A rider has died after a crash involving a car in Rothwell, Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, overnight and Queensland Police investigators are seeking eye witnesses.
Forensic Crash Unit say that around 8.20pm a Honda motorcycle collided with a Toyota Corolla sedan at the intersection of Coman Street and Deception Bay Road.
The 23-year-old rider was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
He was sadly pronounced dead shortly after midnight as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
The car’s driver, a 25-year-old woman, was not physically injured.
Investigators would like to speak with any members of the public who may have witnessed the crash or has dash-cam footage of the incident to contact police.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
A recent crash that injured a NSW police motorcyclist happened despite a new rule requiring motorists to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicles.
The incident occurred at Warrell Creek near Nambucca Heads, NSW, last Sunday when the officer pulled over a car and was hit by another car.
Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman Steve Pearce says it’s “just a matter of time until a serious incident occurs as a result of this rule”.
“The fact is our motorways were never constructed with emergency management considered adequately,” he says.
“Asking drivers to reduce speed from 110km/h to 40km/h without adequate warning is just a recipe for a disaster.
“In my view, the NSW Government have opened themselves to a possible damages action. A driver/rider should expect to be given adequate warning to reduce speed from 110km to 40km. The legislation as it stands does not allow for any adequate or reasonable warning structure whatsoever.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey says the new rule which matches rules in Victoria and Western Australia is under a 12-month review and she is awaiting a police report on the incident. South Australia has a similar rule but a 25km/h speed.
The RACV says it could be difficult for motorists to see flashing emergency vehicles’ lights over a hill and have enough time to slow down to 40km/h.
The Queensland Government has rejected Police Union calls for a similar road rule.
The major concern is that vulnerable motorcyclists, such as the NSW police officer, are at risk.
In fact, the person the rule was meant to protect appears to be a victim in this incident.
NSW Police say the 48-year-old officer has undergone surgery for fractures to his right leg.
A 70-year-old woman from Queensland, the driver of the Mazda2, has been interviewed by police and released pending further investigation, spokesperson says.
“The matter is currently being investigated by the Crash Investigation Unit and it is too early to speculate on the associated factors,” she says.
Tips on emergency rule
If riders see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle, there are several things they can do to avoid a rear-ender.
Look at traffic behind you to assess the danger;
Indicate and change lanes away from the emergency vehicle, if there is a vacant lane to move into;
If not, switch on the hazard lights;
Brake as smoothly as possible, perhaps activating the brake light on and off to attract the attention of following traffic; and
Search for an escape route, possibly between lanes or on the road edge.
Confusing rule
The rule is confusing for motorists travelling interstate during holidays because of the disparities in the rule and the fact that some states do not have the rule at all.
Emergency vehicles are defined as police cars, fire engines and ambulances displaying red and blue flashing lights and/or sounding their siren.
In Victoria it includes all “escort vehicles”. In SA SES vehicles are included and in WA it extends to all emergency vehicles, including tow trucks, RAC roadside assistance patrol vehicles, and Main Roads Incident Response Vehicles removing road debris and broken-down vehicles.
The rule does not apply if the emergency vehicle is on the other side of the road where there is a median strip.
Fines also vary
In South Australia, you can cop a maximum fine up to $1007 and some motorists have been disqualified for six months.
Victoria’s fine is $272.05, but there is a maximum court penalty of $777.30 if you unsuccessfully challenge the fine.
Highway road shoulders look inviting for motorcyclists when the traffic is heavy, but is it legal and are they a safety trap for riders?
Some say it is actually safer than filtering between lanes of traffic as there are fewer instances of drivers suddenly pulling on to the road shudders compared with drivers swapping lanes.
Queensland is the only state in Australia that allows riders to use the road shoulder, but only in certain conditions:
the speed limit is 90km/h or more;
your speed is 30km/h or less;
you give way to bicycle riders or other motorcycle riders already using the shoulder;
you are not riding on any unsealed parts of the road;
there are no roadworks;
you are not in a tunnel; and
it is safe to do so.
It used to be illegal if the variable electronic speed signal dropped below 90km/h but that has now been amended, thanks to representations by the Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland.
