MATES Motorcycle Blog Gold Coast Gold Coast Motorcycle Safety Working Group

This link is to an article from Melbourne.

http://www.news.com.au/national/motorcyclist-michael-wiles-fined-after-nabbed-carrying-a-barbecue-on-freeway/story-e6frfkvr-1225910106023

What are some people thinking??

Have you checked out the new Here For Life website? You can find it at http://hereforlife.qld.gov.au

Not only does it have the familiar Share Your Story section, of which I believe everyone knows and you can contribute to, but you can also order a free road rules refresher guide.

More importantly, under the Be Safe section, is some very useful content for motorcycle riders, and a link to the recently re-launched Motorcycle Safety website - http://www.motorcyclesafety.qld.gov.au

For new motorcycle riders it has great info about LAMS and what to look for when buying safety gear.

But for me, I like the Motorcycle IQ quiz which you can take in three different areas - road rules, motorcycle maintenance and trivia.  How good are you out of 10?

What is wrong with a section of the motorcycle community that they need to put themselves and other road users at risk?

Yesterday two of us rode from the Gold Coast out to Boonah. Perfect weather, good roads, sweeping bends - in other words a perfect ride but someone always has to spoil it!
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Well, the technology didn’t save the guy in this video - maybe a simple shoulder check might have been better!

On Wednesday I had the pure pleasure of a day ride on the back of a Harley Davidson with Wildfire Tours. The destination was Toowoomba, however the route taken was the highlight and not what I was expecting.

Leaving the Gold Coast took us through Canungra, Beaudesert and Boonah heading towards Warwick. The sheer delight of these rides is that you never know where you may end up so the left turn at the Lake Moogerah sign (approx 150km from the Coast) was a surprise but brought absolute awe at the destination. Calm, glasslike lake, amazing scenery and such tranquility. A fantastic place for a Sunday ride and a picnic so go prepared. You’ll want to linger a while. (I’ll definitely be riding back there.) After a nature walk and a looksee at the dam we rode onto Warwick for a short stop. I just love the old buildings and the slow pace of life in the towns we passed through.
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The Gold Coast Bulletin published a story this week, claiming that their “coffin on wheels” campaign is responsible for the dramatic drop in motorcycle deaths on the Gold Coast.

Credit where credit is due, but not I think to the Gold Coast Bulletin. If the Bulletin worked hand in hand with the groups below and published articles on motorcycle safety instead of using the motorcycle coffin photo which no doubt causes further pain to already grieving families, then maybe, just maybe they could accept some accolades.
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Just thought I would let everyone know that I am still alive and still working on improving Bike Safe.

April saw myself and 2 other members attend the International Police Motorcycle Forum in Goulburn at the NSW Police Driver Training.  It was very interesting to compare notes on Police Training and Motorcycle related incidents on roads.

The Friday saw us ride numerous motorcycles and compare characteristics etc.  2 Sheriffs from LA County were also in attendance and myself and Snr Const Phil Bolton, from Qld Police Driver Training, set up our slow speed manoeuvre area for the other states and countries to try.

Funnily enough, no one was game.
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One of the joys of motorcycling is getting out for a ride with a bunch of mates. But when you’re out on the road there’s always been a challenge communicating with each other, whether that’s between a rider and a pillion or from rider to rider.

We’ve seen plenty of systems that allow rider to pillion communication, most of them relying on cables connected to a central intercom unit. But bike to bike communication has always been restrictive.

I’ve recently been testing the latest offering from Cardo Systems, the Scala Rider G4. The company has a reputation for producing quality products, so the chance to test the latest in wireless communications was one not to pass up.
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As I grow older (and perhaps more cynical) there are fewer things that generate a high level of interest because I have experienced so much. The Department of Transport and Main Roads released their new Motorcycle Riders Guide. I handed out many of these at the last Laverda event at the Story Bridge in July.  I was surprised how many people were so impressed by the guide. If you get a chance have a look at the attached weblink and make your own judgement.  http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/safety/motorcycle-safety/riders-guide/pdf_qld_motorcycle_riders_guide_complete.pdf

Keen to hear your feedback. Curley

Motorcyclists are an interesting breed. Give them a reason to get together for a ride and they’ll jump at it. Make it for a worthy cause and they’ll throw everything they can into it.

I had a chat to one such guy this week. His name is Glenn Martin, he lives in Canberra and has decided to join together with around 50 other riders to ride around Australia raising funds for the Steven Walter Foundation.

Steven Walter was nineteen when he died after an eight year battle with cancer. His whole life revolved around motorcycles, and he was a former NSW Junior Enduro Champion and an Australian Four Day Silver medalist.
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