The Motorcycle Riders Association of the ACT Inc. (MRA ACT) is an independent not-for-profit community service organisation (ABN 95 778 768 132) whose main purpose is to improve the conditions and reputation of motorcyclists in the ACT region.
The MRA ACT was formed in the early 70’s to represent motorcycle riders and protect their rights and independence. The MRA ACT has evolved over the decades to provide a unified voice to the Territory Government of the day and to join with other state representative bodies (MRA’s and MCC’s) in forming the Australian Motorcycle Council.
The MRA ACT’s Objectives:
- Represent all riders irrespective of gender, age, club affiliation, or type of powered two wheeled vehicle they ride (trikes included);
- Raise the profile of motorcycling in the broader community;
- Ensure equal rights to the use of the Roads and Regions of the ACT;
- Improve road safety for riders but not at the expense of undermining a riders right to choose;
- Engender motorcycling as a safe, efficient,greener and affordable alternative form of sustainable transport.
“More Riders – More Often”
The MRA ACT encourages all riders to support our work in achieving the organisation’s objectives and has memberships for individuals and affiliations for clubs to join the cause.
Work the MRA ACT has done and is doing:
- Visibility within ACT Government through meeting relevant Ministers and staff.
- Providing an Election Platform of essential needs for improved riding in the ACT (derived from 2023 Riders Forum).
- Supporting the Australian Motorcycle Council in its work at Federal level.
- Work with other motorcycle and scooter groups and organisations to develop a common voice
Improving Road Safety outcomes for riders:
- The MRA ACT serves on the Black Spot Committee.
- The MRA ACT is regularly in the media voicing concerns of riders and looking to improve our lot.
- Editorial comment has been provided on the new Motorcyclist’s Handbook and the Good Gear Guide, and the MRA ACT is regularly called upon to review suggested Road Rule changes;
- MRA ACT promotes the Joe Rider road user awareness campaign. It started in Canberra and is a core activity in our annual motorcycle awareness week in early October.
Providing better facilities for all riders:
- We support a modern and comprehensive training, sporting and recreational motorcycle facility be developed in the ACT.
Raising the profile of motorcycling:
- Blanket Run.
- Motorcycle Awareness Week (October) including the Joe Rider awareness campaign.
- Toy Run.
- Capital Rally
The MRA ACT actively supports all other clubs when requested in providing their events:
- Pink Ribbon Ride.
- Ride for Difference.
- Vintage and Veterans Swap Meet.
- Riders Lane
- Vietnam Vets Poker and Charity rides
- …and many more!
The MRA ACT is working actively to get motorcycles into the Sustainable Transport Plan for the ACT and is a member of the ACT e-Vehicle council working to get and keep electric motorcycles on the agenda and treated equitably.
The community will often identify us via our charity work which has grown steadily under the stewardship of our many volunteers, with rides of over 1000 riders becoming a bench mark rather than an aspiration. We actively support other organisations in their activities and combine to present successful and popular events – the Ride4Difference, Motorcycle Awareness Week are examples. With this active and proactive support and promotion the MRA ACT is and will position itself as truly representative of the motorcycling community of the ACT.
We have an expanded consulting role with the ACT Government with regards to Motorcycle Safety, social and rider development programs, Motorcycle Awareness Week, Capital Rally and charity events such as the Toy and Blanket Runs.
We have embraced the other clubs in the ACT and have been rewarded by having several affiliates join us. We have raised the profile of the MRA with the government, opposition and other parties and actively represented ALL riders irrespective of the vehicle type, gender, age or club affiliation to the bureaucracy of the ACT and federally.
(Page updated 13 June 24)
