Motorcycle seminar: Melbourne, August 9

The Independent Riders Group will address a number of pertinent issues on motorcycling in Victoria during a free seminar in Melbourne on Saturday, August 9, 2014.

Speakers will cover issues concerning riders, followed by question and answer sessions. Among the issues to be discussed at the seminar will include the 2012  Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety’s 64 recommendations -- not one has yet been adopted – VicRoads plans for compulsory fluoro vests; and the new graduated licencing system to be introduced from October, 2014.

The aim of the seminar is to “develop a plan to fight for our right to ride” ahead of the next Victorian election at the end of November 2014.

Riders will assemble at the McDonald's restaurant carpark at the corner of Bell Street and St Georges Road in Preston from 11:30am.

At noon the column of bikes will depart for the Corner Hotel on the corner of Bell Street and Sydney Road in Coburg (502 Sydney Road).

At the Corner Hotel riders will discuss matters motorcycling including:
1.    The failure of the Napthine Government to keep its promise to abolish the unfair TAC anti-bike tax (safety levy). The TAC tax is $70 a year on most bikes on top of all other road costs. No other vehicle is targeted this way.
2.    The failure of the Napthine Government to implement any of the 64 recommendations from the 2012 Parliamentary Inquiry into motorcycle & scooter safety.
3.    The failure of the Napthine Government to ensure real stakeholder input when legislating for and taxing riders.
4.    The anti motorcycle culture at VicRoads/TAC/Police.
5.    Legislative notice paper No. 185

Guest speakers wil be:
1.    Shadow Minister for Roads and TAC Luke Donnellan MP.
2.    Steve Bardsley, spokesman for the Victorian Scooter Riders Association.
3.    John Voyage, from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
4.    Vicky Creed from the Orange Knights the State Emergency Service motorcycle club.

For more information on the seminar contact Damien Codognotto, 0419 846 855.