Riders are planning a motorcycle rally in November to protest the reduced speed limits proposed for one of our nation’s best-loved motorcycle roads, the Oxley Highway.
The Save the Oxley Ride to the popular motorcycle cafe, Gingers Creek Roadhouse, will be held on November 5, 2016. It has been organised by local rider Ken Healey and is being run under the banner of the Motorcycle Council of NSW.
Ken organised a petition against the reduced speed limits. It has so far attracted almost 6000- online signatures and about 1000 more on paper.
SIGN THE PETITION
The petition, together with public meetings between local business people, politicians and Roads and Maritime Services, have won a reprieve.
Speed zones reduced on September 19 near Long Flat will remain, for the moment.
But planned reduced speed zones on the mountain and to Walcha have only won a “stay of execution” until Christmas. Meanwhile, the RMS will investigate the impact of the zone changes.
Ken says the fight is not yet over. He says there is a need for a strong display of support by riders and locals at the Save the Oxley Ride.
Ken rides the OxleyHe suspects a good turnout even though the rally clashes with the popular Snowy Mountain Ride on the same weekend.
“Because the petition has reached nearly 6000, if we got 1/6th then we’d have about 1000,” he says.
“We are aware of the Snowy Ride. However we think that that ride would attract riders from mainly down south, who probably wouldn’t come to this ride as they are too far away.”
There is a 10 acre paddock down the back for bike parking. Riders are advise to bring a piece of wood to put under the stand.
There will be two meeting points:
- At Andrews Park on Cameron Street in Wauchope, assembling at 9am in the carpark for a 10am departure.
- Beside the Walcha Oval in Pakington St Walcha, behind the Royal Café, assembling at 9am for a 10am departure.
Both groups are expected to arrive at Gingers Creek Roadhouse by 11.30am for the rally meeting.
Planned speakers are Ken Healey, MCC of NSW chairman Christopher Burns, Walcha Royal Café owner Toni Heaney, Mt Seaview Resort owner Ralph Clissold and at least one local politician.
Brad Keable and Toni Heaney of the Royal Cafe, Walcha“We hope to present the petition to Melinda Pavey our local MP or Kevin Anderson the local MP for Walcha and that the RMS will listen to the people,” Ken says.
“I think we have a good chance that they will leave the 100km/h speed zone on the mountain alone and not lower it to 70km/h.”
Reduced speed zones so far implemented
- Reduced from 60km/h to 50km/h on a 2.5 kilometre section of the highway, west of Beechwood Road to the Wauchope cemetery;
- Reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h on a three kilometre section of the highway, west of Bagnoo Road to Long Flat village;
- Reduced from 60km/h to 50km/h through Long Flat village.
Suspended speed zones changes
John Oxley Drive and Wrights Road: Increase from 90km/h to 100km/h following the completion of road upgrade work expected late this year.
Motorcycle nirvanaLong Flat to Walcha: Mountain section – reduce from 100km/h to 70km/h for 27km; Next 4km reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h; 8.3km section 75km east of Walcha reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h.
Walcha: Reduced from 110km/h to 100km/h for 2km starting east of Hartford Road to west of Hartford Road.
Gunnedah: Reduced from 80km/h to 50km/h for about 700m west of Alford Street.