Motorcycle forums to identify major safety issues

03 April 2009

Alarming new data showing that a majority of Western Australian motorcyclists are ignoring speed limits will be presented to a motorcycle safety forum in Perth today.

The forum – organised by the Road Safety Council – is the first in a series of three forums to identify safety issues facing motorcyclists, come up with solutions and agree on a plan to implement them.
 
The RAC, which represents all road users on the Road Safety Council, will Chair the forum.

The delegates will be presented with the results of a survey of community and motorcycle rider attitudes prepared specifically for the forum.

The results show that 74 per cent of motorcycle riders admit to riding at speeds over the posted speed limit.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown says a smaller number of riders admit to regularly ignoring speed limits.

“The survey found that 14 per cent, or more than one in every ten motorcycle riders, claimed that they rode above the speed limit either ‘often’ or ‘always’,” Mr Brown said.

“But motorcycle riders shouldn’t be singled out for special attention on this issue. Our own surveys show that a similar number of motorists admit to having knowingly driven over the speed limit.

“All road users need to slow down and behave more responsibly on our roads.

“What is concerning is that motorcyclists are far more vulnerable to death and serious injury in accidents than motorists.

“It also flies in the face of other data which shows that riders recognise they have a higher risk of crashing and of being injured.

“So we need to think about why motorcyclists understand the risks they face on the roads but a large number of them are still prepared to ride at excessive speeds.

“Is it because they don’t have front number plates and have therefore been able to avoid being caught by speed cameras? Or are there other psychological or social factors at play?”

Mr Brown said today’s forum would bring together motorcycle riders, academics and road safety experts to confront these issues.

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