Joe Rider safety awareness campaign growing

IN its second year, the annual Tweed Joe Rider campaign saw increased participation and community engagement, raising awareness of motorcycle rider safety and visibility during October.

By wearing bright yellow ‘I am Joe Rider’ vests, volunteer riders helped to shine a spotlight on safety by reminding motorists to check their mirrors and blind spots when travelling on Tweed roads.

The grassroots movement also celebrates the strength and camaraderie of the Tweed’s motorcycle community.

Participating riders received fatigue prevention vouchers and a first aid kit as a token of appreciation.

Community members registered 200 ‘spots’ in the Spot the Joe Rider online competition, representing a 225 per cent increase from 2024.

Daily winners took home $50 vouchers, and the grand prize winner won a $250 voucher.

Tweed Council road safety officer Lily Morgan, this year’s Joe Rider campaign had been a standout success.

“We saw more riders, more community engagement, and most importantly, more conversations about motorcycle safety,” Morgan said.

“Every vest worn and every sighting logged helped shift attitudes and save lives.”

The formal campaign results and competition winners’ announcement were delayed out of respect for the recent several motorbike fatalities in the region, including those that occurred during the campaign.

“We know that motorcyclists are among our most vulnerable road users here in Tweed,” Morgan said.

“Between 2018 and 2022, they accounted for almost half of all road fatalities in the Tweed compared to less than 20 per cent statewide.

“This risk has been further highlighted by the spate of recent motorcycle accidents locally. We’re hoping that campaigns like Joe Rider go some way towards addressing this.”

Morgan also reminded the community that playing Joe Rider ‘spotto’ was an everyday game, even though the campaign had ended.

“The more eyes on the road, the safer it is for everyone,” she said.

“We can’t wait to build on this year’s campaign and come back even bigger and better in 2026.”

For information, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/community/roads-transport/road-safety/motorcycle-safety