RANT Committee Meeting

5th. December  2011

Minutes

Held at M.E.T.A.L. Offices, Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex,DarwinNT

Time: 17:30hrs

Present

Vice President; Eliza Tobin Treasurer; Peter Karpati,  Secretary; Anthony Hewlett, Committee Member; John Ilko

GUEST: Klaus Hose

Apologies:  Committee Members: Deese, Rippa,  Corrie Caswell and John Bailey

Review and Accept Previous  Committee  Meeting (7^th November   2011)

Minutes approved  by VP

 

Presidents Report – N/A

 

Teleconference with the Protective Clothing Working Party with John Bailey 14/11/11. A model was voted on for mechanisms to research into a star rating system for rider’s protective clothing.

 

DLP meeting with John Bailey. 16/11/11.

 

Updated on all RANT recent activities

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Asked about Pensioner discount on bike rego. Their response was that it’s a hangover from when TIO managed the Senior’s Card. The issue has been noted by the department and highlighted for action.

 

Asked if any investigations have been done re the fatality onTiger Brennan Drive– unmarked kerbing an issue? They have done a site inspection but there’s no Police report yet.

 

New ARR regarding Daytime running lights (fog lights) is bringing the NT into line with National laws.

 

We can access road trauma statistics anytime on the DLP website.

 

Still no response about motorcycles being refused NLC permits to enterArnhem Land.

 

DLP and TIO are running Road Safety Taskforce regional meetings but so far there’s no motorcyclist representation. TIO need to be approached re support for the Working Party for the star rating system for protective clothing.

 

New licensing program Drivesafe is for cars only, not bike licensing.

 

Wire rope barriers were discussed and are an ongoing concern

 

John tabled a recent article from 2Wheels magazine about Helmet laws which are currently undergoing an overhaul.

John also tabled a French report into the cost / benefit analysis of motorcycling inParis.

 

TV ads for rider awareness were discussed. John suggested we access MCC of NSW 8 new videos to go on air in the NT. It was suggested we contact Sylvia Tanner or Andy Bruen to follow it up. Rant to do this as it’s easier for us to do than a Government department.

 

Our website could be linked in with the DLP’s

 

METAL waitlist of 3 – 4 months was raised again. Liza was asked to submit a proposal to run extra courses on weekdays inDarwin. Completed and submitted at time of writing but no word back yet. RANT and HART, are included as stakeholders in the proposal.

 

Next DLP meeting March 8^th.

 

Forward all AMC emails as they come. Changes to Australian road laws, helmet laws FEMA, new Mick Doohan road safety video – blindspots and the AMC AGM minutes

 

Forwarding relevant AMC emails to Jennifer Malone at the DLP, on her request.

 

Contact with Deb from Variety Club re the Santa Fun Run BBQ – thanks to the few who turned up to help – and stayed to the end, unlike me! Profits were made and a donation made to Variety.

 

Toy Run, well attended by RANT members, we donated a trailer load of food and $200 to the Salvos.

 

Chatted with some Ulysses people about RANT aid, they’re interested in it too.

Teleconference – Main Item brought thing sliding scale for clothing

 

Xmas ride to incorporate xmas drinks on return journey at Noonamah pub -  (warning Order) TIO motorcycle compesentation act (MACA)  do not have to pay out  if  a Motorcycle or car  has an accident if there is any trace of alcohol in the  accident victims  blood regardless of  percentage –  (will be checked to verify statement) SWAG Space available  at Eliza Tobins  place Noonamah / Bees Creek

Very 1st 17 march 2006 patriots  club house  (Birthday) and  named

 

Business Arising  

Xmas ride to incorporate xmas drinks:  on return journey at Noonamah pub -  (warning Order) TIO motorcycle compensation act (MACA)  do not have to pay out  if  a Motorcycle or car  has an accident if there is any trace of alcohol in the  accident victims  blood regardless of  percentage –  (will be checked to verify statement) SWAG Space available  at Eliza Tobins  place Noonamah / Bees Creek

 

WARNING NOTE: MACA TIO INSURANCE; exclude benefits payable to an accident victim  if a trace of alcohol  is  found in bloodstream of  Accident  Victim, regardless of  percentage:

http://www.tiofi.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/tio/website/mac/benefits/qualificationsandexclusions/

All riders should be aware of this, thus  in the  interest of protecting riders  with  RANT No Alcohol will be carried  on BBQ Rides.

