Comments on: The worst of motorcycling on Australian roads http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/ Road safety, road rules, fuels, care care and everyday driving - NRMA Motoring & Services Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:58:55 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Old Newbie http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-3878 Old Newbie Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:27:30 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-3878 Interesting to note that since this blog has been running, the City of Sydney Council has introduced free bike parking. One small step in the right direction. If only all councils adopted the same. I bought a bike late in life, and as a motorist always tried to make space for a rider filtering. I can not understand why a motorist wants to impede a rider as it gives them no gain. I agree with the ealrier suggestion to educate drivers as to why riders have to take more care when taking corners, the kind of stuff you learn when doing the Pre-Rider training. If there is also a site where riders can post driver cautions, i.e. stay clear of the black Range Rover etc, please post a reply on the blog. Interesting to note that since this blog has been running, the City of Sydney Council has introduced free bike parking. One small step in the right direction. If only all councils adopted the same.
I bought a bike late in life, and as a motorist always tried to make space for a rider filtering. I can not understand why a motorist wants to impede a rider as it gives them no gain.
I agree with the ealrier suggestion to educate drivers as to why riders have to take more care when taking corners, the kind of stuff you learn when doing the Pre-Rider training.
If there is also a site where riders can post driver cautions, i.e. stay clear of the black Range Rover etc, please post a reply on the blog.

]]> By: Qld Xmas road deaths on the increase http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-3095 Qld Xmas road deaths on the increase Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:29:45 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-3095 [...] The worst of motorcycling on Australian roads | NRMA Motoring Blog … [...] [...] The worst of motorcycling on Australian roads | NRMA Motoring Blog … [...]

]]> By: Wayne Sheridan http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-2966 Wayne Sheridan Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:45:38 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-2966 Hello KEN, how right you are, all these years later, I still look for the most intrestimg way to my destination, except now I ride bmw gsa, I notice roger hallet has a say as well. wayne Hello KEN, how right you are, all these years later, I still look for the most intrestimg way to my destination, except now I ride bmw gsa, I notice roger hallet has a say as well. wayne

]]> By: Ken Travers http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-2908 Ken Travers Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:33:07 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-2908 Good to see this thread is still going after such a long time. It is indeed very nostalgic! 'Twould be great to hear from any of my old colleauges who happen to have discovered this medium. As for the Round Australia Heinkel Scooter Expedition of 1962, I had no idea there were so many of us!!! Good luck and Good Health to you all ... Ken T. Good to see this thread is still going after such a long time. It is indeed very nostalgic! ‘Twould be great to hear from any of my old colleauges who happen to have discovered this medium. As for the Round Australia Heinkel Scooter Expedition of 1962, I had no idea there were so many of us!!!
Good luck and Good Health to you all …
Ken T.

]]> By: MotoBloke http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-2528 MotoBloke Sat, 15 Aug 2009 03:13:35 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-2528 Regarding Filtering or lane-splitting in stopped or walking-pace traffic queues: Morally and ethically, in a regularly congested driving environment, the car driver usually has a choice: share their car's seats with friends, family and colleagues, take public transport or choose a more humanely (and environmentally) responsible transport mode such as walking, cycling or motorcycling/motorscootering. So, when a two-wheeler passes between cars in a queue, one is not queue jumping, one is passing obstacles to one's progress. Traffic is about moving people after all, with vehicle or not. The NSW law, in practice, is enforced by the NSW Police. In this state, it is illegal to pass another vehicle on the left. So, usually, the NSW Police person, according to their own discression, may book the offender. Usually, the law-breaker does so in a careful manner in stopped traffic and is aware of the dangers of pedestrians and opening doors. When they don't, you can count on the Police acting appropriately. I filtered all day, every day for two years in inner Sydney, as a motorcycle courier. When possible, I would pass on the right side. Often the centre line or island hampered that, and gaps were often wider and safer on the left. I often filtered past Police as well. Only once did a Policeman pull me up. (Peak Hour, on South Dowling Street, Moore Park, heading north, amongst a 150m long three lane queue.) He called out: "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" I stopped and answered: "I'm trying to get to the front of this dozey wave of drivers, as it's far safer". He replied: "Oh, okay then, just be careful." Regarding Filtering or lane-splitting in stopped or walking-pace traffic queues:
Morally and ethically, in a regularly congested driving environment, the car driver usually has a choice: share their car’s seats with friends, family and colleagues, take public transport or choose a more humanely (and environmentally) responsible transport mode such as walking, cycling or motorcycling/motorscootering. So, when a two-wheeler passes between cars in a queue, one is not queue jumping, one is passing obstacles to one’s progress. Traffic is about moving people after all, with vehicle or not.
The NSW law, in practice, is enforced by the NSW Police. In this state, it is illegal to pass another vehicle on the left. So, usually, the NSW Police person, according to their own discression, may book the offender. Usually, the law-breaker does so in a careful manner in stopped traffic and is aware of the dangers of pedestrians and opening doors. When they don’t, you can count on the Police acting appropriately.
I filtered all day, every day for two years in inner Sydney, as a motorcycle courier. When possible, I would pass on the right side. Often the centre line or island hampered that, and gaps were often wider and safer on the left. I often filtered past Police as well. Only once did a Policeman pull me up. (Peak Hour, on South Dowling Street, Moore Park, heading north, amongst a 150m long three lane queue.) He called out: “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” I stopped and answered: “I’m trying to get to the front of this dozey wave of drivers, as it’s far safer”. He replied: “Oh, okay then, just be careful.”

