Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Bikies have long been fighting police discrimination and resultant public vilification as the above 1970s Brisbane bikie protest photo shows, but in recent years they have faced tougher laws including even associating with them. Now the vilification is stepping up as Tasmania and Victoria appear set to toughen anti-association laws. Longtime motorcycle campaigner, Motorcycle Riders …
Sons of Anarchy creator and writer Kurt Sutter is working on a TV sequel called Mayans MC that focuses on the rivals-turned-allies outlaw motorcycle club. The FX cable channel’s most popular drama series finished in 2014 after seven seasons, attracting more than 10 million viewers per week. FX says the show will screen in the …
New motorcycle clubs continue to spring up and many established clubs are brimming with members. Some riders love the freedom of the open road and being isolated, alone and one with their bike. They ascribe to the Groucho Marx adage: “I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member.” …
As the seventh and final series of the popular Sons of Anarchy goes to air this week in the US, the show’s creator and writer, Kurt Sutter, reveals Harley’s support and his own riding career. Kurt says Harley-Davidson’s sales have “progressively grown with our ratings”, but the company has only recently supported the show. …
Australia’s High Court will be asked to overturn more than a dozen sections of the Newman Government’s VLAD Act and “anti-bikie” legislation. The first challenge to the laws was lodged in Brisbane at noon today. Among the attacks on the validity of the laws, the challenge will contest the anti-association legislation used to arrest Brisbane …
Voters will have their first democratic opportunity to “speak out against the madness” tomorrow (Feb 8). It’s the by-election in the Brisbane-based Federal seat of Griffith vacated by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. While it’s a Federal by-election, some voters may choose to cast a protest vote against the current Queensland Government, especially the anti-association …
The Queensland Government crackdown on declared criminal motorcycle clubs is worrying tourism operators and officials. One tourism operator even believes accommodation providers are turning away bikers for fear of losing other customers scared of their appearance. At a recent meeting in Warwick of South East Queensland tourism bureaucrats, local government officials, the RACQ and tourism …
Wives, mothers and children of motorcycle riders affected by the VLAD Act had to speak on their behalf at the Freedom Rally attended by thousands of protesters in Brisbane yesterday. The riders themselves were not able to attend because of the draconian laws that prevent people from associating with members of 26 motorcycle clubs arbitrarily …
Australia Day protests against the anti-bikie laws in Queensland are going global. Protests will be held in London, Dublin and San Francisco, California. The British Bikers Protest starts at the Ecuadorian embassy, to highlight the plight of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, then moves to Australia House to protest the Newman government’s Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment …
The Motorcyclists Australia Party has now achieved the required 500 signatures to get the party started, but it could be stillborn for the lack of committee members. Founder Paul Keyworth says the Australian Electoral Commission requires 10 committee members before it can confirm party status. It seems strange in this environment of the Queensland Government’s …