Powered two wheeled vehicles, which include motorcycles and scooters are a growing part of Victoria’s transport future. They are becoming more popular as both a mode of transport and as a recreational activity.

However powered two wheeled vehicle riders and pillion passengers are amongst the most vulnerable of road users.

On Victorian roads, they account for 13% of deaths and serious injuries although they comprise only three per cent of registered vehicles and less than one per cent of traffic volume.

The aim of Victoria’s Road Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009-2013 is to reduce motorcyclist and scooter rider fatalities and serious injuries and to ensure that powered two wheeled vehicles are recognised in transport policy and planning.

The action plan identifies four priorities for action:

• increasing knowledge and understanding of powered two wheeled vehicle riding and crashes
• recognising the role of powered two wheelers in the transport network and improving the road system for powered two wheelers
• improving rider and driver awareness, skills and knowledge
• encouraging greater use of safer motorcycles and scooters and protective clothing by riders.

Victoria’s Road Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009-2013 [PDF, 2MB, 44pp]

Order a hard copy online from the VicRoads Bookshop or by phoning (03) 9854 2682.

Second progress report
In 2010, 49 motorcyclists died on Victorian roads, compared with 43 in 2008 before the start of the action plan. At the same time, the number of registered motorcycles increased by 10%  and the fatal crash rate decreased by one percent.

Between 2005 and 2010, the number of motorcycles registered in Victoria increased by 39 per cent.  Despite this increase in registrations, trends in motorcyclist fatalities have been encouraging.  From 2005 to the end of 2010, there has been an annual average reduction in Victorian motorcycle fatalities of 1.6 per cent and a reduction in the fatal crash rate of 29 per cent.

The strategic action plan recognises the growing popularity of motorcycles on Victorian roads and the need for greater consideration of the role PTWs play in transport and land use planning.
 
Key achievements
Key achievements between June 2010 and March 2011 included:

• Completed a two year community policing and education project
• Installed and commenced a project to evaluate an innovative road side treatment ("Where you look is where you go")
• Recruited over 1,000 novice riders to participate in a trial of an on-road coaching program
• Completed three motorcycle blackspot and long route projects
• Conducted a public education campaign that highlights behaviours that put riders at risk, including speeding, lane splitting, and not wearing protective clothing
• Completed research comparing riding skills and attitudes of returning, continuing and novice riders
• Completed research project considering the road safety and traffic operational impacts of potential road space management opportunities for motorcyclists
• Commenced research project "A systemic model to underpin enhanced management of powered-two-wheelers as part of a safe, sustainable transport system" as part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant with Monash University and the Department of Transport
• Awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant to conduct the research project  "Managing increasing challenges in motorcycle safety: strengthening research evidence for effective policy and countermeasure development" in partnership with Monash University and other partners.

The following graph shows progress to date against forecast progress: