POLICE will be out in force today with more than 200 bikers
to mass north of the coast for the Hells Angels annual poker run.
The Good as Gold run will depart from the Browns Plains clubhouse in
Tradelink Drive at 12.30pm.
Outlaw gang members will lead the run in full colours, joined by hundreds of
bikers from across the south east.
The event has previously attracted as many 400 riders.
Acting Superintendent Paul Hogg yesterday said a "united operation"
involving Taskforce Hydra and traffic taskforce and the public safety
response team will be staged to ensure the riders obey the law.
"It will be a large contingent of police, we make no apology for that," Supt
Hogg said.
Hydra boss Inspector Garry Watts said police would not be "escorting" the
outlaw gang run.
"The police contingent is there to ensure the safety of the public and to
ensure that all traffic regulations are complied with."
Insp Watts said police were concerned by "blatant" and dangerous traffic
breaches on previous runs including running red lights, crossing double
white lines and speeding.
Police are not certain what route the run will take, but believe riders will
head south.
A Hells Angel spokesman involved in organising the Poker Run event said the
police were "fear mongering".
"The event is an annual public event attended by motorcyclists from around
Australia, part proceeds of which always go to local charities or needy
individuals within the community," he said.
"The event has been incident free for the last 20 years and local police and
Task Force Hydra have been involved in the co-ordinating of traffic for the
last four years -- very successfully.
"The organisers take the event and its patrons' use of the road very
seriously and have always designed the route with consideration of other
road users and to alleviate any potential issues with coordinating such an
event, with both St Johns Ambulance and lawyers attending to ensure the
safety of any persons participating should there be the need for them
-- which there never has been."
