The scooter files – Two-wheeled trouble
July 19, 2007 by Matt Brogan
The VACC reported this week that scooter sales are set to reach record numbers, with sales up 40% over this time last year. This trend is highlighted by Vicroads stats showing a one-third increase in scooter registrations since 2001. But as motorists, does this just denote two-wheeled trouble?
A survey conducted by Melbourne based insurer AAMI has found most drivers are “annoyed with the increased presence of scooters” listing lane splitting, under-taking and cutting-in as just a few of the risky moves leading them to loathe sharing the road with our pint sized pals.
Let’s face it, some riders do have poor road manners, and whilst they are required by law to attend a class in order to obtain their license, most come away from that course thinking they’re Casey Stoner, when in reality, they aren’t fit for riding a pushy.
Riding, like driving, takes practise, lots of practise. Balance, maintaining speed, lane position, and braving the elements must all be learnt and practiced. Add this to memorising the existing road rules and displaying good road etiquette, makes it seem absurd that one’s license is picked up from completing a six-hour course on a closed course with no interaction from traffic. Sadly this is reflected by statistics showing a six-fold rise in rider fatalities over the last five years.
But scooter clubs insist that whilst there are some riders who set a bad example, the majority are just chasing convenience and are all about enjoying the journey, whilst at the same time avoiding high fuel prices, lack of parking, and poor public transport.
They also hint that driver ignorance is to blame for our newfound aggression, and that our car culture that isn’t ready for the Vespa invasion. We haven’t grown up with scooters on our roads and it’s high time we learnt to recognise the growing trend.
Either way, they’re here to stay and although we may be peeved by poor riding, just remember that it is a person atop that scooter and even a small accident will result in them coming off second best. So, be the bigger person, be patient, remember to head check, leave a gap and perhaps go for a ride yourself some day to see what it’s like. It may surprise you.
Matt.
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The biggest problem with scooters, is unless they are less than 60cc [in Vic.] the rego price is insane
A 60cc scooter would be as fast as a pony dinking Amanda Vanstone and Kim Beasly:-)
F-O
After recently returning from Germany, where people ride push bikes in the middle of the road crossing lanes in busy city areas, without even helemts on, and motorists are expected to give way and be courteous no matter what. Returning to Australia our scooter and bike riders are actually not that bad.
Azza, you’re spot on. I rode (a motorbike)across Europe two years back and it’s nothing short of bedlam in the bigger cities. I’m surprised there’s not more accidents over there.
Scooter riders are sharing the road and utilizing the available space more efficiently than 4, 6, or 22 wheeled equivalents. The word sharing is not in most car drivers vocabularies and their idea of using the available road space is solely dedicated to their own perceived needs. As for the licensing requirements, I think the authorities should take a wake up call on the whole issue, there are still more “car” drivers out there than motorcyclists who should not have a license full stop! I have yet to see a scooter rider talking on a mobile phone, applying makeup or eating their coco pops while driving, and I see those things as a daily occurrence amongst car drivers! There may be a six fold increase in rider fatalities over the last five years, but I would like to see the figures representative of the general increase in rider numbers and also some definitive figures on who caused the incident that killed the motorcyclist! I drive a car, I ride a motorcycle and I drive in excess of 300klm a day in a truck, I would rather share the road with a large number of scooters than ANY number of ignorant car drivers.
As expected a condescending article from the 4 wheel fraternity.Have yet to be tailgated by a motor bike rider or been on the receiving end of an aggressive display from one.Get real & stop denying speed kills & it is usually the car driver at fault.Start campaigning for attitude tests for car drivers & yes I mean a psychological test & what was that jerk thinking who came from nowhere,tailgating me in busy North Carlton in tram stop zones & near schools last week at the 40km/h legal limit,disable technology for mobile phones in cars across the board to stop the inane & insane texting,and the banning of all P PLATES FROM PETROL V8&TURBO/SUPER CHARGED CARS(psych test question:why do you need something like this? ANSWER because I feel inadequate/insecure,i need to prove something)& MODIFIED VEHICLES(you think you know better than the engineering team that designed it in the first place?)& make it an offence,ie stock standard vehicles preferably till they grow up however long that may take.A recent burn out fiend was 55 years old.He has never grown out of Holden SS,Torana SL/R5000 OR GT FALCON.What a guy!
david the fact that you think modifying a car is a stupid idea makes you lose all credibility for the rest of your argument..
you have obviously never understood any sort of engineering principles
manufacturers cannot design cars to their limits due to 100 of reasons, costs, marketing etc
so next time u see a high performance car drive past u with a big exhaust system, dont think its because they want to heard loud, its because u can get far better air flow and hence much more power of the car.
some people love cars, u obviously dont!
Haha, nice reply DAVID…NOT!
We should ban all moron motorcylists who insist on lane splitting at speed and hogging the first row at the lights, only to find out they’re too slow to take off!
