Motorcycle Riders Association Australia (MRAA) is an informal non-profit volunteer organisation representing the interests of road motorcycle and scooter riders. Objectives include promoting fair and sensible laws and taxes for riders. The MRAA shares and discusses rider issues whilst campaigning to help make roads a safer, better and more equitable place for riders.
HOBART CHRISTMAS PARADE 2023.
The Myer HOBART CHRISTMAS Pageant parade on Saturday, November 18, 2023, was 1.6 kilometres long travelling at walking pace and stopping regularly. Police on BMW motorcycles led the procession with the MRA directly behind them. The weather was cool. Even so, two motorcycles overheated and could not complete the course. Both had full fairings. If we enter the 2024 Pageant parade there has to be a rethink.
That said, the parade was a spectacular success for community groups in general and the MRA in Tasmania in particular. More than 20,000 people lined the streets. The static display at Mawson Place after the parade was good too. Tourists on the waterfront loved it.
Congratulations to Sybil, Naomi and Co. at Hobart City council for a job well done. Thanks to Major Angela Rawlings from the Salvation Army for coming on the ride and holding the banner. And, thanks to the riders of the two and three wheel machines who took part. Also, thanks the Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Howard Burrows for displaying the 1914 Matchless and the 1922 Triumph at Mawson Place and to the other riders who were there.
KELLI AND TOMMO ON PARADE. NOVEMBER 15, 2023. More pictures at www.facebook.com/damien.codognotto.9
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TOY RUN
TOY RUN IN HONOUR OF FATHER BOB – VICTORIA.
Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Father Bob Maguire. 14 September 1934 – 19 April 2023.
***** This event is going ahead. Please support it! *****
The staff and volunteers of Banksia Gardens Community Services in Victoria are committed to making this an awesome event in memory of Father Bob.
This is a destination toy run, so please organise yourself, and/or your friends to roll in from 11am; contact via message if a ride event page needed.
Decorate yourselves and your rides, and bring gifts and toys please.
No food items needed, asides from festive season edible treats/hampers.
– NEW UNWRAPPED gifts & toys
– Please, NO stuffed/plush toys or anything ‘fluffy’!
– books; puzzles; indoor/outdoor games;
– musical instruments; novelty clothing & accessories;
– gift vouchers; fun park/event/cinema tickets.
Refreshments available on site. Pillion kids welcome too, as activities for kids; Xmas party for all who knew and loved Fr Bob. Let’s do him proud!
RE: 2023 Toy Run in honour of Fr Bob, the inaugural Patron of Banksia Gardens Community Services in Broadmeadows.
When: Sunday, 3rd December, 11am to 2pm
Where: Banksia Gardens Community Services
71–81 Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2379303852250422
MRA SOUTH TOY RUN 44 – TASMANIA
The 44th annual MRA TOY RUN in Tasmania will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023. toyrun@mratas.org.au contact@mratas.org.au
BIKERS FOR KIDS TOY RUN 46 – NEW SOUTH WALES
The 46th annual Bikers for Kids TOY RUN will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Ballast Grounds, Stockton, Newcastle, NSW, depart 10 am. newcastletoyrun.com.au
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BZ8XY7L
To November 2, 2023, 827 people had responded to the MRAA survey on compulsory third party vehicle insurance. We need 2000. The survey is for all owners of road registered vehicles including motorcycles and cars. Results will be useful for people campaigning for a fair go on CTPI outside Victoria and Tasmania.
The TAC TAX is a motorcycle safety levy of $78 a year. The TAC TAX targets motorcyclists who do the right thing and pay registration fees. The MRAA made written submissions to the current Victorian Parliamentary road user behaviour inquiry, numbers 45 and 180. We also represented our members making verbal submissions on August 24, 2023. The transcripts are posted on the Parliament’s website. The 280+ written submissions are available at www.parliament.vic.gov.au Go to the Legislative Assembly then the Economy & Infrastructure Committee then click on the inquiry.
Steve Bardsley, the MRAA Rider Safety Officer, updated his TAC TAX (MSL) report to include the latest financials and the graph as attached. It can be found on Academia at the following link:
https://www.academia.edu/106405626/The_Twenty_Year_Injustice_of_the_MSL
An update from The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) on the current campaign to improve crash data across the country.
A quick note on how the campaign progressed last week and what to expect in the week ahead.
Highlight of the week:
- Last week the campaign received 100% support from the Liberal-National coalition, as well as the support of some independents . The AAA continues to thank these supporting Ministers on it’s digital channels to foster goodwill and encourage more campaign support among their federal colleagues.
