MA: bicycle-only lanes increase risks for powered two-wheelers
Calls for study into sharing arrangementMotorcycling Australia is calling for a study into the sharing bicycle lanes between bicycles and powered two wheelers (PTW).
The country’s peak body for motorcycling believes an unintended consequence of the new government-funded bicycle-only lanes has been to increase the risks for riders of PTW -- a group of road users who are even more vulnerable, according to accident statistics.
In several Australian cities, notably Melbourne, bicycle-only lanes force riders of scooters and PTW onto slippery tram tracks or road markings, or subject them to punitive fines.
"The issue highlights the need for motorcycles and scooters to be considered in overall traffic management plans", said Dan Rotman the manager of the Riders’ Division at MA. It’s something which we have been waiting on for decades."
In Melbourne, the Powered Two Wheeler Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan, which is due for release any day now, may provide a solution to the issue.
"We need to establish some ground rules for the construction of bicycle-only lanes, and how all vulnerable road users can benefit from Government safety initiatives," Rotman said.
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