NEWS

NSW motorcyclists have finally been relieved of a stupid NSW Regulation.

In July 2000, the Environmental Protection Authority (now part of the Dept of Environment and Conservation) introduced a retrospective law demanding that aftermarket replacement motorcycle exhausts be specially labelled and then authorised the Police to issue fines of $200 to riders who didn't have this label.

In it's justification, the then EPA claimed this labelling requirement allowed the Police and EPA officers to readily identify less effective mufflers that may exceed the prescribed noise limits

EPA made no provision by which riders could obtain such a label. Riders referred to this law as “the sticker tax”.

However, after 6 years of protest by the Motorcycle Council of NSW, Clause 19 from the Protection of the Environment Operations Regulation has now been repealed.

The regulation was published in the Government Gazette No. 35, (11/2006) pp 1379 & 1380 on Friday 17, March 2006. It does not appear in any Parliamentary Hansard or Notices, as it seems our State government would prefer to see this change go unnoticed. download from box on right - each page around 170kb

Exhaust labels required under Clause 19 will remain on many motorcycles as a reminder to riders to remain vigilant and how, by uniting through their Motorcycle Council in NSW, they can address serious issues.

Mr. Chris Turner, Chair of the Noise Committee of the Motorcycle Council of NSW said today “Yes, the misused sticker law allowed enforcement agencies to easily identify mufflers which may or may not be illegal and give you a $200 fine in either case!”

The repeal of this law is great news for motorcycle riders from any State travelling in NSW, as all motorcycles had been subjected to this NSW law despite the uniqueness of the regulation.

The Motorcycle Council wishes to acknowledge assistance from the NSW Democrats, in an initial Motion of Disallowance and also acknowledge support granted to this Motion from members of the NSW Upper House. It reinforces the value of an independent Upper House.

Guy Stanford, Chairman of the MCC of NSW said “I'd like to thank the persistence and skill of the Noise Committee, particularly Chris Coote and Chris Turner. We still have to resolve the issue of margin for error in roadside exhaust tests and the Noise Committee is well up to the task.”

Councillor Ted Wilson, Mayor of Blayney Shire Council,was pleased to announce that the 2006 NSW Motorcycle Long Track Championship were being held this year in Blayney.
Following the public notification of the 'axing' of this event (Western Advocate February 17, 2006) representatives from Blayney Shire Council contacted the Panorama Motorcycle Club to ascertain whether the Blayney Showground site would be a suitable alternative.

Members of the Panorama Motorcycle Club have conducted a number of inspections of the site, and have participated in extensive discussions with representatives from the Council, and have determined that the Blayney Showground site would be a suitable venue to host such an event.

The Board of Motorcycling NSW last week confirmed that the 2006 NSW Long Track Championship will be held at the Blayney Showground in November.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to promote and boost the economy of our local community and businesses," said Mayor Ted Wilson.

"Council is excited to have been involved in securing such a prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming the many competitors and associated visitors to our Shire."

The current state of play for some form of front identification on motorcycles.
According to the Federal Governments National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010 Progress Report dated November 2005

Extract:-
Action to complete:Implement frontal identification systems for motorcycles.

Federal and State positions:
Australian Government: contributed funds Victorian project awaiting results prototype testing.
Victoria: Prototype plate developed.
Accelerated durability testing being undertaken.
Contract let for material selection.
Project completion scheduled for end of 2006.
Queensland:QLD Transport has contributed financially to the SCOT project on Front Identification Numberplates for Motorbikes, being undertaken by Vicroads
QLD is also examining options such as Radio Frequency Identification Devices through its motorbike research project.
Western Australia:WA is a partner in national motorcycle front identification project being led by VicRoads.
Police are currently trialling front motorcycle decal stick on) front number plate identifiers on patrol motorcycles.
Tasmania, New South Wales,South Australia and the Northern Territory: All are contributing funds and are awaiting Victoria to complete its prototype development and recommendations

They have become the hottest way get to work in a city where traffic snarls are spiralling out of control and petrol prices are on the up.

Now the City of Sydney is catching onto the craze for scooters and is looking at significantly increasing parking for them.

Under the plan, scores of new parking spots for scooters and motorbikes would be created using space near the corners of city streets, now zoned no parking or no standing.

Figures from the Federal Chambber of Automotive Industries released in February show sales of two wheeled vehicles are booming a by 14% increase between 2004 & 2005, with aboout 10 200 scooters sold making them the highest selling catagory for road bikes.

All we need now is NSW to follow in the footsteps of Victoria and allow motorbikes to park on the footpath.

MILWAUKEE - Harley-Davidson Inc. will open its first dealership in China next month, marking its entry into the burgeoning economy.

"The quality of the Beijing Harley-Davidson dealership experience will be first-class in every respect," said David Foley, the company‘s managing director in China. "Customers will get a real understanding and appreciation of the Harley-Davidson lifestyle."

The new dealership will be in Beijing‘s Fourth Ring Road, just outside the downtown area, and just within limits of motorcycle operation. Motorcycles may not be operated within the city‘s Third Ring Road, a 30-mile highway that encircles the center of the city.

The dealership will sell several makes of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts, accessories, merchandise and collectibles. Sales and service will be offered, as will rider training and events including organized rides.

Harley-Davidson said it planned to develop the market for heavyweight motorcycles and work on addressing riding restrictions.