It is distrubing that there has been a rise in the number of crashes (fatal and Injury) involving motorcycles in recent months.  3 riders have tragically lost their lives in the last couple of months and it appears that speed and rider in-experience is to blame.  The most recent was the death of a 57 year old female rider at Bowneville.  As the weather starts improving there will be more and more riding opportunities but please take care on the roads and Be Here For Life. Always make your trip about the journey and not the destination.

A 38 year old female rider has lost her life after failing to negotiate a tight left hand bend. During this manoeuvre she has lost control and ridden directly over the steep mountain edge. The motorcycle and rider have collided with trees coming to rest 10 metres below road level. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.  Please take care on the roads

Black Dog Ride, National 1 Day Ride - QLD

Sunday 29th April, 2012
Shark Leathers, 6/142 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Mark it on your calendar and tell your mates! This will be a ride not to be missed!

Be part of a nationwide WORLD RECORD attempt
for most Black Dogs on Motorbikes!

• 8:30am    Check in for breakfast and mental health expo
  
• 9:30am    Ride departs Shark Leathers!
  
• 10:30am  Morning Tea stop in Beaudesert
• 12:30pm  Finish up with lunch in Boonah
  

Our Ride will:

• Raise community awareness of depression and suicide prevention,
• Help reduce the stigma of depression and suicide
• Raise funds for Lifeline.

Flyer:
Download the QLD Ride Flyer here: http://is.gd/BDRLifeline2012QLD {pdf} and distribute it far and wide!

Registration:
To ensure your registration for this awesome ride (and to secure your BDR Mascot ‘Winston’) please choose your ticket type above and click the big green ‘ORDER NOW’ button.

Contact:
QLD State Ride Organiser Kylie by phone on 0408-751-433
or by email kysamotorcyclerides@gmail.com

Black Dog Ride is proudly supporting Lifeline

Unfortunately a 49 year old male lost his life after a motorcycle crash on Mount Samsonvale Road on the 25th March 2012.  Initial reports are that the motorycle lost control and travelled into the path of another vehicle.  Please everyone ride safely and remember that the Fatal 4 Speed, Drink Driving, Fatigue and Wearing of Seat Belts are called the fatal 4 for a reason.

This is a story from Brazil.  The reaction from the driver is totally unjustified, however I would suggest the rider should not have kicked the car in the first place. 

http://www.2oceansvibe.com/2012/03/26/violent-road-rage-caught-on-camera-in-brazil-video/

Please be advised of the Gold Coast City Council SMART rider training dates for 2012.  We encourage all riders regardless of experience to attend one of these days.

2012 dates

• March 17 and 18
• April 14 and 15, 21 and 22
• May 19 and 20, 26 and 27
• June 2 and 3, 23 and 24
• July 7 and 8, 21 and 22
• August 4 and 5, 18 and 19
• September 8 and 9

Contact us

To make a booking, or for further program details, please contact Council’s Road Safety Unit on (07) 5667 3624 or email  kburton@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

SMART is pleased to announce we are now on facebook. Like us on our facebook page

The rider flew over the ute and slammed back first into a power pole. He is being treated by paramedics.  Story Gold Coast Bulliten.

Another reminder about the need to take care when riding and driving.  The matter is under investigation.

There have been a number of tragic motorcycle fatailities in recent weeks.

17/2/2012 Male rider lost control of his motorcycle after a right hand bend.  Rider sustained fatal injuries

4/3/2012 Male rider lost control of his motorcycle after a left hand bend.  Rider sustained fatal injuries

4/3/2012 Male rider lost control after a right hand bend.  Rider sustained fatal injuires.

All these traffic crashes are still under investigation.  Please ride safe everyone.

MOTORBIKE riders will be part of a $1.3 million Australian study aimed at slashing the number of serious motorcycle accidents.

The ground-breaking inquiry will compare the experiences of riders travelling through accident black spots where other bikers have come to grief.

More than 1100 riders - half of whom have survived crashes - will be recruited over the next 18 months.

The announcement came as a 27-year-old Thomastown man became the latest motorcyclist to die on the state’s roads when his bike and a ute collided in Lalor on Saturday.

The research is being funded by the State Government and headed by the Monash University Accident Research Centre.

It is also being backed by VicRoads, Victoria Police, the TAC and the VACC.

Experts will analyse factors such as speed, experience and the physical environment in accidents.

The investigation comes as statistics reveal motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, making up 14 per cent of fatalities and injuries, despite comprising less than 1 per cent of travel.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder described the new research as one of the most comprehensive motorbike studies attempted globally.

“By comparing the two groups, we hope to learn not only what went wrong for those involved in crashes, but also what went right for those who negotiated a particular crash site safely,” Mr Mulder said.

Riders injured in crashes and subsequently admitted to hospitals across Melbourne will be directly approached to take part.

Senior MUARC research fellow Dr Lesley Day said there were many factors to consider when trying to understand the cause of motorbike crashes.

“We will be asking riders about behaviour of other road users in general and the injured riders will be asked about the role of other parties in the crash,” Dr Day said.

Variables involving speed in crashes will also be put under the microscope.

Source - Herald Sun

MATES has become a finalist in the community programs awards category.
Award winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner Event which is being held at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on the 23 November 2011.
The event is being hosted by Mark Berretta and will acknowledge,recognise and applaud all winners as well as finalists for their outstanding efforts in promoting road safety action.

We congratulate members of the MATES Committee for getting into the finals and will update everyone on how we go