mmg.com.au

Not all those in attendance were motorcyclists.

They rode from all parts of the state to Seymour on Saturday with one thing on their minds — a fair go for motorcyclists.

About 200 riders converged on State Member for Seymour Cindy McLeish’s office in the first shot of the Fair Go run, a campaign targeting marginal electorates on both sides of politics to try to ensure Parliament passes the recommendations of its inquiry into motorcycle safety before the next election.

The parliamentary committee made more than 60 recommendations and rider groups want all implemented.

They include everything from setting up an independent office of road safety data to abolishing the motorcycle safety levy.

Independent Riders Group spokesman Damien Codognotto, who organised the rally, said motorcyclists needed to become better lobbyists — much like bicycle groups — and spread the word about the campaign.

‘‘Our people are getting hurt out there,’’ he said.

There were more than 325000 registered motorbike riders in the state, who contributed an estimated $750 million annually just through touring, Mr Codognotto said.

The crowd appreciates a point made.

Heather Ellis, a motorcyclist, single mother of three and member of advisory committees to the Government, said motorcyclists no longer accepted the ‘‘arrogant’’ attitude of the Transport Accident Commission towards motorcyclists.

Riders were angry at paying a safety levy when there was no evidence they were the ones at fault in crashes, and speakers were also upset at the ‘‘Hollywood’’ TAC filming road safety commercials that portrayed motorcyclists as the road users at fault.

TAC chief executive Janet Dore defended the television commercials in a letter published in the Telegraph recently.

Ms McLeish addressed the gathering in drizzly conditions. She said the committee had written to the TAC about the commercials.

She said she would raise the concerns aired at the rally with the relevant ministers and committee members. The Government had until mid-June to respond to the report.

Opposition road safety spokesman Luke Donnellan, who earlier farewelled some of the riders from Melbourne, said the Government also had to look at off-road rider safety.

‘‘Motorcycle and scooter riders however have seen little action from this government on implementing any of these recommendations,’’ he said.