There were a lot of people. It felt like more than I've seen on a Sydney toy run. There have been estimates up to 2000 but I doubt it, I think 800-1000 is closer. At first I thought 500 based on parking, but looks like the parking held 600 or so not 450+, and there were more diverted to the Domain. Lots of cops, even the riot wagon turned up which generated a lot of shaking heads and rolling eyes. When the parking was full, the cops sent someone down to the corner to redirect people to the domain but asked for someone in bike kit to go down with their man to lend him some legitimacy.... The crowds on either side of Macquarie street got bigger and bigger, packed tightly while various bikes did laps. The UMC guys were sorta obviously loud, but there were quite a few sportbikes and commuters and tourers too. (And one WLA which couldn't decide if it was a single or a twin and got a police escort so it didn't end up being run over while it was deciding) A few honks and waves from car drivers too. Guess they have a helmet on the shelf somewhere. After Stoner's speech someone yelled they didn't want more talking they wanted action and a chant of "we want action" started up. This seemed to concern the suits on the steps of Parliament House and there was some discussion and the odd phone in use. Sure enough as Rob Colligan said later " Within 5 minutes of the Rally ending Minister Daley’s advisor was arranging a meeting within 30 minutes." And there they offered what Stoner had offered, a seat on the MAA board, plus a review of CTP pricing. We shall see just what that means. Stoner did add that as Shadow Minister for Roads and leader of the Nats he not only saw motorcycles as legitimate road users and a class of road users in their own right, he had the clout to do something about it if they won government. Be good if he was capable of standing up to the RTA, something no Labor minister has managed in 10 years or more. Was it a success? Well, it did get the seat on the MAA committee and it did put bikes a bit more on the radar. So if you took the time to come, then you didn't waste it. Zebee
