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Hi All,
Just a reminder that this Sunday at Southbank there is scooter display
for Italian Week. If you are interested we will be meeting up with the
EUROPA, Vespa and Canetoads scooter clubs! Should be big!
Ride into Southbank for display 12pm until 4pm
(Scooters can not be moved from display)
Rally Point - Vroom @ James St New Farm
When - 10.00am
Regards,
Joe

Hi all,
What a fantastic weekend even though it was a bit nippy!
Thanks to all that came out! The ride out there and back was fun!
I think everyone probably had a little too much to drink and still
suffering from a hangover! I know I am!
Thanks to Chris (The Chef) Aka Ramsay, Rachael (The Helper & Gatherer),
Nick (The Erector) and last but not least X9 Bob (The coffee bean
dealer) thanks.
Look forward to the next one!
Regards
Joe

I will be liaising with http://www.motorcyclesportsmen.com.au/ for
info concerning the next Scooter Race Series which should be held on
Saturday nights starting roughly October 08 or so.
The racing night wll probably have other types of races, eg motards,
& monolites etc.....but don't know exactly what, yet.

I'm hoping for some feedback from prospective competitors about how
we envisage the racing.

As far as I know it'll be a "compact" schedule for each racing night
to so that the use of ambos & flaggies etc are optimised.

I'm thinking it'll take the form of the previous Youngstar Series
whereby we had five 5-lap races per round. Guessing it'll be quick
changover from respective races, i.e. other non-scoot racers, when
they have their race they have to get out there pronto to optimise
the night & cram everything in.
Anyways, it's early days.

Email me at rpmorrell at yahoo.com if you've got any inclination to
race & any thoughts & suggestions about how the racing could happen.

Rob

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to post about our weekend camping trip and thank a few
people who made it happen.

Firstly we met at the BP servo at Ferny Grove around 2.30pm and set
of for the ride out to Somerset Dam, one and a half hours away. This
is always a great ride and rather challenging down back side of Mt
Glorious. We all made it down safety and continued on our way out to
meet the people who rode down from Noosa.

We arrived just a shade after 4pm and much to our suprise Bob from
Toowoomba was there with his mobile coffee van. We all caught up over
a coffee. All the setup was taken care of by Nick, Chris and Rachel.
Thanks for all you help guys it made everything so much easier. Rob,
Thelma and Lyn, from Maxitag rode out to say g'day. Scott, Scott and
Andrea, Rod and Dallas came from Noosa and Rod and Dallas headed back
to comfort of their own houses after a hour or so of catching up.

With Chris on the tongs we were all in good hands and sure to not go
hungry. After all appetites were satisfied we sat around the fire and
chatted about everything and anything. There wasn't any sing-alongs
but nick decided to remove part of his eyebrow with a shaver. Funny
how things happen :) I have been to a few of these overnighters and
they are always good fun.

It was Graham's first ever camping experience and his tent resembled
something you find in a cereal box. It fact a cereal box would have
been more water/dew proof!! Needless to say Graham donated his tent
to the Somerset Park Camping ground.

Next morning we woke to the heaviest fog I have ever seen. The air
was crisp and fresh. There was some bleary eyes and the fire was
promptly started up again so we could all warm ourselves. Bob cranked
up the coffee van and made sure we were all had a hot beverage! We
all went our seperate ways, ours was via the cafe at Mt Glorious.
Oh yeah.....Bacon and eggs!!

I will create a gallery for the trip if people have photo's.

Thanks to Nick, Chris and Rachel for doing all the setup. Joe and
Nick for the shopping and organising all the food and drink. And to
Bob, I didn't even know you were coming but I thank you for all the
effort, coffee, biscuits and marshmellows, we all appreciate you
generosity!

We had 22 people ride out and 17 people who braved the cold comfort
of sleeping bags, tents and too much wine.

Cheers,

Benito

Hey Everyone,

This sunday at Southbank there is scooter display for Italian Week. If
you are interested we will meet up with the EUROPA scooter club.

Ride into Southbank for display 12pm until 4pm
(Scooters can not be moved from display)
Rally Point - Vroom @ James St New Farm
When - 10.00am

http://italianweek.blogspot.com/2008/04/program.html

For more info jump onto the link for Italian Week,

Cheers,

Benito

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Checked by AVG.
Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.24.1/1464 - Release Date: 24/05/2008 8:56
AM

Hey everyone,

I just got my scooteroo shirts that I ordered from Sly's webshop. They
are great and only cost about $25 delivered!!

