A message from the board in regards to the recent SGM

[SenNey]

And they wonder why people dont think highly of the MRAA...

Well. why?

Is it because they keep having these internal bitchfights?
Is it because they keep airing said bitchfights in public... "to stop rumours"?
Is it because they haven't managed to have any influence on government roads and traffic policy since... well... forever?

And you do your bit how?

IM sure MRAACT will welcome your volunteered time to help ALL motorcyclist get a better deal in your state.

K

[Smitty]

Is it because they haven't managed to have any influence on government roads and traffic policy since... well... forever?

careful I-K
the problem we have here is that NO organization representing
us mudderboike riders is having any influence on government.

remember.....
the NSW govt put thru noise regs and didn't tell the NSWMCC
and here in Vic... the so called 'bike safety' levy was announced
WITHOUT it being discussed at the 'Government Appointed' VMAC
and the largest rider body in the country..Ulysses, has an avowed
'non political' agenda

so whilst not perfect... at least the MRAA does try and does lobby on behalf of us riders.

The distraction to the MRAA caused by knobs like DC
only serve to make the MRAA less effective.

cheers

[mick_dundee]

here in Vic... the so called 'bike safety' levy was announced
WITHOUT it being discussed at the 'Government Appointed' VMAC
and the largest rider body in the country..Ulysses, has an avowed
'non political' agenda

Further to that the MRA has a signed promise from Bracksy that there will be NO more WRB's prior to a full review of them... so they have managed to ask for somethings and indeed gotten them thurgh, alas Bracksy was in opposition at the time and of course as is the norm, oppsiition will promise you a tax free existence if it won them government...

Think that bit of paper should be framed and be hanging in MRA toilets myself, is what t's worth now.

VMAC was also completely bypassed on the recent lane splitting debacle, and it's a group created by the Govt... so if the Gov ignores it's own groups even what hope has a non politically aligned org got of getting shit done?

Little, but that's not to say they should lay down and stop asking..

[gco0307]

Is it because they haven't managed to have any influence on government roads and traffic policy since... well... forever?

careful I-K
the problem we have here is that NO organization representing
us mudderboike riders is having any influence on government.

remember.....
the NSW govt put thru noise regs and didn't tell the NSWMCC

Yep, and by fighting it politically with sound evidence and as a united front the MCC had the noise regulations withdrawn which just shows that these organisations can and do work.

[Stereo]

When I first came to australia 4 years ago, I looked at joining the MRAA... but was warned by other riders that the organisation is innefectual and "there is always infighting going on" and was warned to steer clear...

Im not saying this is true at all.... I am just saying that the people I spoke to at the time told me this... and they felt it was a general perception....

Perhaps the best thing the MRAA can do is disband.... and start up another group with a new name and most of its "good" decision makers.... then start advertising under that new name to get members.... Build up some faith in the name and people will join.... Invite some politicians to become involved with this new concern, perhaps even some celebrities.... Get some real street cred....

By the way, this is just my humble opinion... feel free to take it or leave it.... I have no vested interest in the MRAA... I have even supported the MRAA on a few protests.... But the hardest thing to beat is public perception...

[I-K]

remember.....
the NSW govt put thru noise regs and didn't tell the NSWMCC

Noise regs which, as pointed out by gco0037 already. have now been repealed after lobbying by the NSWMCC.

so whilst not perfect... at least the MRAA does try and does lobby on behalf of us riders.

Trying is not good enough. When an organisation comes with the sort of history of public infighting and inept campaigning that the MRAA does, all its efforts do is ensure that motorcyling does not get taken seriously.

Take this current thread as an example... what's the point of making a big public announcement about a bit of fisticuffs between a pair of middle-aged men? Outside of the bugger-all people who would've attended the meeting, who would've been aware the incident even took place, and even out of those, how many would've given a shit?

Time after time, I've watched the MRAA shoot itself in the foot like that...

I'm with Stereo on this one... disband the MRA and start over. It's easier for a new organisation with no reputation to build credibility and influence than it is for an existing organisation to fish its reputation out of the toilet.