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NetWriter - Issue 6
--------------- For those of you who visited our stand at last years motorcycle expo, you will recall the huge success of our projected video footage. This year we would like to put on a similar show (although we also have many other surprises up our sleeves) however we have lost our data projector supplier. If any of our members are able to help us out with a data projector for the three days of the expo (September 12-14) we would be eternally grateful. If you are part of a business that could donate the projector, we will happily promote your business at our stand and via our website in return. While we have "some" funds we could put toward a projector - they certainly fall well short of commercial hire rates (around $600 for the 3 days!). If you can help out, or have any suggestions for someone who can, please contact us - either via email: netrider@netrider.net.au or call John on 0408 141 004, Vic on 0433 108 318 ------------------------- :: Inaugural Lanesplit :: ------------------------- netrider.net.au would like to invite all motorcycling clubs to participate in our inaugural Lanesplit (inter-club bowling competition) on Saturday the 4th of October 2003. The night will start at 9pm at Chadstone Bowling Centre. Teams are requested to arrive before 8.30pm so they can be fitted out with shoes and be ready to go at 9pm sharp. There will be 8 teams on the night, each comprising of 4 players per team. The cost to enter the tournament is $90 per team ($22.50 per person). This fee is payable upon team registration. You can select any 4 people from your club and changes are allowed right up until 9pm on the night. Your team will play 3 games over the course of the night. This is expected to run for 2-3 hours. Once all teams have completed their 3 games, individual scores will be tallied to give your team their final score. The team with the highest score wins the perpetual trophy. That team then gets to defend its trophy the following year. Registrations close on Friday the 19th of September. There are only spots for eight teams so get in early to avoid disappointment. For more information please email netrider@netrider.net.au or phone Vic 0433 108 318 or John 0408 141 004 In addition we are assembling our own netrider.net.au team(s) - so if you'd like to come along and bowl with us (note: you don't have to be a league bowler to join in) please let us know. And a special note to the "Southbank Across Riders" - would you be interested in putting together a team? --------------------------- :: Merchandise Available :: --------------------------- The ever popular netrider.net.au caps are currently available, but get your orders in quick! Priced at only $20 each, these high-quality embroidered caps are avilable via the merchandise page on the website. We are only taking orders until the end of this week (Friday August 29) - after that there will be a limited number available for purchase at the motorcycle expo (albeit for $25each). ------------------------------------- :: 2003 Australian Motorcycle Expo :: ------------------------------------- The Australian Motorcycle Expo is a celebration of the history, the present technologies and the future developments of the entire motorcycling industry Anyone who is anyone in the industry is involved, the expo is designed to showcase the latest and greatest motorcycles available in Australian and around the world. This year's expo is on at the Royal Exhibition Buildings, Carlton. Friday September 12 12pm - 9pm Saturday September 13 10am - 10pm Sunday September 14 10am - 6pm --------------------- :: Website Updates :: --------------------- Last issue we announced our "new" website - I'd like to say that we've had some great feedback regarding it - and at the same time some great suggestions. We've got our articles (and news items) back online for you to enjoy - but we're always looking for more content. If you have any articles you'd like to share with us, please email them to netrider@netrider.net.au and we'll get them online. Keep an eye on the site as it's always changing and growing. ------------------------------- :: Government Awareness Ride :: ------------------------------- July 18th - Government Waste Awareness Ride 1,000 motorcycles rode through the Burnley and Domain tunnels to raise awareness of how the Bracks government is wasting road safety money. Whilst the ride was "scaled down" to a single pass through each tunnel (the original plan was for a continuous loop lasting for up to two hours) after negotiations between the MRAA and Citylink. The presence was felt (and heard) both by motorists travelling through the tunnels and via the media in the days preceeding the ride. Through both direct media reporting and general word of mouth, netrider.net.au and the MRAA were able to spread the word about the unjust spending of tax payers money. ---------------------------------------- :: Justice For Motorcycle Riders Ride :: ---------------------------------------- Saturday, August 2nd saw over 500 dedicated motorcyclists gather together in protest at the lenient sentencing of delinquent car drivers being handed down by our Courts. We assembled at the Todd Road Service area on the Westgate Freeway in Melbourne, as well as at the BP Road House in Little River on the Geelong Freeway. We came together to protest against a mere $500.00 fine was handed down to a motorist whose careless actions caused the tragic death of well known Geelong Motorcycle Mechanic, Graham Clarke. The driver was charged with the relatively minor offence of "Failing to give way ". No loss of license, no restrictions on driving, not even a suspension. This man is free to walk away, after taking a life and continue to drive in the same selfish and dangerous manner. We rode not only to ask for JUSTICE FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS, but for all road users. We showed that, as a community, motorcyclists have the ability to mobilize a conspicuous force at a relatively short notice, which can have a tendency to get the attention of the public on many vital issues. To those who were not aware of the rides existence, it could have been a daunting scene at Todd Road. Motorcyclists began arriving as early as 8:00AM for a 9:30AM wave off and what a group we were. There were a varied congregation of almost every type of bike available, big Harleys, BMW's, Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasakis, cruisers, sports bikes, endures, all shapes and sizes, there were learners, P-platers, novices and old-timers and every stage in between. Lots of facial hair, tattoos and of course leather and chrome, heaps of chrome. Every bike was polished and preened, although, some of the riders could have benefited by a bit of a scrub-up. Only one lone police car was in attendance and it was pleasing to see that his presence was