- See their scanned communications are posted here as content (thank you to those who have already shared): Blog, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Last week:
- In total the campaign has received support from 58 out of 151 MPs (inc. former Transport Ministers, current Opposition front benchers, and a few independents).
- Despite two issues dominating the media (The Voice and the Israel-Palestine conflict) we gained traction nationally, but more importantly in target areas including the Hunter (driven by Joyce’s support) & Gilmore (AAA’s Michael on Friday interviewed by the Illawarra Mercury).
- Strong comms metrics show the ‘Slow Politicians Ahead’ device is effective at attracting attention
- A number of MPs engaged with the campaign on AAA social media (Bridgette McKenzie, Tony Pasin and Zoe Daniel)
The week ahead:
- AAA will now target federal political parties with 0% MP campaign support
- Earned media attention will focus on hyper-local media releases directing into top 5 priority seats
- Paid internet advertising begins
- The AAA will begin preparing a new NRSS Benchmarking report for release early next week (See the previous quarter publication here).
How you can help:
- Continue to share campaign content published by the AAA on your organisation’s digital channels
- Include a campaign banner in your email signature (there are number of options available for you to choose from)
- Continue to get in touch for our support if you’d like to explore media or content
Thanks again for your support,
Blake Reeves
Digital Content Manager
The Victorian Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) $78 a year discriminatory tax on road-registered motorcycle & scooters was raised in State Parliament on October 3, 2023. The Information was supplied to Ms Hermans MP by MRAA Spokesperson, Damien Codognotto OAM. John Eacott was representing the Victorian Motorcycle Council (VMC).
Ms Anne M Lane
Electorate officers for Ann-Marie Hermans MLC
Victoria
Dear Ms Lane.
Many thanks for keeping us informed. Please thank Ms Hermans MLC for asking the question about the Transport Accident Commission’s unfair and discriminatory hidden tax on motorcycles. We look forward to the answer.
One small point. I am Spokesperson for the Motorcycle Riders Association Australia. Perhaps the Herald Sun got it wrong. That said, we agree with John Eacott on the TAC tax issue so we do not have a problem with the quote. I looked at the Victorian Motorcycle Council’s website for John’s name but could not find it. I understand John now lives in Queensland.
Again, Many thanks.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesperson
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia supports the MCEP Driver Awareness Month in October 2023 and urges individual Victorian riders and motorcycle clubs to attend the launch. Please pass this information on to as many riders and interested people as you can.
“Join us (MCEP/TAC/VICPOL/DoT) for the exciting launch event of Motorcyclist Awareness Month (MAM) on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the Skyline Federation Square. Get ready to celebrate and promote motorcyclist awareness with fellow enthusiasts and experts in the field. At the MAM launch event, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in various activities aimed at raising awareness about motorcyclist safety. Connect with like-minded individuals, including seasoned riders, industry professionals, and safety advocates. Share your experiences, learn from others, and discover valuable insights to enhance your own safety on the road. Don’t miss this chance to be a part of the Motorcyclist Awareness Month launch event. It’s time to come together and make a difference in the motorcycle community. Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable day of fun, education, and camaraderie!When? Sun, 1 Oct 2023 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM AEDT. Where? Skyline @ Federation Square, Russell St Ext Melbourne, VIC 3000.
This is a free event. For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/…/motorcyclist-awareness…Organised by Motorcyclist Awareness Month – an initiative of the Victorian Motorcycling Community Engagement Panel (MCEP) and is supported by the Transport Accident Commission, the Department of Transport and Planning and Victoria Police. Share the Road. Keep Everyone Safe.”
The MRAA ran Biketober with 10,000 bike Driver Awareness Rides and displays in major shopping centres back in the 1980s. The first MCEP Motorcycle Awareness Month in 2022 generated very little publicity and therefore very little car driver awareness. However, the first aim of the MRAA then and now was and is ROAD SAFETY so I reckon we are obliged to promote and publicise this campaign. The attached poster is for the 6th MRAA Motorcycle Month in 1985. The campaign had gone national by then. The clipping showing bikes on the Tullamarine Freeway is from the Melbourne Sun in during the MRAA Driver Awarenes Month in 1983. The TV news reported 5000 bikes on the Tullamarine Freeway. Another channel reported up to 10,000 bikes left the car park opposite the Melbourne Zoo. They travelled to the airport loop and back to the Showgrounds to the MRAA Motorcycle Expo.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesperson
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
The Melbourne Herald Sun. Thursday, August 31,2023.
