association (Vic) is pleased to announce that Professor Marcus Wigan has agreed to become patron of the Association. As a well credentialed academic, Professor Wigan is an international expert on transport and transport planning and has published extensively on many aspects of motorcycling.
MRA (Vic) President John Karmouche welcomed the acceptance saying that “Not only does Professor Wigan have an outstanding academic publication record; he is also a regular road-rider of 50 years experience crash-free and a founding member of the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council. We are delighted that he has accepted our invitation and look forward to many more years of association with him”.
Motorcycle Riders Association (Victoria) President John Karmouche today stated that the MRA(Vic) is opposed to any proposal to purchase 10 Police motor cycles from TAC Safety Levy funds.
MRA(Vic) President John Karmouche said today, “As a result of rumours going the rounds, we need to make it clear that the MRA(Vic) is opposed to having any part of the TAC Safety levy spent on purchasing Police assets. We believe that any such purchase should come out of General Government Revenue.”
Media Release 28th April 28, 2008
Following the recent successful MRA Annual General Meeting incoming President John Karmouche stated that a new direction was forthcoming for the organisation.
Mr Karmouche observed that the new board contained a good mixture of experience and new members and said that it boded well for the future of the organisation.
New MRA Board The incoming board consists of John Karmouche as President, Tony Ellis as Secretary and Rik van Zuylekom as Treasurer. Anton Lange remains as Membership Secretary. Two new members were elected to the board, Wendy Taylor and Sandra Ramsay.
Name Change From MRAA to MRA(Vic) Probably the most significant change to come out of the meeting was an overwhelming vote for a name change for the organisation.
An open letter from South Australia
Quote:
To the members of the Motorcycle Riders Association of South Australia,
The MRA SA has adopted a different approach to our ongoing fight against the Serious and Organised Crime Bill (Anti Bikie Bill).
This campaign has, up to now, been based on informing our members, along with the general public, on the very real concerns we have over the proposed changes to our civil liberties. The biggest challenge we face is the publics’ lack of knowledge and therefore the lack of interest in proposed bills. It seems most people only get fired up when they are personally affected.
We have, of course, worked hard in approaching and tendering submissions to the elected representatives who want this absurd piece of legislation.
It is scary when we ask our elected politicians, who passed this bill in the lower house a couple of weeks ago, about a possible/probable ramification and they respond with an amazed voice, “I didn’t know it would do that.” and “This will only be used to target rebel bikies, trust me”.
This proposed law has the potential to affect a large number of people who will have to rely on SAPOL not charging them. A charge under this bill will result in a conviction and 5 years in jail. The bill specifically states that court evidence can not be challenged if the Police wish it to be confidential and a Judge must accept it as valid. You will not be able to challenge the evidence they will use against you.
Fines are not an option. The Judge must award JAIL time, up to5 years!!!
OK, so who are the innocent people who could be caught up in this legislation?
Do you know someone who has fought a speeding fine? If they lost, then they have a conviction recorded against their name. They and any body else who has a conviction, like a friend of mine who a few years ago was an idiot and got caught drink driving, will be found guilty of a new offence if they socialise with another person who has a conviction 6 times in a 12 month period. Not just that person, BUT that can be 1 meeting with 6 different people. By socialise I really mean to contact. Like go on an MRA SA Samrats ride. Include in that, attend a meeting or get a phone call or even an email or sms. Chat with a rider at Lobethal or even at the Toy Run and you could be gone.
I have had a few people ask why the MRA SA is wasting time and resources fighting this proposed legislation when the MRASA is not at risk of being a banned organisation. We are assured that the bill will be only used to target the feral bikies.
This bill can, and will, put at risk many of the freedoms that we as citizens take for granted. Those freedoms are worth fighting for. Members who have stuffed up and been charged for an offence in the past have a right to associate freely with other people without fearing they may have a volunteer spy for SAPOL reporting who they ride with or when they have a cuppa with a mate. (The spy for SAPOL reference relates to another bill going thru our Parliament to recruit unemployed people to do surveillance for the SA Police dept. That one is someone else’s battle). These members have already paid the price for the offence that landed them in court and should now be able to move on with their life. Can you imagine having to ask friends if they have a conviction before you can ask them around for a BBQ to ensure 2 convicted people don’t meet and you are then guilty of abetting a crime? If you have a conviction you would live in fear of meeting a person who would decrease by 1 the safety margin between you and 5 years in jail.
Consider the number of indictable offence charges laid in SA.
The following info was taken today from a SA Government website,
Total offences reported in 2006 are: 263,369.
Total offences reported in 2005 are: 272,599.
I would be surprised if ANY club or association with more than 100 members did not have a few members who WILL be caught up by this horrific bill.
An MRASA member convicted of an indictable offence charge would not be able to ride a bike with us again for fear of another convicted person joining in on a ride.
Wouldn’t you want the MRA SA to fight for your rights if this was you?
This is the most dangerous attack I have ever seen on the freedoms of association that we all take for granted and is not only worth fighting but MUST be fought.
This is not as simple as riders having to put headlights on during the day or paying too much for a licence.
This is not about unfair laws that cost us money because some chair warmer who rides a swivel chair thinks he understands riding a motorbike.
This is an attack on personal freedoms.
Fall foul of the law just once and……..
It is as serious as that.
Phil McClelland
President MRA SA Inc.
An international expert says that targeting speeding motorcyclists is merely a distraction from more relevant road safety issues. By RICHARD BLACKBURN, drive.com.au, April 11, 2008
Speeding is “a distraction from other issues” that contribute to the motorcycle road toll, according to an international expert.
The secretary general of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association, Dr Nick Rogers, says that on its own, speeding is not a major contributor to the road toll.
“Research in Europe shows that the vast majority of accidents occur below 50km/h, so speed is not the issue; it is an aggravating factor when something else goes wrong.
“It is not true to say that because people are going fast, that is why they have an accident. Speed is just a distraction from other issues such as perception failures by riders and other motorists,” he says.
Dr Rogers is in Australia to address the inaugural Australian Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit, held in Canberra on April 10 and 11, 2008.
The summit brought together politicians, motorcycle riders, police, road authorities and injury prevention experts from around Australia and the globe.
