NSW



The high-tech Ford Territory is fitted with a speed camera, infrared flash and a touch-screen control unit. A sign will tell motorists their speed has been checked / The Daily Telegraph

* New speed camera vans rolled out
* Could collect extra $100m in fines
* Part-owned by Macquarie Bank

DRIVERS are about to be whacked by mobile speed cameras the NSW Government believes will help deliver more than $100 million in fines this financial year alone.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria President Kerry Walton and Vice President Grant Delahoy met with Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay and Acting Sergeant Nicki Peters, an analyst from the Safety Strategic Services Division – Traffic & Transit Safety Department on the 12th July 2010 at the World Trade Centre Police complex.

A MOTORCYCLIST rode along a footpath at more than 100km/h for during a dangerous daylight pursuit in Melbourne's south-east.

Police estimate he travelled for 1.5km along the footpath during the frightening race from Mordialloc to Aspendale.

State Highway Patrol officers had tried to pull over the man, who was riding an unregistered bike along the Nepean Highway 4.05pm yesterday.

He then sped off at speeds of up to 140km/h through 60km/h zones.

THE federal Opposition says a Government congestion tax is still on the table following a speech by Prime Minister Julia Gillard today.

Road congestion in Australia's capital cities would cost the country $20 billion a year by the end of the decade, Ms Gillard said during an address to the Eidos Institute in Brisbane.

But she offered no specific solutions to the problem.

A MOTORBIKE and car were impounded by police overnight as Operation Ardent continued across Melbourne's southeast.

The bike was seized just before midnight when police intercepted a motorcyclist doing in excess of 160 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the Monash Freeway at Narre Warren, between the Princes Hwy and Tinks Rd.

SA

Independent MP Bob Such has been found guilty of speeding in a court trial which has cost him thousands of dollars.

A VINTAGE motorbike - one of only two like it in the world - has been stolen from a Gold Coast home.



The black 1928 Matchless T3 500 is worth more than $20,000 and is often shown at motorcycle events.

There are few motorcycle manufacturers that maintain a presence by faithfully preserving their marquee's past. Other manufacturers have slates of retro motorbikes, but Royal Enfield remains a player by continuing to build the same classic motorcycles they've always built.

USA


Brammo’s new Empulse electric motorcycle is impressive in a few ways. It’s an affordable vehicle, ranging between $10,000 and $14,000 in price. Every model has a top speed of 100mph, with a totally respectable amount of horsepower and torque. And the Empulse, the older brother of the Enertia, can run for up to 100 miles on a single charge–on average. Keep in on a low speed, as in city driving, and you could hit 130 miles.

Last night on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Nicolas Cage confirmed that he’s signed on to reprise his role as Johnny Blaze in the Ghost Rider sequel Spirit of Vengeance. The Crank team of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor are directing.

The new government should improve road conditions to enhance motorcyclists' safety, a new report has suggested.

ACT

SPEED is not killing motorcyclists on Canberra’s roads – bad habits by car and truck drivers are the real killers, Motorcycle Riders Association ACT said. Motorcycle Riders Association spokesman Peter Major said the focus on speeding by the ACT Government was misplaced, with inattentive drivers running motorcyclists off Canberra’s roads, causing accidents and costing motorbike riders their lives.

“There’s been this demonization of speed by the Government.” Mr Major said.

Many thanks to all that attended the Awareness ride "Riders Not Hoons" yesterday. We counted more than 130 bikes.

Television news had articles on most broadcasts.

Channel Ten

Overall the news reports were very positive last night and we were still doing radio interviews late into the night.

Some things didn't go according to plan which we'll learn from and work towards better effect in our on going campaign. Every rider understands that riding normally means taking evasive action from cars and easing congestion rather than holding your ground which non riders don't appreciate. A certain section of the media with a very clear anti-motorcycle agenda does very well at making people look foolish.

Attending the event was Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Ports Don Nardella, MLA who gave a brief speech. As a result of the event we have a meeting with Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay on Monday.

SA
Mike Rann got more than a little ticked off this week by the implication that the Police Commissioner’s decision to reduce the number of motorcycle cops was somehow his fault.

RIDERS NOT HOONS

Victorian motorcyclists are united in dismay at the confusing messages about motorcyclists being sent to the public by the authorities.

The internationally recognised Victorian “Road Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009–2013” recognises motorcycles as a legitimate form of transport. The recently launched VicRide Assisted Rides coaching program initiated by the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council (VMAC) demonstrates that we're not a problem; we're a solution that comes with problems.

The MRA(Vic) supports the rank and file members of the Victorian Police force and recognises the difficult job they perform but question the political comments by their leadership that sought to vilify an environmentally friendly and less congestive group of vulnerable road users.

VICTORIA Police is bracing for a torrid time on our roads in the months ahead as the state's toll climbs.

NSW Coffee thrown at bike paramedic Others throw food, refuse to move Told to get off footpath

PARAMEDICS trying to get to injured and sick people in crowded city streets are being abused and attacked by ignorant passers-by.

The attacks - which paramedics said were occurring on a daily basis - have even included coffee being thrown in their faces.

In the latest case of abuse, paramedics on motorbikes were confronted by hostile crowds on their way to save lives.

Tony Ellis met with VicRoads to discuss engineering issues in the VicRoads region which runs from the Yarra Ranges to the City of Casey.

NSW - MORE than 1000 lead-foot emergency service workers have been caught speeding on non-urgent business.

Health staff were the worst offenders, recording 1312 speeding offences in cars owned or leased by the Government.

An encouraging 14.1 per cent decrease over the last 12 months, with all demographics improving except for the 40-59yrs group

Australia's rolling 12-month motorcycle road toll was down by 14.1 per cent at the end of May, according to statistics released by the federal government.