Q7. The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia (MRAA) survey on compulsory third party insurance and the TAC anti motorcycle tax. August 31, 2023.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BZ8XY7L
MOTORCYCLE TOURISM LINKS
The MRAA is looking for links to motorcycle touring promotions. We are interested in Europe and North America but links from anywhere will be gratefully received.
https://www.rsac.tas.gov.au/visitingdrivers/ Click on the link for touring motorcyclists.
https://www.visitcarinthia.at/motorcycle/ Mal Peters in Queensland sent the Carinthia link.
MRAA
STEVE BARDLEY’S DRIVER AWARENESS INITIATIVE.
Another 8 novice riders graduated from the Tasmanian FULL GEAR PROGRAM.
The Hobart Mercury. May 19, 2023. The event generated very positive TV News coverage.
The RACT magazine Journeys. June 2022.
This is a fantastic program. It was an initiative of the Glenorchy City Council near Hobart. It is now run in Launceston and, I’m told, Adelaide. FULL GEAR has the support of the Tasmanian Government and is funded, in part at least, by the Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB).
FULL GEAR combines discussions, mentoring and track days with real rider training and help getting a motorcycle licence.
It reduces the unrider problem and produces safer road riders. It should be run by councils where there is an unrider problem. Unriders are people who use motorcycles on-road illegally. Victoria needs FULL GEAR programs. They should be funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). There are tracks at Sandown, Calder, Winton and Phillip Island. There are experienced motorcyclists who would gladly volunteer to mentor new riders on weekends.In one of the photos taken at the Baskerville track in 2022 you can see David Closs, in the grey and black riding gear giving novice riders some pointers after a few laps. These are training laps there’s no racing on these ride days. Dave has been riding motorcycles for decades and is a past President of the Motorcycle Riders Association of Tasmania (MRAT).
Damien Codognotto OAM Spokesperson The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
www.facebook.com/damien.codognotto.9
Father Bob Maguire passed away April 19, 2023. We have lost a great Australian. Rest In Peace Bob.
Damien Codognotto OAM
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure CommitteeThe Parliament of VictoriaAustraliaThe Committee was established in 2019 under the Legislative Assembly Standing Orders. The Committee inquires into any issues related to education and training, the economy, jobs, regions and transport.
In 2023 the Committee is inquiring into how road safety behaviours have changed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and considering the impact these changes have had on vulnerable road users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, children under 7 years, old people and mobility device users.
new.parliament.vic.gov.au/roadsafetybehaviours
On the video Alison Marchant, Member for Bellarine and Committee Chair said. “We want to hear from … road users, peak bodies, organisations, vulnerable road users and transport workers.”
Submissions close on May 19, 2023.
Mrs Alison Marchant MP
Member for Bellarine
Chair
Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee
Dear Mrs Marchant.
I am preparing a submission for the Motorcycle Riders Association Australia (MRAA) to the Road Safety Behaviours Inquiry. I will forward that submission at a later date. In the mean time I would like you to consider three things.
First.There are about 4.5 million registered cars in Victoria. Car drivers are by far the largest group of road users in the state. Therefore a small improvement in car driver behaviour means a significant reduction in vulnerable road user injuries and deaths. The MRAA believes road user education, with an emphasis on drivers’ responsibilities to vulnerable road users, is a solution to the problem of car drivers’ bad behaviour.
Second. No one can develop reliable countermeasures to road trauma with out reliable crash/traffic data. The behaviour of the self-titled “road safety partners” over the last 4 years has had a direct, negative effect on vulnerable road users. The way crash data is collected and assessed is a major part of Victoria’s road safety problem. This has been raised in several Parliamentary Inquiries but because the road road safety partners write the Government’s responses to inquiry recommendations only changes that suit the road safety partners get adopted.
Third. Over the last 4 years departments in the road safety partners have Increased secrecy and control. An example is the Motorcycle Community Engagement Panel (MCEP). This VicRoads committee considers issues directly affecting motorcyclists’ safety but motorcycling organisations were not allowed to choose representatives or contribute to MCEP meeting agendas. It took the MRAA over six months using freedom of information laws to get some heavily censored minu
tes of MCEP meetings.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesperson
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
Mobile: 0419 846 855.
www.facebook.com/damien.codognotto.9
FATHER BOB MAGUIRE AM DIED YESTERDAY
APRIL 19, 2023.
FATHER BOB’S passing has left a cavernous hole in out world. He was a great Australian. He is missed by many.
Depending on funeral arrangements, there may be an MRAA motorcycle guard of honour for Bob.
Damien Codognotto
MARCH 18, 2023.
