Scooter News Honda Press Statement Honda tells a familiar story but every bit helps! Now let's just hope somebody's listening.
Honda Australia "Seriously Considering How We Commute Is The Answer Says Honda."
The Victorian State Government has recently announced a push to get CBD commuters to change their working hours in order to ease the peak travel congestion on trains, trams and major roads.
The issues certainly hit a chord with the general public with many of those commuters responding quickly and negatively in the media, and in the process, venting their frustrations with the current public transport system.
Comments such as, “there aren’t enough trains to deal with the number of commuters as it stands,” and “it is the Government’s responsibility to make sure we are well catered to, not our responsibility,” indicate a huge dissatisfaction with the situation.
Honda Australia believes there is another aspect to the solution that addresses the issues, and needs to be taken more seriously, by all state governments.
“It is not so much about when people commute in to the city, buy by what means,” says Honda’s General Manager, Motorcycles, Tony Hinton.
“We go on and on about the environmental and financial benefits of riding a scooter or motorcycle instead of driving a car or taking public transport, but there is also the enormous benefit of reducing congestion as well.”
“Of course, cars have their place in our modern society and Honda automobiles are certainly doing their bit to make sure models such as the highly economical Hybrid are now available to the general public.”
“In terms of reducing congestion, however, we believe it is time the government starts seriously considering putting initiatives into place to support the advent of two wheeled commuters.”
“Other European and Asian cities where motorcycles are a big part of the culture do not have the same peak hour congestion problems that we do.”
Honda suggests that the government introduce initiatives such as providing additional street and building-front parking for scooters and motorcycles, legally allowing scooters to travel in
bicycle lanes, as well introducing specialised scooter training to further educate those who need to improve their skills.
Additional privatised programs might include introducing ‘street’ lockers for those visiting the city for a short period, and employers putting two-wheeled friendly plans in place such as providing areas for staff to dry out their riding gear during wetter months.
Of course, lowered running costs and reduced emissions are further benefits to the community as a result of encouraging the use of two-wheels, as opposed to asking employees to change their working hours.
“The cost of running a small motorcycle such as a 50cc scooter will save a commuter thousands of dollars every year as well as get them to their destination more quickly,” Hinton said.
“The more two-wheeled vehicles there are on the road, as opposed to four, means all of the arterials will run more smoothly and quickly and the car can sit in the garage, waiting to be used for family outings and shopping for instance.”
Honda says the cost of running a 50cc scooter is less than half that of an economy car and comes in at around $50 per week including loan repayments (if applicable), petrol (at an average efficiency of at least 50 kms per litre), registration and maintenance.
“Then there is the issue of parking,” Hinton said. “In the City, a commuter pays around $12 per day at a minimum.”
“The scooter rider does not have that issue to worry about as they are legally entitled to park on the footpath in Melbourne, as well as having access to free parking in every other city of Australia.”
“It is not only a sensible answer to rising costs and congestion, but it also ties in with the worldwide movement to reduce greenhouse emissions and compliments Honda’s ‘green’ philosophy” which has been in place for years.”
For more information on Honda’s range of scooters, go to: www.hondamotorcycles.com.au
published 14/01/2008 |