NSW: Survive the Ride - including hazard report form

Via the MCC delegates list.


MCC of NSW - Notice

Local Councils in Action

http://www.survivetheride.org.au

A really interesting and useful approach to motorcycle safety.
I recommend a thorough review of this website.

While it's still a work in progress, we can see a positive change in the
road safety conversations between authorities and riders.

(1) Shared Responsibility
(2) Co-operation

There is good stuff here, information nights, hazard reporting, training and
maintenance information.
Also includes a road hazard reporting system - USE IT !!



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What follows is a discourse on why this website release is so important to
all riders in NSW.

Riders refuse to accept the "blame game" of being told they are responsible
for EVERY motorcycle crash. We are often told that we are risky, therefore
we are to blame. Few ever ask "why?"
We are often at the pointy end of the stick in this game of risk and blame
and some States demand that riders pay extra as a sort of "punishment". That
approach is not only inequitable, unreasonable and dishonest, but results in
heavy handed enforcement and restriction of rider rights along with
inappropriate and costly strategies like front numberplates.

Road safety is a complex subject, but the right place to start is by looking
at responsibility of the various players in the game. Responsibility rests
with others too, not just riders.

e.g.
- road authorities are responsible for providing safe roads
- drivers of other vehicles are responsible for paying attention and
following the road rules
- riders are responsible for paying attention and riding safely
- when a crash occurs, the Police assign responsibility for it to where they
think it was lacking.

A good rider shows good judgement and skill.

Here, in the "Survive the Ride" campaign, we find local councils, with no
support from the RTA, showing how motorcycle safety can be improved.

RTA has State-wide responsibility and is now supporting riders with
"Motorcycle Awareness" advertising (your MCC of NSW at work), this helps
"other drivers" fulfil their responsibility, by reminding them that there
are motorcycles, to look out for them and drive safely around them.

This is good, it is a correct demand upon individual responsibility for
drivers.

Here, in "Survive the Ride", we have a group of local councils showing that
they are prepared to take responsibility for their roads by providing a
mechanism for advising them of road problems that need attention. This is
remarkable!

Local councils are responsible for maintenance of 80% of the roads in NSW,
RTA maintains the other 20% of which a part are Federal Highways.

The Road Hazard Reporting Form on the website here is for your use. If the
road is unsafe, then TELL THEM

i.e. we have responsibility for safe roads being openly taken by local
councils. Your responsibility is to use the mechanism and tell them.

Rider responsibility is a very personal thing and the website provides some
good basic tools and information resources to allow a rider to learn their
responsibility and learn where to gain skills and knowledge so they may
improve their survival skills.

When a loud noise is followed by an expensive silence, the time to
reconsider your actions has passed.
Consider, use your head, no matter the circumstance or road condition.
Report bad roads so the next rider will be OK.

Riding conditions are improving. Conversations improving. Local Councils are
paying attention.
There is good here. http://www.survivetheride.org.au

Local Councils and RTA are starting to take care of their share of
responsibility for motorcycle safety.
Take care of you, fill full your cup of responsibility for yourself.

Ride forever and enjoy it.

Guy Stanford
Chairman
Motorcycle Council of NSW
www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au
www.mccofnsw.org.au