Motorcycle Parking In Brisbane

Looks like the Brisbane City Council has decided to get tough on us riders when parking in the city. The story below details how the council issued parking tickets to all bikes that were parked along the footpath in Turbot Street in late May. This is where I park my bike in the city when working back home.

Concerns about blocked footpaths?? Where, Mr Mayor??

To be quite honest, I think this move is an absolute load of crap - at a time when the council should be looking at ways of reducing the number of cars entering the CBD, these knobs have decided to turn on one of the best alternatives for some unjustified revenue. The footpath in question is not very often used by pedestrians, and most times, all bikes are parked so to allow ample room for pedestrians. For times where a bike is blocking access for pedestrians, fine, give them a ticket but why outlaw this number of parking spots for bikes without replacing them all??

Unbelievable......

Throw It Around....

Inconsiderate? Well I Don't Think So

I was making my way home from work yesterday and decided to follow behind a Shadow that was heading in the same direction as me - I always try and position myself with other bikes when commuting so that I am sure that we as riders can be seen. The Shadow rider was moving at a steady pace through the traffic, changing lanes regularly and I was following - on about three or four occasions I decided to pass the Shadow, simply to better position myself so I could see further ahead.

At the next set of lights I again followed this bike as it filtered it's way to the front - on take off it took one lane, following a car, and I took another. Because I had no one in front of me I once again passed this bike. I pulled up at the next set of lights and was then joined by the Shadow rider. What happened next really amazed me - the rider questioned me as to why I was always taking "their line" and that I was really inconsiderate! Whoa!! I was shocked! I did not respond and just stared straight ahead, waiting for the lights to change. Every time I passed this rider they were not indicating to change into my lane and so thought nothing more other than positioning myself so I could see ahead - I do not believe that I had done anything wrong. I did not know this person and obviously did not know what they ride like - I was more concerned with the cars around me rather that watching this rider for their every movement.

We as riders need to work together and not against one another - I kept away from said bike for the rest of my journey home, but was left feeling very alone as a rider out on the road. I am not a mind reader and I am never going to be able to watch your every little move whilst travelling in traffic, so to you my friend I say sorry for upsetting you - I will make sure that I keep well clear of you on the road, should our paths cross again.

Goldwing Retriever

I saw these pix on a forum that I regularly visit and initially thought that this was of Japanese origin, but after searching I found that this bike-with-appendage actually originated in Sweden.

The company that manufactures the rear trailer and then fits it to a Honda Goldwing is called Coming Through. Further details including a movie of how it works can be found on their website here.

It really is a great idea and good on them for coming up with it - I'm also happy that someone has finally found a use for the Goldwing!!!!