Safe to do so
The final conditions “when safe to do so” seems to put the onus on the rider to judge the prevailing conditions.
However, it also allows police leeway to pass judgement on your riding and issue a fine of $341 and three demerit points.
Some riders in other states have called for lane filtering rules to include road shoulders.
However, we have not found a politician or road department interested in amending the rules.
American shoulders
In the USA, California is the only state that allows lane filtering or lane splitting, but it is not clear if riders can use the road shoulder.
Lane filtering or lane splitting in California
Around San Francisco, they are considering allowing buses and car poolers to use the shoulder when traffic is heavy, so it may not be a safe place for riders.
Hawaii this year allows riders to use the road shoulder so long as they did not travel faster than 10mph and traffic was stopped. They must leave the shoulder when traffic begins moving again.
Although the law went into effect from January 1 2019, no road shoulder has yet been officially designated for use by motorcyclists.
Do you believe riders are safer on road shoulders than between lanes? Leave your comments below.
Honda has led the January sales rush for the past three years and there is good reason to believe they will get the sales rush going again.
January is a big motorcycle sales month as manufacturers/importers offer discounts to get rid of stock they didn’t sell at Christmas time.
They are also keen to clear last-yearmodes to make way for this year’s models.
Sales rush
Sales figures for 2018 are due out in the next few days and Honda is tipped to once again be number one.
But that won’t stop them offering discounts to keep stock moving. That’s probably why they’re number one!
Other manufacturers are bound to quickly follow suit.
It’s great news if you want to buy a new bike, but not so great if you just bought one and then find you could have saved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars by waiting for January.
Other big sales months in the year seem to be June with end-of-financial-year sales and July when manufacturers and distributors want to get the new financial year off to a good start.
Discounts and bonuses
Most manufacturers don’t offer direct discounts as it looks like they are devaluing their products.
Instead, they may offer free on-road costs which can save you up to $1500 depending on the bike.
Other offers can include free first service, accessories or merchandise.
Honda offers what they call “Honda Dollars” which means you can choose to spend that money on Honda products in the store where you buy the bike or take it as a cash back offer on the price of the bike.
Tough European emissions laws threatened to axe several much-loved models last year, but it seems many have had a stay of execution.
The Euro 4 rules introduced in 2016 were almost 50% tougher to pass.
For example, Euro 3 required a motorcycle to pass an emissions test when new, or after 1000km. Under Euro 4 they have to still be compliant after 20,000km or 35,000km depending on the size of the machine.
Because the requirement was so tough, the European Commission (EC) allowed a couple of years for compliance.
That ended on December 31 2018 and many models are now no longer able to be sold in Europe and several other countries that follow the same stringent rules, such as Japan.
The axe has now fallen on most supersport models, many air-cooled bikes, single-cylinder adventurers and most Japanese cruisers.
Axe reprieve
However, manufacturers are still making some of the models that looked like failing the tougher tests, strictly for markets where the Euro 4 rules do not yet apply. They include Australia, the USA and South Africa.
Suzuki Hayabusa gets a stay of execution
That is a big enough market to make it economically viable to continue production of bikes that continue to sell well, such as the Suzuki Hayabusa.
The hyperbike will eventually be replaced by an updated Hayabusa, but in the meantime, the factory will continue to make the bike for non-Euro 4 markets.
When it does return to worldwide production, the Hayabusa may not even be Euro 4 compliant.
It may be Euro 5 compliant as that standard is coming in 2020 for new models and 2021 for existing models.
But once again there may be a reprieve from the axe. That’s not because it’s too tough, but simply because the EC has not yet agreed on the exact standards and testing methods.
Emissions reduced
Since 1999, the motorcycle industry has gone from Euro 0 to Euro 4 and reduced emissions by 91%.
Despite those reductions, most motorcycles are now more powerful and economical than they were at the end of the last millennium.
And even though sceptics said the technology would make motorcycles more expensive, they are no more expensive in real terms.
Euro 5 will lead to new motorcycles that will have a range of solutions to the emissions problem.
