Queensland Police are still developing a system to register group rides of 12 or more so innocent riders can avoid unnecessary police intervention and mistaken identity as bikies.
This follows a meeting last week between motorcycle representative groups and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, Police Minister Jack Dempsey and members of Taskforce Maxima.
A police spokesman says the meeting was convened to explain the Queensland Government’s new Vicious Lawless associations Disestablishment (VLAD) legislation and respond to questions from legitimate motorcycle clubs and groups.
“During the meeting a process to enable legitimate motorcycle clubs and groups the opportunity to register their rides was raised,” a police spokesman has told MotorbikeWriter today. Read the stories here and here.
“The vast majority of representatives supported the merits of this initiative.”
This is still disputed as one motorcycle representative has said no one raised any objections in the meeting. However after the meeting Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland president Chris Mearns described it as “insane” and Australian Motorcycle Council representative Eva Cripps said it was “unacceptable”.
The police spokesman said they are “in the early stages of developing the concept” of a phone-in hotline and online register.
“The intention of the voluntary registration process is to communicate legitimate rides to QPS members to ensure minimum inconvenience to all stakeholders, the spokesman says.
“Clearly, the registration process could not be effective unless parameters are applied and understood. In this regard the QPS believes the registration process would best be suited for rides likely to meet or exceed 12 riders.”
While a web-based process is being developed motorcycling clubs and groups have been advised that they can provide advice of their planned rides by contacting 131444, faxing details to (07) 3055 6305 or emailing policelink@police.qld.gov.au.
Interstate riders or people on mobile phones can contact (07) 3055 6200 and international riders can contact +617 3055 6200.
The information sought from Clubs and Groups is:
Name of Club/Group:
Date of Ride:
Expected no riders:
Ride occasion:
Start Location:
Time ride commences:
Finish Location:
Proposed finish time:
Planned route:
Planned stops and proposed time/s:
Ride organiser/Road captain:
Name:
Contact mobile no:
Club/Group position:
Secondary contact:
Name:
Contact mobile no:
Club/Group position:
The police also provided details of Crime Stoppers for any anonymous information on criminal activity. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day. For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444.