Cessnock City Council is inviting motorists to spot 'Joe Rider' from Monday 2 May to Friday 6 May, and report the sighting, as part of its local motorcycle safety campaign.
The Joe Rider campaign is all about encouraging drivers to 'look out' for motorcyclists. The intention is to reduce the incidence of, sorry mate I didn't see you (SMIDSY) crashes, which many riders have experienced.
Residents who spot 'Joe Rider' and report the sighting via an online form on Council's website will go in the running to win daily $50 vouchers and a grand prize of $250 at the end of the week.
This is the second time the Joe Rider campaign has run in the Hunter. This time around residents will have the opportunity to spot 'Joe' in Cessnock City, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter, MidCoast Council areas.
Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal said the Joe Rider campaign was a positive initiative that promotes road users to be aware of motorcycle riders.
"Too many lives are lost through accidents that could be prevented if drivers paid closer attention on the roads," Cr Suvaal said.
"This campaign is a fun way to change driver behaviour and help save lives."
Cessnock City Council's Road Safety Officer Alison Shelton is encouraging residents to keep an eye out for local motorcycle riders who will be sporting bright yellow 'Joe Rider' vests in the first week of May.
"Motorcyclists are more exposed than any other vehicles on our roads. This campaign aims to encourage drivers to consistently look out for motorcyclists, and develop new habits, helping them Ride to Live," Alison said.
"In the five year period from 2016 to 2020, there were 136 crashes in the Cessnock LGA with motorcycle involvement, and 44% of these involved another vehicle."
"Almost half of these crashes occurred in low speed environments, and 29% were at intersections, which shows they can be easily overlooked by other road users."
"Getting in the habit of checking our mirrors and blind spots for riders, and being more cautious at intersections, will help to reduce SMIDSY crashes on our roads."
Visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/JoeRider for more details on how to enter the Joe Rider motorcycle safety campaign competition.
Photo left to right: Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal, Senior Constable Aaron Dennis Highway Patrol Newcastle Hunter Sector – Cessnock Police Station, 'Joe Rider' Bill Ingall Ulysses, Cessnock City Council Road Safety Officer Alison Shelton.