That will include, but won’t be limited to, leaner burn, liquid cooling, forced induction, hybrid technology and, of course, electric power.
(Sponsored gear heads post for our North American readers)
If you’d rather ride on two wheels than step inside a car, then you should check out these must have motorcycle accessories.
In 2017, the number of registered on-road motorcycles in the United States totaled 8.4 million. That’s a 100% increase from the 4.2 million registered units back in 2002!
Granted, not all share the love for these two-wheelers. But they’re still pretty popular, with dealers having sold 470,000 new bikes in 2017.
Let’s not forget about motorcycle gear that makes these bikes even more worth riding. On a global scale, this market made a whopping $2.87 billion in 2017.
Which now brings us to the main topic of this post: The must have motorcycle accessories. There are a lot of bike tools, gears, and techies for motorheads out there, which can be pretty confusing.
Don’t worry though, as we’ve rounded them up for you so you don’t have to. Check out this list of the motorcycle essentials you can’t do without!
1. A Bluetooth, Aerodynamic Helmet
What better way to start this list than with every rider’s primary protection?
Only three states — Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire — don’t require a motorcycle helmet. The rest, plus D.C., are serious when it comes to their helmet laws. But even if you live in IL, IO, or NH, you should never go for a ride without a helmet.
Aside from helping keep your gray matter stay where it should, it also wards off bugs and other critters. Today’s helmets are no doubt smarter, even letting you connect Bluetooth devices! Plus, the right look and fit will make you look more badass than if you don’t wear one.
You’d want to invest in a helmet with an aerodynamic design though. This lets you ride with that needle on the right side, but with as little noise as possible.
One last thing: Go for a lightweight, yet sturdy and DoT-approved helmet. Be prepared, as you may have to spend a bit more for the best motorcycle protective gear. But it’ll be worth it, especially if you plan on riding for speed.
2. An Armored Leather Jacket
Only a few things scream kickass louder than a thick, and solid motorcycle jacket. But it’s more than a cool-looking piece of motorcycle riding gear. It also protects your precious skin, taking the brunt of skids and drags in case of an accident.
Look for armored features on the elbows and shoulders, which often sustain injuries. Also, consider the weather in your area — if it rains a lot, you’d want weatherproofing features. Airflow, thermal body warmers, and waterproof materials are what you’d want.
3. Palm Sliders
The body’s instinct is to put the hands out during slips, trips, and falls. In fact, if you think about it, it’s the hands that you use to shield your body from, well, almost anything, right?
To put things in perspective, consider this:
More than one million U.S. workers visit ERs due to hand injuries every year. 70% of them got these injuries because they weren’t wearing gloves.
In Australia, 93% of surveyed organizations reported experiencing hand injuries too. That makes them among the most common injuries in Oz workplaces.
So, imagine how much damage the hands can get when one gets catapulted from their bike. The hands will try to lessen the impact on the body, which may lead to the wrists snapping. The friction put against the palms by the asphalt is a scary enough thought.
A little too visual? Well, that’s the truth, and all beginner riders should be aware of that.
That’s why you’d want to slide your hands into palm sliders too, whenever you go out for a bike ride. With these, plus your helmet and jacket, you’re (almost) done protecting your upper body.
Low-friction, yet quality plastic gloves are good enough to protect your palms. For something longer-lasting (and better-looking), invest in leather sliders.
Better gloves out there have adequate cushioning and armor for the entire hands. With these, you’ll have better protection for your knuckles and wrists too.
Completing the list of upper body must have bike gear is a pair of high-quality earplugs. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t make it hard to stay focused and connected to the road.
The only thing they cut riders off from is the noise of the high-pitched wind. This then protects the sensitive inner workings of the ear. That actually makes you feel more relaxed and less tired after a long ride!
5. Riding Pants
You’ll rip those jeans sliding on pavement faster than you can say 0 to 60. Even if you think they’re the thickest, most durable pair you have, they’re not built for safe riding. What you want is road armor, and luckily, there are now jeans out there with Kevlar lining.
