Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Motorbike Writer does not provide legal advice, but does update you on the laws and what is happening with policy and government authorities. Find out how the laws apply to you.
Victorian Police have withdrawn a fine against a rider for not having an external compliance sticker on his Australian-approved motorcycle helmet. But don’t get too excited just yet that VicPol has seen the light and understands the rules which say a helmet only needs an internal label. Rider Alasdair “Ted” Cameron challenged the $371 fine and …
Riders injured in a crash that was not their fault may still have to accept some of the blame if they are not wearing enough protective clothing. The legal term is “contributory negligence” and it can result in a reduced payout for riders, even if they are not at fault. Motorcycle crash experts Maurice Blackburn …
Queensland is the only state that allows edge filtering on some roads and now riders have been granted further leniency when the speed limit is temporarily changed. Lane filtering was introduced in 2015 under the former Liberal State Government, thanks to lobbying by the Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland. The rules included the unique allowance …
A Victorian rider is challenging a fine for not having an external compliance sticker on his Australian-approved motorcycle helmet as he claims the internal certificate label makes it compliant. Alasdair “Ted” Cameron says he was pulled over in April 2018 on his 2016 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider S about 200m from his home in Geelong by one …
Public opinion polls on speed cameras consistently find they are revenue-raisers, prompting motorists to attack them or take unusual, sometimes illegal, measures to avoid them. There are many reports from around the world of speed cameras being attacked and many websites that sell “proven methods” for avoiding them. Attack methods In a recent attack spree …
NSW will join Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia with a new road rule requiring all motorists to slow down when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicles. In NSW, WA and Victoria, motorists have to slow to 40km/h, but they have to slow to 25km/h in SA. Queensland has rejected Police Union calls for a …
Riders should head out into the country this weekend and spend their money in rural areas to help drought-stricken communities, but they should also be aware that motorcycle exhausts can startle horses. If you see a farmer or a recreational rider on a horse by the side of the road, pull your clutch in and …
Arbitrary handlebar height restrictions have created an excuse for police to conduct a witch-hunt to harass riders, says Zane Walton of Burleigh Bars Australia. The Gold Coast handlebar manufacturer has started an online Change.org petition to scrap the arbitrary limit of 380mm above the seat. Click here to read about the petition. Witch-hunt examples Zane …
Three defendants charged with speeding detected by police on LIDAR guns have had their fines overturned, prompting a call for riders to challenge any speeding fines they believe are incorrect. South Australian Ride to Review spokesman Tim Kelly says the SA Supreme Court judgements indicate that the handheld guns can be misused by police. He …
There may be many ways that you can avoid an accident but if it happens, it is important to know what to do. You have no guarantee of a safe drive or ride on busy roads and that is why it is necessary to have information on what to do once your car or motorbike …