To Alborz & Benjie,
Alborz, where are you going to legally unleash the full performance potential of any car 2litres or more built over the last decade & be considerate for the safety of other road users? Show me someone who is pedal to metal with a blow everyone away at every opportunity attitude & I’ll show you a loser.
I am glad it is your money & not mine.Someone is setting up themselves very nicely at your expense.
The Ferrari I was behind during the week was quieter (albeit at suburban speeds)than the average modified dirt box.Some morons think their modified Holden or Ford will see off a Porsche or Ferrari at 200 clicks or more.I know where I would rather be.It is basic engineering & common sense.
Benjie, some motorists out there hate motorcyclists or anything else on less than four wheels or anything that might be slower than them.
YOU SOUND LIKE MY GRANDFATHER,unfortunately the bad attitudes from when we killed 1000+ on Victorian roads are still out there.
Do a behind the wheel personality check.
Weren’t you taught to be patient & tolerant?
Have you never made a mistake out there?
What if anything,do either of you do to proactively avoid being too close when things might go wrong?
Rely on your fantastic driving skills?
David, they have these things called race tracks, where performance cars go to…race! They are only a new creation and you are probably yet to hear of them, check them out though, do a Google search, you would be totally surprised by them.
Let me guess, you’re one of those conservative types who thinks that everyone should drive a Prius and hug trees? and that cars should be speed limited to 100km/h and all cars should have no more than 50kW.
Take Germany for example, Autobahns must be the safest roads on the planet, despite having very reasonable speed limits and unlimited speed limits in certain areas.
Fast cars can save lives…narrow minded people like you create legislation that doesn’t save lives!
Benji,
A fast car has yet to be invented that can save lives.
Peter Brock also said fast cars save lives.
Where is he now?
Tell me when you are out on the road.
I dont want to be there.
Autobahns,when there is an incident it is horrendous.
Race tracks-Venues for big boys toys removed from the real world.
Prius-A sign of what is to come?
Hybrid-A petrol heads worst nightmare?SURE HOPE SO.
Legislation-The decrease of the speed limit on the Westgate freeway from 100 to 80 is the best thing that has happened for that stretch of road.
Roads without legislation is anarchy & death.
The more speed cameras the better.
David, all crash statistics show that it is much safer driving a car than riding a scooter or motorbike. I’d much rather crash in a coocoon of airbags than hit the bitumen with a bit of leather as protection. I’ve been tailgated by motorbikes before (they go closer than cars when they do), but it doesn’t bother me because I know if they do hit me I’ll be safe, my car will hardly be affected. I normally lightly tap the brake and they quickly back off.
50cc scooters are a hazard on the road, as they are simply too slow and struggle to keep up with the traffic flow, particularly up hills. I don’t have a problem with motorbikes or scooters otherwise.
With regards to your attack on modified cars – I’m not sure if you’ve realised this, but it’s actually a lot cheaper to modify a cheaper car than to buy a Ferrari! Maybe it’s just me, but I definitely can’t afford one, so if I was looking for a fast car (which I’m not) I would have to use mods to get it up to speed.
David…what a joke. Go hug some trees mate.
The only reason you think dropping the speed from 100 to 80 on the Westgate is good, is because everyone else will be going the same speed as you in the right hand lane…which people like you continuously hog under the speed limit.
Fast cars save lives. Slow and inept drivers – much like yourself – don’t.
Anyone every driven a small slow car out on the open road and tried passing a triple road train ? Gee you feel safe don’t you ?
Where are most accidents around the city or highways with the trucks ? Would be interested to know .
Also I read resently that since NT cancelled their no speed limit policy on the open road the road toll has gone up ! Interesting !
As a (daily) motorcycle rider the thing that alarms me the most is the number of business suits, skirts, t shirts and open face helmets on scooters. Just about every motorcylist on the road is armoured up to the hilt.. why are scooters so much less dangerous.
If I come off my bike at 30kph it is going to hurt. Will it hurt less on a scoot?
I hear ya Jase. I also ride (a bike) daily, and wear leather boots, pants, jacket, gloves, and a full face helmet EVERY time I ride, regardless of weather.
I’m not saying there aren’t bad motorcyclists out there, but there are an increasing number of scooter riders are lacking a lot of common sense.
I plan on getting an xr6 turbo or an xr8 and mod the crap out of it. I currently own a Nissan bluebird (think 4 door 240sx) with I,E,H mods. 190hp, nothing special. before this I had an LS1 powered bluebird.
A custom xr6 turbo can run 400m in less then 11 seconds.
a custom xr8 can do the same in less then that (but with a bit more cash required)
My current car runs 15 seconds stock, and 13 now. I run my car at WSID every Wednesday, and have done so for over 15 months, the same amount of time that I have had my red P’s, im only 18.
