By JESSE GRAHAM
FRUSTRATED motorcycle riders took to the roads on Sunday to protest against the idea of Victoria following in Queensland’s footsteps with anti-bikie laws and the stigma attached to their lifestyle.
But Seymour MP Cindy McLeish said that recreational riders would not be in the crosshairs of any bikie laws.
About a dozen motorcyclists departed from Healesville as part of a 1000-strong riding group that converged on Parliament House in Melbourne.
The Freedom Ride was held to protest the proposal for Victoria to introduce anti-bikie legislation similar to Queensland’s, which Healesville motorcyclist Heather Ellis said would add further stigma to riders.
“I have ridden motorcycles for over 40 years, but increasingly, I’ve witnessed a growing lack of respect from car drivers who either fail to look for me or treat me like a queue jumper as I filter through traffic,” she said.
“I ask the Victorian Government to please stop the criminals, whether they ride motorcycles or not – but use existing police powers.
Ms Ellis is also a member of the Victorian Government’s Motorcycle Advisory Group and the Independent Riders’ Group.
The Queensland laws remove the onus from police to prove an outlaw motorcycle gang is a criminal organisation to the courts – a system which Victoria still has.
Ms Ellis said that similar laws were ready to be tabled in the Victorian Parliament.
Ms McLeish said she had not seen the legislation Ms Ellis mentioned, but that any laws would be targeted only at outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“The level of crime these outlaw groups have become involved with is escalating rapidly and needs to be tackled,” she said.
“But they’re not targeted at a person who goes out on a weekend for a joy-ride on their bike, whether it’s a triumph or a Harley, to enjoy themselves.
“Laws encourage all riders to ride safely and enjoy their ride, but in the knowledge that the law is definitely not targeting them.”
Ms McLeish said she would be happy to listen to any community members’ concerned about motorcycle laws.
