A “Change” petition to relax motorcycle handlebar rules last year attracted more than 11,000 signatures, but was ignored by the Federal Government.
So now the petitioners have gone to a lawyer to draft a formal Federal Parliament petition to elicit some action.
Click here to sign the petition.
Gold Coast handlebar manufacturer Burleigh Bars Australia started the online Change.org petition to scrap the arbitrary limit of 380mm above the seat.
They claimed the rules did not consider rider comfort nor lane filtering riders hitting car mirrors.
Petition rejected
Spokesman Zane Waldon says the change.org petition was given “no merit as far the Federal Government was concerned”.
“So, after a year we have hit the next stage,” he says.
“I’m not too sure how many signatures are required; our lawyer has taken care of setting all this up.
“I believe it all depends on numbers as to whether it will go before the House of Representatives for debate.
“The petition will only be active for the next four weeks, sop hopefully we can achieve the number required in that time.”
So far, only about 1200 have signed.
Lift restrictions
Zane says they would like to see no restrictions as in 31 states of the USA and 10 provinces and territories of Canada or even a shoulder height as in 10 USA states and British Columbia.
“Shoulder height would be ideal as it is based on the rider’s height and makes far more sense to me,” Zane says.
“But we are thinking it would be easier to get them to go back to the old rule (380mm above the attachment, not the seat) than to try and make a new rule.”
He says the arbitrary handlebar height restrictions have created an excuse for police to conduct a witch-hunt to harass riders.
Click here for examples of the witch-hunt.
Federal plea
The new Federal Government petition (Number EN0950) asks the House to “consider changes to the national legislation and the ADR(57) to alleviate vexatious regulations regarding motorcycle handlebar heights”.
“It is our submission that laws should be unified as they relate to vehicles manufactured pre and post 1988; specifically that the current compliance height of 380mm be measured from the point of attachment to the vehicle rather than the uppermost surface of the riders seat,” the petition says.
“It is our belief that the reformation of these laws will lead to greater rider wellbeing, increased freedom of modification and the subsequent benefit to industry, reduced cost impost on motorcycle manufacturers and consumers without reducing safety.”
The petition seeks amendments to the Motor Vehicles Standards Act, the National Code of Practice for Vehicle Construction and “aid in the amendment of the Australian Design Rules pertaining to motorcycle construction”.
“Specifically to effect laws requiring all mopeds, motorcycles and motor trikes, regardless of manufacture date, to comply with a handlebar height of 380mm measured from the point of attachment to the vehicle, as per the current legislation pertaining to vehicles manufactured prior to June 30, 1988.”