Scooter News Australian Scooter Federation Poor planning places riders in jeopardy
ASF The Australian Scooter Federation (ASF) has serious concerns about the proposed placement of some bicycle lanes. This is due to the dangers posed to powered two wheelers (PTW) by the poor planning and lack of consultation involved in said lanes.
Bicycle Lanes a Hazard to Motorcycles. Following the recent call for shared Vulnerable Road User Lanes and the apparent rejection by government of this proposal, the ASF backs the call made by MRA (Vic) President John Karmouche to the Minister for Ports and Roads, Tim Pallas, to take action to ensure that the safety of PTW riders would not be jeopardised by future bicycle only lanes.
Mr Karmouche stated that in many places, bicycle lanes have been implemented in such a way as to remove options for motorcycle and scooter riders. There are numerous occasions where the proliferation of bicycle lanes has forced powered two wheelers onto the tram lines if they are to legally ride on that stretch of road. “While this is less of an issue for larger motorcycles, smaller motorcycles and scooters find tramlines slippery and they can be quite disconcerting and dangerous to ride on, especially on wet days” claimed Mr. Karmouche.
Remove Dangerous Lanes. The ASF agrees with the MRA and seeks the possible removal of some bicycle lanes, citing Church Street in Richmond and Brunswick Street in Fitzroy as just two of the many roads where the narrowing of available roadway to install bicycle lanes has forced riders over on to the slippery and often poorly maintained tram lines.
The ASF believes if sharing lanes is not to be an option, and the government is genuinely serious about safety; there is an urgent need for a review of existing lanes and for consultation with the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council prior to implementing any new on-road bicycle lanes. Current road design is forcing PTW's to mix it with general traffic including heavy transport which is dangerous, especially when windy and wet
Official Neglect. The ASF shares concerns that motorcycle and scooter riders are often excluded from their fair share of road space consultation, especially when they are the only road uses whom incur a safety levy. Unlike other categories of road users such as cyclists or heavy vehicles, no money except levy money is budgeted for the improvement of motorcycle safety.
The ASF are alarmed that as legitimate road users they are often ignored by Government which is evident in the delay in the new five year Powered Two Wheeler Safety and Transport Strategic Action Plan which is now six months overdue.
for more information go to www.scooterfederation.com.au
published 24/07/2009 |