SMART is a road safety initiative of the Gold Coast City Council that offers professional instruction for licensed motorcycle riders. The program’s overall objective is to reduce the incident of motorcycle crashes in the city and to promote safe motorcycle travel by improving rider skills and knowledge of local and hinterland roads.
The program has been running for 3 years and has won two Queensland Road Safety Awards for its contribution to road safety.
Five times 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan supports the program as its patron and wants to help motorcycle riders be the best they can be. He believes rider education and ongoing training are the keys to avoiding crashes.
The training is conducted on carefully selected public roads under the guidance of professional motorcycle instructors. With Council subsidy, one day’s tuition with HART (Honda Australia Rider Training) costs $45.
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One of the most interesting and innovative things I saw at the recent Australian Motorcycle Expo was the new Reevu helmet.
The Reevu RV MSX1 is the result of 7 years of development. The helmet uses a patented mirror system that allows the rider to see directly behind - the area that is the largest blind spot for a motorcycle.
Australian and NZ distributor Cary Murphy is very enthusiastic about the helmet because of its safety benefits. “The Reevu helmet can help prevent accidents, as the rear view technology provides the user with the same awareness given by the rear view mirror in a motor car.”
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To break with convention is a bold and risky move.
It could be disastrous for a manufacturer. Or it could create something unique. A machine that fits no known category of vehicle, but instead defines its own.
And that’s exactly what happened with the Can-Am Spyder.
In creating the Spyder, Bombardier Recreational Products started with a concept and created a machine like nothing else on the road - it’s not a motorcycle, it’s not a car. But it’s the most fun you can have on ….. 3 wheels!
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The Australian Motorcycle Expo happens this week at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The show will run from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st of February.
Mark Petersen from the Australian Motorcycle Expo said the entertainment package for the event will complement the comprehensive range of new motorcycle and jet ski models on display.
“It will be the best place to buy a new motorbike, scooter or jet-ski with a range of manufacturers already indicating that they will be offering incredible discounts.
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Imagine a motorcycle that warns you when you’re coming into a corner too fast ….
It could become a reality according to a report from the UK.
Motorcycles capable of warning riders when they’re speeding, cornering too fast or travelling too close to the vehicle in front are to begin UK road trials in June.
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Just an update on Bike Safe ….
I will have a stand at the Australian Motorcycle Expo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, 19th-21st February 2010. There will be a new Yamaha FJR1300 Police motorcycle on display as well as information in regards to Bike Safe.
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The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and Honda Australia Rider Training (HART) are seeking “returning riders” to participate in a study which aims to help identify the types of training, licensing and countermeasures that would be most beneficial for reducing crash involvement.
A returning rider is defined as someone who:
- Used to ride and covered no less than 20,000 kms in those years.
- Stopped riding for a period of five years or more.
- Returned to riding in the past six months and has ridden between 500 and 1,000 kms in that period.
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Billboards used by MATES in our current road safety campaign have been vandalised, with one being totally destroyed and the trailer stolen. The following report aired on the Channel 9 Gold Coast News on Friday 5th February, 2010.
The registration of the stolen trailer is E97707.
The stolen trailer and graffiti have been reported to the Gold Coast Police and anybody with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or MATES at mates@mates.org.au. Crimestoppers pays a reward if the information results in a person being convicted in a court.
We all know that excessive speed, and also riding at a speed that is inappropriate for the conditions or our skill level, is a major contributing factor in many motorcycle crashes. But what about travelling below the speed of the surrounding traffic - is that dangerous too? Can you put yourself at risk by travelling too slowly?
Well, the short answer is a very definite “yes”.
Now before I get too far into this let me make two things very clear….
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Honda Australia has announced that they will be restructuring the management of their various high profile events and as a result, will cease operations of the Honda Riders Club of Australia (HRCA) effective immediately.
All events to take place from this point on will be branded under the corporate Honda banner.
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SMART is a road safety initiative of the Gold Coast City Council that offers professional instruction for licensed motorcycle riders. The program’s overall objective is to reduce the incident of motorcycle crashes in the city and to promote safe motorcycle travel by improving rider skills and knowledge of local and hinterland roads.
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