The main initiatives to improve safety for motorcyclists are:
The Motorcycle Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce motorcycle crashes, and motorcycle rider and pillion passenger deaths and injuries. The strategy is based around:
- safer roads
- safer motorcycles and other vehicles
- safer riders and drivers
- ongoing analysis and dissemination of crash data and motorcyclist usage and safety information.
The strategy targets on-road safety. More than half of motorcycles sold are for off-road motorcycling purposes. The Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council intends to develop a strategy in the near future to address off-road motorcycling issues.
Victorian Motorcycle Road Safety Strategy 2002 - 2007 (PDF 572kb)
Inexperienced riders have a very high risk of crashing until they develop the skills that will enable them to recognise and avoid hazards. High quality educational materials and training resources are important for the safety of riders.
In 2004, VicRoads redeveloped the Victorian Rider handbook [PDF 2054KB 96pp] to be easy to read and understand, to be appealing and to include up-to-date knowledge and competencies that will improve the safety of riders. Copies of the Victorian Rider Handbook can be purchased from newsagents, VicRoads Customer Service Centres and Rider Training Providers.
Hazard perception and responding is a critical skill for riders. These skills are very difficult to develop except through many hours of experience. If training methods that accelerate the development of these skills could be devised, many crashes would be avoided. VicRoads is researching training methods for hazard perception and responding including the use of simulation.
VicRoads is not just focussing on riders. It is known that around 50% of motorcyclist casualty crashes involve another vehicle, and in those crashes, the driver is often at fault. In some cases the driver saw the motorcyclist but may not have recognised the rider as a hazard and failed to give way. VicRoads has been investigating conflicts between drivers and riders especially at intersections and conducting research into new ways to teach drivers to be aware of motorcyclists.
VicRoads has been developing ways to effectively target and disseminate safety information to motorcycle riders. This involves identifying the different demographics and interest groups among motorcyclists, the methods of reaching motorcyclists, and the critical messages for different motorcyclists.
Improving communications with motorcyclists will also involve updating critical motorcycle information to make sure it is appealing to riders and includes the most recent knowledge and evidence on risk factors.
Intelligent Transport Systems are technologies that provide supporting information to improve the efficiency of the road environment. They can be based in vehicles or on the road. An example might be sensors in the road that detect changes in road conditions and sends a message to a sign providing advanced warning to road users.
VicRoads is reviewing new developments in ITS worldwide and their application to motorcycle safety. It is expected that the identification and implementation of effective technologies will result in significant long term reductions in the crash types that the systems are designed for.
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VicRoads, as part of a national initiative, has been asked to develop a workable specification for a self adhesive front registration number decal. However, no decision has yet been made on the implementation of front identification on motorcycles.
There is clear evidence that where road users comply with road laws, death and injury are substantially reduced. Both educative and law enforcement measures play a major role in safe behaviour by road users, including motorcyclists. For enforcement measures to be effective, it is vital that all vehicles be readily identifiable.
Motorcycles are the only vehicles that are not presently required to display front registration number identification. The introduction of a front decal for motorcycles would therefore significantly increase the effectiveness of enforcement and act as a deterrent to those riders who break the law.
Trial fitting of the decal has been undertaken on numerous motorcycles of different makes and styles. An installation kit has been developed to fit the majority of bikes that do not have fairings where decal can be applied directly. A prototype decal will be undergoing accelerated environmental testing to ensure its durability. Results should be available late in 2005.
VicRoads has been investigating ways to improve road design for motorcyclists and implement road treatments at motorcycle blackspots. The Motorcycle Blackspot Program is thought to be the first of its kind in the world. VicRoads identifies areas where there have been high rates of motorcycle crashes and engages a motorcycle expert to review the locations in conjunction with engineers. Road treatments are then developed to specifically address the factors that have contributed to motorcycle crashes.
To find out more about the selection of sites and projects completed to date, see the arrive alive website.
Recognising that motorcyclists have particular needs for road design and maintenance, Austroads has produced Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice - Part 15 - Motorcycle Safety.
This guide provides information on the safety needs of motorcyclists for use by traffic engineering practitioners when designing, constructing and maintaining roads. It offers a useful basis for informed discussion between traffic professionals and motorcycle users on a number of aspects of road design.
To order a copy the guide, see Austroads
The increase in the popularity of motorcycle riding over recent years has led to more riders being involved in serious crashes. The levy program was developed to improve the safety of both new and existing riders in Victoria.
To find out how the levy is used to improve rider safety see the arrive alive website.
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