In 2007 19 motorcyclists were killed in fatal traffic crashes on Gold Coast roads. Those crashes contributed to over 44% of all fatal crashes on the Gold Coast and was twice the percentage of motorcycle riders killed on all Queensland roads. Many more motorcycle riders were injured in serious traffic crashes on Gold Coast roads and in Queensland.
In 2008 7 motorcyclists were killed in fatal traffic crashes on Gold Coast roads. Although this was a significant reduction when compared to 2007, the percentage was still higher than the rest of Queensland. Again, many more motorcycle riders were injured in serious traffic crashes on Gold Coast roads in 2008.
MATES: Motorcycle, Awareness, Training, Education, Safety.
In response to the tragic statistics, government agencies and members of the community formed a partnership seeking assistance from the community to address the motorcycle fatal road toll on Gold Coast roads.
In late 2007 the Gold Coast Motorcycle Safety Working Group was formed and in 2008 changed its name to MATES - Motorcycle, Awareness, Training, Education, Safety. The motto for MATES is “MATES helping MATES”.
MATES aims to:
- communicate, educate and inform riders on road safety trends and issues;
- increase the awareness of other road users to the unique needs and safety issues relating to motorcycles;
- generate appropriate submissions to government on safety issues;
- encourage a responsible attitude to road use within the riding community, and
- support affected families of motorcycle fatalities.
MATES members are volunteers from government agencies (including transport, police, ambulance, fire, main roads and local government), motorcycle rider goups, individual motorcycle riders, motorcycle retailers, road trauma support groups and other persons with a passion for safe motorcycle riding. MATES is not a government organised or managed group, it is a community group.
MATES has been active in the Gold Coast community and has contributed to motorcycle awareness, training, education and safety issues since inception. Some examples are: media campaign with motorcycle safety advertisements in 2007 and 2008; participation in Rider Survivor awareness days in 2008 and 2009; active membership in government motorcycle groups and consultation forums; promotion of motorcycle awareness in the motorcycle retail industry; marketing of MATES in government and the community; promotion of motorcycle training issues in the community; contribution to motorcycle safety forums and motorcycle safety papers; support to families of motorcycle crash victims; and placement of a billboard on Gold Coast roads with the message ‘ride safe - stay smart’.
It is tragic that the motorcycle road toll continues to rise in 2009 on the Gold Coast and throughout Queensland. So far this year (to 13/6/2009), 3 motorcyclists have been killed on Gold Coast roads. These crashes contribute to 50% of all fatal crashes on Gold Coast roads. Sadly, Gold Coast motorcycle fatal crash statistics far exceed the state-wide percentage.
MATES continues to promote motorcycle, awareness, training, education, and safety issues and is committed to its aims. To further achieve its aims, MATES needs your support and active participation. Click here to register as a member of MATES.
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Well done MATES on the launch your website, a very important media tool in your mission to promote motorcycle, awareness, training, education and safety issues.
Congratulations to Channel 9 Gold Coast and NBN9 News for a very comprehensive coverage of the MATES website launch in their TV news last night. The news report can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMt15LcdGxk
Comment by koppa — Jun 17 @ 5:27 pm