PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Tony Gray President’s Report

October has been another month of extremes on the weather front with many parts of the country breaking October rainfall records. We certainly live in a very beautiful big wide country but we suffer when Mother Nature turns on the taps or alternatively keeps them tightly closed. Spring traditionally provides the best motorcycling weather and where the motorcycling world turns its eyes downunder for the MotoGP at the ever popular Phillip Island. This year was rather exceptional with the big wet. I made the pilgrimage as did several other club members. You can read about my trip elsewhere in the journal but suffice to say, everyone seemed to have a good time regardless of the weather. Another major event is underway as I write this report in the BMW TS Safari around Tasmania. There are some club members on that event as well and the weather for our most southern state is looking very wet indeed - I hope everyone still manages to have a good time in that most beautiful riding state. Road Safety is something we should all take very seriously as we are exposed when out on our bikes doing what we love. Motorcycles have a primary advantage over most other road users in their smaller size & maneuverability helping to avoid potential dangers but a secondary disadvantage being at greater risk of harm in the event of an accident. Unfortunately this year motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries are at a very high level (fatalities already 35% higher than the full year average over the past 5 years). These sort of numbers draw the attention of those charged with the responsibility of keeping everyone safe on the road. Many of our members attended the rider safety program run out of Jimboomba SHS earlier this year. That program was developed after focus group meetings organised by TMR drew attention to rider competence as a major factor in motorcycle safety. Several of our members, Paul Hughes & myself included, were invited to attend those focus groups. I was very pleased to see the large attendance by BMWMCQ members at these heavily subsidised events (both from TMR and from our club for eligible members). TMR and their associates are pushing forward with other initiatives gleaned from those focus groups and has initiated a high level round table group that reports direct to the State Transport Minister on road safety. All road users from pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, motorists, heavy transport are represented. It is an honour to the BMWMCQ that we are the only motorcycle club that was invited to this forum. The Qld Motorcycle Council also has a representative. We are clearly seen as a responsible, representative group of motorcyclists. Paul Hughes represented the club at the inaugural meeting of this group last week. Keep an eye out for more safety initiatives as they are rolled out - like the ‘check blindspots for motorcycles’ signs popping up on highways. The two sub-committees responsible for organising the BMW Motorrad Centenary club events for 2023 have been hard at work. If you have a bike that you think would be suitable for the display day then get your bikes details into Gary Bennett - check the journal for details. The dinner subcommittee has been assessing various venues to get the right mix for what we are intending to stage as our centenary celebration. Keep Thursday 21 September 2023 free in your diary. Coming up very quickly is the Club Christmas Dinner at Evans Heads. We still have a lot of people slow to commit to this event so I am asking you to get your payment into Darryl so we can finalise details with the Club. A great time is guaranteed.