The Allan Labor Government is making sure motorcyclists are safe on our roads with new round of grants for a broad range of safety initiatives to protect and educate Victorian motorcyclists.
The Safer Motorcycling Grants Program will kickstart projects across three categories including technology and intelligent transport solutions (ITS), education and research, and policy and law to make road safer for these drivers.
Motorcyclists are overrepresented in road trauma in Victoria, with 46 riders this year losing their lives on our roads.
The grants program will include projects to:
- educate and empower riders to buy high safety rated protective gear and equipment
- develop cutting-edge tools and systems to ensure motorcycle infrastructure investment is targeting the right solution in the highest risk locations to maximise safety
- deliver new rider and driver training and education programs, while exploring innovative technology to provide a real-time skills feedback system for riders
- undertake research into rider behaviour and vehicle design.
Sixteen organisations will receive a share of $3.5 million to deliver a range of innovative projects to improve safety for motorcyclists in Victoria, funded through the Labor Government's Motorcycle Safety Levy.
The Motorcycle Safety Levy improves motorcyclist safety by investing in targeted safety initiatives across motorcycle policy and law, education and research and road safety infrastructure improvements for motorcyclists, with more than $100 million spent since its introduction in 2002.
Recipients include Savic who will develop an intelligent rider evaluation system to encourage safer riding techniques and Machine Alley who will develop a motorcycle training and safety equipment education program.
For more details and the full list of successful recipients and details, visit: vic.gov.au/grants.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"Tragically, motorcyclists are overrepresented in road trauma - last year, motorcycles made up three per cent of registered vehicles, but riders accounted for 22 per cent of deaths on our roads."
"Preventing serious injuries remain a key road safety challenge, which is why we're introducing these grants to take an innovative approach to enhancing motorcyclist safety."
As stated by Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales
"We know through rider and driver education, wearing the right protective gear and investment in innovative solutions, we can make the roads safer for one of our most vulnerable road user groups."
As stated by TAC CEO Tracey Slatter
"Motorcyclists are among our most vulnerable road users, and this program is a key part of our commitment to exploring innovative approaches to improving rider safety."
