OFF THE WIRE
SCORES of Rebel bikies - Australia's largest motorcycle chapter - arrived by
boat in Melbourne yesterday morning for the club's annual
congregation.
They will join members from all corners of the country as the group heads to Sydney today, part of their national run.
A strong police presence from the Echo Taskforce intercepted the 25-strong group as its ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania, docked at Port Melbourne at 5.30am yesterday.
The Rebel fleet was breath-tested and vehicles examined, but no charges laid.
It was in stark contrast to last year's heavily armed operation where an interstate police blitz seized drugs and charged members with traffic-related offences.
A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed that the motorcyclists were being "closely monitored" as they travelled north to the party's headquarters.
"As part of the operation, all riders underwent licence, registration and roadworthy checks, and helmet compliance checks," the spokesman said.
"Police expect the ride to pass through Melbourne without any incidents and will not be providing an escort for the run."
Riders from the Western Australia posse were expected to have passed through Mil- dura yesterday.
The 2000-strong group is en-route to assemble at the Sydney chapter of national president and founder of the Rebels, Alex Vella, before heading to Canberra.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/rebel-bikies-arrive-in-melbourne-for-national-ride/story-e6frg6n6-1226488906930
They will join members from all corners of the country as the group heads to Sydney today, part of their national run.
A strong police presence from the Echo Taskforce intercepted the 25-strong group as its ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania, docked at Port Melbourne at 5.30am yesterday.
The Rebel fleet was breath-tested and vehicles examined, but no charges laid.
It was in stark contrast to last year's heavily armed operation where an interstate police blitz seized drugs and charged members with traffic-related offences.
A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed that the motorcyclists were being "closely monitored" as they travelled north to the party's headquarters.
"As part of the operation, all riders underwent licence, registration and roadworthy checks, and helmet compliance checks," the spokesman said.
"Police expect the ride to pass through Melbourne without any incidents and will not be providing an escort for the run."
Riders from the Western Australia posse were expected to have passed through Mil- dura yesterday.
The 2000-strong group is en-route to assemble at the Sydney chapter of national president and founder of the Rebels, Alex Vella, before heading to Canberra.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/rebel-bikies-arrive-in-melbourne-for-national-ride/story-e6frg6n6-1226488906930