 

RANT  Birthday: Very 1st  meeting of RANT was 17 March 2006 patriots  club house  (therefore  considerations  t o  mark  as  a Birthday)

 

Website: Fred Meyering will look at  Website, to  see if it can be changed to incorporate links

 

VARIETY SANTA FUN RUN:  A total of  $354.30 was  made at the RANT  BBQ  supporting  the  Variety  Santa  Fun Run.   $127.15  donated to Variety Childrens  charity.  $107.00 expenses and  Balance  to RANT –(RANT  is Happy and willing  to support  Variety at future Variety  events)

 

Other  Support by  RANT:  Suggested that an  Offer of the  RANT BBQ  to support  Police  memorial In September  2012 to support 100% profit, should be made with  Letter to Police  Liaison Officer – Motor cycle  issues

 

Toy run $200.00 donated  Salvo and John donated tucker  which he loaded in  RANT trailer  to salvos

 

Treasurers Report

Started year  Projected $3, 874 .97 Paid  Salvation  army $200.00 $253.00 $127.15

 

Assets list register etc photos and asset list  to be created.

 

Noted: that Fred Meyering was refunded the sum of $125.00 in regards to Canopy purchased for Allsports Jape Village  BBQ.

 

Correspondence  in

 

Variety Childrens charity requested  RANT  BBQ for Santa  Fun Run as stated per Presidents report  and  Business arising

 

Invention DLP Road  Safety meeting  at  convention centre Friday 18^th of November 2011

 

Correspondence  out

 

Anthony Hewlett accepted Invention DLP Road  Safety meeting  at  convention centre Friday 18^th of November 2011 (however was unable to attend due to work commitments on the hour)

$127.15 cheque sent   to  Variety Childrens  Charity,

E-mail sent out to  Xmas  ride  Members & supporters

Jennifer Malone DLP ref ROAD Safety,

 

Eliza Tobin  dispatched a Proposal  re: Honda Australia, Rider Training  (HART), to undertake rider basic  course at  METAL during Week days  (copy attached as  annex).    

 

General Business  

 

Approval of  membership  ( update  constitution to state that  Financial members may propose  and second a new member  whilst the President  or  Vice President approve a new member.  Committee Members can  approve membership in absence of the  President or Vice president

 

Monsoon ride January ( Peter  to send  out flyer)

 

Next Meeting Scheduled     1^st Monday  Febuary 2012 (06/02/2012)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX  to  Minutes  5^th December  2011

 

HONDA AUSTRALIA RIDER TRAINING IN DARWIN PROPOSAL

 

Eliza Tobin

November 2011

 

 

Background

 

As President, of Rider Awareness NT, (RANT), since 2008, I have been in discussions with the NT Government about rider safety issues in the NT. The waitlist for a Basic Course with the local training body, Motorcyclist Education Training and Licensing, (METAL), has been unacceptably long for over five years. It is an ongoing concern to the NT Government, RANT, bike shops and potential trainees.

 

The problem with waitlists is that it can be tempting for new bike owners to ride unlicensed in the interim, it leads to complaints at the MVR and bike dealerships and trainees often forget their course dates due to the excessive lead-in time.

 

At time of writing, the next available Basic course is January 27, 2012, around two months away. Throughout the dry season, the wait has been as long as four months and this has become the norm for access to training inDarwinas there is no alternative training body in the NT. Midweek courses have been offered intermittently in the past as a way to address this issue but have had no lasting impact. A standby list was used during my time at METAL but this seems to have fallen by the wayside. Midweek courses are currently unavailable and none have been scheduled in the near future.

 

While midweek courses are not offered, the training facility atHiddenValleysits idle throughout the week. Waitlists also apply to the testing regime offered by the MVR inDarwin. By utilizing available resources, it is proposed that both the MVR testing and METAL course waitlists can be reduced to acceptable timeframes.

 

This proposal has come about due to discussions with the Minister for Transport, the Honorable Gerry McCarthy, and his Road Safety department. The waitlist for Basic rider training has always been a concern for them, and they have invited me to submit a proposal to remedy this unacceptable situation.

