If you could tell the powers that be what to do...

[lifeofcrimeguy]

A few days ago, Madkaw posted up about a forum being run (among others) by the MCC at the end of January and February this year. After having a chat to Rob in regards to what it is they actually want to talk about I recieved the following reply:

Jason,
The two big questions we will ask are:
How can we make motorcycling better in NSW?
How can motorcycling contribute to people's lives in NSW?

These BIG questions will then be cut up into fields such as safety, sport, transport, tourism, and each of these will then cut up into component topics.
Actually it’s the relationships that are important, such as between sport and tourism or sport and safety.

Secondly, it’s about what ALL stakeholders can do, not just the Government, so that the benefits to motorcycling and to the broader community are best able to be realised. Its a very open ended process, so we will be asking people what THEY think are the ways forward, not what do they think of any pre-written strategy. KSRC has lots of expertise and experience - what do they think could make their future activities better? What might they contribute to motorcycling and to broader social benefits?

Yes its broad, there are no preconceptions or closed-off areas for discussion!


Regards,

Rob Colligan

Now, I'm not entirely sure what he means by 'the relationships' between them, but hopefully everyone can see this as the time when all of you can get your opinions out there. So what we need to here from you, is any ideas or questions or comments you have in regard to your experiences on a motorcycle (road, track and trail). What kind of programs, laws, events do you want to see happen here? Do you wanna see EC fight for the motoGP? Do you wanna see a mass ride through sydney to raise awareness about some point or other? Are there particular laws which make absolutely no sense for a bike even if they seem logical for a car?

If you're a new rider, what have you seen as the greatest hurdles for you or the greatest misconceptions about you?

If you're like me, completely without imagination, and can't think of anything. Then respond here with something that irritates you on a daily basis. If somebody else mentions something you were gonna say, then plus 1 it. A couple for me:

- The kilometers of people in the T2 lane of the great western hwy who shouldn't be there, and never in 7 years of riding have a I seen a single patrol car enforcing it. (Mind you they'd probably book me for splitting, but why should I put up with an extra 30-45 minutes because of them?).

- The invisible Mount Everests in the bus lane of Epping road between Epping and North Ryde that send you flying if you're not paying attention.

- Why do bikes pay the same tolls as cars when they do far less damage to roads?

- Why do bikes pay more CTP than cars if the majority of bike accidents don't involve another vehicle (not sure this one is still true).

Hopefully we can get some positive responses as well as all the complaints, particularly about promoting the sport, tourism and social aspects of riding. Eg.

- Is there a positive link between people getting track experience and their ability to ride more safely on the road? Should we therefore be encouraging young/new riders to gain some track experience (with appropriate education against riding the street like the track). Or should we be demanding more rigorous L-plater training than the current 2 day course?

- perhaps a campaign which compares the cost (money, time and healthwise) between car driving and bike riding. I seem to a remember a thread a few years ago about peoples view on how riding increases their general health and happiness.

- would people sign up to an 'ethical charter'. "I will be a positive member of the community who doesn't set car alarms off with my exhaust, and waves/nods to every small child who lookds at me... blah blah etc etc"

Be good if we can get this stickied so everyone gets a chance to see and respond over the next couple of months.

[Phil]

Here's one from left field, perhaps the Police should be made aware that taking off from the lights quickly is not racing , have they not heard the safest place to be is in front of the cars, not have them right up yer clacker

Good job Jason, well done on taking the baton and running with it.

[fireyrob]

Another track or at least another operator at EC...

[Wattie]

make motorcycles be able to use cycleways in the inner cbd (at a bicycle speed fair enough eg 40km/hr)

no tolls for Motorcycles.

Recreational rego for dirtbikes.

hmmmm i'll be back with more later.

[Wattie]

as Rob said, another track in NSW is almost a Must.

[Blurr]

a couple from me are.

No slip white and yellow paint. Why is it not used? Whilst I am under no illusions to the answer and will find it interesting if any other reason other than cost is brought forward. However is the rule of line that health and safety of all of our motorist is first priority surely this will outweigh costs considering the reduced impact we put on the road infrastructure compared to cars.

Linked to this one is the attitude and direction of our police force. Why is it a mandatory infrigment notice if a rider looses control of a motorcycle., With obsticale such as oil, painted white lines, man hole covers, big metal plates, sticks/branches and of course cagers facing us all sure the government can change the narrow mided view that any accident is a direct result of a rider not riding to the road conditions. This can not always be avioded, forseen or even defensively ridden against.

Also

lane splitting/filtering. Surely this is a step in the right direction not only to reduce traffic congestion but to encourage a more effecient style of transport.

[Phil]

as Rob said, another track in NSW is almost a Must.

Well, unless they WANT us to be the laughing stock of the country.......

[seiko1]

Like the Powers that be, give a flying fuck what any of us thinks...
cut costs and raise revenue, thats IT!

[Wattie]

a couple from me are.

No slip white and yellow paint. Why is it not used?

im pretty sure the do dont they?

the reflective shit they pour in the paint to reflect the headlights is like a glass sort stuff that acts as a non slip also.

problem is those big school zone 40 signs painted in yellow arent reflective so are slippery.

in the wet the lines stay wet which makes them slippery, thats just pure science. the black surface absorbs the light and gets warmer drying the surface faster than a white surface.

[Blurr]

They have used it in sections but things like painted islands, school zone dragons teeth and the like are not.

Only what they deem to be important visual impact areas

[Wattie]

yeah scholl zones are only daytime, so they dont bother with the reflective i guess.

[hoffy]

They need to cover steel grates with non slip too.. There is one on penno road and m2 penno exit that has nearly killed me 11 times

[hoffy]

Ohh yeah, motorcycles should be able to use all bus lanes on motorways including M2!!!!!!

[Blurr]

They need to cover steel grates with non slip too.. There is one on penno road and m2 penno exit that has nearly killed me 11 times

agreed but you would be given a ticket if you did crash and die

[hoffy]

Yes only after im killed again by a chinese van driver on his phone whilst smoking gudangs and drinking ice tea !