Fact Sheet 18 - Safer Road Users - Motorcyclists and motor scooter riders

During 2008 there were 72 fatalities as a result of crashes involving motorcycles in Queensland, representing 22.0% of the Queensland road toll (Data Analysis Unit 2009). This is three fatalities (or 4.0%) fewer than the previous year and 14 fatalities (or 23.3%) greater than the previous five-year average (Data Analysis Unit 2009).

In recent years motorcyclists have been highly over-represented in fatal crashes in Queensland. For example, during 2008 there were 70 motorcycles involved in fatal crashes, which represented 15.3% of all motor vehicles involved, however motorcycles represented only 4.1% of all motor vehicles registered for the same period (Data Analysis Unit 2009).

All Australian jurisdictions have reported an increase in the number of serious crashes involving motorcycle riders as a strong sales growth for motorcycles and motor scooters continues (Australian Transport Council 2008, p47). It has been suggested that the increase in the number of motorcyclist deaths could be linked to a greater than expected increase in motorcycle riding. Between 2004 and 2007 there was a total increase in average monthly road motorcycle sales of 42 per cent in Australia (Australian Transport Council 2008, p58).

An increase in motorcycle riding is a road safety issue because, as Johnston et al. (2008, pvii) have found: per vehicle kilometre travelled, the Australian rate of motorcyclist deaths is approximately 30 times the rate for car occupants, and the corresponding rate for serious injury for motorcycle riders is 41 times higher.

Motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable because motorcycles are not as visible as larger vehicles (Royal Automobile Association of South Australia 2001, p17) and do not offer the same level of occupant protection (Australian Transport Council 2008, p47). Also, unlike other vulnerable road user groups (e.g., pedestrians and cyclists) motorcycles travel at higher speeds (Queensland Transport 2008, p20), which increases the severity of crash outcomes.

Acknowledging motorcycle rider safety as a growing road safety problem, Queensland is working hard to improve the situation. The RACQ is an active member of the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Motorbike Safety Working Group, and participated in the Motorbike Safety in Queensland – Consultation Paper process. The Queensland Government committed to developing a comprehensive motorcycle safety strategy for Queensland (Queensland Transport 2008, p21), which the RACQ welcomed.

Some of the new initiatives recently introduced in Queensland have been:

• The display of P plates on motorcycles;
  
  
• Restricting motorcycle learners from carrying a supervisor as a pillion passenger;
  
  
• Introducing a Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme to replace the existing 250mL/cc engine capacity restriction for restricted (‘RE’) licence holders with a 150kw/tonne power and 660mL/cc engine capacity limit; and
  
  
• An enhanced road maintenance and infrastructure program focusing on locations of particular danger to motorcyclists.

Future initiatives are expected to include:

• New and more targeted motorcycle public education materials; and
  
  
• Zero BAC for all learner and provisional motorbike riders, regardless of age.

Queensland’s Motorcycle Safety Mass Action Program will allocate $21 million over six years to address roads that have a high crash rate for motorcycle riders, with routes audited by both engineers and experienced motorcyclists (Queensland Transport 2008, p10). Treatments will be implemented along the entire length of identified routes and will focus on providing motorcyclists with a self-explanatory road environment that also provides forgiving roadsides to minimise crash severity (Queensland Transport 2008, p10).

Concern about some people holding onto licences without riding regularly – dormant licence holders (Queensland Transport 2008, p20) – have been replaced with concern about returning riders. Dormant riders are not a problem because they don’t ride – it is when riders return to riding after a period of time away from motorbikes that causes problems (Queensland Transport 2008, p20).

Motor scooters with a capacity of 50cc or less (mopeds) are growing in popularity, particularly for commuters in urban areas. These scooters do not require motorcycle licences. As riders receive no specific training, other than that required for a car driver’s licence, this can pose some issues in relation to vehicle handling and control and how they interact in the traffic environment. Some motor scooter riders may not understand their rights and responsibilities, e.g., safe and legal scooter riding practices, registration and insurance issues.