Jess has one too so I will get a piccy of the ladies shirts in the
coming days.

Pics are in the "scooteroo items" photo page.

Cheers,

Benito

Rob(Burgman),Thelma(Firenze),Lyn(Firenze) (maxitag members) wont be
staying but we might call in for an hour or so on Sat arvo if thats ok.

Rob.

BEN can you please put me down for three people for this weekend

Just a quick additional note to all those who are intending on dropping stuff of
at Scooters
Scooters or Scootopia.  Please make sure that all equipment / Booze or whatever
else you
would like brought out, is clearly labeled with your name (first and last) and a
mobile
number might be useful too.

I will attempt to set up as many tents as I can, but I didn't get my Sherpa
badge when I
was in the scouts so I'm not offering up any guarantees that a) your tent will
be up when
you get there, b) it will be the right way up if I do get to it!  :-)

I will be leaving at 12:00pm on Friday, so if your gear is not at the pick up
points by that
time... I don't think I need to say anymore.

p.s in regards to tent erection / quality of tent erection - I am open to
bribes.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Dam.

Cheers

Nick

--- In scooteroo@..., scooteroo@... wrote:
>
> Reminder from: scooteroo Yahoo!7 Group
>  http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/scooteroo/cal
>
> Scooteroo Overnight Trip - Somerset Dam
> Saturday 24 May 2008
> 14:00 - 15:00
> (The next reminder for this event will be sent in 3 days, 3 minutes.)
> Location: Somerset Dam Park - Camping Grounds
>
> Notes:
> Meet at BP Ferny Grove at 2:15pm for a 2:30pm sharp departure. Travelling via
Samford
over Mt Glorious to Somerset Dam. There will be a van to take out personal
camping gear
if required ( drop off at Scooters Scooters before 3pm Friday 23rd May). We will
need to
get moving before it gets dark.
>
>
>
>
> All Rights Reserved
>  Copyright © 2008
>  Yahoo!7 Pty Limited.
>  http://www.yahoo.com.au
>
> Privacy Policy:
>  http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/au
>
> Terms of Service:
>  http://au.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

Hello all

On Aussie Scooters, a member posted this link for a syndey-based map
system where you can mark CBD parking locations for bikes (where you
don't get stung by chalk trolls).

http://www.mcnetwork.com.au/

Does anyone know of a Queensland-based website that is offering a
similar service, for example, a QLD Motorcycle Advocacy Group or
something?

I know of a few areas in the CBD which are 'grey' parking areas but it
would be great to have an authority on which areas are go/no go zones
for bike parking.

Agree?

Jared

Hi all,
Im sure you have all received the notices regarding this Saturday the
24th overnight to camping trip to Somerset Dam.
I hate to be painful but a lot of people have been turning up without
advising us, we need to know so we can book to reserve tables at the
thursday night Restaurant's or supply enough food if there is none!
Don't forget we are taking a van if you want to drop anything off!
Might be a bit nippy!! Bring warm stuff!
So if anybody is still planning to come out this weekend please advise
BEN 07 3856 3900 or post on this site so we can get enough food for you!
We would hate to see you starve!!
Looking forward to a couple of beverages on the night!
Hope to see you there!
Regards
Joe

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7:44 AM

Hi all

Stumbled across the Group_Ride.pdf while looking at the MP3 forum on
Modern Vespa forum (uploaded to the Files section of the website).
There's some good tips about group riding in the PDF, specifically how
to position yourself on the road and certain standard signals to alert
other riders to hazards on the road or to request they pass.

Quite interesting...

Cheers

Jared

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the scooteroo
group.

   File        : /Group_Ride.pdf
   Uploaded by : jaredleonmorgan <jaredleonmorgan@...>
   Description : Group Riding Tips from Motorcycle Safety Foundation

You can access this file at the URL:
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/scooteroo/files/Group_Ride.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/au/yahoo7/groups/original/ownmod/web/index.htmlfiles

Regards,

jaredleonmorgan <jaredleonmorgan@...>

Hey Guys,

I would like to let you know that on the photos sections there has been
some pics posted from the Rider Training taken Al Newman. Thanks for
the pics Al.

I have also added a gallery for Scooteroo Members when you can post a
picture of yourself and your scooter. Please feel free to add your pic.
I am feeling alittle lonely in there by myself ;)

Cheers,

Benito

Hey Everyone,

Pack up your tent and sleeping bag - were going camping!!