 

The author’s credentials include; thirteen years as a METAL instructor, five years as METAL Administrator, five years conducting Motorcycle Operation Stability Tests (MOST) for the Motor Vehicle Registry, and for the past two years a part time Honda Australia rider trainer in Darwin. My roles at METAL included; the curriculum committee, writing manuals and training new Instructors, Chief Instructor and Social club committee.

I am a founding member of RANT and have held the position of President for the past three years. I have ridden motorcycles for twenty three years and believe in the road safety benefits of rider training.

Darwinis experiencing rapid growth and development and the arrival of Inpex and U.S. Marines over the next year or so will see another growth in population. Rider training may be impacted by the sudden influx of new arrivals, particularly as the majority of newcomers will be male.

In order to remedy the problem of access to basic rider training, I recommend this proposal be given attention immediately as an urgent priority. If not, the waitlist times will continue to increase in the 2012 Dry season.

 

The Brief

 

Reduce the waitlist for Basic Rider training at METAL

 

Stakeholders

 

NT Government – Liaise and co-ordinate between HART,HiddenValleymanagement, METAL, MVR and instructors. Provide METAL venue, bikes and helmets as ‘in kind’ support.

 

Motor Vehicle Registry – to supply administration support for bookings and Learner license processing, exactly as per current MOST test. Provide keys to accessHiddenValley. Promote and advertise this alternative midweek training option.

 

METAL – supply resources required to run midweek courses. Liaise with their in-house mechanic Peter Twigg regarding repairs and maintenance of bikes.

 

Hidden Valley Management – to advise of venue availability and terms and conditions of use. Include midweek courses on monthly Calendar of Events.

 

Honda Australia Rider Training – Provide HR support to Instructors, including: uniforms, training, manuals and associated paperwork, (bookings?), annual auditing and Advanced courses for instructors and trainees.

 

Instructors – to be drawn from the local riding population, must have full R class license. Three people have already expressed a keen interest in this project. Encourage female instructors to apply so as to avoid the gender bias experienced at METAL.

 

RANT – As the NT’s only rider lobby group, we would fully support and promote this initiative on the website and face book page.

 

Trainees – anyone over 16.3 years old and eligible to apply for a license.

 

Territory Insurance Office (TIO) – to provide insurance cover for all participants and possibly some funding. (They have not been approached about this yet).

 

Local motorcycle dealers – promote and support the new courses

 

 

Equipment and Infrastructure

 

As the METAL venue and equipment is unused during week days, it is proposed that HART instructors access it for basic training purposes. This includes:

 

Fleet of ten Honda CTX 200cc motorcycles.

(Fuel and repairs to be paid from student fees?)

Full / open face helmets

METAL office, including TV and DVD players, circuit and bike shed as teaching venues

METAL glove sales – proceeds to return to METAL social club.

 

Local motorcycle dealers could offer course gift vouchers with Learner Approved bike sales, and promote the courses in store. Any repairs to bikes could be done by Honda, or access METAL bike mechanic, Peter Twigg.

 

HOW TO DO IT

 

Timeframes, Staffing, Venue use, Finances, Licensing, standards and curriculum.

 

Timeframes

 

METAL has always delivered basic training to meet the standard required to pass the MOST test. This new training would provide exactly the same outcome, but unlike METAL, include a test at the end of the course to guarantee standards have been met.

 

Pending demand, offer up to two courses per week of around ten hours each, split over two half days. ie Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, 07.30 – 12.30pm. These timeframes help avoid issues of heat stress during training on hot afternoons.

 

• MOST tests conducted by MVR staff currently operate on the METAL circuit every Thursday. These staff could be utilized to conduct post training MOST tests.

 

Practical and theory sessions

 

DAY ONE

 

1. Sign on and introductions in conjunction with first theory session   30mins

2. Practical session followed by morning tea break                              90 mins

3. Theory session                                                              30 mins

4. Practical session                                                                     105 mins

5. Theory session                                                               30 mins

6. Pack up, debrief. End day one                                                 15 mins

                                                                   TOTAL DAY 1 = 5 HOURS

 

DAY TWO

 

1. Practical session – include revision of Day 1 skills                        90 mins

2. Final theory (test?) followed by tea break                                               45 mins

3. Final practical session                                                                   90 mins

4. MOST tests       . 10 trainees @ 10 mins per test                                    100 mins

                                                          TOTAL DAY 2 = 5 HOURS 25 MINS

 

                                                TOTAL COURSE TIME = 10 HRS 25 MINS

 

Staffing

 

To be coordinated and managed between Eliza Tobin and HART.

