Motorcycles, scooters and other powered two-wheelers (PTWs) are a growing force in Victoria and their need for safer road-sharing policy initiatives must be addressed, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) said today.
 
VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said more and more car commuters were converting to PTWs as a result of road congestion and higher petrol prices, as well as for the ease of parking.

VACC is calling on politicians of all parties to make several commitments to PTW commuters.

“What we’re asking is not hard to commit to,” Mr Purchase said.

“It just requires politicians to put themselves into PTW-commuters’ shoes and consider their needs.”

“We’re calling on the next Government to act on the recommendations of VACC’s ‘Motorcycle Forum Communiqué,” he said.

“This communiqué, agreed by representatives from the industry and from regulators, addresses issues like congestion, infrastructure needs, rider safety, taxes and Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS).”

VACC is calling on the next Government also to:

• Adopt the LAMS scheme to ensure a better power to weight ratio for new riders;
• Investigate lowering of the licensing age for 50cc mopeds and scooters;
• Establish a network of signed and promoted “Safe Routes” traversing Melbourne CBD and suburbs;
• Implement traffic infrastructure and road-sharing features designed to provide safer travel for motorcycle and scooter riders (such as safety boxes at intersections, improved crash barriers, etc)
• Establish speed-restricted lane-sharing on certain identified bicycle lanes.

“Cars, and poor road sharing practices, pose the greatest danger to scooter riders and cyclists. This issue must be addressed by Government.

 “The recommendations of the Motorcycle Forum would greatly enhance rider safety. We may also need to look at the best road sharing practices of cities from Scandinavia and Europe where scooters, bicycles and motorcycles are better accommodated on city and urban roads, and take the best ideas from each of them. We need action if we are to provide the safest possible road environment for scooter and motorcycle users,” Mr Purchase said.