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AMC head calls for national focus
Shaun Lennard, the chairman of the Australian Motorcycle Council, has urged a macro approach to motorcycle strategyThe chairman of the Australian Motorcycle Council, Shaun Lennard, has called for the introduction of a national motorcycle strategy in Australia, similar to what has existed in the UK for over seven years.
Lennard posed the question during the third parliamentary motorcycle breakfast in Canberra, which was held on September 18, 2012.
“We’re not suggesting that motorcycling is for everybody,” said Lennard.
“But more and more people are choosing to travel by motorcycle; so at a minimum government policy should acknowledge this. Even better: look at policy measures that embrace motorcycling and the benefits that this brings to all road users.
“Reducing congestion through increased motorcycle usage has a direct positive benefit for all other road users – commuters and those travelling for commercial purposes. There are direct economic benefits, often overlooked.
“In Australia, in recent years there has been a strong push from governments at all levels to promote more sustainable transport options; looking at ways of reducing congestion from private cars. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent in encouraging increased use of public transport, walking and cycling.
“At the same time virtually nothing has been spent on encouraging motorcycling – with a few notable exceptions – yet the number of people favouring motorcycles for commuter trips has increased dramatically. Many people fail to understand how motorcycles reduce traffic congestion.
“This despite the fact that the number of registered motorcycles had grown by seven percent per year for the previous decade.
“And a key area where there has been a significant increase in the number of motorcycles is in commuter traffic, yet governments generally have done little to react to this. That’s other than to say there have been some state government initiatives actually aimed at reducing the numbers of people taking up motorcycling – a little like trying to hold back the tide.”
Lennard cited a study undertaken in Belgium last year, which examined the morning peak on a major highway between a satellite city, Leuven, and Brussels. Through detailed modelling, it was estimated that if 10 percent of the car users had instead been on motorcycles, congestion would have been reduced by around 40 percent.
“What is overdue then, is the introduction of a national motorcycle strategy in Australia; similar to what has existed in the UK for over seven years. This will also bring safety improvements for motorcycling in Australia,” he continued.
“Perhaps a good place to start in Australia would be with a national organisation similar to the government-funded Australian Bicycle Council, where the federal, state and territory members of Austroads – in consultation with user stakeholders – engage with the increasing number of riders across the country to bring about improvements for all?
“In the lead-up to next year’s federal election, the Australian Motorcycle Council will continue to encourage and support each of the major parties to formulate new policies relating to motorcycling and its role as part of the transport solution.”
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Written byBikesales Staff
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