 

Instructor / trainee ratio 1:5 – as per METAL.

 

Advertise locally – HART to complete the recruitment process

 

Staff to be paid $35.00 per hour with 12 month contracts

 

Staff to undertake criminal history and obtain an Ochre Card (working with Minors) at own expense. (Tax deductable)

 

Staff conducting MOST tests also need a ‘Tester Identification Number” for MVR.

 

 D’ endorsement (‘Instructor’) on instructor licenses also required by MVR

 

MVR staff to be briefed on their roles within the new training system

 

HART to provide Instructor training, mentoring and audit course delivery.

(METAL has never been audited)

 

Motorcycle dealers could promote the courses and offer course gift vouchers with Learner Approved bike sales.

 

Liaise with Peter Twigg, (METAL mechanic) re maintenance schedule on weekdays

 

Venue

 

The METAL venues are currently unused between Monday and Friday. Their courses begin 7pm Fridays and conclude by 2 or 3 pm on Sundays, at the latest.

 

Utilize METAL office as classroom and office space. Access to shared kitchen area and Helmet store room also required. First aid and fire extinguishers are already in place.

 

METAL already pays rent on the premises. Electricity costs may be charged though.

 

Hidden Valley manager, Laurie Feehan needs to be consulted regarding room access, availability and terms and conditions of use.

 

Keys toHiddenValleyfor METAL instructors are managed by the METAL manager at the MVR.

 

Finances

 

Trainees to pay $150.00 per course which is $55.00 more than METAL but there would be a guarantee of a minimal waitlist and a higher standard of training offered under the HART regime. (Their training is audited and recognized / practiced nationally, unlike METAL)

 

With ten trainees per course, there would be a maximum income of $1.500 per course.

 

With two instructors per course at $35.00 per hour, cost of wages would be $ 700.00 per course, leaving $800 for running costs such as fuel, repairs and maintenance of bikes and helmets.

 

MOST tests are conducted free of charge by the MVR so it is anticipated that trainees would access this existing service after completing the training course.

 

Trainees would be expected to pay the $26.00 fee when collecting their license at the MVR.

 

NT Government to provide in kind support regarding the use of the METAL motorcycles, venue and administration.

 

The Territory Insurance Office also needs to be approached for insurance cover and hopefully some funding towards unforeseen costs, or program expansion. There is potential to travel to remote areas and deliver this training if funding allows.

 

Superannuation and other payroll expenses still need to be factored in.

 

HART to supply instructors with training, manuals, uniforms, auditing and admin support

 

Standards and Curriculum

 

Copy the approved METAL Basic Course curriculum and outcomes – ie as per MOST test standard.

 

Use HART content under METAL headings and topics such as Road Craft, Attitudes, Helmets and Protective Clothing. Road law session must remain locally relevant.

 

The reason for preferring HART content is that it is constantly updated and reviewed by specialists and is therefore more accurate and reliable. The METAL curriculum committee folded some years ago and updating manuals is ad hoc, at best.

 

 

Summary

 

In conclusion, I believe this new initiative would create a ‘win win’ situation for rider training in the NT. It takes the pressure off METAL to provide midweek courses, it gives HART their first opportunity to have a permanent presence in the NT and most importantly it could reduce the longstanding waitlist at METAL to reasonable timeframes.

 

This proposal would have no detrimental effects on the existing METAL training regime, or the MVR testing process; in fact it could be seen as value adding to what already exists. It would reflect well on the NT Government to be seen fixing the long standing problem of waitlists at METAL.

 

Motorcycle dealerships may sell more learner bikes if they are able to offer a guaranteed place on a training course for new riders.

 

As mentioned earlier, there would be potential to grow this project in regional centers around the NT where there has never been rider training offered.

 

I strongly suggest this proposal is followed up as a matter of urgency as it would take some time to get started once approved. Ideally, it would be up and running by next Dry season in order to avoid another year of four month long waitlists at METAL in 2012.