Their prices are a bit on the hefty side though, so your other option is Cordura textile. The best ones out there offer good abrasion resistance without being too bulky.
6. Tough Boots
Apart from your hands, your feet and legs are at most risk of damage in an accident. So, keep those encased in sturdy, protective riding boots! Don’t worry about losing style, since the best riding footwear out there still looks amazing.
Features like reinforced toe tips, soles, and padding protect the small bones on your feet. They have enough cushioning to make them comfortable and breathable. Although typical work boots have protective toe boxes, they lack feet protection features.
7. Tool Kit
Get a complete roadside toolkit with wrenches, Allen sockets, screwdrivers, and pliers. Get a few cable ties too, a multi-purpose tool, and microfiber towels for cleanup.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to take your ride out for long road trips, you’d want extra fuel storage. If you’ve got the budget, go for a self bunded fuel tank. This’ll help you reach point A to B with as few stops and top-ups as possible.
Start Shopping for these Must Have Motorcycle Accessories Now
This list of must have motorcycle accessories is far from being extensive. But they’re the best motorcycle gear you need, not to mention the most important. So, before you start shelling out money on bells and whistles, start with these seven first.
Want more two-wheeler riding/safety tips and travel advice? Then make sure you head over to our Tips and Training section! We’ve got more nuggets of wisdom to share with you there.
The Indian FTR 1200 is the motorcycle that most excited our readers in 2018 and tops our poll of the 2019 models you and we would most like to ride this year.
Throughout the year we have unveiled the many new models that are expected to be released in 2019.
There is a host of new models from just about every manufacturer.
But the model that continually rated the highest in our readership figures was the Indian FTR 1200.
It arrives here this year in several models starting at under $20,000.
Some of the reader interest in the bike was negative after the production model revealed a less aggressive pipe than the prototype.
The wonders of the Granite Belt in southern Queensland attracted Gold Coast rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes. He organised a two-day trip with the help of Monique Krause, marketing coordinator of Granite Belt Wine Country. Click here for the first part of his trip.
Day two of my new frontier exploration of the Granite Belt region led me to more wonders.
The Jamworks Gourmet Cafe and Larder was the place to go for breakfast where they make all their jams on site. One of the owners, Stef, was on duty and shared how they often get machinery clubs and car clubs among others journeying through or frequently meeting up there.
In fact as I enjoyed some apple juice and an omelette, the local classics group turned up for their monthly gathering. A smattering of classic vehicles surrounded the parking lot and the conversation rose enthusiastically within the cafe to fever pitch.
Wineries
You aren’t visiting Stanthorpe properly if you haven’t experienced several wineries across the area. In fact there are more than 45 different vineyards in the region and to explore all of them in one hit is an impossibility which is why many people just keep returning.
Jester Hill Wines was my mid-morning stop. Ann and Mick Bourke own and run Jester Hill Wines. They are keen motorcyclists and they visited the Granite Belt on a bike trip together nearly a decade ago. They visited Jester Hill Wines when under its previous owner and decided to buy it out of the blue!
They have a wine called “Two Fools” and they say they named it after themselves and their story of the bike trip that ended in buying a winery. I had a great chat with them both as well as a lovely coffee. Wine tasting is available and a must as well as taking away some produce with you. If only I could have fitted a case on the bike!
They do courier your purchases (like the other wineries do too) though and often they arrive home to your doorstep before you do.
Rock wonders
More spectacular scenery can be explored in the region including Girraween National Park with rock formations, caves and outcrops. On the way I saw a man-made pyramid in the Ballandean area on Jacobsen’s Rd. It is a stone pyramid, built from blocks of local granite, standing about 17.5m, 30m square at the base and containing 7500 tonnes of rock. It was built using an excavator and dump truck and it took eight months to complete.
Leaving Stanthorpe and heading south to the border I arrived at Wallangarra Railway Cafe in the old border station. In its prime, it received trains from NSW on their unique gauge and shifted the freight to waiting trains on Queensland’s different gauge railway line.