]]> By: Penny Azar http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-2067 Penny Azar Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:51:27 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-2067 Bike riders, of whom I am married to one, all drive at least 20K over the speed limit. They habitually squeeze themselves through the rows of cars at lights. And before they complain about motorists they should look inwardly and take a note of what they do as well... but at least they pay to be on the road. Its the cyclists that really get my goat and on my nerves. We really need to revise cyclist. Their bikes should be registered and labeled and be readily identified for dangerous and threatening behavior. I was spat at by one of them. The couriers are the most annoying who really hate to put their feet on the ground so juggle themselves IF - emphasis on IF - they have even stopped at a red light. Bike riders, of whom I am married to one, all drive at least 20K over the speed limit. They habitually squeeze themselves through the rows of cars at lights. And before they complain about motorists they should look inwardly and take a note of what they do as well… but at least they pay to be on the road.

Its the cyclists that really get my goat and on my nerves. We really need to revise cyclist. Their bikes should be registered and labeled and be readily identified for dangerous and threatening behavior.

I was spat at by one of them. The couriers are the most annoying who really hate to put their feet on the ground so juggle themselves IF – emphasis on IF – they have even stopped at a red light.

]]> By: JACK CAIRNS http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-1937 JACK CAIRNS Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:46:15 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-1937 HI SCOOTER MEN - I JUST NOTICED THE COMMENTS ON RIDING THE HEINKELS AROUND AUSTRALIA - WE HAVE A MEMBER - GRAHAM DAWSON - WHO DID THAT - MAYBE HE IS KNOWN TO YOU FOLKS - HE IS OUR PMEA CLUB TREASURER - HE SUBMITTED A GREAT REPORT ON THAT TRIP TO OUR CLUB MAGAZINE - HAVE COPIED HIM ON THIS WEBSITE -J.C. HI SCOOTER MEN – I JUST NOTICED THE COMMENTS ON RIDING THE HEINKELS AROUND AUSTRALIA – WE HAVE A MEMBER – GRAHAM DAWSON – WHO DID THAT – MAYBE HE IS KNOWN TO YOU FOLKS – HE IS OUR PMEA CLUB TREASURER – HE SUBMITTED A GREAT REPORT ON THAT TRIP TO OUR CLUB MAGAZINE – HAVE COPIED HIM ON THIS WEBSITE -J.C.

