St Kilda Road for scooter safe route?

Scooter groups and the VACC are pushing for the first 'safe route' for scooter riders to be implemented on St Kilda Road.

The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, or VACC, has joined with several scooter groups calling for improved safety for scooter riders, arguing that 'safe routes' will encourage more people to ride scooters, easing inner city congestion.

Executive director of the VACC, David Purchase, spelt it out: "Scooters are one of the answers to our transport problems. They reduce congestion and demand for parking spaces; their carbon footprint is low and they are cheap to buy and run.

"St Kilda Road is a suitable location for a 'safe route' because it is wide, straight and already includes a cycling lane. A six month trial period will enable us to record vital data, with a view to investigating further scooter 'safe routes' in and around Melbourne and other Victorian cities," explained Mr Purchase.

The VACC says that plans are not moving fast enough to encourage two-wheeled transpoert in Victoria and that more needs to be done.

"Scooters are recognised in the Victorian Government's Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers, but things are moving too slowly for us. We know a study on road space management has recently been completed and its recommendations identify lane sharing options. This needs to be implemented immediately.

"VACC calls on scooter riders to vote with their wheels and join us at our 5th annual 'Safe Routes' Scooter Rally, on Sunday October 10. Hundreds of riders are expected to meet at Luna Park before riding to Lygon Street, where we will again call for scooters to be part of Victoria's integrated transport plan.

As Australia's first scooter friendly precinct, those championing the new plan have suggested that several changes will effectively ensure St Kilda Road becomes a better place for scooterists.

Changes to road signage, with designated 'safe route' signs would be the start, followed by "boxed turns at certain busy intersections" plus filtering in stationery or slow moving traffic. The access of bicycle lanes by low-powered scooters has also been mooted.

The VACC is also pushing the idea of specific scooter training courses, six monthly scooter registrations and the most controversial proposal is for "car licence holders to be permitted to ride 50cc scooters, provided training is undertaken."

If you're interested in the 'Safe Routes' Scooter Rally in October, go to VACC.com.au for more details. What do you think of the new plans? Let us know your thoughts at Fast Torque.

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