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MRAWA Ambassador

Ride report – GinGin 22 Sept 2019

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by Chris Meyer

The day started cool but clear. With 6 bikes & 8 people, we headed to Gingin via Muchea, Chittering rd. & Bindoon.

Unfortunately, one rider pulled out due to pain from a previous knee injury – we wish him a quick recovery!

After a great breakfast, we backtracked our route, including a jaunt down Chittering Valley rd. Another stop at Orange Grove teahouse saw us mingling with the Vintage Motorcycle Club, allowing a good look at some older M/C’s & chatting with their owners.

We finished off the ride passing Gingers Roadhouse & heading down West Swan rd., waving “see ya later” as we split off to our final destinations.

A good ride with great company!

 

How to prevent motorcycle theft

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Motorcycle theft in Western Australia

In Western Australia, 2,093 motorcycles were stolen in 2017/18 and 64% of those stolen were less than nine years old, according to NMVTRC.

KTM, Honda, Kawasaki, LongJia and Yamaha were the top five stolen motorcycle makes and 72% were stolen from a residence.

Ellenbrook was the top location for theft in Western Australia with 37 stolen motorcycles.

Motorcycle recovery in Western Australia is currently 52% compared to 45% nationally.

How to prevent motorcycle theft

In thinking about how to stop motorcycle theft, Parking wisely, physically securing your motorcycle and making smart purchasing decisions should all be fundamental parts of your overall approach to protecting your motorcycle’s security.

1. Park your motorcycle wisely

With research showing that most motorcycles are stolen from residential locations, Margin suggests people should conceal where they store their motorcycle at home as much as possible.

“Try to store your motorcycle next to a fixed object or anchor that can’t be easily moved in a locked garage or behind locked gates. It’s also clever to use a motorcycle cover,” he says.

2. Have the right tools for protection

“Most importantly, make sure your motorcycle is insured and keep a record of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) number. This is a unique code made up of 17 characters and numbers to identify your motorcycle,” Margin says.

Motorcycle owners should also consider having a manual device to lock your motorcycle up securely. A disc lock, thick chain and padlock or a U-lock are some examples, according to Margin.

“It’s also a good idea to invest in an alarm for your motorcycle lock. If your motorcycle is attempted to be stolen, at least the burglar will be startled, or a passing person or neighbour may be alerted. In the best case scenario, the burglar may not even attempt theft if they see the alarm initially,” he adds.

3. Be smart about your motorcycle purchase

Be careful about purchasing your motorcycle in the first place. If you’re buying your motorcycle from a private seller, do a proper background check, says Margin.

“To make sure your motorcycle isn’t listed as stolen, as written-off or not under finance, you can conduct a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) check.

4. Insure your motorcycle

MRA GENERAL Meeting 16th July 2019

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Start of meeting 19.47

 

ATTENDANCE: As of Attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Lyn & Roger Jutte, George Batt, Rhonda Nauman, William Murphy and Chris Meyer.

PREVIOUS MINUTES:   Steve Weadon – Collie races – went really well.

No matters arising.

SECRETARYS REPORT: Lyn

None tabled

 PRESIDENTS REPORT: Dave

  •  
  • Road safety strategy 2020 – have agreed to a motorcycle specific forum. They keep changing the date. I will let you know when a date is set. Looking at dropping speed limits by 10% as of last strategy. We need as many people to do the survey to prevent the speed reduction – it is unrealistic.
  • Lane filtering – sorry I couldn’t get sorted but it is a really slow process, in the minister’s office.
  • $1000 grant from road safety commission for MOTOCAP talk set for the 8th August having some trouble with venue but have one sorted Scarborough community centre. Sending the information to everyone, Ainslie – If you send me the flyer I will put it on the website. We have $1000.00 and I have spoken to Chris Horan from Deacon University and he is happy to pay for his accommodation, car etc, we will pay for his airfares and maybe the venue.
  • Joondalup M/C and scooter rider testing to resume 5th
  • I am pushing for more people to have higher level First Aide particularly truck drivers and motorcyclists through the Road Safety Commission.
  • Steve Wheadon – I would like to move a motion that this meeting acknowledge Dave for his years of service and commitment and his achievements and would like to have it recorded on the minutes of this meeting if anyone would like to second that. Seconded – Fred Mali. Unanimous vote.

 VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT: William

None tabled.

 

TREASURER: Ainslie

We are now with Bendigo bank.

We need to organise a monthly email as we don’t have the magazine anymore. I have received complaints that people don’t know what is happening because they don’t have or do not use computers or Facebook and don’t check the website.

 

RIDES AND EVENTS: Chris

None tabled.

