Port Macquarie Hastings Council is launching a road safety competition this October, in support of Motorcycle Awareness Month.
The 'Spot Joe Rider' competition looks to reduce the occurrence of SMIDSY (Sorry Mate, I didn't See You) crashes by encouraging all road users to look out for motorcyclists on local roads.
Volunteer motorcyclists will be riding on Port Macquarie Hastings Council's local road network from Monday 7 October to Friday 11 October 2024, wearing yellow high-visibility 'Joe Rider' vests.
Throughout the competition period, drivers are asked to be on the lookout and remember where and when they sighted 'Joe'. To enter the competition, pull over to a safe spot or wait until you have arrived at your destination before completing the sighting form on council's website.
There are prizes to be won. Daily winners will receive a $50 voucher and one lucky winner will score the grand prize of a $250 voucher at the end of the week. The campaign is run simultaneously alongside neighbouring councils, and forms part of broader Motorcycle Safety Month initiatives which are run right throughout October.
Port Macquarie Hastings Education Officer Julia Cutajar said that this program is a great reminder to both drivers and motorcyclists to be cautious when out on our roads.
"Exercising caution out on the road is paramount at all times, particularly around motorcycle riders who are more exposed than other vehicles," she said.
"The Joe Rider campaign assists in educating our community about the importance of road safety awareness with a spotlight particularly on motorcyclists.
"If you spot a 'Joe Rider', take a mental note of when and where you saw them and pull over where it is safe to do so or wait until your destination. Spotting Joe is a great prompt to check mirrors and blind spots, scan the road especially at roundabouts and intersections, and take care when pulling out from the curb or opening your car door when parked."
The Joe rider campaign started in the ACT about 17 years ago as a program to increase driver awareness of motorcyclists on our roads. The campaign has since been adopted by councils nationwide, including PMHC.