TOURING TASSIE. Click the link for touring motorcyclists https://www.rsac.tas.gov.au/visitingdrivers/
MEDIA RELEASE – February 28, 2023.
The HERALD SUN Editorial (25/2/2023) says traffic congestion is holding Melbourne and Victoria back. Infrastructure and public transport have failed to keep pace with our increasing population. People need for mobility. Mismanagement of resources and resistance to Parliamentary Inquiry recommendations mean cost effective solutions to our traffic woes are sidelined in favour of big budget campaigns and projects by VicRoads and TAC.
The latest version of a motorcycle safety committee at Vic Roads, the Motorcycle Community Engagement Panel (MCEP) has been silent on traffic congestion.
Single-occupant cars are some seventy percent of traffic. Most are five or more seat vehicles that are parked longer than they are driven. Road authorities should offer real alternatives to car commuting and incentives to make the change? One initiative would be to promote Australian made, road registered, electric motorcycles & scooters. Entry level motorcycles can’t be compared to toy vehicles. Riders must be trained and licensed. Machines must be identifiable. They can’t go on footpaths. 150 plus kilometres range for commuting and a good payload for shopping, works in urban areas. Parking is easy. New road bike price and running costs are a fraction of car costs.
Two bonus points. Motorcycling in Victoria is safer than it has ever been. Australian made bikes keep skills, jobs and profits here.
As traffic congestion gets worse and living gets more expensive, government, the RACV and the motorcycle industry should promote entry level motorcycles, especially locally made machines, to reduce the pain of gridlocked streets and rising living costs.
Damien Codognotto OAM
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
BAD ROADS in Victoria.
Damien,
Thank you for the advocacy work you keep pushing on motor bike safety.
I would like to introduce …… . …… was in a potentially fatal bike accident recently entirely caused by substandard highway road surfaces. He is passionate about trying to advocate a better deal for our roads.
…… would like to take on Vic Roads for their neglect, and I wondered if you already knew of any others who were looking to sue or take on the State. If so you may be able to connect them up with Jarrod.
Regards
Richard
The Motorcycle Riders Association will certainly support …… in every way we can.
There was a female rider killed near Shepparton in January. She hit a pothole and crashed. Contacting her family makes sense.
We can not only seek others wanting to sue VicRoads we can find expert witnesses to testify on these matters.
Please let us know what we can do to help. Do you have legal representation …… ? If not I suggest you contact the Law Institute of Victoria. They had a very good free service to assess you case. I have used it myself.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesperson
The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
www.facebook.com/damien.codognotto.9
VICTORIA POLICE NEED WITNESSES TO A FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AUDIT
TASMANIA’S Department of State Growth is conducting a motorcycle safety audit of the Channel Highway between Margate and Verona Sands. They want to know what riders think of this route. It is one of my favourite day trips.
I did the ride on Monday, February 13, 2023. Hobart was packed. It was a public holiday and the Wooden Boat Festival was on. It was 20 degrees C. I was going to take the spectacular Ferntree to Longley road but showers were predicted and that road has been dug up and patched so many times that it is not the magic run it used to be.
I took the Southern Outlet and headed to Huonville. Lots of motorcycles about in spite of threatening weather. Turned left at the river and rode to Cygnet. Cygnet is a good place to eat. I was taking the Channel Highway from south to north but it’s a great road either way.
The road from Cygnet to Verona Sands is OK but patches all over the place. Probably time for a full resurface. I stopped at the turn off to Bacon & Eggs Bay for the view, then a nice twisty run down to Verona Sands.
Good surface, lovely road, way too many road barriers with exposed posts for my liking. Thankfully no wire rope barriers. Some barriers had skirts, or rub rails as Victorian road authorities call the flat metal additions to protect fallen riders from the posts. To me that says road authorities know the posts do the damage to riders sliding along the ground. Personally, I’d rather take my chances sliding into the bush than hitting a barrier in most scenarios. Since most sliding riders hit barriers at shallow angles smooth concrete would be preferred. Second choice would be w-beam with a skirt.
The threatened showers arrived. Nothing dramatic. The temperature dropped to 13 degrees C in the drizzle. The Channel Highway is fairly well drained most of the way so, it seems to me that aqua plaining is a minimal hazard for cars and bikes but that does not mean it doesn’t happen. The road is pretty much at sea level all the way to Kettering. So pooling road water would not turn to black ice very often but again, be aware of the possibility.
Pooling road water can attract wild life. There was road kill, mostly wallabies. Keep a watch for critters at all times but mostly in the twilight hours, early morning and around sunset. Road barriers can keep critters on the road. They are unpredictable when vehicles approach.