]]> By: JACK CAIRNS http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-1936 JACK CAIRNS Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:42:32 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-1936 HI FOLKS - AM IN PMEA CLUB - 250 ODD MEMBERS - WE HAVE AN UNUSUAL CLUB IN THAT WE HAVE CLASSIC CARS + BIKES ETC . WE SEE + HEAR THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CAR DRIVERS AND BIKE RIDERS EVEN WITHIN OUR CLUB - ALTHO FORTUNATELY WE HAVE MEMBERS WHO DRIVE + RIDE ALSO. WE HAVE HAD SOME RIDERS KNOCKED OFF BY CAR DRIVERS - EVEN WHEN THEY WERE STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC SIGNALS - THEY GET HIT FROM BEHIND . I WOULD GUESS THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR DRIVER IS YAKKING ON THE MOBILE PH. BUT ALSO WE MOTORCYCLISTS NEED TO DUMP THIS CRAPPY IDEA OF ALL BLACK BIKES + RIDING SUITS - WE NEED TO WEAR DAYGLO COLORS -AND RIDE COLORED OR BLACK BIKES WITH HEAPS OF CHROME . ALSO ON OLDER BIKES WE NEED TO RETROFIT BRIGHT L.E.D. ETC TURN SIGNALS + STOP LIGHTS . NO WELDING OR DRILLING PLS. ! THE PRESENT DAY RIDING SCHOOLS ARE VERY GOOD AND MAYBE US OLD FARTS NEED TO GO DO A REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE ! WE DON'T SEE ANY H.D. RIDERS GETTING KNOCKED OFF - THINK WHY THAT MIGHT BE ? - THANX J.C. HI FOLKS – AM IN PMEA CLUB – 250 ODD MEMBERS – WE HAVE AN UNUSUAL CLUB IN THAT WE HAVE CLASSIC CARS + BIKES ETC .
WE SEE + HEAR THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CAR DRIVERS AND BIKE RIDERS EVEN WITHIN OUR CLUB – ALTHO FORTUNATELY WE HAVE MEMBERS WHO DRIVE + RIDE ALSO.
WE HAVE HAD SOME RIDERS KNOCKED OFF BY CAR DRIVERS – EVEN WHEN THEY WERE STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC SIGNALS – THEY GET HIT FROM BEHIND . I WOULD GUESS THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR DRIVER IS YAKKING ON THE MOBILE PH.
BUT ALSO WE MOTORCYCLISTS NEED TO DUMP THIS CRAPPY IDEA OF ALL BLACK BIKES + RIDING SUITS – WE NEED TO WEAR DAYGLO COLORS -AND RIDE COLORED OR BLACK BIKES WITH HEAPS OF CHROME .
ALSO ON OLDER BIKES WE NEED TO RETROFIT BRIGHT L.E.D. ETC TURN SIGNALS + STOP LIGHTS . NO WELDING OR DRILLING PLS. ! THE PRESENT DAY RIDING SCHOOLS ARE VERY GOOD AND MAYBE US OLD FARTS NEED TO GO DO A REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE !
WE DON’T SEE ANY H.D. RIDERS GETTING KNOCKED OFF – THINK WHY THAT MIGHT BE ? – THANX J.C.

]]> By: Gary Schuster http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-1646 Gary Schuster Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:11:24 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-1646 To Ken Travers, I have had a marvellous time being a Member of the Metropolitan Scooter Club Sydney in the Years from 1959 - 1963. I do remember us meeting each Sunday morning 9:00am on Martin Place, to go to many nice places. We did have lots of fun at this time. I was riding a Heinkel Tourist. Still have Photos from this time. I'm writing this from Berlin Germany and I'm full of memories. By accident I did read all the blogs from the NRMA. I would like to get in contact of some of the former Members of the Club if possible! Gary Schuster To Ken Travers,
I have had a marvellous time being a Member of the Metropolitan Scooter Club Sydney in the Years from 1959 – 1963.
I do remember us meeting each Sunday morning 9:00am on Martin Place, to go to many nice places. We did have lots of fun at this time. I was riding a Heinkel Tourist. Still have Photos from this time.
I’m writing this from Berlin Germany and I’m full of memories.
By accident I did read all the blogs from the NRMA. I would like to get in contact of some of the former Members of the Club if possible!
Gary Schuster

]]> By: Gar Schuster http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/2008/05/20/the-worst-of-motorcycling-on-australian-roads/comment-page-1/#comment-1633 Gar Schuster Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:21:13 +0000 http://www.mynrmacommunity.com/motoring/?p=31#comment-1633 Dear Ken, my name is Gary Schuster and I'm writing this from Berlin Germany. By accident I found this blog with you writing about your trip around Australia on your scooter. I started with you, but had to leave you around Mackay as I had to start working on a sheep station in Queensland. I remember that we had lots of rain up there at the time. It is all so long ago, but my memories are still very often in Australia. One of my brothers is now for about 55 years living in Australia in Umina near Gosford. We are each week in contact by E-Mail and phone. I still remember us meeting on Sunday morning at Martin Place to go on tour. I had a Heinkel, colour black and white. But if you like to talk a bit about old times send me please your phone number on an E-Mail. I'm now 73 but still in good condition, as we have seen last I was 32. I still got a few Photos from this time. My E-Mail is: eschu14057@gmx.de Dear Ken,

my name is Gary Schuster and I’m writing this from Berlin Germany.
By accident I found this blog with you writing about your trip around Australia on your scooter.

I started with you, but had to leave you around Mackay as I had to start working on a sheep station in Queensland.
I remember that we had lots of rain up there at the time.

It is all so long ago, but my memories are still very often in Australia. One of my brothers is now for about 55 years living in Australia in Umina near Gosford. We are each week in contact by E-Mail and phone.

I still remember us meeting on Sunday morning at Martin Place to go on tour. I had a Heinkel, colour black and white.

But if you like to talk a bit about old times send me please your phone number on an E-Mail.

I’m now 73 but still in good condition, as we have seen last I was 32. I still got a few Photos from this time.

My E-Mail is: eschu14057@gmx.de

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