Awareness ride condemns "hoon" comments

A gathering of around 150 motorcyclists descended on a specially summoned awareness ride in Melbourne on Wednesday, July 7, held to reinforce the message that motorcyclists are riders, not "hoons".

Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay recently used such disapproving language to describe motorcyclists during a regular guest spot on high-rating Melbourne radio station 3AW, where he also called for front numberplates to be introduced on motorcycles - a proposal that was trashed a number of years ago.

"The MRA has run this protest ride today as one of our pillars to create a better image of motorcyclists," said MRA president Kerry Walton. "Sure, there are a proportion of riders who, as Ken put it, don't get the message and make the rest of us look bad. However, there are a percentage of car drivers who are just the same, and to single out motorcycle riders is unfair.

"What benefits have these comments made by Ken Lay created for motorcyclists in general? None - zero. In actual fact, I feel his comments have put motorcyclists in harm's way and made it a little bit dangerous on the roads.

"You will get some idiot drivers who will say 'that's just another hoon, let's cut him off'.

"This is the second time that motorcyclists have been shafted. It happened a long time ago with the bloody bike levy and now this.

"It's unfair and puts us in a category of second class citizens. He (Ken) hasn't even thought about the things that can happen from his comments.

"We have made some progress with VicRide, and the way it was hijacked was very bad and it didn't create any positives out there - just too many negatives."

VicRide is the Victorian Labor government's on-road coaching trial for novice riders, whose launched was overshadowed by Lay's simultaneous comments on 3AW.

Walton and MRA vice-president Grant Delahoy will now meet Lay in a private setting to discuss their concerns.

"We will tell them that we want a fair go and to cut out this political crap," said Delahoy. "Nearly three years after the launch of the world's leading safety and transport strategy, still none of the recommendations have been implemented from it.

"We will be telling them we want legal filtering, the same way it is in the UK and Europe.

"And we will tell them we want to legally use bus lanes as they can in other states in this country and overseas."

The awareness ride began in the Docklands precinct, with groups of riders leaving at regular intervals en route to Parliament House for the formal speeches.