Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Unsecured debris falling off trucks and utes is a fairly common occurrence and very dangerous for riders as seen in this video where a Canadian motorcyclist manages to avoid two wooden pallets that fall off a truck. The BMW F 800 GS rider posted his helmet-cam video on YouTube under the headline “Thank God for the …
Despite the motorcyclist road toll decreasing more than any other group in Australia, police and media are targeting the few dangerously high speeds of some stupid riders. The annual road toll debate has again fired up after a very bad holiday season shattered near-historic road toll lows. According to official data, up to the end …
A plea has been sent to NSW Ombudsman Michael Barnes to halt the speed reductions on the Oxley Highway because of deceptive crash statistics. Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCCNSW) secretary Steve Pearce says the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) used inaccurate crash data to justify the speed change from 100km/h to 80km/h on 44km of the …
Motorcycle crash statistics cited to reduce speed on the Oxley Highway are flawed, leaving riders wondering how many other crash statistics are also flawed. NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey this week announced that speed on 44km of the highway’s mountain section would be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h from December 13, 2017. It follows a …
Authorities that continue to selectively quote motorcycle crash statistics are perpetrating a scam that endangers vulnerable motorcycle riders. Yes, riders represent a higher proportion of the crash statistics than their number, but the trend for crashes is actually going down. However, police, authorities, road safety Nazis and media are conning us with their myopic view …
Weekend motorcycle crashes are more severe and costly than during the week, according to figures from insurer Youi. Friday is the worst day for all types of motor vehicle crashes. However, Youi claims data from January 2016 to September 30, 2017, shows motorcyclists are more likely to crash on a weekend. Saturday is the highest-risk …
Motorcycle safety research will be the focus of a major seminar conducted by the Deakin University next month as a new riding gear protection rating system is unveiled. Deakin University motorcycle safety researcher Liz de Rome PhD says the seminar is an “internal university workshop to inspire researchers to contribute their expertise to motorcycle safety”. The …
Australia is planning to follow Europe in making anti-lock brakes (ABS) mandatory on all new motorcycles over 125cc and either ABS or combined braking system (CBS) for bikes under 125cc. We would join countries such as India, Brazil, Taiwan and Japan in moving toward compulsory motorcycle ABS. The Federal Government cites statistical research that claims …
Motorcycles hitting kangaroos and other native fauna and livestock should be noted as a separate crash cause in road toll statistics, according to a motorcycle campaigner. Independent Riders’ Group spokesman Damien Codognotto points out that “animal strikes” are “seriously under-reported road hazards”. “Last week a couple died hitting a tree after avoiding a kangaroo,” he …
Despite a zero fatality rate on highways with open speed limits, the Northern Territory has once again returned to 130km/h speed restrictions. The NT used to have open speed limits on its highways, but in 2006, the then Labor Government imposed a 130km/h limit. Instead of accidents reducing, they increased. In fact, 307 died in the NT over the …