So far I have been caught for the following offenses
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Wow, that was a long list. As you can see, I am a rev head! I love speed, I love attention, I love my cars, I love driving. But I see no need to prove myself to others on the road. If some douche bag wants to “take me” on the lights, I tell them to pull over and give them a coupon from WSID for a free run. 50% they show up, and become a regular. The other half end up dead, trying to show off on the road.
Moral: Just because I am on my red p’s =/= hoon on the road. If you are a hoon, meet me at WSID on Wednesday, see how tuff you are around real cars
Benjie
I wish everyone was as good a driver as Benjie in fast cars there would be no such thing as a road toll & no accidents either.
What a poor example of the investigative reporting. This type of comment only legitimises aggressive and intolerant behaviour towards motorcyclists by the motorists (whom have predisposition of the dislike of motorcyclists). Any one with half a brain can devise a survey to support what ever argument they want push, this is why AAMI has not released their questionnaire to credible reporters.
Two wheeled motor transport should be encouraged. Scooters and motor cycles have a smaller carbon foot print, reduce traffic congestion, reduce parking problems and reduce road degradation.
AAMI needs to be far more open-minded about all forms of legalised modes of transport. I am in the process of cancelling all my AAMI insurance policies. I advise all other two wheeled commuters to do the same.
Gixxer, I ride 80km every week day and over 600km on weekends. I also ride rain, hail or shine, unlike some cafe racers (check out the last paragraph, it may provide a hint).
The article is simply reflecting a point of view popular in the media which I thought to be ‘news worthy’ and was placed on the site accordingly.
Matt
I see your subtlety in the closing paragraph.
I hope you were not implying that I was a café a racer in your reply. I too commute on two wheels, although only ~480km per weeks, and I have been riding for 23 years. I also ride in all weather conditions. The most exciting time was Phillip Island @ 250kmh on Pilot Power Race tyres, this is very good way to learn about the feel of the bike below you. Although not recommended for inexperienced riders. I have attended some 25 trackdays up and the down the East Coast. I believe trackdays are best way for motorcyclist to improve the skills, but unfortunately they do not cater for scooters!
For all those idiots who keep saying fast cars save lives….. tossers.
how the hell does a fast car SAVE lives. do you morons post on here and actually listen to what you say?
i have purchased a motor cycle a number of months ago and since then i have actually kept an eye out for bikes…. WHY might you ask? because cars more often than not cause the accidents!
they swerve without checking blind spots, pull out without looking, etc etc etc, you could go on all day about this.
anyway all im saying is that motorists have to be aware of motorcycles on the road. im sure none of you would feel very happy if you killed a motorcyclist in a crash regardless of whose fault it was.
my gf recently bought a scooter. and i use it sometimes. yea it is really scary.
after that if i drive i look out for scooters or motorbikes and give alot of space.
max speed on moped scooters is pretty low at about 50kmh so if u think the scooter is slow they are problably maxed out. and the engine is screaming. but it actually feels like doing 100-110kmh in a car. very scary. dont forget u need to look out for potholes and small stones and maybe banana skins which is kind of hard when u need to watch out for cars front rear left and right. even cross winds can blow u left or right.
GSXR1000…
carbon foot print is the buzz word of the century and it drives me up the wall! :P
and to the others here who keep thinking spped cameras save lives and lowers speeds save lives….well your wrong! all it does is turn the place into a police state where you are watching your speedo more than the road…
imo (and that of many others – NOT the vic governmnet though) is that DRIVER EDUCATION saves lives…none of these draconian laws which are blatant attempts at raising revenue….
consider this scenario:
your driving along a freeway doing 110 in a 100 zone (so ur 10 ks over), soon after you get snapped by a speed camera, then about 1 minute after you merge into the next lane and collect another motorist…how does a speed camera save ur life their? all it does is send your grieving family a speeding ticket for the day of your death…hardly life saving
I think that both car drivers and scooter riders have a lot to learn. Scooters riders especially have a lot to learn, since they are usually not fanatics like motorcycle riders, and thus don’t take the time to learn all the intricacies of two-wheeled transportation (different mindset). Scooter riders must realize that car drivers aren’t used to scooters on the road and thus should be more careful. At the same time, car drivers should be more aware of smaller vehicles now that there are many more on the roads.
Your treatment of the subject was great… and I agree that we should just all remember that that there is a person!
Its pretty simple why speed cameras dont save lives and the quicker people realise this, the better. Say u are driving down the road and a cop with a speed gun gets you speeding, what happens? he pulls you over, tells you off and gives you a ticket. The person is then very likely to drive slower at least for a while. its called visible policing which has a greater affect on the roads than any other form of unmanned traffic speed control. On the other hand, a person flashed by a speed camera more often than not does not know they have been flashed until weeks or months later. A person could get flashed a lot of times in a week and get banned where as a person pulled over by a cop will more than likely slow down. thats why cameras are money making machines and thats prob why it takes so long to get a ticket in the post as they are making so much money processing all the speed camera fines.