Another commonly raised concern of road safety authorities is that motorcyclists cannot currently be identified front-on for camera-detected offences because there is no provision or requirement to display a front number plate on a motorcycle.

Priorities: Motorcyclists and motor scooter riders

1. Enhance the graduated licensing system so that:
   
   
   • All new motorbike licence applicants are subject to the same training, testing and licensing requirements, regardless of age;
   • It includes a set of pre-learner stage requirements, an enhanced learner licence stage with minimum and maximum learner period and learner motorbike licence logbook system; and
   • It includes an enhanced two-stage provisional licence with the pillion passenger restriction expanded to include provisional riders.
     
     
2. Retain current moped licensing requirements in Queensland, unless evidence supporting the introduction of a moped-specific licence can be presented.
   
   
3. Develop and provide an approved refresher course and education materials for returning riders and encourage all motorcyclists to refresh skills and understanding by attending this course and other approved courses, particularly the baby boomers (over 40 year old males).
   
   
4. Develop specific public education campaigns to address motorbike safety issues such as riding with headlights on at all times and being visible. Continue to develop and promote "sharing the road" education awareness campaigns that aim to make motorists aware of motorcyclists, motor scooter riders, their responsibilities towards them and vice versa.
   
   
5. Reduce the potential for road treatments and roadside objects to create unnecessary hazards for motorcyclists, and consider the impact on motorcyclists when designing, constructing or upgrading roads (e.g., removal of dangerous roadside obstacles or replacing roadside objects with more forgiving products, address issues such as potholes, corrugations, debris, rough surfaces, gravel on corners, limited sight distance and sharp curves).
   
   
6. Continue to monitor outcomes of the Q-Ride program in relation to crash statistics and continue to make adjustments where necessary.
   
   
7. Develop and implement a front number plate/identification decal system for motorbikes in Queensland in the short term, and monitor the development of electronic identification methods for possible future introduction.
   
   
8. Introduce a road rule specifically disallowing motorcycle riders from riding between lines of traffic or ‘lane splitting’ while vehicles are moving.
   
   
9. Continue to monitor trends in the use of motorcycles and motor scooters and whether any negative road safety issues are arising.
   
   
10. Encourage riders to purchase motorbikes with advanced safety features such as anti-lock and linked braking systems, and encourage manufacturers to provide more models with these features as standard, or as affordable options.
    
    
11. Introduce a minimum motorbike rider clothing requirement that includes helmet, gloves, and enclosed shoes and improve public education efforts with regard to choosing appropriate protective clothing and motorbike riding equipment.
    
    
12. Consider a mandatory Australian standard for the construction and performance of motorbike protective clothing.
    
13. Investigate establishment of a star ratings system (similar to the Australian New Car Assessment Program) for motorbike protective clothing.
    
    
14. Highlight the advantages of fluorescent and reflective clothing, and light coloured helmets.

References

Australian Transport Council 2008, National Road Safety Action Plan 2009 and 2010, Australian Transport Council, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Data Analysis Unit 2009, Personal Correspondence to RACQ, 03/06/09, Queensland Transport, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Johnston, Peter, Brooks, Chris and Savage, Hamilton 2008, Road Safety Research and Analysis Report Monograph 20: Fatal and serious road crashes involving motorcyclists, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Australian Government, Canberra, ACT.

Market and Communications Research December 2008, RACQ Safety Policy Survey: Quantitative Research Report, Market and Communications Research, Spring Hill, Queensland, Australia.

Queensland Transport 2008, Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2008-2009: safe4life, Queensland Government, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Royal Automobile Association of South Australia 2001, Living with the Motor Car: Road Safety, RAASA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Contact

For more information contact RACQ Traffic and Safety on 1300 853 658 or 07 3872 8925, or email traffic@racq.com.au.