Furthermore below.
The AMC has been in touch with the Minister's office about the motorcycle crash stuff in the papers this week. It's a bit more complex than the Herald-Sun or the ABC etc. said. Here is the bit of the Minister's media release that the media didn't bother to even read. It goes through all the crash stats etc then says...
That’s why the recent landmark Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit was so timely.
Organised by the Australian Government and the Motorcycle Safety Consultative Committee (MSCC), this landmark two-day Summit brought together rider groups, police, road authorities and safety experts from around Australia and overseas.
The Summit generated an enormous range of ideas to improve motorcycle safety, with proposed measures addressing rider education and licensing, police enforcement, road engineering and protective clothing.
I look forward to these proposals being further developed by the MSCC so that they can be considered by the Australian Transport Council for inclusion in the next National Road Safety Strategy.
The MSCC comprises representatives from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, motorcycle clubs and associations, and my Department.
The full Fatal and Serious Road Crashes Involving Motorcyclists report can be downloaded:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2008/mono20.aspx
And here's the Australian Motorcycle Councils take on the subject.
[quote="AMC"]
MEDIA RELEASE 2008 03
CRASH RATES DROPPING – NOT INCREASING!
The Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC) welcomes 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.
Speaking in Hobart, AMC Chairman, Shaun Lennard, was responding to comments on Fairfax Radio on Friday 2 May by Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.
Mr Lennard also added further detail to information released by Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, showing that the motorcycle crash data in Australia was not as severe as had been represented.
Mr Rudd said on Friday that he had been unaware of the motorcycle crash statistics up until that time, and that the Government would be working to develop national strategies to address what he described as an “appalling” situation.
Mr Rudd was commenting on figures released that day by Minister Albanese, highlighting a 3.1% increase in motorcycle fatalities over the past 10 years.
Whilst welcoming interest in motorcycle safety from the PM, Mr Lennard sought to clarify some of the statistics released by the Minister.
“Whilst the number of motorcycle fatalities has increased by an average of 3.1% over the past 10 years, the number of motorcycles has actually increased by an average of 5.1% each year over the same period. Ten years ago there were around 300,000 registered motorcycles and scooters in Australia. In 2008 it’s well over half a million – that’s a huge increase.”
“The fatality rate has actually reduced over that period of time, with the fatality rate in 2007 the lowest it’s been in the past ten years. This is in part a reflection of excellent work done by some of the state jurisdictions in consultation with motorcycle rider groups.”
In recognising that more could be done by sharing information between the states, last month the Australian Government hosted the first ever Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit, in conjunction with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), with rider and government representatives from every state and territory.
“At the Summit, we witnessed a real willingness of government agencies from across the country to cooperate; improving communications with motorcycle rider groups. Key stakeholders were exposed to different perspectives on crash data and risk.”
“Let’s just continue to deal with the true situation. Whenever I point out that the motorcycle crash rate in Australia is declining, I always get ‘Are you saying that there isn’t a problem, Shaun?’ from Government people.”
“Of course there are far too many motorcycle crashes in Australia. The AMC is past the ‘blame-game’ though; we want to work on realistic strategies that can bring about further reductions.”
“In the National Road Safety Strategy, motorcyclists are listed as ‘vulnerable road users’ along with cyclists and pedestrians. ‘Vulnerable’ doesn’t mean more likely to crash – it’s about when you have a crash, the outcome is likely to be more severe. This is why motorcyclist injury numbers are above those for car drivers.”
“Mr Albanese’s comment last week that ‘your first (motorcycle) accident is likely to be your last’ is neither true or helpful, and only highlights that the Minister has not been fully briefed on motorcycle safety initiatives.”
“On the other hand, the media release from Mr Albanese made some very positive comments about the Motorcycle Summit, but generally the media has chosen to overlook reporting these.”
“The AMC will be seeking a meeting with the Minister to assist with his understanding of motorcycle safety, and the role motorcycles can play in other areas such as reducing traffic congestion.”
Mr Lennard concluded by referring to the forthcoming international motorcycle safety workshop.
“The massive increase in motorcycle and scooter numbers is not unique to Australia – it’s common across the Western world. In recognising that motorcycles and scooters are becoming an increasingly popular transport choice, the OECD’s International Transport Forum is hosting its first-ever international Motorcycle Safety Workshop in Norway in June.”
Mr Lennard will represent Australian and New Zealand riders at the workshop.
“Finally Governments are recognising that they need to work with motorcycle groups. I will be able to bring back from Europe information and strategies to improve motorcycle safety based on the best information and data available.”
“We look forward to the Prime Minister and Mr Albanese being able to make more positive comments about motorcycling in the future.”
That rates as the best post I have read ever from you!!!!!!!! 