Wallangarra Train Station
That doesn’t occur anymore but if you are in the region at the right time, a steam train comes from Warwick monthly to this destination (the next is February 9, 2019), stops for lunch and heads home. There is a museum with well-laid-out models, displays and a theatre room. Kim and the other helpful staff are always warm and welcoming as they serve you snacks, meals and drinks while sharing the site’s history.
At the end of my two-day ride through the Granite Belt, I resolved to return with my clan to explore the law dog training shows, see some glass blowing, visit the saddlery, taste some cheeses and see more of the region’s natural beauty.
I headed south to Tenterfield and then east through the ranges to Casino, Lismore, Bangalow and home to the Gold Coast. For more scenic non-motorway oriented riding you can ride through Kyogle, Nimbin and Murwillumbah. However you manage that trip, the roads are delightful.
Top 10 reasons to ride the Granite Belt:
The roads to get there are great.
The wines taste completely different to coastal areas or lower valley regions.
The farm industry (apples, strawberries, grapes, etc) offers tasting, picking and tours as well as products such as juices, jams, snacks, etc
The craft industry includes glass blowing, chocolate making, cheese making, beer brewing, fish hatcheries, leather goods and more.
Natural sites to delight geology buffs include Girraween National Park, Donnelly’s Castle, many random sites with interesting granite formations and Mt Marlay Lookout.
Local hospitality is friendly and inviting and the businesses seem to work together for the good of the region not in competition for tourist dollars.
Cafes, restaurants and accommodation all offer unique experiences.
Many think of it as a winter destination, the chance to maybe see snow in Qld and feel the warm fireplaces and drink hot chocolate at night, but in summer you can explore the roads without the heat and humidity of the coast.
Unique experiences include the Law Dog Training school to see how dogs used in all branches of security work are trained; the Granite Belt Maze and Mini Golf, Christmas Tree Farm, Wine and Hospitality College.
History buffs will enjoy the various museums, military memorials and the historic villages named after French and Belgium World War I Battles.
The Granite Belt in southern Queensland tempts Gold Coast rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes who organised a two-day trip with the help of Monique Krause, marketing coordinator of Granite Belt Wine Country. Click here for the second part of his trip.
The region is two hours west of the Gold Coast and up until now I only knew it as that cold place where it snows in Queensland in winter.
Stanthorpe is at the heart of the region and when I was told it was one of the cooler areas in South East Queensland over the summer, I was hooked as riding in summer can be taxing. I was especially hooked when I remembered the curvaceous ride up through Killarney and the sumptuous twists of the Tenterfield range that enable me to get there and return.
Granite foundation
The Granite Belt region is aptly named sitting on a ribbon of granite rock that is naturally displayed in all sorts of interesting shapes. Budding geologists will have a ball.
The land is utilised for many industries including wine and grape vineyards, apple farms, strawberry farms, fish hatcheries and cheese factories to name several.
To get to the Granite Belt region from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, there are several options: the Warrego Highway to Toowoomba then out through Warwick and south bound. There is also the Cunningham’s Gap option which is a stunning and curvy ride to Warwick. I came up through Boonah, Carney’s Creek and Killarney. If you are coming from the Northern Rivers region, up through Casino then the Tenterfield range is the way to go.
For me the ride up through Killarney is stunning, encompassing narrow, winding roads through canopied rain forest regions, then bursting out into ribbons of asphalt along the ridge of the main range area. I wanted to turn around, descend and do it again as it’s a favourite of mine.
Along the way, a picnic at Carney’s Creek near the rock formations is a great idea; followed by a stop at Carr’s Lookout to see if you can spot the plane wreckage from the 1900s that is still in the foliage across from the lookout.
If you love the bushland, Queen Mary Falls and Brown Falls waterfalls awaits. Several cafes along the ridge also await to tantalise your tastebuds.
From Killarney you can pursue the highway south or, as I did, take Old Stanthorpe Road. If your bike is a tarmac queen, avoid it, as it has about 10km of unsealed, corrugated roads. Eventually you will appear at the northern end of Stanthorpe near Applethorpe.
