With the cost of petrol constantly increasing a few of us have ditched the car in favour of small forms of transport, namely scooters and motorcycles. The VACC has called for the Government (State and Federal) to encourage this shift in vehicle choice for everyday commuting.

The VACC wants the Government to better protect riders by introducing a variety of new initiatives.

“With rampant petrol pump prices, it is now apparent that there are fewer cars on the daily commute to work. This presents an opportunity for the Government to acknowledge the role motorbikes and scooters can play in reducing congestion and vehicle emissions, and also in reducing petrol costs for families and commuters,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

VACC wants designated and signed “Safe Routes” with improved traffic management features for two-wheeled transport.

“Scooter sales were up 40% last year and they are here to stay. That is a simple and inescapable fact. But the infrastructure for two-wheeled vehicles is not up to scratch. The Government needs to make fundamental improvements to our roads and form an integrated transport policy to incorporate motorbikes, scooters and push bikes.” Purchase continued.

The VACC also points out that with more scooters on the road, carbon emissions are reduced significantly.

The problem with two-wheels transport is the increased level of danger for the rider. Over 80 per cent of all motorcycle crashes are caused by other vehicles hitting them from behind or failing to see the motorcyclists at intersections to give way.

To combat the issue, VACC wants to see safety boxes for motorcycle and scooter riders at the head of busy intersections while allowing access by scooter riders to certain, designated bicycle lanes on roads where such sharing can be achieved safely (many electric and smaller scooters travel at bicycle speeds or less).

A further suggestion includes adding boxed turns, utilising safety boxes, on certain busy intersections for scooter riders (to avoid having them standing unprotected in the middle of passing lanes)

“Both Labor and the Coalition appear to be confused over their best policy on tackling the rapidly rising petrol prices. But there is a golden opportunity staring politicians in the face in promoting the environmental and economic merits of two-wheeled transport. It has worked in Rome, Paris, London, Stockholm and Tokyo – why can’t it work in Australian cities?” Mr Purchase said.

Should do the State and Federal governments do more to encourage two-wheeled transport?