ROAD SAFETY/ POLITICAL: Dave

 Basically covered in the Presidents report.

STOCK: Lyn.

  • I believe we are a bit low because Lyn was waiting till after the AGM.
  • Lyn won’t be standing for stock manager so we are looking for someone to do that.

MEMBERSHIP: Ainslie

144 We have had 4 new members.

I will be sending out reminders for renewal of membership with a 30 day deadline.

Steve Wheadon. – If you give me members phone no’s I can ring them about their membership renewals.

ROADWISE: Dave and Lyn

I attended the City of Stirling meeting and they are wanting to organise a Ride Rite course, they usually do about 2 a year.

AMC: Dave

Steve Fish and Dave Wright will be going over to the conference at the end of August.

I will be doing a AMC video link conference this Friday as I am the Vice Chair, regarding the conference  agenda and who is coming. Duncan Craig is doing a presentation – he is the road training guru. He has set up the training regime for Tasmania and Queensland and NSW.

 

Dave Wright – As I am not standing for any positions, I will chair the AGM.

We will stop for a break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Safety Report August 2019

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by Steve Fish

6 August – meeting with Road Safety Commission to introduce ourselves and discuss options for the future.. Lot’s of possibilities and we all look forward to working closely with RSC.

10 August – MotoCAP Seminar. We had 19 people attend the morning session. (4 from MRAWA) Dr Chris Hurren’s presentation was very informative and engaging. He also mentioned 2 NZ events – Shiny side up and Ride Forever which would be worth looking at for ideas.

 

13 August – Vulnerable Road Users Advisory Group

My first meeting and there were a few other new members.  Main discussion was on the Terms of Reference for the group with many of the group also wanting to know how things are progressing and what have the group achieved. The current statistics on fatalities on WA roads is 110, with 50 metro and 60 regional fatalities, 24 motorcyclists, 12 pedestrians and 1 cyclist death.

The Road Safety Commission is currently doing community consultations for the State road safety strategy. There will be numerous community consultations as well as specific consultations for Pedestrians, Cyclists and Motorcyclists. The motorcycle forum will be on 14 September in Scarborough.

There was a presentation from one of the cycling groups on Presumed Liability – basically putting the fault of any accident involving a vehicle hitting a cyclist or pedestrian on the vehicle. If this is raised again I would recommend the MRAWA not support this….

 

15 August – Australian Motorcycle Council meeting via Zoom

Main points of discussion were agenda items for the upcoming AGM/Conference, updating the AMC Constitution and how other States are recruiting new members.

MCC NSW and VMC have both updated their constitutions to include clubs.

 

20 August – Fire Stryker Demonstration.

Along with Jeff and Dave, I attended the demonstration of the Fire Stryker Inhibitor. Firestryker is a manual, portable aerosol inhibitor with remarkable extinguishing capability. It has very low toxicity and is environmentally safe. The device is a small, compact and lightweight cylinder.

Motocap Seminar

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Please Join us for an information session explaining all the details of our Star Rating system for motorcycle clothing.

This Seminar will be presented by Professor Christopher Hurren from Deakin University, Victoria who is the managing this project.

As many of you will know we have been in the dark in the past as to the suitability and safety of the protective motorcycle clothing that we have purchased. Motocap is designed to help us to choose the safest clothing available, based on specific tests that the garments are put through.
The tests including impact protection, abrasion, tearing and comfort.

 

Where – Scarborough Community Centre, 163 The Esplanade, Scarborough.

When – Saturday 10th August 2019

Riders and rider group representatives 10.00am – 11.30am

Motorcycle Dealers and motorcycle clothing retailers 1.00pm – 2.30pm

Contact – Dave Wright for more information and to reserve your place.
Ph – 0418 954 424
Email – Dave Wright click here

 

This seminar is being supported by the Road Safety Community Grants Program

 

Presidents Report July2019

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Hi All
As you may have heard I decide to not nominate for any positions on the MRA Committee and stood down as President/ Safety Officer at our AGM on Tuesday 16th July 2019.

It has been an absolute pleasure working on the MRA Committee for the past 15 years with some wonderful people, but it is time for a new group to move the MRA forward, I am extremely confident that the new committee of Jeff Thomas, Steven Wheadon, Ainslie Kounis and the rest of the new MRAWA Committee will work hard for your best interests and I wish them every success for all motorcycle riders.

As this is my last report as MWAWA President I will keep this report short as I am sure you will all want to hear from the new President and Committee.

