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Motorcycle stuff

Hi,

This email is to let you know about a few things happening down south at the moment – not about hospitals and ferry piers – bike stuff!!!

In fact, there’s that much going on at the moment that we’ve arranged an informal gathering to provide an update and to get your input.

Date: Sunday 9 August
Place: Joe’s Garage, Market Place (thanks to Matt for opening for us on a winter’s Sunday!)
Time: 3.00pm til…? maybe 5.00pm? (Sharon – perfect for the end of your monthly scooter gathering?!?!?)

Anyone is welcome to come along – it would be great to at least have reps from clubs and shops in the Hobart area.

There is actually a full meeting of the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council on in Launceston the day prior, at Richardsons at 3.00pm. Obviously we want to see a few people at that too. The Hobart meeting is on the day after as there are a few things we need to work on quite soon.

Wire rope barrier and Armco
Come along and find out what the TMC is trying to do in face of the ongoing installation of WRB in Tasmania.
You may have seen a month or so ago that Graeme Sturges (the new Minister) announced that the government would be installing some “rub-rail” on w-beam (Armco) and “stack-cushions” against some wire rope barriers, as a trial. The Government’s media release on this is attached.
The installation of rub-rail will be a first for Tasmania, and the Tasman Highway between Hobart and the East Coast is a key area we’re looking at. Sites are being selected in direct consultation with the TMC taking into account actual crash data. I’ll report on this at the meeting.

Grass Tree Hill Rd speed limit
This hit the news last week, with an article in the Mercury which drew some interesting comments on the Merc’s website at:
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/comments/0,22911,24069890-3462,00.html
This was not a story initiated by the TMC – I was called the night before for comment. Even though the comments I made reflected supporting the status quo (which is the position our executive takes, unless we already have a policy that supports something different), there may be benefit in supporting this call for a reduced speed limit. Buy some brownie-points on other issues (and it’s probably going to happen anyway) and make the road safer? The section from Risdon Vale to the top has so many hidden driveways, especially going in that direction. This is why we’re asking for input from riders – to recommend a policy position now that this has been floated publicly.
The TMC has been working hard to improve public perception of riders whilst at the same time defending “rider rights”. Interestingly, since making these comments a week ago I’ve twice been introduced at functions by non-motorcycling friends as: “This is Shaun; the person who thinks that speeding motorcycles on Grass Tree Hill Rd is OK…”

Railyards redevelopment
What has this got to do with motorcycles and scooters you ask?
Part of this redevelopment will includes proposed significant changes to access to Davey Street. Also on the drawing board is the introduction of bus lanes here and in other parts of the city. This will also be a first for Tasmania. In most other states, motorcycles and scooters are allowed into bus lanes, but it’s not automatic. The TMC wants to make sure that we are on the agenda right from the start. Provision of motorcycle parking in the redeveloped waterfront area is another aspect.

Draft Hobart Sustainable Transport Policy
This has also been released lately. I can’t add the link as the HCC’s website was down at the time of sending this. Motorcycle and scooter parking does actually rate a mention, but not in a lot of detail. They hadn’t spoken to us – they can work out for themselves that the current parking isn’t enough – it’s fully utilised on almost every winter’s day! We want motorcycles and scooters to be recognised to a greater extent here. Look at the positive direction the Sydney City Council is going in on the second attachment. Public comment on the Hobart draft is open and we want to push this one too!

There are other things happening at both state, national and even international level. Things that won’t seem to go away, like front numberplates, new things like the Premier’s Fuel Summit, the introduction of novice driver/rider reforms, and right through to the OECD workshop on motorcycle safety that I attended in Norway recently. I’ll touch on what’s happening with some of these things too, although these are really matters for the general meeting in Launceston the day before...

You’re welcome to email me back or call about anything covered here, or anything else you’re interested in.

Hope to see you on the 9th.

Cheers,

Shaun