President’s Comment

Firstly, on behalf of the Committee I would like to wish all members and the families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

This past year has seen some significant events take place in our Club. Our traditional monthly meetings have been dropped in favour of a more informal social get-together. We have undergone a name change and, on a sad note, we have had our first fatality in over 30 years.

But I think the name change has been the most significant as this single act has propelled the Club into the modern era. Now we cater for the modern rider on a modern motorcycle. But that is not to say we no longer cater for the wide variety of riders and motorcycles that we have in the past! Quite the contrary. Our Club continues the long distinguished history of catering for those riders that want a ride that challenges their abilities and ultimately improves their skills. It makes no difference what type of bike they ride.

“Motorcyclists’ death toll rises” screams the newspaper headlines after 3 riders are killed in one week.

So far this year 64 riders have died compared to 39 a year ago. In nearly 80% of the cases, police attribute “fault of the rider” as the cause. The article went on to explain that nearly 60% of the deaths involved a collision with a car and in the other 40%, the victim hit an obstacle. The RACV put their bit in by saying that “riders (in Victoria…Ed.) are 30 times more likely to be killed than a motorist and that they account for 12% of the road deaths but only represent 1% of road users”.

With articles like this it is quite likely the police/governments will target motorcyclists over the summer period. There is already talk of restricting the “rocket-ships” we currently ride. Therefore, if we are to maintain this activity we so much enjoy, vigilance and adherence to the road rules must become the norm when we are in the public gaze. The consequences of bad publicity could signal its end.

Ian Payne, President MSTCV