The Good Gear Guide

According to a new report from the Federal Government, motorcycle rider safety "should" be improved in Australia thanks to the new Good Gear Guide for Motorcycle and Scooter Riders.

Launched by Anthony Albanese, the Federal Minister for Transport, the Good Gear Guide was put together by Liz de Rome from LdeR Consulting in conjunction with the Motorcycle Safety Consultative Committee (MSCC). Input from organisations such as the Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC) also contributed to the new guide.

The Good Gear Guide's aim is to educate riders to wear appropriate safety gear, regardless of the trip duration or weather conditions. It's a 24-page document with lots of statistics to back up its claims and makes for an interesting read, with tips and tricks on how to choose and fit everything from helmets to boots.

"The number of registered motorcycles has grown by 50% over the last five years," said transport minister Anthony Albanese. "It's no secret, however, that motorcycle and scooter riders are much more vulnerable on the roads than other motorists. The message I want to emphasise today is that all riders need to wear the right protective clothing, no matter how far they are riding."

The Good Gear Guide can be accessed at the Government's website or downloaded via this direct link to the PDF.

It was co-launched by AMC Chairman Shaun Lennard, who stated: "The AMC - through the peak rider organisations in each of the states and territories - had recognised that lack of proper protective clothing was becoming more and more of a concern, as the number of motorcycles and scooters on Australian roads increased significantly over the past five years.

"The AMC developed a proposal which we took to the Australian Government for developing a resource to enable riders to make well-informed decisions about what riding gear to wear.  We wanted to explain the value of protective gear in plain language," continued Mr Lennard.

"What works in Tasmania in winter isn't what you want to be wearing in Darwin or Townsville, but there are options for warmer climates these days too.

"It's been proven in studies that the right gear can substantially reduce the extent of injury in the event of a crash.  Good gear can save you pain and inconvenience in a minor crash and may help reduce injury in a severe impact.

"There's often a belief that 'I'm not going to crash, so it doesn't matter what I wear…' But the reality is that proper clothing isn't only 'protective' in the unfortunate event of a crash – good riding gear that keeps you comfortable can actually reduce your likelihood of having a crash in the first place.”

The launch of the new guide also touched on the issue of pillion passengers.

"We've all seen it – the rider in the full riding kit and the pillion in a singlet," said Mr Lennard. "With summer approaching, I urge everyone to make sure they're dressed properly before jumping on a bike; whether as rider or passenger."

"Our prime focus of course is on working to prevent crashes from occurring, but it makes good sense to be wearing protective clothing in case of the unexpected," he continued.

"It takes some knowledge to inspect riding gear - some gear looks to be 'protective', but is simply a style and no better than casual clothing.  The guide is packed with information to assist riders tell the difference," concluded AMC Chairman Shaun Lennard.