President's Report February 16

President’s Report - 16^th February 2021In this report:

• MRAWA Vice President
• MotoCap
• CRASH
• Reminder of the Road Rules
• MRAWA Policy Statements
• MRAWA Constitution
• Longriders Café Open Day
• Motorcycle Safety Week
• Lane Filtering

 MRAWA Vice PresidentSteve Wheadon has decided to stand down as Vice President due to personal reasons.  Under section 12e of the constitution, the committee came to the decision to offer Gary Pontifex the role to fill the casual vacancy which he has accepted.  Gary will bring a lot of skills to the MRAWA and would like to welcome him to the committee.The MRAWA would like to thank Steve for his valuable contribution as in his 18 months as Vice President and look forward to working with him in the future as a valued member of the General Committee. MotoCapMotoCap is constantly updating its motorcycle clothing safety ratings (jackets, pants and gloves).  Have a look at their website http://www.motocap.com.au to discover how safe your riding gear is.  The new ratings bring the total number of items of clothing to 281, comprised of 117 jackets, 72 pairs of pants and 92 pairs of gloves.MotoCap says many of the latest garments tested received lower protection ratings due to poor impact protection.MotoCap is a partnership between Transport for NSW, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), VicRoads, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Lifetime Support Authority (LSA), the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Western Australian Police: Road Safety Commission, Department of State Growth, Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australian Motorcycle Council and Accident Compensation Corporation in New Zealand.  Testing is carried out by the Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials on behalf of the MotoCap partners.If your safety gear has a low star rating the test then it may be time to upgrade, after all, what is your life worth to you?T shirts, shorts and thongs or sandshoes definitely receive a low star rating. CRASHC.R.A.S.H. (Consumer Rating and Assessment of Safety Helmets) have also updated its ratings to include the latest helmets on the market.  It is worth a look on their website http://www.crash.org.au  to see how your helmet rates, remembering insurance implications if they do not.Your Helmet must comply with the following (reference https://www.rsc.wa.gov.au/Your-Safety/People/Motorcyclists/Helmets-and-helmet-standards ):

• Your helmet should fit you properly and offers protection that complies with the Australian Helmet standards.
• Try the helmet on for size before you buy it and don’t purchase online unless you are sure it will fit correctly.
• Light coloured helmets are more visible to other vehicles day and night.
• Do not buy a second-hand helmet, as you don’t know how it has been treated, if it has been involved in a crash or if there is any damage (e.g. UV degradation).
• Helmets must be replaced if you are involved in a crash or it has been dropped.

Regulation 244 of the Road Traffic Code 2000 states that a motorcycle, including a moped, must not be ridden unless an approved standard or type of helmet is securely fitted and fastened to the head of the rider.  Failure to comply can incur 4 demerit points and a $550 fine.Regulation 244 also stipulates that any other person, who is riding or being carried on the motorcycle, including a moped, shall wear an approved protective helmet fitted securely on the head.  The fine is $550 for failing to comply for the passenger, and possibly also for the driver.For Un ECE 22.05 helmet independent star ratings go to https://sharp.dft.gov.uk or search- sharp helmetsThey have tested over 482helmets and this will cover most helmets now sold in Australia. Reminder of the Road RulesMost rules that apply to motor vehicle drivers also apply to motorcyclists.  However, some rules are specific to motorcyclists. Refer to the Road Safety Commission website https://www.rsc.wa.gov.au/Rules-Penalties/Browse/Motorcyclists for details of offenses and penalties. MRAWA Policy StatementsThis section was in January’s report and is included to retain relevance.Our senior Safety Officer has offered a suggestion that the MRAWA should have policy statements on our website roughly aligned (updated to suit the MRAWA) with those from the Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC).  The purpose is to let MRAWA members and the general public know what the MRAWA stands for and how we operate, which in my view will help to advance people’s understanding of us. MRAWA ConstitutionNotice was given to the membership in January’s meeting regarding the updating of our constitution to better protect the MRAWA as an entity and to better define the required conduct of the committee and members.  The update is now in its final review and all members will be invited to view and all members will be sent a link to view the changes.  Please ensure sure any comment you make be returned by the 2^nd of March for any comments to be reviewed.  The constitution will be presented at the meeting on the 16th of March for voting. Longriders BikefestThe Long Riders café in Dwellingup is being held on Sunday 14^th March.  The MRAWA will have a combined stall with the Ulysses Club to display safety messages and sell merchandise.  The MRAWA will also assist in judging a show and shine and give a brief speech reminding riders of safe road practices.  Volunteers are required to help man the stall. Motorcycle Safety WeekThe Motorcycle safety week begins on Saturday the 11^th April with the York Motorcycle Festival.  The MRAWA will have a stand to display safety videos and pamphlets.  Volunteers are required to assist in manning the stalls.11^th – The MRAWA will lead a safety ride to the York Festival for all interested riders.  Riders will meet at the Midland Gate carpark where a donation can be made to support Beyond Blue.  A coffee van will be present for those who need charging.   MRAWA volunteers are required to act as corner markers.14^th – Ride your Motorcycle to Work Day.  The purpose is to get as many motorcycles onto our roads as possible, so drivers become more aware that they do actually share the road with motorcycles.  Talk to your employers about allocating a couple of car bays at your workplace for the extra motorcycles.  Get behind this initiative to raise awareness.17^th – Free Ride Right advanced motorcycle skills course run by Dave Wright.  Registration for this event is required as seats are limited, further details will be available closer to the date.18^th – MRAWA sponsored safety ride and barbeque for all riders.  Further details shall be forwarded closer to the date. Lane FilteringThe release of the proposed legislation due to come into law on the 29^th of March has been the subject of some quite vitriolic Facebook posts.  Unfortunately, a lot of the posts were incorrect in their assertions about the MRAWA which appear based on perception rather than fact.  Not one person has contacted the MRAWA so far with any intention of learning the facts.  The Facebook dialog has also been focused on one part of the legislation pertaining to lane filtering on the freeway.On Monday 8^th of February, Dave Wright and myself were invited to participate in a Zoom meeting with the Commissioner and Assistance Commissioner of the Road Safety Commission and the Inspector of Traffic, WA Police and member of the Road Safety Council to discuss Lane Filtering on Freeways and other sections of the legislation where we believe modifications are required.  We will meet with them face to face again tomorrow 17^th of February for further discussions.As these discussions are ongoing, it is inappropriate to disclose any information other than official statements until agreement is reached.All members and guests who wish to add their voice to the discussion will be heard and their comments minuted.The MRAWA does not believe that entering into discussions on social media will serve any purpose. That is all for now, the next general meeting will be on the 16^th of March 2021.The next Committee meeting will 23^rd of February 2021. Jeffrey ThomasPresidentMotorcycle Riders Association of W.A. Inc.Mobile: 0409 293 320president@mrawa.org Ride Like Your Life Depends on It.