Albanese lauds motorcycles and scooters
The federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has hailed powered two-wheelers as part of the “grand renaissance” during a speech in CanberraIt’s hard to believe, but a good news story has surfaced out of Canberra this week, with the federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese delivering a strong endorsement on the benefits of motorcycle and scooter riding.
In a speech at the Australian Motorcycle Council’s fourth annual ‘Federal Members and Senators Motorcycle Ride’, Mr Albanese said that powered two-wheelers played a vital role "in the transport ecology of our cities".
“A surge in demand for motorcycles and scooters is forcing a major shift in how we look at bikes and scooters,” said Mr Albanese. “A lot more people, including those responsible for transport policy, are now taking seriously the role motorcycles can play in transport, especially urban transport.
“This shift in consumer perception and demand is very significant. It fundamentally changes the national conversation we need to have about the place of motorcycles and scooters in our transport system.
“For decades we focused on how to make bikes safer. Now we need to be talking about their role in the transport ecology of our cities. With new riders taking to the roads each day, the safety aspect is as critical as ever. But we must achieve this in a way that doesn't hinder their massive potential in moving people around.
“Space-efficient transport modes like motorbikes and scooters can help more people reach their city centres helping entire cities function better. Motorcycles and scooters can fill the crucial gap in cities between walking and cycling, and taking the car.
“Too far for the push bike? Wheel out the Vespa, hit the starter button and you're halfway there.
“They have less embodied energy, only about a fifth of that involved in producing the rubber and steel and various parts that make up a car. Compared to the car, they also cause much less damage to roads—not to mention lower emissions.”
Mr Albanese outlined four actions Labor will take into the next term of government if it’s re-elected:
- A greater understanding about the effects of motorcycle use on the whole transport system in Australian cities, and how to maximise the benefits;
- Motorcyclists and scooter riders themselves will be part of the transport infrastructure planning process;
- At the Commonwealth level going well beyond the current statistics which don't extend beyond mortality rates; and
- Working with states and territories to make sure regulations affecting motorcyclists are uniform across the country.
PS: June 27, 2013 Albanese is now the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia after the Labor leadership spill, and we'll keep you posted if he holds onto the transport portfolio.
PPS: July 1, 2013: Albanese kept his transport portfolio in the Rudd cabinet reshuffle, as well as adding communications and broadband (NBN).
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