Rider awareness campaign spreads

The success of the Joe Rider motorcycle awareness campaign initiated by the Motorcycle Riders Association of the ACT is now spreading throughout NSW.

Riders wearing “Joe” one their vests to alert drivers to the presence of riders on the road is once again a major part of the ninth annual Motorcycle Awareness Week held by the MRA ACT from October 15-22.

MRA ACT president Jen Woods says Canberrans have gradually become aware over the past nine years of the Joe Rider awareness campaign.

She says their aim during Motorcycle Awareness Week is to “boost awareness of motorcycling by other road users so they drive accordingly”.

The Joe Rider campaign asks other road users who see Joe to email joe.rider@internode.on.net with the location and have their name go in the helmet for a chance to win a prize.

The campaign was under the spotlight when ACT Government ran their inaugural Road Safety Forum last September and invited, among others, Road Safety Officers from NSW.

“One of the things the RSOs were interested in was the Joe Rider campaign;  it’s a cost-effective way of making motorcycle and scooter riders more visible on the roads, spreading the road safety message,” Jen says.

“News of Joe Rider has spread and this year, for the first time, Road Safety Officers in the Councils surrounding the ACT have been provided funding to run this rider awareness campaign in October,” Jen says.

As part of the awareness week, MRA ACT will also again conduct the Pink Ribbon Ride, raising funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Other events include:

• Presentation by Dr Liz de Rome and Dr Chris Hurran, the researchers who appeared in the ABC’s Catalyst Program about motorcycle clothing on Wednesday evening, October 19, at the Spanish Australian Club of Canberra in Narrabundah;
• Bikers Breakfast on Friday October 21 on the East Lawns on King Edward Tce ; and
• Ride-to-Work Day, Friday October 21.

The ACT event is being officially launched at a First Aid For Motorcycles  Motorcycle Accident Management training day on October 15 at the Harmonie German Club from 10.45am

FAFM founders Tracy Hughes and Roger Fance will donate three spots at the course along with a specially designed tail pack first-aid kit.

“Rog and I believe the Joe Rider Awareness Campaign is such a smart way to engage road users and built awareness around riders,” says Tracy. “We want to help promote the brilliant work the MRA ACT do and hope other states adopt the Joe Rider concept.”

FAFM course dates for the ACT/NSW

NSW – 2016

• 24th Sep – SYDNEY/Ryde x 2 – Royal Rehab Centre – 8:30am-12:30pm  & 1:30pm-5:30pm  (Supporting NSW Motorcycle Awareness Month)
• 1st Oct – SYDNEY/Sutherland – Club On East – 11:00am-3:30pm  (Supporting NSW Motorcycle Awareness Month)
• 8th Oct – BLUE MOUNTAINS/Springwood – Springwood Sports Club – 10:45am-3:30pm  (Supporting NSW Motorcycle Awareness Month)
• 22nd Oct – NARRANDERA/Leeton – Leeton Library – 10:45am-3:30pm (Subsidised by NSW Roads & Maritime Services)
• 26th Nov – ALBURY – Albury LibraryMuseum – 10:30am-3:30pm  (Subsidised by NSW Roads & Maritime Services)
• 10th Dec – SYDNEY/Ryde – Royal Rehab Centre – 10:45am-3:30pm
• 11th Dec – SYDNEY/Sutherland – Club On East – 1:30pm-5:30pm

ACT – 2016 – BOOK NOW

• 15th Oct – ACT/Canberra – Harmonie German Club – 10:45am-3:30pm  (Launch – ACT Motorcycle Awareness Week)
• 16th Oct – ACT/Canberra – Harmonie German Club – 10:45am-3:30pm  (Supporting ACT Motorcycle Awareness Week)
• 3rd Dec – ACT/Canberra – Harmonie German Club – 10:45am-3:30pm