Accolades and Endorsements ~ Motorcycles Touring East Gippsland

The site has had 70767 pages downloaded in its first full month of operation - April 2006!
That is more than 2,000 pages a day !

Ms R Manhire - Ambulance Community Officer, Omeo Branch:

I read about your web site in the Bairnsdale Advertiser on April 19th. I think it is a great idea. I am not a motor cyclist but have unfortunately had contact with injured motorcyclists through my involvement as an Ambulance Community Officer at the Omeo Branch. At our November meeting of the Steering committee for the Paramedic Community Support Coordinator we discussed the need for greater input and education of bike riders (both locals and tourists and road and dirt) in using the roads within our "collection area". There are certainly some seriously dangerous corners and sections of roads that have produced multiple deaths and injuries. Mr Jim Wilkins (Area manager of RAV) is a member of this committee and his input with 'local' knowledge could assist in reducing the necessity for the ambulance. The PCSC (Paramedic) position was developed in the Omeo area to provide education and to develop ideas that would reduce the incidence of public injury.
Good luck with the site, as I think it will be very valued.

Ronda

Peter (the 'Bear') Thoeming - Author of Bear Face Books and editor of RideOn, the Ulysses Club official magazine, Australian RoadRider, Motorcycle Weekly and a number of other newsletters, magazines and articles such as the one below from Autoguide News:

East Gippsland is not only next to the GP and Superbike track, but also home to some of Australia’s most stunning and diverse scenery. That’s matched by the bike roads. The long sandy ocean beaches of Bass Strait, picturesque inland rivers, alpine resorts, State and National Parks of the region make for some of the most exciting and interesting riding that Victoria has to offer. And now a new website has been launched to make it easier for motorcyclists to safely plan their trip through the area, whether you’re arriving via the Great Alpine Road or the Princes Highway.

The website, ‘Motorcycles Touring East Gippsland’, contains maps, photos and details of various routes, ranging east from Stratford through Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Cann River to the NSW border, and north to the Shire boundary through Bruthen, Ensay, Swifts Creek and Omeo along the famous Great Alpine Road. Stage 1 is focused on the major routes in and out of the region. Stage 2 will encompass the secondary and tertiary routes which are often the more popular routes for motorcyclists.

One of the most important features of the website is the safety information it contains. Each marked route on the website has ‘No Surprise’ locations, ‘Rest Stops’ and ‘Items of Interest’.

The No Surprise locations are areas where motorcyclists need to be aware of potentially dangerous situations, whether it be a rough road surface, sharp bend or poor visibility. Photographs are provided to help motorcyclists navigate through problem spots and arrive safely at their destination.

Points of Interest are also marked on the routes and these include towns, scenic or tourist areas and well known landmarks. Information on services available in each town, BBQ facilities, toilets, accommodation and restaurants are also included and recommended Rest Areas along the way have photographic links enabling a view of each rest stop.

The main purpose of the website is to promote motorcycle safety while at the same time promoting the East Gippsland region and the bevy of fantastic rides it has on offer. There are sections on Rider Safety, Survival Tactics and the increasingly popular Barry Sheen Memorial Ride. The website has been created by local motorcycle enthusiast and Ulysses member, Russ Wade. Russ’ local knowledge and experience of the roads detailed on the website provide an invaluable resource for fellow motorcyclists who intend to travel in the East Gippsland region.

Russ expects the website to become one of the most popular and useful guides for motorcyclists visiting Gippsland, which is a very popular holiday location already. The safety information presented on the website is unique.

To avoid duplication, the website is linked to other related sites and Russ will conduct regular surveys of the routes to ensure that the site remains current as road conditions change. Expansion of the website will soon cover all of Gippsland and the Great Alpine Road to Wangaratta as each neighbouring region is added to the site, covering some of Australia’s most sought after bike routes.

The website, www.motorcyclesaust.com, has the support of RoadSafe, VicRoads, regional Shire Councils and Victoria Police.

And why am I rattling on about it at such length when it’s a local initiative that’s outside the range that many of you will ever travel? Because I’d love to see the same thing all over Australia.

Peter Theoming

Mr M Martin - Paramedic Lecturer & Former Paramedic, Ulysses member

"Where are the local supporters of this fine website who want to feed or house motorcylists from all over the country??? Where are the tourisum people, this is a wonderful opportunity to support your local community buy letting the world know YES we are here to support you come and visit us!"

Mick

Raymond Herd, Webmaster, Melbourne Ulysses Club Branch - Your site, motorcycleaust.com, is very professional and beautifully laid out. Super impressive. Well done!

Mayor Cr Jane Rowe - "The site would be an important modern aid to promoting safer motorcycling in the region. Our research showed that a website would be an excellent way to reach motorcyclists who intend to use our diverse road networks,” she said.
“There is no shortage of natural beauty in East Gippsland and motor cyclists ‘in the know’ rate it as a great place to ride and we want them to enjoy the ride safely ”

Deputy Mayor, Cr Bob Haldane - Chair of East Gippsland Shire's 'Road Safety Strategic Steering Committee' emphasised safety as an important factor.
“The site contains details of rest and refreshment areas, accommodation, warnings of difficult road conditions and possible hazards,” he said.
“It is the kind of information that is vital to ensuring that riders, who may have traveled for some hours before they reach our region, are able to find appropriate places to get rest and are aware of anything else that could affect safety.

Senior Sergeant, David Carey APM - Divisional Traffic Co-ordinator, Region 5 (South East) Bairnsdale:
"The site allows for road users such as the Omeo Bus Lines to submit updated information about the roads, whether it be a rockslide, vehicle accident or road repairs. This helps to keep the site up to date by providing timely information for those using these routes" he said.

Feedback :

Robyn Zibar - this is a brilliant site. the maps are so well done. congratulations.

Christine Mcleod - this is a brilliant site. It is very well done. A fantastic resource. You are to be congratulated.