MOTORCYCLE COUNCIL of NSW
RIDERS NEEDED FOR FATIGUE STUDY
The MCC of NSW is working with researchers at UNSW on how fatigue affects motorcyclists. Fatigue is not presently recognized as a factor in motorcycle crashes.
DATES: Sunday 6 April AND Sunday 13 April 2003
This is a pilot study (meaning it’s to test some ideas about motorcyclistsand fatigue and whether it really is an issue.). This is a world first. No one has done testingon bikes before, it’s all been trucks and cars.
As part of the research we need some volunteers.
The test will take up 2 entire consecutive Sundays.
You’ll do one Sunday riding – a tad less than 300km in the South including RNP, Macquarie Pass, Jamberoo, bits of freeway. Start early (around 8am) at UNSW in Kensington, do some tests, then leave in batches to do the run, come back, and do more tests. It will take all day, and require you to commit to getting there early and leaving late.
The other Sunday you’ll spend quietly at home. This means *no riding*, no gardening, nothing tiring. But no beer either! Just lazing about resting, but no alcohol. You’ll also do some more tests at UNSW. Again, morning and afternoon. Yes, you can ride there and back again, as long as it is less than 30 minutes to get there, (otherwise be passengered in a car) but that is all the riding permitted for the day.
Two mobs will be formed, one mob riding and the other resting on Sunday 6 April, then the next weekend, swap roles.
We are looking for riders of all ages, level of experience, type of bike. Due to the length of the run, it’s NOT suitable for learners.
The riders have to be willing to commit two full Sundays to the job, which includes getting up early and riding on one of them, and not riding or drinking *at all* on the other, no matter the weather or the temptation.
If you think you want to do this, then please email Guy Stanford and put “fatigue lab rat” in the subject line. In the email, note (1) the type of bike you have, (2) the years you have been riding, (3) how far you live from UNSW in Kensington, and (4) that you understand you are committing to two full days including an early start.
The project is being supervised by the well regarded Injury Risk and Management Research Centre (IRMRC) at University of NSW, under Professor Williamson.
Only you will be given your individual fatigue rate. All results are anonymous.