The eagerly awaited camping trip coming up next weekend, 24th/25th of
May and we are needing to finalise numbers for the trip. The plan is
simple we are looking at riding out for a camping trip to Somerset
Dam and meeting up with other scooter clubs. I know there will be
some people who we met from Boreen Point that will be riding down to
meet us which will be great.

We are looking and taking out a van to carry some camping gear if you
can't fit it on your bike. If you want us to take out your camping
gear be sure to drop it off to Scootopia Grange or Scooters SCooters
by Thursday 22nd May.

Meeting time is at 2.30pm at the BP on Samford Road at Ferny Grove.
We will depart shortly afterwards and head out through Samford and up
and over Mt Glorious. We should be at the caming ground around 4pm.
Nick will be out there already with all the tents put up and the
kettle on. Good on ya Nick!

Cost will be $25 and that includes your camping fees and BBQ feast.

There are plenty of options for breakfast from grabbing something
from the little shop across the road (there is fuel available here if
you need it)or shooting up to Mt Glorious for a feed.

If you are interested in coming along drop me a line as I will have
to do the shopping before we go.


Benito Scooterboy
Rolling up the swag!

Hey Alex,

Thanks for your thoughts on the petition.
I would like to clarify a few areas that you brought up and offer my
opinion.
I personally support any way of saving greenhouse gasses and saving
the planet.

Car pooling is a great option for a few reasons. The obvious one,
reduction in greenhouse gases compared to everyone driving their own
car, you can have a great conversation with the people around you in
the privacy of the car. The only problem is how many people actually
car pool. Have a sit on Bowen Bridge road and you can count on one
hand the number of cars with 3 or more people in them. Brisbane has
one of the highest single occupant car usage in Australia!

Scooter longevity. A scooter/vehicle will only last as long as a
person maintains it. I guess it's like everything in life, what you
put in is what you get out! I bought a scooter recently and it was a
Honda Elite with 100,000kms on the clock and 20years old. It still
runs great! There are plenty of other scooters out there that are 10
or so years old that comply with emissions and ADR requirements with
huge mileage on them and still getting their owners where they need
to go cheaply and safely.

Public transport, why does everyone want to ride or drive their own
vehicle? One reason is because we live in a time of economic wealth
where most people can afford luxuries like personal motor vehicles.
If we had a public transport system that worked then personal
vehicles would be a thing of the past and made redundant, why did you
buy your scooter in the first place? Was public transport capable of
taking you to and from work/uni and general running around
efficiently? Was it to give you respite from conforming to a
timetable that did not suite? Some buses don't even stop any more,
they just drive straight past you because there too full.

Electric trains can be an efficient form of transport because of the
people carrying capacity, this is so in peak hour! But the rest of
the day when there are not a lot of people using them they become
very inefficient, their dependence on the use of electricity and the
amount of coal used to provide this electricity is the main
contributor of their inefficiency.  QR is a public transport system
that barely covers its own costs every year and its government owned.


Buses, have an engine capacity of 10L(10,000cc). That is a lot of
emissions from that engine to carry only 70 people, for the same size
engine as a bus you have the equivalent of two hundred 50cc scooters,
200 single riders or 400 people if you want to double someone.

Gas buses are touted to be much more resource heavy, There is less
energy in gas than diesel or petrol so it needs more gas to drive it.
Gas buses need to fill up to 3 times more often that a diesel buses.

Finally, I would be interested to see the amount of people even on
this forum that started riding a 50cc then moved up "though the
ranks" to a bigger bike. My first scooter was a 2004 Aprilia Scarabeo
50cc. It got me everywhere using 1L per 50kms. I couldn't afford a
car as I was studying and I couldn't sit on "2 hours each way" of
public transport to get to my TAFE because I needed to get to work so
I could live.  That 50cc bike taught me a lot about riding in traffic
and other things like braking but now I have a licence and I still
learn some thing new everyday while riding. I think it would be a
shame not to allow people to have that choice. I hear a lot of people
(mainly people around 40-50years old) talking about the good old days
and the freedom they had compared to now. I feel that this is history
playing out now. Maybe in 10years time we could talk about the good
old days when we had choices and options on how we travelled around
our heavily congested city. Remember that by 2020 Brisbane is
forecast to have 800,000 more people and 800,000 more cars, and you
think it is hard to get around now in traffic let alone find a car
park. I know I do!

