We hate traffic

It may not be the revelation of the decade, but a recent survey conducted for the Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW) reveals a high level of frustration among those who use a car to commute to to work. And the Council's message? Get a bike.

It goes on to reveal: the poll says that eight out of ten people in NSW are frustrated by petrol prices and seven out of ten people are frustrated by traffic congestion and trying to find convenient parking. The poll, commissioned by The Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW) also found that "motorway tolls (43%) and travel time to and from work (21%) were additional irritants" said Guy Stanford, Chairman, MCC of NSW.

The recent Newspoll survey also found that one fifth of those living in NSW would consider having a scooter or motorcycle if motorway tolls were abolished for these vehicles. Currently, they attract the same toll rate as cars. Unreasonable given that cars attract a smaller fee than trucks.

"Scooters and motorcycles have a small environmental footprint in terms of manufacturing, fuel usage, emissions, space occupancy and recyclability", said Guy Stanford, Chairman of the Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW). "It's not surprising that NSW scooter and motorcycle sales are increasing year-on-year." According to figures provided by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) today, in comparison to the same period last year, January to September, 250cc motorcycles rose by 46.2% and overall road bike sales (including scooters) rose in NSW by 22.3%.

University student Michela Galletto chose a scooter when she found that parking on her campus was both difficult and expensive. "It takes me about ten minutes less to get to university when I ride the scooter - that really helps when I have 9am lectures!" says Galletto.

Father of two Simon Disney relies on his Triumph Sprint motorcycle. "If trains are delayed, which they frequently are, I can miss the bus and have to wait half an hour for the next one" says Disney. "I ride my motorcycle every day to work which means I get to have breakfast with my daughter and be home in time to read her a bedtime story. If I didn't ride, I wouldn't see her or my seven week old son at all...during the week."

"In Australia, the position of motorcyclists is still similar to that of bicycle riders over 20 years ago; there's still plenty of work to be done" says Stanford, "Transport and infrastructure planners haven't yet recognised the potential of motorcycles as a solution to traffic congestion that doesn't require major investment in new transport infrastructure".

In 2005, the UK government declared its commitment to mainstreaming motorcycling in transport policy - the first time a government has accepted a role in promoting the advantages and managing the risks of motorcycles as a separate class of road use.

The MCC of NSW says motorcycling is also much safer than it was a decade ago. Despite a 63% increase in motorcycle numbers, crash rates have decreased by 32% and fatalities by 36%.

MCC of NSW website http://www.mccofnsw.org.au/