superfluous to the occasion. The behaviour to a man/woman was exemplary, every consideration was given to the patrons of the service station and the fast food outlets on the site. Common sense prevailed regarding parking and meeting and greeting each other. It was good to catch up with many who knew Graham Clarke, especially his father, Brian. We all were aware of the reason why we were there: to ride to Geelong in support of Graham's family and friends, to bring to the attention of the public, the utter deficiencies in our "justice" system when it comes to charging and sentencing those drivers whose careless and cavalier actions result in the taking of an innocent life. With this in mind, it was easy to see that the mood of the riders would remain focussed on this issue for the duration of the day. The Media was out in force, Channels Nine and Two were with us on the ground, conducting the obligatory interviews, with the organisers as well as the family. Channel Seven had their eye in the sky, which stayed with the ride all the way to Geelong, even joining us at ground level in Little River, where again, interviews and crowd shots were the order of the day. Our departure from Todd Road was orderly and controlled, with no obstruction to the surrounding traffic. We stayed to the speed limit and took to the middle lane to avoid merging and exiting traffic. What a sight it must have been to witness around 300 motorcycles in one procession make their way over the Westgate Bridge. The noise was enough to seriously raise the testosterone levels in Williamstown and Altona to alarming proportions. As we hit the main Freeway to Geelong, we were greeted by crowds of onlookers and well-wishers, big trucks and little cars alike would sound their horns in support, kinda brought a lump to many a throat in the cavalcade. On the road, we kept to the speed limit and to the one lane. It was gratifying that not one single rider broke ranks, it seems that we were as one in our crusade on this day of perfect riding conditions. As we approached Little River, we were greeted by the sight of a plain police car with a rider and pillion pulled up at the roadside. No reports have been received so far, as to the reason for stopping them. Maybe just a bit of persecution? But apart from that the ride was without incident. Should mention I guess that the rider involved was not with our group. We arrived at the Little River Roadhouse at around 10:00AM to the cheers of those already there. Coffee and snacks appeared to be the order of the day, along with the normal pit-stop stuff. I managed to renew a few almost forgotten friendships as we did the mingling thing. The general mood of the gathering was one of mateship, whether you were on a Harley, or a Japper. Sure, some of these guys were imposing, both in size and appearance, but you got the feeling that they were glad to have you there, simply because you rode! Once again we had a Police car there and once again, he was not needed, although, he did warn us of the blue Rav, just down the road with camera attached. The gathering at Little River was orderly, controlled and surprisingly quiet. Graham's sisters, led by the beautiful and hard working Sharelle were there and set about mingling with the crowd and thanking one and all for just being there with them to support the cause. The mandatory laying down of the ride rules etc. was given, the reasons for the day explained once again and the bikers praised for the courtesy and consideration given to other road users. Then we were off! In one column we moved onto the freeway, past the blue Rav, with horns belting out a staccato as we blasted down the road. Here we were, over 500 of us in one cavalcade of noise and vibration. As arranged, the column halted briefly in Norlane to allow Graham's widow, Jenny to join us and with Jenny up behind Mick Burgess, Sharelle on Glen Clausen's bike and Lynley as Glen Foley's (Gunna) pillion making up the lead bikes, we rode proudly along the main streets of Geelong, to an emotional welcome at Johnsons Park, across the road from the Courthouse. The streets were lined with crowds showing support to all the riders, but in the main to the family of Graham Clarke. There to meet us were Graham's mother, Barbara and his kids, Kobie and Billie. A welcome cuppa and a sausage sizzle were laid on for all participants and a few speeches were given by Sharelle and Alex Money of MRA. Alex thanked the assembly for their response to the "call to arms" and the magnificent way in which the protest was conducted, while still managing to get our message across. Alex pledged the MRA's support for the aims of the ride: To take the petition to Rob Hulls and Steve Bracks and seek to have them overhaul the existing legislation to allow for more appropriate sentencing of Road Law offenders more in line with public opinion and to change the laws to include more appropriate charges when a loss of life results from traffic violations. Alex also expressed disgust at the Prosecutions' failure to properly notify the family of the date of the Court proceedings. Sharelle thanked MRA and Netrider for their quick response to the call for assistance in getting the protest underway. She gave a touching account of the devastation the events in February had on the Geelong motorcycling community, but in particular on the family. Sharelle also announced that the proceeds from the Sausage Sizzle and the Raffle were to be donated to the MRA and Netrider as a demonstration of their appreciation for the assistance given on the day and during the week. MRA and Netrider expressed their thanks for this unexpected donation. All in all, the Ride for Justice for Motorcyclists was considered a success. Other similar collisions resulting in the death of motorcyclists were brought to our attention and where possible, these cases will be investigated for future action. The MRA President will undertake to hand a copy of the presentation given by Sharelle to TAC when next they meet, there are a lot of salient points in the notes, which may be useful in future training and education campaigns for both riders and drivers. MRA and Netrider are dedicated to follow up on all issues, which affect the safety and well-being of motorcyclists and will work together to protect our rights by organising rallies, protests and awareness rides wherever and whenever pressure needs to be brought to bear on those empowered to make and enforce the laws. -------------------- :: The Rear Wheel :: -------------------- An engineering student was walking across campus when another engineer rides up on a shiny new motorcycle. "Where did you get such a great bike?", asked the first. The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said 'Take what you want.'" The second engineer nodded approvingly, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fit."
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