Keep Scooterists riding,

Benito













































































--- In scooteroo@..., "alexfly125" <diablos333@...>
wrote:
>
> This is my first message sent out to the Scooteroos, I've been
> lurking but not replying. However I'm sorry to say, like Pete, I
> disagree with the petition and I'm fine with most of the changes.
>
> I would *love* to see 50cc scooters require a licence. I'm sure it
> will likely affect sales and I think Pete is correct in assuming
the
> creator of this petition may have some vested interest in the
> machines remaining unlicenced. Being a newbie myself and having
done
> Qride I cannot understand how people are allowed to jump onto a
50cc
> scooter simply because it has a low top speed. It's extremely
> dangerous and as Pete said the statistics do not take into account
> injury or bad scooterists causing other accidents etc.
>
> As somebody over 6 feet tall, I also find it hard to believe people
> won't fit on 250cc bikes... My scooter is 125cc and I fit fine, any
> smaller and it *does* become a problem but I just don't think
that's
> even an issue. Perhaps if you're grossly overweight, but that isn't
> something I'm willing to touch on.
>
> I also find the environmental claims a bit ridiculous actually. At
> university this has been a huge area of interest for me personally
> and I think the main problem I have with it is it's context
> dependant. Yes, riding a small scooter will cut your emmissions
> greatly if you commute to work each day in a 4WD or SUV alone,
> there's no denying that.
>
> However extremes dealt with it then gets a little fuzzy. If 2-3
> people carpool in a small car, is it really less efficient than 2-3
> scooters being used? I would argue perhaps not, especially
> considering the inherent carbon footprint the actual manufacture of
2-
> 3 scooters creates. AFAIK they also have a shorter lifespan than
cars
> all up too and many of the asian built machines seem to almost
create
> an aura of disposibility. There's no use trading in a car if you're
> going to buy a few scooters, use them for 2 years, rinse and repeat.
>
> Apologies for the rant but I think people are getting taken in by
> marketing spin. Even Piaggio is running with this issue when
> marketing the Vespa. Without taking into consideration the
situation
> the buyer was already in, it's impossible to say whether the
> manufacture and running emissions of a new Vespa are really
> beneficial to the environment or not.
>
> I'm absolutely for the reduction of carbon emmissios, but I'm also
> wary of shifting the same problem around the table. That is, giving
> the appearance of 'going green' while not actually doing anything.
>
> I do totally disagree with the RFID devices though, that's madness
> and simply revenue raising. If we're going down that road, then why
> the double standard, why not fit it to cars - particularly to the
> cars of the much-hated teenage driver bracket? The answer, if I had
> to guess would be because that would aggrivate a large number of
> voters, whereas motorcyclists are a minority with little power in
> this respect.
>
> Well, those are my thoughts. I can't sign it based on this and what
> Pete had already said.
>
> I appreciate you sending this information out though and I hope I
> haven't given everyone the opinion that I'm against the rights of 2
> wheeled motorists or anything in my first message.
>
>
>  - Alex.
>

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your email and your thoughts towards not signing the
petition!
For the record this has nothing to do with the affects on scooter
retailers, if licensing laws are changed then people who purchase a
scooter will have to get their licence irrespective!
It's that simple!
Yes there have been accidents, yes hospitalisation and yes broken
limbs, as you would also get riding a pushbike, walking across the
road, playing sport, driving a car and so on!
We always recommend people do a training course because they go out
and ride in traffic, buy a pushbike and see if that sales person
advises them to do a course!
A cyclist has no training, no age limit or does not even need a car
licence to ride in traffic and very seldom obey road rules!
In most European countries at 14 you can ride a moped legally, by the
time they are legal to get their license they have had 3 years
experience on the road which usually makes them a much better car
driver, statistics have also proven this!
If we go one step further one could say that riding a new scooter is
far safer than riding an old one, with no mirrors, indicator lights,
very poor lighting, poor braking, poor handling and not to mention
environmentally damaging etc, etc, etc we could go on forever.
But I support the right of the individual, the purpose of the
petition is to give people a choice, whether it is classic scooter,
moped, motorcycle or motor car.
Imagine if the government banned all beautifully restored classics
because they are too dangerous and are not equipped with the latest
safety equipment!
What choice would we have then? None!

Looking to the future rights and choice for all people!
Joe

This is my first message sent out to the Scooteroos, I've been
lurking but not replying. However I'm sorry to say, like Pete, I
disagree with the petition and I'm fine with most of the changes.

