Have you copped tyre punctures while filtering through traffic? You’re not alone, according to Queensland Motorcycle Breakdown Service.
They have had a spike (‘scuse then pun) in tyre punctures since the lane filtering rule was introduced last year, including nine in one week and 24 last month.
Director Peter Roussos says it comes mainly from riders using the emergency breakdown lane or shoulder on highways such as the M1.
He says they are littered with detritus from traffic, including screws, bolts and nails dropped off tradies’ utes.
“We are urging riders to lane filter in the middle or use the emergency shoulder on the right hand side rather than left as it has generally less rubble for some reason,” he says.
Be aware that in certain jurisdictions it is not permitted to use the emergency lanes and in Queensland is prohibited when electronic speed signs drop below 90km/h.
Peter says one of the lethal culprits of the punctures are steel twists used to secure orange mesh barriers at roadworks sites.
“When they are cutting them down, they fall on to the road,” he says.
“We’ve had at least four that have had them.”
He says they not only puncture the tyre, but because they are long they pierce the tyre twice going in and out of the casing.
“If you get two punctures within a certain distance in the tyre it weakens it and legally it has to be replaced, not mended,” he says.
Three of the punctures from steel twists have destroyed the bike’s tyre, he says.
The rubbish on the sides of the roads is another good reason motorcycles should also be allowed to use bus lanes as in NSW and ACT and many cities overseas.
Breakdown service
QMBS launched on the Gold Coast in February and already has 500 members paying between $80 and $250 a year for their emergency breakdown and towing service.
“It’s like an RACQ breakdown service, but for motorcycles only,” he says.
“We are properly outfitted and Queensland Transport approved.
A couple of interesting services they provide on their platinum $250/year coverage are replacement key and lost/stolen helmet services.
If you lose your key while out on a ride, QMBS picks up a spare that you have arranged with them to keep at home or a neighbour’s house. They deliver the key to you so you can continue your ride.
Similarly, if you lose your helmet or it is stolen while out riding, they will deliver a loan helmet.
If you don’t use the platinum service within a year, you get $130 back in vouchers or next year’s membership.
Contact
Queensland Motorcycle Breakdown Service is available on the web or via phone: 1300 777627.