If you could tell the powers that be what to do...
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:14 pm
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.
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.
, have they not heard the safest place to be is in front of the cars, not have them right up yer clacker 