Apple Farm
My first arranged stop was Sutton’s Apple Farm. Ros and David own the farm and they make juices, pies, ciders as well as obviously producing apples for the industry. Being a teacher by trade, Ros is always keen to host school visits of all ages and even has schools visiting from the Gold Coast.
I had heard great things about their apple pie so had to try it. It is completely handmade with onsite ingredients and served with special flavoured ice-cream and apple syrup dribbled over the cream. It did not disappoint.
My gran used to make her apple pies by hand so this was a great throwback. In fact this apple pie has such a great reputation that when one customer Googled where to find the best apple pie, Sutton’s came up, he jumped in his helicopter on the coast and flew up requesting landing clearance on the farm while in transit. He has since popped in again numerous times.
Off-track
From there I went via Thullimbah, an old local rail station, to Donnelly’s Castle, one of Captain Thunderbolt’s hideouts. It has all sorts of outcrops, formations and even some cave-like nooks. I approached from the wrong direction and turned into the state forest nearby which also had amazing formations. The tracks are well-beaten, but may be tough for some road bikes. Donnelly’s Castle road is also unsealed but not too difficult.
The region is also known for its strawberries and Ashbern’s Strawberry Farm was next on my bucket list for the weekend. Picking fresh strawberries is a highlight as well as experiencing food and drinks with the strawberries as the main ingredient.
There is so much to do in this region you will have to stay a night or several. My accommodation was arranged at Ridgemill Estate which has eight modern and inviting cabins on site near the vineyard. It has its own cellar room, manufacturing facility and taste-testing sessions.
They make some beautiful wines, some of which have won prestigious awards. The location is a stunner and to sit on the deck looking out on the vineyard hearing the sounds of nature is so relaxing. You can eat out under the stars or around the nearby rocks area.
Sunset vista
If you love sunsets, Mt Marlay lookout is a top spot with a viewing platform, walking trails, rocky outcrops and mountain biking trails. There are many restaurants in or near town to suit any taste or you can cook a barbecue at Ridgemill. Don’t forget to enjoy the chockies and a glass or two under the vista of the many beautiful stars.
The motorcycle road toll can be reduced by better speed and alcohol/drug use enforcement, safer motorbikes, mandatory helmet laws and improved roads, according to an international report.
These are key points in the latest World Health Organization Global status report on road safety 2018 report released this month. The report is only released every two or three years.
Toll rate flat
The international report also points out that the motoring fatality and injury rate has remained fairly steady as a proportion of population over the past few years.
In Australia, motorcycle crash fatalities have remained flat since 2011 despite an almost doubling of motorcycle registrations in that time. That actually means a decreasing rate of motorcycle fatalities.
Australian crash stats. The flat dotted line is the trend over that time.
Of course, every death is lamentable, but the selective quoting of motorcycle crash statistics, especially during the Christmas/New Year holiday season, can be misleading.
It also serves to demonise riders as having a death wish and therefore not worthy of consideration by other road users.
International report
The WHO report says progress in reducing road fatalities and injuries has mainly been made in high-income countries.
In these countries, there is a high level of enforcement of speeding and drink driving, ABS on motorcycles (mandatory in Australia for bikes over 125cc from November 219), mandatory helmet (99% compliance in Australia) and improved roads, it says.
No doubt politicians and police will just seize on the first issue to raise speeding fines and enforcement.
But they would be ignoring the fact that this is an international report representing 175 countries. By comparison, the low-income countries included in the report (such as Afghanistan) have little to no enforcement of speed or drug/alcohol-influenced riders, no or lax helmet rules and poor roads.
The only category where Australia compares is in the standard of our roads.
Crumbling Victorian roads
WHO says 67% of motorcycle travel in the world is on substandard roads. That surely must include Australia!
(It also mentions separate motorcycle lanes which some Asian nations with much higher proportions of motorcycles have implemented or are considering. We doubt motorcycles will ever have separate lanes in high-income nations.)
WHO says that by 2030, all new roads should “achieve technical standards for all road users that take into account road safety” and “more than 75% of travel on existing roads is on roads that meet technical standards for all road users”.
That’s a long time to wait for appropriate roads that should have been paid for by our hard-earned taxes.
