Media Release
Roads investment to improve safety for
motorcyclists
27 October 2010
VicRoads today announced $2.73 million to upgrade known motorcycle blacklengths
across Victoria, including the installation of guard fence barrier protectors, more safety
signs, line-marking, reflective guideposts and sealing road surfaces.
Julian Lyngcoln, Director, Safer Roads said the Victorian Government is taking action
now to make Victoria’s roads safer, reduce the road toll, tackle congestion and provide a
world-class network for all road users,” Mr Pallas said.
“Motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than car drivers
and passengers. Novice riders in particular have a high crash involvement.
“Since 2002 there has been a reduction in motorcyclist fatalities by 31 per cent in
Victoria compared to an increase of 19 per cent for the rest of Australia.
“However, this year we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of riders being killed
on our roads with almost double the number of motorcycle fatalities than at the same
time last year, said Mr Lyngcoln.
To reduce the likelihood of crashes on key motorcycle routes in metropolitan Melbourne
and regional Victoria, a further nine roads will receive safety upgrades under the current
funding boost.
In metropolitan Melbourne, improving motorcyclist safety will be the focus of works on:
Malvern Road from Chapel Street to Glenferrie Road in Toorak and Malvern
($79,000)
Ferntree Gully Road from Stud Road to Burwood Highway in Knoxfield ($63,000)
Eltham-Yarra Glen Road from Bolton Street to Wattletree Road in Eltham
($330,000)
Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road from Warrandyte Road to Eltham-Yarra Glen
Road in Kangaroo Ground ($287,000)
Research-Warrandyte Road from Eltham-Yarra Glen Road to Kangaroo Ground-
Warrandyte Road in Warrandyte ($336,000)
Similarly, in regional Victoria works will be completed on:
The Great Ocean Road from Fairhaven to Lorne ($280,000)
Steiglitz Road from Maude to Steiglitz ($195,000)
Deans Marsh-Lorne Road from Deans Marsh to Lorne ($480,000)
Bunurong Road from Cape Paterson Road to Goroke Street in Inverloch-Cape
Paterson ($680,000)
This funding will see the installation of approximately 170 additional speed advisory and
motorcycle warning signs, including signs around curves; approximately 1450 additional
guide posts; new guardrail installed; more edge-line marking and sealing of gravel roads
and driveways.
Mr Lyngcoln said the $2.73 million investment in motorcycle blacklengths has been made
possible by the Motorcycle Safety Levy which is included as part of the TAC premium on
new motorcycle registrations and registration renewals.
“The Motorcycle Safety Levy funds a range of initiatives that address the key issues
causing motorcycle trauma. Currently $42.7 million has been approved for motorcycle
safety initiatives across Victoria,” said Mr Lyngcoln.
On 31 August 2009, the Government announced Victoria’s Road Safety and Transport
Strategic Action Plan for Powered Two Wheelers 2009 – 2013. This recognises the
increasing popularity of motorcycling as an affordable means of transport and as a
recreational activity. Developed in consultation with motorcyclists including the Victorian
Motorcycle Advisory Council, the action plan takes an integrated approach to both road
safety and the transport needs of motorcycle and scooter riders.
Other motorcyclist safety initiatives either completed or underway include:
145 on-road blackspot and blacklength projects to improve high risk crash
locations for motorcyclists. An evaluation of the blackspot program found a 24
per cent reduction in motorcycle casualty crashes at the first 85 sites treated
A review of road maintenance practices and their impact on motorcycle safety
A public education campaign to improve driver awareness of motorcycles at
intersections
Developing a model for an improved motorcycle graduated licensing system
The development, trial and evaluation of an on-road assisted ride program
The development, implementation and evaluation of a community policing and
education project to reduce road trauma to motorcyclists.
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MEDIA CONTACT – Bree Taylor, VicRoads ph: 9854 2499 / 0400 890 993
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