5 August 2011

Dear Canberrans, Ride A Motorcycle!

| ArrEmm
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monster motorbike

The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that this city was built for motorbikes.

I’m pretty sure Walter and dearest wife Marion had just finished a winding ride through the country when they sat down to draw the plans for our fair city.

“Marion, darling, you know what?

“What is it, sweet heart?”

“I do so love the gyroscopic stabilisation that counters the gravitational force multiplied by the relevant torque of the radius when counter steering in and out of a perfect semi ellipse*.”

“What was that, cherry pie?”

“I said roundabouts kick arse, and I shall design a city where motorcycles reign supreme! …Marion darling, draw me some circles!”

And so it was, the nation’s capital was built with two wheels in mind.

Beautifully gliding roundabouts pouring into long straight, clean roads which give rise to the speeds required to feel the fresh wind mixing with the generous sun, while the sound of a purring and dutiful engine filters through a pillow that surrounds your entire head – transport as snug as the womb.

The Griffins were also kind enough to make sure that our motorbike paths (otherwise known as roads) were surrounded by beautiful bush land and postcard-esque lakes. What a thoughtful couple!

Free parking, cheep rego, $10 a week for fuel, low maintenance, and endless amounts of pleasure – buy a motorbike.

Yes, winter can get cold, but a few extra layers and not a chill can be felt.

Yes, road accidents involving motorcyclists rarely favour the rider, but remembering that all cars are deaf and blind goes a long way to keeping you alive (and you’re going to die anyway).

The Stay Upright course offer beginner classes for those who have never ridden before. The class walks you through the process of how to approach the bike, how to start it, which lever does what, etc, and at the end of the class you get your L license, allowing you to ride on the roads.

Do it. Cars are fat and smelly and take all the fun out of movement.

*I’m not a physicist

[Photo Courtesy BoredBored]

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@KaptnKaos:

I agree it would be handy for drivers to also get some training in motorcycles even if they never want to ride one. They may understand a little better why riders behave in a certain way in a given situation. Riders will open the throttle to zip past you if they feel vulnerable surrounded by traffic as an example.

Ignorance of motorcycle users is a national disease. I pinched this off a post on Canberra Riders sourced from the 2011 motor vehicle census:

“In the 5 years between the 2006 and 2011 MVC, the Passenger vehicle fleet has grown by 11.9% from 11.2 million to 12.5 million. Light rigid trucks and Motor cycles were the vehicle types showing the largest growth over this time, with increases of 26.2% and 48.5% respectively.”

The 2011 Census has been slammed for ignoring motorcycles.

One question asks households how many cars or vans they have but makes no mention of bikes.

It says: ‘In total, how many cars or vans are owned, or available for use, by members of this household?’

A Census spokesman said: “After thorough consultation with users, namely the Department for Transport, including motorcycles wasn’t required as they don’t contribute significantly to traffic or parking congestion. Expansion of the question would also have hindered comparability with the 2001 Census which is an important consideration when finalising questions.”

Pffft, nearly 50% increase in users apparently means nothing.

shadow boxer said :

Roads and Traffic closed down the Segways down by the lake.

Did they really? I haven’t seen this publicised anywhere (except here)

Always thought that the ACT should intorduce a mandatory period of motorcycle riding while on L’s, or even to do the basic motocycle riding course, then drivers would learn to look, indicate and connect the brain when driving.

MarkN said :

Do agree, exept the vision is lost on our current governement where pot holes and second rate road repairs make the ride an obsticle course. Love the free parking though.

Yep, the ACT’s roads used to be great, now they just barely scrape the average mark. Thanks actgovco.

I would definitely ride a motorbike if it looked like that!

shadow boxer1:41 pm 07 Aug 11

The motorcycle comunity needs to be vigilant, there is now a huge road safety “industry” of highly paid consultants trying to justify their exisatence.

Once they get the speed limits settled at ridculous figures like 40kmh they will be looking for other targets. If motorbikes were invented today they would never be approved and would be shut down faster than Roads and Traffic closed down the Segways down by the lake.

GottaLoveCanberra11:36 am 07 Aug 11

“Do it. Cars are fat and smelly and take all the fun out of movement.”

You’re driving the wrong type of car. 😉

shadow boxer said :

The single biggest thing we could do to massively cut the road toll would be to ban them outright…

No I dont like motorbikes, they have killed too many of my friends.

Other sweeping statements could be, “…..if we ban cars altogether then we could reduce the motorcycle toll significantly and the road toll overall” or “…..if we forced everyone out of cars on to motorbikes we could significantly improve the environment” or “….if we ban alcohol and tobacco we could reduce the toll from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption”.

Motorbikes don’t kill people. Sadly, motorcycle riders accidentally kill themselves or other drivers accidentally kill them. Also, it would be interesting to see the road toll stats if these reflected the power and size of the motorbike ridden.

Eppo said :

shadow boxer said :

The single biggest thing we could do to massively cut the road toll would be to ban them outright…

Then all we’d have to do is ban cars and we’d have no road toll at all!

You’d have to ban fences too

shadow boxer said :

The single biggest thing we could do to massively cut the road toll would be to ban them outright…

Then all we’d have to do is ban cars and we’d have no road toll at all!

shadow boxer8:00 pm 06 Aug 11

The single biggest thing we could do to massively cut the road toll would be to ban them outright…

No I dont like motorbikes, they have killed too many of my friends.

Mysteryman said :

Canberra is great for motorbikes. Canberra motorists are not.

+1000

Maybe if we start riding these they’ll take notice!!

A motorcyle would be the death of me! I’ll stick to either riding a pushbike, going on public transport, walking or occasionally driving a car for longer distances.

Canberra is great for motorbikes. Canberra motorists are not.

OpenYourMind9:59 am 06 Aug 11

I think it’s a Canberra motorcyclists urban myth, and I’ve not noticed it on bikes I’ve owned, but some swear that in Canberra, because of all the roundabouts, motorcycles wear the right hand side of their tyres more than the left!

I agree too. Although perhaps, being childless, the Griffin’s wouldn’t have had a need for a car. Then again, drives on circular roads are great for putting babies to sleep….

I’m torn between letting everyone else in on the fun and keeping the masses out of my free parking.

If everyone else figures out that they can rock up to the ANU at any time of day and not have to look for parking or pay for it, then my chances of being able to do that are severely reduced.

Sweet photo. That man deserves a whole cheer squad riding pillion.

Do agree, exept the vision is lost on our current governement where pot holes and second rate road repairs make the ride an obsticle course.
Love the free parking though.

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