PROTEST RIDE - TOLLS, TAC TAX & FRONT ID

There will be a protest ride on Saturday, July 5, 2008. The primary argument will be against road tolls for motorcycles but we'll be collecting signatures on the petition to abolish the unjust $56 a year TAC tax too. Front ID for motorcycles & scooters is definitely a big issue on this protest run.

If we get the numbers we plan to have stands at the bike expo and the OZ GP to collect more signatures against the TAC tax. The petition will be given to an MP to present to Parliament probably on November 12, 2008.

The assembly area will be the Doncaster Park & Ride from 10 am on July 5 - Melway reference Map 46 K1. It's virtually empty on a Saturday. It's left out the gate. A few metres and left onto the Eastern Freeway which becomes the Eastlink toll road. Very safe. Traffic was light when these pictures were taken. Eastlink opens Sunday, June 29. There's a month-long, toll-free period.

Please send an email giving your thoughts on road tolls for motorcycles and scooters to the paper at manningham@leadernewspapers.com.au .

At noon riders will proceed to Frankston at 10 kph under the speed limit. Probably 90 kph most of the trip. The distance will be around 60 kms. The destination is the Fankston Civic Centre in Davey Street. - Melway reference map100A C9. There will be no road tolls and no entry fees or registration. A voluntary bucket collection will help defray costs.

All road registered trikes, sidecars, motorcycles & scooters are welcome. On the ride, normal road laws apply and each rider is responsible for him/her self.

We will be inviting City Councillors and MPs from along the route to be at the start or the finish or to ride with us. The media too. We'll have responsible pilots to take passengers. Let me know if you can take a passenger.

If we get the numbers, the November protest against tolls, front number plates, the $56 TAC tax and other issues goes ahead, if not, it doesn't.

Hopefully some riders will be tempted to come a fair distance for a chance to ride the new super road before the tolls start. Others may be inspired by the recent successful protests by taxi drivers and pensioners and lobbying by nurses and teachers, but I doubt we'll see any topless riders this time of year. Others still may attend because they are angry that our representatives on VMAC have not stood up for the motorcycle community's interests.

In the current issue of Australian Motorcycle News (AMCN), MRA President John Karmouche said the MRA in Melbourne wasn't planning a protest. Read the Editorial and "TOLLING FIRST FOR VICTORIAN RIDERS" on page 10. This is not an MRA ride.

Please use this media release as you see fit. Pass it on to egroups, websites, newsletter editors and so on.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independant Lobbyist.
Melbourne.