MATES Motorcycle Blog Gold Coast Gold Coast Motorcycle Safety Working Group

For those of you who aren’t aware, a small group of us rode into Flowerdale, one of the hardest hit areas where over 200 of the town’s 320 homes were burnt to the ground. While there we were given a guided tour of the town and saw firsthand the devastation there. (more…)

It’s a bit hard to gather all the facts with so much happening in such a short time, but here’s the facts as we know them to date… (more…)

After 8 days in New Zealand in pouring rain and wind I would have to recommend the BMW Rallye 2 jacket and pants, at the end of each day I was dry and happy. (more…)

In 2008 the steadily climbing numbers of bike riders losing their lives on the roads of South East Queensland had my attention. Seeing the fatalities and major accidents on the news, or reading their stories in the newspapers reinforced my belief that motorists were mostly at fault and the majority of bike incidents were caused by cars. Boy was I wrong. (more…)

I find that any great day riding through the hinterland of the Gold Coast, inevitably leads to the most dangerous part of the whole day, being anytime spent travelling down the M1. Cars just don’t seem to be interested in any other road user or anything that means they have to look in a side mirror.

After 20 years of riding, I have come up with a couple of hints which get me through the passage of danger, the M1. (more…)

If you think you’re an experienced rider, take our multiple choice test to see if you measure up.  Topics include Braking, Cornering, Traction and General Knowledge.

Good luck, and don’t forget to post your results in the comments section! (more…)

1. Accelerate quickly up to speed
2. Stop quickly - be aware what is behind you- slowing with the cars put you in danger
3. Do the Speed limit
4. Make early decisions – be in control of your environment
5. Plan – think ahead
6. Ride in the gaps – do not sit beside other vehicles while travelling
7. Stay in the mirrors of other vehicles when passing or being passed
8. Scan constantly – looking for possible dangers
9. Look in your mirrors frequently
10. Check your blind spots – where 1 lane ends and when changing lanes and when leaving roundabouts - you can not protect yourself from what you cannot see.
11. Never drink and ride

Cornering is half the fun of riding, unfortunately many riders get it wrong.

A lot of riders and coaches do not seem to be able to tell the difference between a Race line and a Fast (Safe) line in any given corner. (more…)

Suddenly I heard the voice inside my head saying: “Look into the corner - look into the corner”. Those words saved my life.

I attended a Motorcycle Training Program (MCTP) as it was known through Queensland Transport. This was back in 1995.  I was riding with some mates up through Split Yard Creek Road towards Mt Glorious.  We were not travelling that fast however I was at the back of the group. (more…)

Hi I am known as Pops and I thought I would introduce myself and explain why I joined MATES.

I am 60 years old and rejoined riding motorcycles about 4 years ago after been out of the scene for 15 years while my family grew up. After my two children left home my wife, in her kindness, suggested that as I was so bored and toey about getting back into riding that on my 56th birthday I should go and get myself a bike. (more…)