NSW: Drivers hitting riders - small progress

via the MCC list. The MCC has been invited to take part in
conferencing programs via the courts.

If you feel like spitting chips, check the dollar amounts at the end.

Zebee


MOTORCYCLE COUNCIL OF NSW

Some of you will have taken an interest in the story at the following link

http://www.manlydaily.com.au/common/story_page/0,7168,17839473^15721,00.ht
ml

We have created an opportunity to have the Court understand the issues
from the motorcyclists perspective. The Attorney Generals Department
has responded to our inquiring after the above matter.

Clinton (Vice-Chairman) and Guy (Chairman) will attend this on behalf of the
MCC of NSW.

This is a significant opportunity for us all to raise issues of social
inequity as well as offering practial help to the Court in understanding
attitudes and consequences.

We have been invited to participate in a pilot programme through "one of the
Local Courts" - Conferencing for Young Adult Offenders.

This involves offenders between the ages of 18 and 24 meeting with the
victim or victims of their offence to discuss the incident and the harm that
has been caused and to suggest ways that the offender can address that harm.
The suggestions are submitted to the Magistrate as part of the sentencing
process.

We have been invited to attend and contribute our knowledge and experience
to the conference.

The facilitator is currently preparing for a conference involving a motor
vehicle accident in which a motorcycle was hit by a car. The rider has
suffered a brain injury and the magistrate has referred the matter to a
conference to allow the offender and the victim to meet each other and talk
about what happened.

I understand that a newspaper reporter has requested attendance under
special disclosure conditions (i.e. only the issues raised can be reported,
not who, why or when.) We have indicated that we see no problem with that.

We will report on this after the event.

Guy




++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some MCC of NSW Comments
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


As I mentioned, motorcycle riders feel they are treated as second class
road users. I will explain a few basics with facts in support.

These two recent articles from the Manly Daily have been discussed heavily
by riders:-

http://www.manlydaily.com.au/common/story_page/0,7168,17793152%5E15721,00.
html

http://www.manlydaily.com.au/common/story_page/0,7168,17839473^15721,00.ht
ml

The view of the motorcycle community is that this all too typical example
shows an attitude of disregard towards motorcycles.

In a broader aspect, government policy tends to establish attitudes
towards any group within the community.

Part 2 of our recent submission to the NTC on proposed amendments to
the Australian Road Rules carries an Introduction where comments show
how part of this attitude is systematically entrenched. (download from
box on right of screen) http://www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/166.html


The introduction to this page covers the same topic from a different angle:-
http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/10.html


This page gives a brief overview of the role of "other drivers" in
motorcycle crashes:- http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/36.html

From the front page of our Road Safety website, you may also access
statistics on motorcycle crashes. The proportion of cars hitting
motorcycles has shrunk since the RTA commenced (at the urging of the
MCC of NSW) running "Motorcycle Awareness" programs.

In 2000, at-fault cars hitting motorcycles comprised about one half of all
motorcycle crashes. Despite an increase in motorcycles of around 30% since
then, total motorcycle crashes have fallen, indicating that both drivers and
riders have taken responsibility.

Unfortunately, our current Minister for Transport has cut funding for
motorcycle safety programs and they have fallen to pre-2002 levels.

Motorcycles are classified as "Vulnerable Road Users", as are bicycles and
pedestrians, because they have no protective cage.
Last year in NSW funding from the RTA for safety programs for each VRU group
was approximately as follows:-

Bicycles $ 45 million
Pedestrians $ 20 million
Motorcycles $ 50 thousand

Prior to 2002, motorcycles received around $20,000 per annum.


"Not only a motorcycles invisible to car drivers, but are also invisible to
public policy"




========================================



_______________________________________________
Mcc-delegates mailing list

http://mailman.hagus.net/mailman/listinfo/mcc-delegates

 

That would look great on a graph!

Motorcycle funding is 0.1% of bicycle funding programs.

Can you draw a thin line?

And just what COULD $50 grand get you? Couple of banners and a committee or
two?

 

In aus.motorcycles on Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:09:01 +1100

Pretty much. Some bus ads, and the artwork for the writing on the
back of rego stickers.

Don't you feel special?

Now, if 10 or 15 people would write indignantly to their state MP...

Zebee