To: publicdefender@heraldsun.com.au
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012, 1:34:42 PM
Subject: THE CARS THAT ATE OUR OUTER SUBURBS
APRIL 4, 2012.
===8<==============Original message text===============
Wes Hosking
Public Defender
The Herald Sun
"VicRoads said it had a program of improvements to keep up with
traffic on major roads."
That says a lot.
VicRoads plans to keep up with traffic (meaning cars), but it doesn't.
VicRoads does not plan for Victoria's transport needs, including all
forms of personal and frieght transport, in the medium to long term.
Motorcycles & scooters are a significant and growing part of road
transport in Australia. See the Victorian Auditor General's (VAGO)
report on motorcycle safety programs released in January 2011. There
are over 165,000 road registered bikes in Victoria. In the last decade
bike numbers have doubled while casualties have been reduced by at
least 25%. Commuter riders are one of the major growth areas
identified and documented in the VAGO report.
VMC graph.
The VicRoads/TAC/Police policy to discourage the use of motorcycles &
scooters, documented in the Parliamentary inquiry report (1992) and
The Age (15/7/2011), has failed miserably. That failure demonstrates
how out of touch with the motorcycle community our road authorities are.
I believe the policy to discourage powered two-wheelers is a significant
cause of rider casualties.
In the outer suburbs particularly motorcycles & scooters are an
efficient link to public transport but of the 200 plus park & ride
facilities only a few offer even minimal motorcycle parking facilities
like lighting, security anchors or lockers. You can fit five motorcycles
and up to ten scooters in a single car parking bay.
The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety will report
in December 2012. The website has both submissions and transcripts of
evidence.
L to R: Damien Codognotto OAM, Terry Mulder MP (Now Transport Minister)
and Michael Czajka MRA Road Safety & Research Officer talk motorcycles &
scooters.
Victorians are choosing to ride road motorcycles & scooters in
increasing numbers. It is a legitimate and sensible choice for many.
Bikes save time and money. Bikes reduce pollution, do less damage to
infrastructure and improve traffic flow.
Motorcycles & scooters more than pay their way through road taxes and
charges and in other ways. Tourism Victoria's Bicycle Strategy Plan
indicates that touring bicyclists contribute some $364 million to our
economy each year. The Independent Riders Group (IRG) informal surveys
indicate that touring motorcyclists contribute more than twice that
amount, particularly in regional Victoria.
Last weekend over 4000 riders attended the Ulysses Club AGM in
Mildura pumping millions of dollars into that city and to towns en route.
Tourism Victoria is working on a motorcycle & scooter strategy plan.
Email the Victorian Tourism Minister and ask when the motorcycle &
scooter plan will be released.
Motorcycling has a positive dollar value in our state. It is the most efficient
way to commute for a growing number of Victorians. It's safer than it's ever
been. And, motorcycle & scooter riding is fun.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne
Tel: 03 9846 8621
d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com
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