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COVID Forces Changes to NSW Motorcycle Awareness Month

motorcycle safety

The pandemic limitations have forced the Motorcycle Council of NSW to change how it runs the annual Motorcycle Awareness Month (MAM) in October 2020.

MCC of NSW chairman Trip Henry says the awareness month will “look different this year”.

“Usually filled with fun events and mass rides through urban and country towns, we have had to look at different avenues to get our message across,” he says.

For over ten years, MCC of NSW have used this month to celebrate motorcycling and promote awareness for drivers to look out for motorcycles.

This year they have created a new video as well as radio and Spotify advertising to spread their safety message of #lookoutformotorcycles.

‘Can you see the motorcycle?’ video

To kick off the month, MCC of NSW have developed a video demonstrating to drivers how difficult it is to see motorcycles on the road. With a small and narrow profile, they can easily be missed by drivers.

The video features, Greg Piper, Member of Parliament for Port Macquarie, avid motorcyclist and Patron of MCC of NSW.

“The video is amazing to watch, even our seasoned motorcyclists are surprised how hard we are to see on the road,” Trip says.
“We will be promoting the video across our Facebook page of over 8000 followers, local and national media, and through Spotify music and podcast advertising.”

Younger drivers targeted with Spotify advertising

For the first time, they will also advertise on Spotify through their music and podcasts, particularly to younger drivers, to look twice for motorcycles.

“Every driver, young and old will get the message to look out for motorcyclists will help save lives,” Trip says.

“The majority of multi-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle, are due to the action of the other driver, usually failing to see or give way to the rider.”

Look out for Joe Rider radio campaign

On the success of last year’s Joe Rider competition, a Triple M radio advertising campaign will be running again from 12th – 16th October 2020.

The Joe Rider competition will ask drivers to look out for ‘Joe’ motorcycle riders in a hi-vis vest, through the streets of Sydney.

The ads will be played during the morning and peak hours.

The competition, with daily prizes and a major prize sponsored by Shannons Insurance, is designed to remind drivers to look out for motorcyclists.

Trips to the Snowy Valley and Cootamundra region

The COVID restrictions have seen more motorcyclists taking trips to regional areas. The Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council will be promoting motorcycle safety on high-speed country roads.

Safety messages will be communicated through local activities including distribution of placemats for hospitality venues, weekly social media posts, ‘Live to Ride’ banners displayed at major intersections, and a motorcycle survey.