Main Index

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee recommends that:

1. The motor vehicle driver licence record system be changed to enable the clear identification of motorcycle licence holders and the category of their licences to facilitate policy development particularly in the road safety area.

2. VicRoads implement a research program to determine the distance travelled by motorcycle riders and other road users with different age and licence characteristics in order to correctly identify risk factors for road safety purposes.

3. VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission develop motorcycle safety measures to primarily target male, novice riders aged under 26 years.

4. The Minister for Roads and Ports not introduce drink driving legislation which differentiates between motorcycle riders and other car drivers.

5. The Minister for Roads and Ports ensure that motorcycle rider training is given high priority in Government motorcycle safety policy.

6. VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission, in consultation with the motorcycling community and motoring organisations such as the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, develop on-going public education programs which encourage car drivers to be aware of motorcycles.

7. VicRoads install more right-turn phase traffic control measures at intersections identified as high risk for motorcycle collisions and evaluate the safety benefits of adjusting the sequence of right-turn phase traffic control measures on motorcycle safety

8. VicRoads undertake more research to identify the factors which contribute to the high risk of serious injury for riders who carry pillion passengers and are involved in crashes.

9. The Minister for Roads and Ports introduce legislation which limits learner and first year probationary licensed riders to motorcycles with engine capacities less than 260cc and power-to-weight ratios less than 150 kilowatts per tonne.

10. Victoria Police develop a highly visible enforcement program against novice riders who breach legislative controls on motorcycle use.

11. Transport Accident Commission charges for motorcycles with volumetric capacities less than 260cc and power-to-weight ratios less than 150 kilowatts per tonne registered by learner and first year probationary licensed riders be set at a rate to encourage their use relative to more powerful motorcycles.

12. The Transport Accident Commission impose charges for registration of motorcycles which are, on average, between 50% and 70% of those for registration of cars.

13. The Transport Accident Commission introduce charges for registration of motorcycles with engine capacities less than 260cc and power-to-weight ratios less than 150 kilowatts per tonne which are lower than registration fees for other motorcycles.

14. The Minister for Roads and Ports act to have a definition of moped incorporated in the }{\b\i\f16 Road Safety Act 1986 and other appropriate legislation and that this definition be consistent with the definition for moped used in the Australian Design Rules.

15. The Transport Accident Commission continue to charge lower fees for mopeds.

16. The Minister for Roads and Ports introduce legislation which allows holders of a current car driver's licence to ride mopeds or requires unlicensed riders to obtain a car driver's learner's permit and to exempt moped riders from the further licensing requirements for motorcycle riders.

17. The Minister for Roads and Ports introduce legislation which bans moped use on roads where bicycles are also banned.

18. VicRoads examine the amenity and safety implications of permitting mopeds to use bicycle paths and make a recommendation to the Minister for Roads and Ports for incorporation in the Government's response to the Parliament on this Report.

19. VicRoads investigate the appropriate type of helmet to be worn by moped riders and make a recommendation to the Minister for Roads and Ports for incorporation in the Government's response to the Parliament on this Report.

20. In order that traffic safety education be an on-going program beginning with the very young, VicRoads and other relevant agencies continue to emphasise traffic safety education in pre-schools and provide consultants to encourage use of the relevant materials.

21. VicRoads road safety consultants continue to be funded by the Transport Accident Commission or its successor.

22. In order for the Directorate of School Education to be able to achieve its goal of ensuring that all young people receive an education which enables them to participate fully in society, accurate statistics about the availability, uptake and effect of traffic safety education in schools be collected.

23. The Minister for Roads and Ports implement policies which ensure that motorcycle training programs are accessible to potential novice riders in Victoria. These services should be delivered by private organisations except where the cost means they are not commercially viable.

24. The Minister for Roads and Ports strongly encourage motorcycle rider training programs in Victoria for learner and probationary riders aged under 25 years by providing incentives and ensuring availability of courses.

25. VicRoads eliminate the learner permit for riders who undergo appropriate training and pass the full motorcycle test.

26. The Minister for Roads and Ports ensure that VicRoads' budget includes specific funding for on-going monitoring and evaluation of the motorcycle rider training programs.

27.The Ministers for Roads and Ports, and Police and Emergency Services ensure that motorcycle riders are represented on all relevant consultative bodies in Victoria including those which deal with road user behaviour, road and vehicle design and traffic management.

28. VicRoads develop a special unit with the brief to review the motorcycle safety implications of all policy and operational decisions which are taken within the organisation.

29. The Road Safety Co-ordinating Council establish a new sub-committee to address the specific issues relating to motorcycle safety and regulation.