Australia’s first Motorcycle Friendly Region will be launched in Avon Valley, Western Australia, in April as the concept starts to gather pace around the country.
The first Motorcycle Friendly Town was Bicheno in Tasmania, followed by Texas, SEQ, and last December Wauchope on the Oxley Highway joined the welcoming trend.
Crows Nest in Queensland declares itself motorcycle friendly on March 5 with an official launch and nearby South Burnett Regional Council, which includes the Bunya Mountains, is planning to become the first Motorcycle Friendly Shire.
Avon Valley Motorcycle Friendly Region
Meanwhile, Motorcycle Riders Association of WA president David Wright says they have have been working with a group in the Avon Valley, northwest of Perth, for a couple of years to establish a Motorcycle Friendly Region.
“With some hard work from the Avon Valley Local councils, we’ve have come up with the Avon Valley Motorcycle Friendly Region,” he says.
The official launch will be held at the annual York Motorcycle Festival on April 23, 2017.
York Motorcycle Festival“The seven councils involved in this great initiative are the Shires of York, Toodyay, Northam, Chittering, Beverley, Goomalling and Victoria Plains,” David says.
“They have produced a pocket-sized map of all the great motorcycle routes in the region along with a list of motorcycle friendly businesses, cafes, hotels etc.
“There is also a rider safety element with rider safety tips on display boards and visor cleaning stations at the local businesses along with road maintenance upgrade to all motorcycle routes in the region,” David says.
The launch will include the unveiling of motorcycle friendly signs, noticeboards and brochures. The region also has a website that lists more than 100 local motorcycle-friendly cafes, restaurants, accommodation and attractions.
There are also rider-only discounts available through their Facebook page.
This is a great effort, thanks to the work and financial support of Avon Tourism, the Motorcycle Riders Association of WA and a $16,180 allocation from the Wheatbelt Development Commission’s 2016, Royalties for Regions supported and local councils.
WA Motorcycle Safety Week
The launch coincides with the annual WA Motorcycle Safety Week from April 23 – 29.
“This year we will be holding a professional rider demonstration highlighting the skills of counter steering and emergency braking with the opportunity to test your skills,” David says.
“We are also hosting a basic motorcycle first-aid course concentrating on helmet removal and blood loss control run by professional paramedics.”
The annual Ride Your Motorbike To Work Day will be on Wednesday April 26 and the week concludes with a free motorcycle skills course on April 29.
“This involves classroom instruction on hazard perception, reading the road, reading other road users, counter steering, emergency braking and defensive riding,” David says.
“There will be professional training on a closed carpark to practise counter steering and emergency braking and general riding skills.
“We will also include a basic motorcycle first aid course concentrating on helmet removal and blood loss control run by professional paramedics as part of the days seven-hour course.”
The activities are supported by from the WA Road Safety Commission.