Latest News

Overview of Motorcycle Crash Fatalities Involving Road Safety Barriers

An updated presentation on impacts into roadside barriers by Associate Prof Raphael Grzebieta (University of NSW) and his team. A review of studies and analysis of data from crashes across Australia found that the number of fatalities from road side barrier crashes is generally low and that guardrail impacts were still the most dangerous to motorcyclists. View the updated presentation here (PDF 1.3mb).

RIDE FOR THE HILLS – 14TH FEBRUARY 2010

On 5th March 2009 approximately 3,000 motorcyclists raised $42,000 in what has been described as the largest charity motorcycle event in the state, raising money for the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal after the horrific Black Saturday fires of February 7th.This year on 14th February 2010, Ride For The Hills will continue to show its support for the ongoing recovery effort by staging the event for its 2nd year. They are aiming to attract 4,000 motorcyclists and raise $60,000 with all proceeds from the ride donated to the SES and CFA stations that lost equipment in the 2009 fires.

The Red Knights Motorcycle Club made up of past and present fire fighters will lead the ride with an escort of 20 Victorian Police special solos.

Spokes is supporting the event and will be making a gold coin contribution for every participating rider who wears full protective clothing for the event. We will also be donating $1,000 of quality protective clothing as prizes for participating riders.

There’s a whole stack of prizes on offer, kindly donated by fellow motorcycle industry organisations and for your chance to be in the winning, register for the ride now www.rideforthehills.org.au

Here’s a sample of some of the prizes:

Pre-Registration Prizes
• 1st Prize $1,000 voucher to Bikemart, Ringwood (donated by X Staff Electrical )
• 2nd Prize $500 voucher to Bikemart, Ringwood (donated by Greenwood Plumbing Services)
• 3rd Prize $250 voucher to Bikemart, Ringwood (donated by Greenwood Plumbing Services)

On the Day Prizes:
• 1st prize - Vietnam Tour for 2, valued at over $2,000, from Motorbikes Asia
• 2nd prize - Honda Australia voucher, valued at $500
• 3rd prize - 1 set of fitted Michelin Pilot Road 2 tyres, valued at $520, from Bike Mart

Full event details are also available at www.rideforthehills.org.au

Rider Group's Alternative Advertising Campaign

Recently, a group of riders developed their own version of our latest television road safety campaign targeting motorcyclists. We understand that people have differing views on the approach the TAC takes to delivering its road safety message. Like many of our campaigns the latest motorcycle campaign has certainly created plenty of debate - and we are very grateful to see so many people taking up the issue of improved safety for motorcycle riders via websites, blogs and other media outlets. View the version of the ad. It's encouraging to see fellow members of the motorcycling community actively supporting the safety messages the TAC is promoting to riders: to reduce your risks by riding at a safe and legal speed and to wear protective clothing at all times.

Australia's love of motorcycles continues to grow

Figures recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate that Australia's love of motorcycles continues to grow, with a 57.5% increase in motorcycle and scooter registrations in the past five years. For more information and a copy of the media release, please click here.

Rider Safety Tip Competition Winners

Congratulations to the grand prize winner Andrew Dennis who got to experience the 2009 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in VIP style with over $2000 worth of prizes, all for entering his simple safety tip.

Watch Riding in the Wind (Video)
By Andrew Denis (2009 rider safety tip competition grand prize winner)

While you're checking out Andrew's tip, don't forget to check out the tips from our 10 finalists: Jackie Matthews, Ian Nicklen, Trevor Dickson, David McMillan, Griff Young, Liam Carter, Clarence Vigo, Dietmar Hildebrand, Jason Bult and James Erdmann.

$3,000 Protective Clothing prize winner

Thank you to everyone who visited the Spokes stand in the GP Expo over the three days. The lucky winner of the $3,000 Protective Clothing prize was Jodie Wagner of Mildura – congratulations and safe riding Jodie

New campaign urges riders to reduce the risks October 2009.

The new campaign reminds riders about the types of risks they are exposed to every time they ride and that no matter who is at fault, riders are more likely to come off second best in the case of a crash.

View the campaign video here

Find out what's happening in Victoria for motorcyclists.

Vicroads together with Department of Sustainability and Enviroment, Transport Accident Commission and Victoria Police are providing a chance for motorcycle riders to attend three briefings and exchange ideas. Download the PDF Forum Flyer here (.pdf 1MB)

The Australian 2009 Motorcycle Grand Prix returns to Phillip Island.

The biggest event on the Australian motorcycling calendar, the Moto GP is nearly upon us. From October 16-18th, Phillip Island plays host to the world's best riders such as Rossi, Stoner, Pedrosa and Lorenzo, from one of the most exciting tracks on the international GP circuit.

Sydney Morning Herald, 5 April 2009

Veteran NSW MP for Castle Hill and long time rider, Michael Richardson, crashed his motorcycle. Here is what he has to say about why you should always wear the right gear. Top read.

Read the full article about Michael Richardson here

Western Australian Office of Road Safety Forum, April 2009

This month, the Western Australian Office of Road Safety held a forum to look at issues of interest to the motorcycling community. Feedback from the forum was very positive with participants finding many of the presentations interesting and informative. The Team at TAC has sought permission to host two of the presentations that we felt Spokes readers would be interested in.

Report: The Effectiveness of the VIC Accident Black Spot Programs in Reducing Motorcycle Crashes

The first reports on a study undertaken by Dr Bruce Corben and his colleagues at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) investigating whether black spot programs undertaken to reduce all crash types, are effective in reducing the number of motorcycle crashes. This study looked at two black spot programs funded by the TAC, an $85m program run between 1992 and 1996 and a $240m program conducted between 2000 and 2004. The study found that black spot treatments were effective both at intersections and along routes in reducing motorcycle crashes. For more information, open the presentation below.

Download the VIC Blackspot Program PDF here (2.3mb)

Report: Motorcycle Crashes Into Roadside and Median Road Safety Barriers

The second presentation looks at the effect of motorcycle impacts into different types of road side/protective barriers. Assoc Prof Raphael Grzebieta from the University of NSW reviewed a number of studies and analysed data from crashes across Australia, to find that the number of fatalities resulting from road side barrier crashes is generally low and that among the crashes analysed, guardrail impacts were the most dangerous to motorcyclists. For more information about impacts into roadside barriers open the presentation below.

Download the effect of motorcycle impacts into safety barriers PDF here (2.5mb)

Protective Clothing video from Belgium, 2009

View a graphic video from Belgium which likens the impact of not wearing protective clothing to filing your arm on asphalt. Credits - Agency: Famous; Creative team: Tim Driesen & Joeri Van Den Broeck. (Caution: content is graphic and may be considered offensive.)

View the Belgium protective clothing video

Safer road design can reduce motorcycle accidents

An article from the Motorcycle Industry in Europe's December 2008 Newsletter on how motorcycle deaths can be halved via safer road infrastructure.

Download the safer road design can reduce motorcycle accidents PDF here (2mb)

Latest Technologies - Motorcycle Airbag Systems

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has succeeded in developing the world’s first production motorcycle airbag system. The system, which can help lessen the severity of injuries caused by frontal collisions, is available on some Honda models, specifically the Gold Wing.

Read the full article about motorcycle airbag systems here

Walking away from a crash, 8 Sep 2008

Every bike should have one, but only one does and it may just save your life one day.

Read the full article about walking away from a crash here