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Motorcyclists targeted with safety messages

Two newly launched safety messages are attempting to influence Victorian motorcycle riders.

The Transport Accident Commission has launched an ad aimed at persuading riders to plan for the dangerous mistakes of other road users while a message organised by Maurice BlackBurn lawyers campaigns for a law change to allow bikers to filter between cars.

TAC and the motorcycling community have clashed in the past with the Stop SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You) campaign, backed by Maurice Blackburn, claiming the TAC unfairly portrays motorcyclists in its advertising.


The Transport Accident Commission’s latest motorcycle safety ad, shot on the Great Ocean Road by Grey Melbourne, highlights the risks motorcyclists face on the road, reminding motorcyclists “that when the unexpected happens, we come off second best” before promoting motorcyclists to “brush up” on their skills and visit TAC’s spokes.com.au.

The website supports the campaign and provides motorcyclists with information on gear, and tutorials with tips on dealing with different road types.

The campaign was launched by Victorian Assistant Treasurer Gorgon Rich-Phillips who said in  a statement: “This campaign highlights to motorcyclists the types of risks they face every time they head out for a recreational ride and reminds them that it’s important to do everything they can to reduce their personal risk.”

The TAC said it consulted with key motorcycling groups in the development and production of the campaign and the online tutorials.

Meanwhile, members of Australia’s motorcycling community, with the backing of Maurice Blackburn, are campaigning for state and territory governments to legalise ‘lane filtering’.

The campaign is pinned on an animated graphic, created by Gozer, which explains the practice of lane filtering (motorcycles moving between lanes of slow or stationary traffic) in the hopes of conveying to audiences lane filtering’s economic and safety benefits and potential to reduce road congestion.

John Voyage Maurice Blackburn principal said in a statement: “In releasing this video we hope that policy makers see how this is a simple and effective practice. ”

The campaign’s video production was funded by Australia’s riding community who bought Stop SMIDSY t-shirts.

The ad cites a European study which shows lane filtering is safer for riders.

“There is strong evidence from Europe that shows that it’s six times more dangerous for riders to be stuck behind stationary vehicles than it is for those allowed to filter through queuing traffic,” said Voyage.

Shaun Lennard chairman Australian Motorcycle Council said: “Filtering makes sense. Road authorities around the world are at last recognising the positive contribution of motorcycle and scooter use in relieving congestion. It’s time Australia adopted it too.”

The ad features Bron Sorenson, a professional motorcyclist who has fronted Maurice Blackburn safety campaigns in the past.

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