I would *love* to see 50cc scooters require a licence. I'm sure it
will likely affect sales and I think Pete is correct in assuming the
creator of this petition may have some vested interest in the
machines remaining unlicenced. Being a newbie myself and having done
Qride I cannot understand how people are allowed to jump onto a 50cc
scooter simply because it has a low top speed. It's extremely
dangerous and as Pete said the statistics do not take into account
injury or bad scooterists causing other accidents etc.

As somebody over 6 feet tall, I also find it hard to believe people
won't fit on 250cc bikes... My scooter is 125cc and I fit fine, any
smaller and it *does* become a problem but I just don't think that's
even an issue. Perhaps if you're grossly overweight, but that isn't
something I'm willing to touch on.

I also find the environmental claims a bit ridiculous actually. At
university this has been a huge area of interest for me personally
and I think the main problem I have with it is it's context
dependant. Yes, riding a small scooter will cut your emmissions
greatly if you commute to work each day in a 4WD or SUV alone,
there's no denying that.

However extremes dealt with it then gets a little fuzzy. If 2-3
people carpool in a small car, is it really less efficient than 2-3
scooters being used? I would argue perhaps not, especially
considering the inherent carbon footprint the actual manufacture of 2-
3 scooters creates. AFAIK they also have a shorter lifespan than cars
all up too and many of the asian built machines seem to almost create
an aura of disposibility. There's no use trading in a car if you're
going to buy a few scooters, use them for 2 years, rinse and repeat.

Apologies for the rant but I think people are getting taken in by
marketing spin. Even Piaggio is running with this issue when
marketing the Vespa. Without taking into consideration the situation
the buyer was already in, it's impossible to say whether the
manufacture and running emissions of a new Vespa are really
beneficial to the environment or not.

I'm absolutely for the reduction of carbon emmissios, but I'm also
wary of shifting the same problem around the table. That is, giving
the appearance of 'going green' while not actually doing anything.

I do totally disagree with the RFID devices though, that's madness
and simply revenue raising. If we're going down that road, then why
the double standard, why not fit it to cars - particularly to the
cars of the much-hated teenage driver bracket? The answer, if I had
to guess would be because that would aggrivate a large number of
voters, whereas motorcyclists are a minority with little power in
this respect.

Well, those are my thoughts. I can't sign it based on this and what
Pete had already said.

I appreciate you sending this information out though and I hope I
haven't given everyone the opinion that I'm against the rights of 2
wheeled motorists or anything in my first message.


  - Alex.

Sorry Joe, but I support the proposed changes and find it strange
that due to engine capacity a small group of riders are exempt from
passing a rider competence licencing test.

The proposed changes will reduce civil liberty's?  It does not
prevent people from riding scooters or bikes, rather it enforces a
standardised licencing and minimum skill standard.  As you point out
there are similar approaches in other Australian States.  Maybe this
is more a case of Queensland catching up with the rest of the
country.

The recent enthusiasm for advanced rider training organised by Ben
and yourself demonstrates the interest people have in increasing
their knowledge & safety.  In line with you initiatives, the
proposed licencing system will also ensure that all riders will
attend some basic training in safety regardless of what they ride.

   The statistics show a relatively low number of 50cc rider
casualties, however how many are seriously injured or permanently
disabled in the low speed peak hour traffic accidents?  Based on the
information quoted you could have both legs amputated and this is
not reflected in the statistical argument presented.  How many 50cc
scooters are sold only to be written off within the first couple
months by unskilled riders?

Surely this enforced minimum training and skill testing is a good
thing.

I wonder if this petition has come from the scooter retail sector
who see licencing as an inconvenience to people purchasing scooters,
rather than compulsory training and competence testing for rider
safety.

Yours sceptically
Peter

--- In scooteroo@..., "Joe D'Ercole" <joe@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> I have set up an online petition in regards to licensing law
changes
> in Queensland.
> I would urge as many two wheel riders to read this petition and if
> you agree please sign it as it very important to the Motorcycle
> Industry, your civil liberties and hopefully start pushing for
other
> benefits in the use of two wheel transport.
> In today's budget the Australian Government is saying that the tab
> for climate change incentives is expected to hit $2 Billion, in
all
> there correspondence there is no mention or benefits of riding two
> wheels and the benefits to the environment.
> The invitations to the Queensland Government must be in before
Friday
> the 30th of May so please encourage as many people as you can!
> If you require any further information please do not hesitate to
> contact me on any of the contacts below.
>
> The link is:
>
> http://www.petitiononline.com/TWQLD08/petition.html
>
>
> Thanking you all for your support.
>
> Joe
>