At this time of year you will see eccentric sculptures along the roadside. I’m told the council runs a competition and sets a theme each year, names of films, sayings and so on.
Woodbridge is well worth a stop. The Village Store is great and the Peppermint Bay Pub used to put on a good feed. I did not stop this time but I assume it still does.
Past Kettering the road is still good but there was more traffic heading in two Margate.
Generally a good ride if a little damp in places. Not much road debris, gravel, leaf litter and so on but that can change so stay alert.
The motorcycle safety audit of the Channel Highway closes on February 28, 2023. If you are in range, please do the survey.
The motorcycle safety audit of the Channel Highway closes on February 28, 2023. If you are in range, please do the ride. Complete a survey at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7187316/Channel-Highway-Margate-Verona-Sands. The survey is currently open and will close at 11:59 PM on 28 February 2023.
Motorcycle road safety audit in Tasmania closes
February 28, 2023.
LUNCH
MCEP
VicRoads set up the Motorcycle Community Engagement Panel (MCEP) in 2021. MCEP replaced the Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel (MEAP). These replacements go right back, via the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Committee (VMAC), to the Motorcycle Safety Forum in the 1980s. Each time VicRoads replaces a motorcycle committee secrecy increases and bureaucratic control tightens. These name changes and replacements are counter productive and reduce departmental accountability in road safety.
In my experience, over forty years dealing with Victorian public servants, I’m convinced the self-titled road safety partners (RSP) are not committed to listening to motorcycle & scooter riders. I don’t think the RSP want to make sure all riders are represented on the way they approach road safety.
In May 2015, a crash on the Great Alpine Road in Eastern Victoria killed two motorcyclists. It was caused by damaged surface, a shove, that VicRoads knew about but did nothing. The motorcyclists on MEAP tried for two years to have this crash, and the misleading Coroner’s report, on meeting agendas but there was always a reason why this double fatal was not discussed on the record. VicRoads was never held to account. The Great Alpine Road crash was not an isolated incident.
2023 began with a female rider died in a crash caused by a pothole near Shepparton. Sympathy to her loved ones. It is unlikely the road authority will be held to account. It is likely the Coroner’s finding will say she lost control of her motorcycle and as with the Great Alpine Road fatal it won’t mention the damaged road surface.
If MCEP is really listening to all riders I will be very surprised and pleased. It took nearly six month to obtain the censored agendas and minutes of MCEP meetings. I am happy to email them to any motorcyclists with an interest.
MCEP PANEL MEMBERS AT THE FOLLOWING LINK:
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesperson
The Motorcycle Riders Association AustraliaEmail: damienkcodognotto@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/damien.codognotto.9
A motorcyclist died in Wantirna, Victoria. A car driver may have failed to give way
20/09/2022
Sincere sympathy to the rider’s loved ones. RIP. All unriders & undrivers should be flagged in crash data so researchers and stakeholders can develop effective countermeasures to reduce road trauma. They are not flagged in available data. Unriders and undrivers are are people using vehicles illegally, no licence, unregistered and/or unroadworthy. Read Steve Bardsley’s THE BLAME GAME CONTINUES in Academia.
A significant part of the reason unriders exist is that motorcycle training, licencing and CTP insurance is way too expensive. This is directly the fault of road authorities. Instead of spending our money on multi-million dollar TV ads that tend to blame the victims the Transport Accident Commission should follow the lead of the Tasmanian Government and put funds into training and licensing incentives and subsidies for protective clothing using MCAP ratings.
Motorcyclist Graduated Licensing System Review – Tasmania
23/09/2022
Recently, Tasmanian motorcyclists had an opportunity to have their say on how we can all make motorcycle riders more safe on Tasmanian roads.
The Road Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) are reviewing the Tasmanian motorcyclist graduated licensing system (GLS). Road authorities say motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable road users and are over-represented in crashes in Tasmania accounting for around a third of serious crashes in 2021.
The MRAA agrees learner and provisional motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable. In the last ten years, learner motorcyclists were involved in approximately ten times more casualty crashes than fully licensed riders. Over the past few years, the motorcyclist graduated licensing system has required learner and provisional motorcyclists to undergo more strenuous training and assessment requirements but the RSAC review will probe whether the system needs amending. Feedback will contribute to the RSACs review and determine their recommendation to the Tasmanian State Government on what more we can do to reduce the number of riders killed or seriouly injured on our roads. To learn more visit Tasmanian GLS Review
Submissions closed 21/09/2022. The MRAA has lodged a submission.