shocking night for motorcyclist on TV last night....

[Spider]

wonder why the public have ideas about motorcyclists....last night on victorian news....top state stories...

8000 people nationwide caught by police for driving offences...including.....23 year old doing 235 kph on a Yamaha R1 (that is the picture the story uses)

then....

Elderly lady struck down and in critical condition by 2 motorcyclists street racing in preston (7km from cbd)...both on Jap sport bikes....turns out they believe it's a 2002 Yamaha R1

then...

Top Gear, Stephen Fry does his 'motorcycling is deadly' routine


makes it hard 

[Jukie]

yes after all my hard work to get people to like us and then the press does this. Really Great of them

[mattyvas]

It is always difficult to get a fair media report.
There only has to be one or two knobs and it's all over the place.
Bike riders are dangerous and they do this and do that. Blah blah blah.
Yet I'm sure plenty more car drivers get booked doing big speeds.
It's just a combination of huge speed, young age and the carnage caused that gets the attention. 

[dragonworld.]

In my lengthy riding career , I have lived (ridden) through a couple of "lets screw the motorcyclist" stages here in Victoria. And I have a feeling in my water we are on the cusp of another period of persecution.

And unfortunately these incidences of stupidity will be used as fodder by the authorities and media alike to have the safety nazis unleashed and howling for our blood yet again. And prompting the "Powers That Are" to be seen to be doing something about the "Bikie" (Geez I hate that word!) menace. And therefore Road Safety.

And patched club rider, commuter only type or enthusiast weekender motorcyclist are going to feel the heat. 

[mattyvas]

Very well said Dragon.
I do so hate when the "Media" get something in there sites.
Being a former member of the industry working at the Daily/Sunday Telegraph
between them and the  it's never a fun experience to be in the crosshairs 

[dragonworld.]

Too right Matty, it gets to the stage where if you fart in the wrong direction it'll become a major issue. 

The harrasment and persecution usually rears its ugly head when the Govt and some of their agencies have a barrow to push, and /or are under presure to perform and justify decisions made by them. This way they get the general (read Brain Dead) public on side and have less resistance to maybe more cameras?? Or more personally restrictive legislation like the "anti bikie" law proposals?? 

Just for example!

[bazz20]

 i dont think you will have much too worry about with an increase in motor bike sales are up by 22% ,so the polleys only see numbers so they will attack in other airers like they put regos up too just get more money , unless your a bikie gang then your gunna get harrased , and more transport checks 

[Serious Groper]

I know the negative publicity is never a good thing however has anyone ever been harassed because of it? Honestly?

Coming from the modded car area i can say modified cars attract the police lies shit does flies. The stories are endless.

To me it doesn't look like we are persecuted at all. I've certainly never had any problems, even when legitimately pulled over the Officer was polite and let us all off. Mind you he had the cheesiest grin when he pulled over 3 x MV Agusta F4's. Wanted to know all about them to LOL     Maybe it's just an Italian thing?

[wraith]

it's persecution of minorities ALWAYS!!    , yeah they're dickheads and I feel sorry for the victim but Geez Is hitting a person with a bicycle or motorbike worse than getting hit by a car (you would never know it the way the media portray it) they never make the beast with two backsen go on about how dangerous the "CAR" is! ah my rant is finished i'll go back in my box now.... no wait ,i'll buy some douche bag HSV/ford etc etc  and run over some old person to see if i'll get the same amount of media attention  and bring the universe back into equilibrium.

[ducmeister]

I've never had any real dramas except once when I was picked out for a breath test.  The testing station was full so all the cars in front and behind were allowed to pass but I was picked out of the queue and made to wait.
It pays to keep a low profile I suppose.