Anti Motorcycles Laws Down Under |
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File under Opinion
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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At times I think we are having the toughest time here in France with more and more anti-motorcycle laws being passed. But then you receive an email from Australia, stating that they have passed a new law in the province of Queensland, Australia, that will force all aspiring motorcycle riders to have passed their car permit first, then drive a car for one year, before being allowed to get a motorcycle license !! This starting the 1st of July.
Is the gravity down under so different that it makes politicians' blood circulate differently in their brains ?? Are they thinking ?? I guess not ! It has never been proven anywhere in the world, that a car driver makes a better motorcycle rider. In fact, study after study, has shown that a biker is a better car driver. They anticipate better, they judge traffic conditions better and they're better looking....(well, that's my opinion).
In France, when they opened up the possibility for car drivers with 2 years of car driving experience to ride away on a 125 cc motorcycle (that law has now been cancelled, and you need 3 hours of motorcycle training - not a full motorcycle training, but a better understanding of the principles of motorcycles), the number of motorcycle accidents was reduced. Why ? Because many cagers now had a better understanding of traffic and fragile users of the road.
According to AXA, one of worlds largest insurance companies, motorcycle riders are less likely to have an accident. AXA has determined that 10% of all car drivers have an accident within a year, while only 3.3% of motorcycle riders have one during the same time period! And this from one biggest motorcycle insurance company in the world.
According to the ACEM, car drivers holding motorcycle licences were less likely to commit a perception failure than those without a motorcycle licence. This is a direct quote from their MAIDS report.
So why inverse things in Australia ? Why not just come out with a law that says "Biker not allowed". At least you'll be honest, and everyone knows where they stand !
What can you do. If you live outside Queensland, not much. But bike riders and bike industry people in Queensland should be contacting their Members of Parliament now. Queenslanders can get the contact for their MP at www.parliament.qld.gov.au .
(Thanks Damien)
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