Pros and Cons of starting a motorcycling club

[rocco]

Hi ALL,

Its me again the guy with the picky indepth questions.


A local friend and myself have considered starting a Motorcycle Club or group in our area.

We considered that any bike regardless of style, class or displacement would be welcomed.

The main aim of the club would be to raise awareness of motorcycling as a hobby/sport and to allow other bikers to commune as a whole for regular toy runs, tours etc.


For those of you who are members or perhaps have started or run a club what do we have to do get things moving along?

Should we start a club where there is a yearly fee? I understand that this would obviously require a president, treasurer etc. ATO Registration?????

What legal requirements would have to be in affect?

I cant recall if i read it here or somewhere else but there once was a club that organized tours for its members eg: ride to canberra for the day etc. During the tour one inexperianced rider had a mishap that was independent of the rest of the group. He decided to take it upon himself to prosecute the club president under the idea that because he organized the tour he was at fault.


Or is there a way of creating a Motorcycle Group, with no fees or legal loop holes, just a get together of enthusiests?



Please, ideas from club pres's and club members as to what they do and their entitlements within their clubs.



Cheers



The Roc

[Rossi]

You not happy here ????

You'll only ever get out of it what you are prepared to put in to it

[Mel]

Hi Rocco

I haven't started up a club but I am on the committee for a girls bike club here in Canberra... and it is a lot of bloody work!

I think probably the best way to do it would just have it as a 'social club'... our club is incorporated so have to have president, treasurer etc... and it seems all we do is paperwork... trying to figure our rules and how to comply with the laws regarding associations and this takes a lot of focus away from the purpose of the club... RIDING!

We charge a yearly membership fee... and have arrangments with most of the local bike shops and a few others (beauty salons, etc ) to provide discounts to our members... the fees cover our costs of insurance, and other associated costs of running the club.

There is another club here in Canberra and I believe that instead of yearly membership fees they collect money from people who join in on rides (something small like $2.00) which is another way of raising money I guess. Guess it really depends on what your running costs are going to be.

Before we incorporated we just ran on a Yahoo Group, that was how we kept in touch, membership fees were still collected, but I'm not sure of the legalities of all of that. But something like that would be a good way to go I think! Keep it very simple and you'll be fine I'm sure

[Smitty]

is there a way of creating a Motorcycle Group, with no fees or legal loop holes, just a get together of enthusiests?

Cheers



The Roc

you are looking at it.....its called KSRC

[rocco]

to clarify......not an online club....a local club where we can all meet up.

more so for going out on tours like lets all meet up on saturday at 7am in front of the statue and depart for a destination, that type of club.


The reason why i see the need to form a collective is that it will give them the reason to attend and not to dog it out.


Oh and for inspiration we would all watch the movie Biker Boys before going out on a ride lol
lol

[Lainie]

Oh and for inspiration we would all watch the movie Biker Boys before going out on a ride lol
lol

It wouldn't have to be a club as such Just chit chat to a few friends then they can chit chat to a few of there friends and then you can do ride days..

[javaman]

I heard that so long as you guys don't wear patches, the local rebel, bandidos, and angels would be okay

[rocco]

Lainie has it right.



Thats all we wanna do.


At the moment nobody gets together with anyone.

the crazy thing is that last weekend a group of riders turned up in town about 7 of them. They were from up north out of town.


It was good to see but i was envious too that they all made the effort to do it.

The had a combination of Cruisers, Sports and Harleys

[photomike666]

Sounds like you need a local biker friendly cafe. Organise to meet Wednesday evenings (or whatever), park ya bikes outside, chat and drink latte. Spread the meeting by word of mouth, maybe have a sign that says bikes welcome outside the cafe.

Now, nothing there is legal making it an official club. You are simply meeting like-minded people. If you happen to organise a ride, it's a mates thing and not an official club organised (therefore legally responsible) blat.

This is very common in England, with various Cafes making great trade out of popular meetings. This is where the term 'cafe racer' came from, places like Ace Cafe, London and Mattlock Baths, Derby are world famous for their turnout and history. Maybe it's time Aus had it's share of the action.

[rocco]

thats sounds fantastic.

between Lainie and yourself you have pretty much hit the nail on the head.


Bring about local awareness of riders and encourage it to aspiring riders.


Thanks

[BladeBoy]

If you put a location in your profile maybe somebody could find you

[javaman]

Just make sure the club won't be sued by some imbicile who happens to fall off during an organised ride

[rocco]

This is why s suggested b4 i would try to keep it condition free.


1 - All turn up on the day a predetermined location.

2 - Depart for destination at your own pace within reason no hooning round.

3 - your responisible for youself and your actions.


And no stage is their any obligation as opposed to being involved with a membership club.


You wanna ride with us ride if not stay home attitude

[javaman]

I was referring to LEGAL description, not common sense approach . Strika is the man to speak to I think, as he had the experience

[rocco]

thanks i understood what you meant.



strika can you share your experiance?