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.
(Contributed post for our North American readers. Image source: unsplash.com/) For some, alcohol is their drink of choice to relax and unwind after a long day of work. Regardless of your alcohol tolerance, consuming beers, cocktails, and hard drinks can make you sluggish, dizzy, and nauseous, which could affect your ability to think straight. But …
A brake light that sticks to the back of a helmet and alerts tailgating drivers the rider is slowing down may be illegal in some states. The Brake Free light is currently being crowd funded and Aussie rider Raphael Chan has signed on to receive and test the unit. It consists of a slim unit …
Police are allegedly fining riders who remove the catalytic convertor or cat from their motorcycle, according to several motorcycle dealers. While the replacement of the muffler or exhaust system may contravene noise rules, removing the cat has nothing to do with noise, but with air pollution. The cat is that ugly metal box often underneath your …
Learner riders in Victoria will cop one demerit point for not wearing a hi-vis vest from 29 October 2019 under new road rules. The Victorian Motorcycle Council had called to remove mandatory hi-vis vests for learner riders in its 10-page submission to the review of Victorian Road Safety (Driver) Regulations. However, it has been ignored. …
Speeding fines based on Lidar or radar readings are difficult to defend, but not impossible, says NSW traffic and criminal law specialist Chris Kalpage. The Ducati-riding solicitor has previously provided our readers with tips on what to do when pulled over by police and defences to speeding fines based on a police officer’s estimate or “check speed”. …
(Sponsored post on lane splitting for our North American readers) Lane-splitting is the act of riding a motorcycle between the lanes of traffic on a freeway or city road. It’s a controversial topic in motorcycle safety, with a variety of opinions and different laws on whether it benefits motorcyclists or puts them in more danger. …
If you have been fined for speeding based on a police officer’s estimate or “check speed”, there may be several defences, says NSW traffic and criminal law specialist Chris Kalpage. The Ducati-riding solicitor has previously provided our readers with tips on what to do when pulled over by police which expanded on our article “tips on …
Police have waived a Bribie Island rider’s $400/3point infringement for having a void helmet sticker in a test case that proves riders can legally remove the external sticker. Ian Joice, 63, says he was pulled over by police on Bowen Rd, Glass House Mountains, on 12 August 2019 at 11.38am. He says the officer noted …
The issue of police being directed to meet traffic offence targets or quotas are back in the news in Queensland and South Australia. The matter generally raises the ire of motorists who say it is proof that police are revenue raisers rather than performing road safety duties. Critics also say it leads to motorists being …
Motorists sometimes inadvertently convict themselves for speeding when they are pulled over by the police, says traffic and criminal law specialist Chris Kalpage. We have previously offered tips on what to do if pulled over by the police as well as tips from the police themselves! Now, Chris has offered the following tips on what to do when …