Scooter News Melbourne Safe Routes Scooter groups call for Melbourne’s St Kilda Road to be city’s first ‘safe route’.
VACC
VACC and scooter community groups have put forward a plan for one of Melbourne’s main roads to be the first ‘safe route’ for scooter riders.
The groups have called on the Victorian Government to introduce a series of measures that, they claim, will encourage more people to use scooters as their preferred mode of private transport.
The group has proposed that St Kilda Road, Melbourne, is turned into a scooter-friendly precinct, incorporating:
• designated ‘safe routes’ signage;
• access by low-powered scooters to use bicycle lanes;
• boxed turns at certain busy intersections;
• filtering in stationery or slow moving traffic.
Plus:
• six monthly registrations and dedicated scooter training courses;
• car licence holders to be permitted to ride 50cc scooters, provided training is undertaken.
“Scooters are one of the answers to our transport problems. They reduce congestion and demand for parking spaces; their carbon footprint is low and they are cheap to buy and run,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
“Scooters are recognised in the Victorian Government’s Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers, but things are moving too slowly for us. We know a study on road space management has recently been completed and its recommendations identify lane sharing options. This needs to be implemented immediately.
“VACC calls on scooter riders to vote with their wheels and join us at our 5th annual ‘Safe Routes’ Scooter Rally, on Sunday October 10. Hundreds of riders are expected to meet at Luna Park before riding to Lygon Street, where we will again call for scooters to be part of Victoria’s integrated transport plan.
“St Kilda Road is a suitable location for a ‘safe route’ because it is wide, straight and already includes a cycling lane. A six month trial period will enable us to record vital data, with a view to investigating further scooter ‘safe routes’ in and around Melbourne and other Victorian cities,” Mr Purchase said.
For more details on VACC’s ‘Safe Routes’ Scooter Rally, go to vacc.com.au
published 19/09/2010 |