Port Stephens Council took a proactive stance in support of National Road Safety Week from 11 to 18 May 2025 by hosting a free motorcycling safety workshop for riders of all experience levels.
This initiative aimed to address the concerning statistic that motorcyclists in the Hunter Region were involved in 12% of crashes between 2019 and 2023, according to statistics provided by the Centre for Road Safety.
The workshop, facilitated by the Survive the Ride Association of NSW, aided motorcyclists in managing risks when riding and encouraged adjustments to riding habits that significantly enhance personal safety.
Mayor Leah Anderson said the workshop is just one of the ways Council is taking a step to reduce road trauma.
"We've got the stats, and they're pretty clear. Motorcyclists, especially folks who might be returning to riding after a break, are vulnerable on the road," Mayor Anderson said.
"We wanted to host this workshop to provide an opportunity to identify and find solutions for common challenges faced by motorcyclists," Mayor Anderson added.
Every year, approximately 1,200 people are killed and another 40,000+ are seriously injured on Australian roads. National Road Safety Week highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it in our community.
Mayor Anderson said that National Road Safety Week is a good chance to check-in and consider how we all contribute to safety on local roads.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibly and at Port Stephens Council, we work closely with our community through a range of initiatives and programs to enhance road safety," Mayor Anderson said.
"From practical safety workshops and timely holiday reminders to ensuring the safety of our school zones, we're committed to keeping the road safety message front of mind.
"I'm particularly looking forward to joining the students and staff at Karuah Public School next Friday 16 May, for Walk Safely to School Day, an important event that promotes both road safety awareness and healthy habits.
"Looking ahead, we'll be inviting our community to participate in a survey about road safety in Port Stephens as part of the Community Action for Safe Speeds study, led by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health," Mayor Anderson said.
The CASS (Community Action for Safe Speeds) study aims to find innovative ways to reduce speeding-related road trauma in New South Wales by increasing public demand for safer speeds. Participants will complete a 20-minute online survey on 2 occasions, 6 months apart, that asks questions about demographics and attitudes to road safety issues, including speeds in the community.
"I encourage all residents to take the National Road Safety Week pledge and commit to making our roads safer for everyone. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in reducing road trauma and ensuring everyone reaches their destination safely," Mayor Anderson concluded.
