The Avon Valley region flows along winding roads north-west from Beverley through to New Norcia, taking in the country hospitality of York, Northam, Toodyay, Chittering, Bindoon, Victoria Plains and Goomalling. The combination of stunning scenery and WA’s temperate climate offers the beginning of many a great ride.
Whilst four Australian towns/municipalities…
- Glamorgan Spring Bay, Tasmania (July 2007)
- Texas, Queensland (July 2013)
- Wauchope, New South Wales (November 2016)
- Crows Nest, Queensland (February 2017)
…have declared themselves Motorcycle Friendly it appears there’s not yet a regional collaboration. A Google search doesn’t reveal one, but it did uncover the fact that the Queensland region of South Burnett is putting forward a motorcycle friendly proposal to their Council this month. They had designs on becoming the first Motorcycle Friendly Region in Australia, but after hearing from Avon Tourism have cheerfully conceded that they will be the first in Queensland instead!
This regional project was made possible through a $16,180 allocation from the Wheatbelt Development Commission’s 2016, Royalties for Regions supported, Community Chest Fund along with facilitation by the sub-regional tourism organisation, Avon Tourism. Cully’s Yamaha Perth also kindly stepped in to fill a funding gap. Each of the seven Shires provided in-kind support to undertake the installation of the eight dozen pieces of signage.
The Shires will be linked with “Avon Valley Region” branded road signage, designed to complement their existing signage, along with “Experience the Avon Valley on Two Wheels” noticeboards at key visitor information points. The regional map, including fuel outlet and rest stop locations, will be made available to riders as a pocketsize brochure and also online. It will feature contact numbers for information, towing and assistance, plus tips and techniques for riding on country roads. Another element will be “What’s Around The Corner?” asking riders to think in a different way about rural riding and reminding them to call 138 138 to report unsafe roads.
Avon Tourism Chairperson, Karen Dore, said “We encourage all motorcycle riders to experience the Avon Valley on two wheels and to give our regional motorcycle friendly operators the opportunity to warmly welcome them”. Ms Dore, who rides a Yamaha MT07 and is the ‘hanging on’ half of a road racing sidecar team, says that the initiative has been well-received by local businesses.
A swag of Avon Valley eateries, places to stay and attractions have pledged to be “motorcycle friendly” through the provision of visor wiping and / or gear storage facilities along with easy access to suitable parking. Motorcycle friendly business operators will display their “proud participant” stickers prominently, with a detailed listing available from the website. Many of the operators will also take the opportunity to offer motorcycle rider only offers through the AVMCFR Facebook group.
The ‘Official Launch’ will take place at 11am Sunday 23 April 2017 onstage at the York Motorcycle Festival. The formal announcement and ceremonial ribbon cutting will be preceded by a number of Avon Valley rides to the event, showcasing the roads on the regional map. Excitingly, there will be a number of incentives offered to ride participants, with over $1,000 of prizes up for grabs.
Website www.avonvalleywa.com.au/what-to-do/avmcfr Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/avmcfr/ Launch Event www.yorkmotorcyclefestival.com.au/