 

Road Safety Strategy 2020 -2028. The Road Safety Commission has now released its public

I urge all motorcycle riders to take the time to complete the survey as there are some major changes proposed in the strategy (I am sure you have heard of the proposal to lower speeds across all WA roads by 10km/hr) and now is your opportunity to let the Government know your views on this and many other proposed changes.

Go to the website and register to have your voice heard. https://imaginezero.rsc.wa.gov.au

I am currently working with the Road Safety Commission to arrange a motorcycle rider specific forum to discuss the changes that we would like to see in the new Safety Strategy. The possible date is late July or early August at the moment, although this could change, I will make sure you all get notified once they let me know the final date.

 

Motorcycle Lane Filtering. This has been an issue that I have been working on for a few years now and I will keep hammering the Road Safety Commission until I get a result,  I have been assured that it is progressing, although it seems at a glacial pace.

 

Motorcycle use of Bus Lanes.  As above – this has been an issue that I have been working on for a few years now and will keep hammering the Road Safety Commission until I get a result,

 

Motocap Road Safety Commission Grant of $1,000.00 has been approved for the MRAWA to conduct a Motocap, five Star Rated Protective Clothing Seminar. I have invited Liz, five Star Rated Protective Clothing Seminar. I have invited Professor Christopher Hurren from Deakin University to present at this seminar, he is the man charged with the testing of motorcycle protective clothing at the University and he is also a keen motorcycle rider.

The seminar will be held at Scarborough Community Centre on Saturday 8th August 2019 at 10am for motorcycle rider groups and individuals who wish to learn more of how this benefits you. A Second seminar will be held in the after noon for motorcycle dealers and accessory retailers.

For more details on Motocap go to www.motocap.com.au

 

Motorcycle Testing

There is a report circulating regarding stopping motorcycle and scooter riding tests at Joondalup License Centre from 1st July and there is a protest ride planned for Saturday 20th July 2019.

I have been in touch with the Department of Transport (licencing services) who have reversed their decision and testing of motorcycle and scooter riders will recommence on 5th August 2019. This is official and has been signed of by the DoT General Manager.

 

I hope to see some of you on an MRA ride soon as the weather will soon be turning fantastic.

Remember to ride like you life depends on it. (it does)

 

This report is a mix of Presidents, Safety  reports in no particular order.

Dave Wright

President

Motorcycle Riders Association of W.A.

                                                                          

As I am standing down as MRA WA President, I have been reflecting on some of the wonderful people who I have worked with at the MRA over the past 15 years, I will not attempt to list them all but you know who you are. I have been thinking of our actions and achievements we have been able to successfully  complete during my time on the committee. I will not try and list all the work that we have done for riders but would like to highlight some.

  • I joined the MRA Committee in 2004 as Ride Coordinator and Safety Officer.
  • One of the first actions that we tackled was rejecting the push to fit front number plates on motorcycles.
  • We organised a protest ride to Parliament House were we presented a partition signed by over a thousand riders to ban wire rope barriers.
  • In 2006 I took over the President role from George Batt
  • 2007 was the year that we first started working with the Office of Road Safety, after we called for the sacking of the chair of the Road Safety Council (Grant Dorrington) and the RAC as the representative on the Road Safety Council, due to their lack of commitment to motorcycle rider safety.
  • 2009 saw the start to the conversation to establish a Road Safety Strategy for motorcycle riders and a working group was set up through the Minister for Road Safety to arrange a series of three Motorcycle forums. The final outcome from these forums was a list of 50 action related to motorcycle safety, all of which where completed, This was a huge success for motorcycle riders as this was the turning point where government agencies started to consider rider’s needs.
  • 2010 – 2012 was taken up ensuring that all the actions were being progressed and completed as agreed at the forums. We attended every one of the quarterly meeting on progressing these actions, and indeed added some new actions through the Office of Road safety.
  • 2013 saw the establishment of the Vulnerable Road User Group and our partnership with the RAC on a number of safety issues including funding for future forums every two years to look a new safety actions that could be established, the review of crash investigations into all motorcycle fatal crashes, and funding for Motorcycle Road Safety Auditor Training.
  • A couple of years after the Vulnerable Road User Group was disbanded the Minister for Road Safety establishes the Vulnerable Road User Advisory Group in 2016. This group activities reports directly to the Minister on road safety actions and initiatives.
  • Because of our involvement over many years we now have regular access to Government Ministers and agencies including Department of Transport, Main Road Department, Road Safety Commission, WA Police, WA Local Government Association, who are all willing to listen to any of our concerns and indeed seek our input through stakeholder consultation.

 

I will now put my feet up for a rest and hand over to the new MRAWA Committee, although I will always be more than happy to discuss any issues or give some insight into past actions.

 

Dave Wright
MRA Life Member #8