Victorian motorcycle action plan released

Powered two wheelers (PTWs) have now been officially recognised as a part of Victoria's transport future, according to a blueprint released by the Brumby Labor government yesterday.

The Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009-2013 has a major focus on safety, and sets out to better integrate the increasing number of motorcycles and scooters on Victorian roads, which has risen by 41 percent since 2002.

"The Victorian government is not only making a commitment to reduce motorcycled fatalities and serious injuries, but also to ensure that PTWs are given appropriate recognition in transport policy and planning," said the Victorian minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas.

"The plan acknowledges that PTWs have a role to play in the management of traffic congestion and the environmental impacts of motorised travel."

Mr Pallas said the new plan builds on measures outlined in the arrive alive 2008-2017 strategy and is aligned with the $38b Victorian Transport Plan.

Currently, PTWs account for 13 percent of all road fatalities, but they make up only three percent of registered vehicles on roads.

The main four action areas in the plan are:

1.    Increasing knowledge and understanding of PTW riding and crashes;
2.    Ensuring that PTWs are given appropriate recognition in transport policy and planning in Victoria;
3.    Improving rider awareness, skills and knowledge; and
4.    Encouraging grater use of safer motorcycles and scoters, equipment and protective clothing by riders.

A total of 49 measures have been identified under the four main action areas, with responsibility for implementation shared between VicRoads, the Department of Transport, the Environment Protection Authority, the TAC, Victoria Police, local governments, the Department of Justice and the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council.

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Mr Pallas also announced at the launch that research has already commenced into the possibility of trailing new "road space management opportunities" such as PTWs using bus transit lanes.

He also said that $6.3m had also been allocated to continue the motorcycle blackspot program, which will upgrade 11 popular motorcycle routes including The Great Ocean Road.

The Motorcycle Riders Association Victoria (MRA) has welcomed the new strategic plan as an "historic achievement".

"This action plan is important because for the first time in Australia, PTWs have been formally recognised as an integral part of the transport system, which should removed the barriers that have prevented PTWs taking their legitimate place in the transport system," said MRA president, John Karmouche.

"The MRA is very pleased to see the development of this strategy was carried out in concert with rider experts, clubs and industry representatives. This group invested their time and experience to ensure that the Brumby government got it right this time.

"From consideration of road space issues, through road surface conditions to encouraging the inclusion of PTW requirements in the training of those who design and maintain the transport system, it goes well beyond most strategies worldwide."

Stuart Strickland, the managing director of Honda Australia, also gave the strategy a cautious nod of approval.

"The intent of the document is great, but the important thing is that we follow though on the action plans to gain some real benefits," he said.