A world-first study will examine the cause of serious motorbike crashes. Motorcyclists will be part of a $1.3 million Australian study aimed at slashing the number of motorcycle accidents. The ground-breaking inquiry will compare the experiences of riders injured in crashes at specific sites with riders who have travelled through the same site safely.
Transport Minister Terry Mulder described the new research as one of the most comprehensive motorbike studies attempted globally. "By comparing the two groups, we hope to learn not only what went wrong for those involved in crashes, but also what went right for those who negotiated a particular crash site safely," Mulder said.
More than 1100 riders - half of whom have survived crashes - will be recruited over the next 18 months. The research is being funded by the State Government and headed by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC). Experts, five of whom are motorcyclists themselves, will analyze factors such as speed, experience and the physical environment in accidents.
Experienced and active riders have contributed to the questionnaire design to ensure relevance and improve study outcomes.
Results are expected towards the end of 2013.
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"There's such a broad ignorance or contempt for constitutional principles among the American people that any politician who bore truth faith and allegiance to the Constitution would commit political suicide." —Walter Williams
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FLORIDA SEEKS STIFFER PENALTIES FOR NEGLIGENT DRIVERS
ABATE Florida members from around the state were out in full force at the state capitol on Monday, Feb. 13th asking lawmakers for safer roads and to support legislation for stricter penalties for drivers who kill bikers on the road.
“Kill a motorcyclist they get an $82 fine, that’s all they get; failure to yield. You do that in a car, hit somebody else in a car, you get vehicular manslaughter,” said James “Doc” Reichenbach, ABATE President.
Reichenbach, who also serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), testified on behalf of ABATE’s Stiffer Penalties Bill, S.B. 1754, which passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 27th by a vote of 7-0, and now goes to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
During the rally in Tallahassee, the names of bikers killed in wrecks last year were read aloud. Fifty-six bell chimes were sounded; one for each lost life. The bikers spent the rest of the day talking to lawmakers, then headed home hoping when they return next year, there are fewer bells to ring and fewer bikers lost.
FLORIDA SEEKS STIFFER PENALTIES FOR NEGLIGENT DRIVERS
ABATE Florida members from around the state were out in full force at the state capitol on Monday, Feb. 13th asking lawmakers for safer roads and to support legislation for stricter penalties for drivers who kill bikers on the road.
“Kill a motorcyclist they get an $82 fine, that’s all they get; failure to yield. You do that in a car, hit somebody else in a car, you get vehicular manslaughter,” said James “Doc” Reichenbach, ABATE President.
Reichenbach, who also serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), testified on behalf of ABATE’s Stiffer Penalties Bill, S.B. 1754, which passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 27th by a vote of 7-0, and now goes to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
During the rally in Tallahassee, the names of bikers killed in wrecks last year were read aloud. Fifty-six bell chimes were sounded; one for each lost life. The bikers spent the rest of the day talking to lawmakers, then headed home hoping when they return next year, there are fewer bells to ring and fewer bikers lost.
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"We don't have a deficit because we're taxed too little; we have a deficit because they're spending too much... And when it comes to spending your hard-earned money, they act like they have your credit card in their pocket. And believe me, they never leave home without it." —Ronald Reagan
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VIRGINIA MAY LEGALIZE TWO-ABREAST RIDING
The Virginia General Assembly is considering the repeal of a 40-plus year-old law that makes it against the law for two motorcyclists to ride side-by-side in the same lane. Virginia and Vermont are the only two states in the U.S. with such a law on the books, while 48 other states either don’t ban the practice or have specific laws allowing it. There’s no indication those states have more crashes or problems related to two-abreast riding, according to the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists.
The proposal, sponsored by 26th District Delegate Tony Wilt and 18th District Delegate Michael Webert, sailed through the transportation committee and, overwhelmingly, through the House.
The law is an old one, possibly sparked by the menacing image of motorcycle gangs of the 60s. But since the law was passed over four decades ago, motorcycle registrations have shot up and charitable motorcyclists now ride in large groups for fund-raisers or to raise awareness, when riding two-deep is common.
Two-thirds of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes are caused by people in cars who don’t see the riders. Two abreast may enhance visibility. And since motorcycles generally have one headlight, riding together can help illuminate dark roads.
VIRGINIA MAY LEGALIZE TWO-ABREAST RIDING
The Virginia General Assembly is considering the repeal of a 40-plus year-old law that makes it against the law for two motorcyclists to ride side-by-side in the same lane. Virginia and Vermont are the only two states in the U.S. with such a law on the books, while 48 other states either don’t ban the practice or have specific laws allowing it. There’s no indication those states have more crashes or problems related to two-abreast riding, according to the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists.
The proposal, sponsored by 26th District Delegate Tony Wilt and 18th District Delegate Michael Webert, sailed through the transportation committee and, overwhelmingly, through the House.
The law is an old one, possibly sparked by the menacing image of motorcycle gangs of the 60s. But since the law was passed over four decades ago, motorcycle registrations have shot up and charitable motorcyclists now ride in large groups for fund-raisers or to raise awareness, when riding two-deep is common.
Two-thirds of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes are caused by people in cars who don’t see the riders. Two abreast may enhance visibility. And since motorcycles generally have one headlight, riding together can help illuminate dark roads.
