Government

Motorcycle Crash Statistics

We enjoy motorcycle riding and we acknowledge that on rare occasions, crashes occur.
Not surprisingly, COVID kept the fatal crashes relatively low in the first half of last year because of lockdown.  However, over the recent 12 months with the increase in the number of motorcycles on the road it’s not a surprise that the number of fatalities in NSW has also increased this year over last year.  That is simply a matter of “exposure”.
The age group that features in the crashes is also not a surprise as many of the bikes were purchased by older people who are returning to riding.  The machines are faster and their skills are a bit rusty.
When it comes to overall performance of riders on the road we prefer to look at the trends. The annual Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) report looks at the number of kilometres travelled (measured in billions), the number of registered motorcycles and the fatal crash rate for each year.  Except for a peak in 2016, the trend for riders  as a group is that we are having far fewer fatal crashes than 10 years ago.
One of the reasons for this improvement in rider performance is the work done by the motorcycle rider training industry.  From Learners to Advanced courses, riders learn how to improve their riding decision making and machine control skills.
If the Government wants to see continuing improvements is the performance of riders, then the evidence clearly shows one of the most effective ways to do this is to provide an increase in rider training opportunities.

Local Government

STRA is involved in numerous Local Govt events aimed at rider safety in the local area. Eg:

– 2008 – 2024 – Breakfast Torque (Sutherland Shire)

– 2008 Snowy Ride, 2009 Strathfield Fair

Rider Safety Workshops – Local Councils – Blacktown, Cumberland, Eurobodalla, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Shell Harbour, Wollongong, Bega, Snowy Monaro, Northern Beaches, Hornsby, Gosford, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Bathurst-Blayney, Albury, Narrandera, Wagga Wagga, Cobar, Orange, Bathurst, Taree, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads, Port Macquarie,

NSW Government

The Centre for Road Safety, Transport for NSW has provided a grant to allow us to conduct rider safety workshops in rural NSW.

NSW Staysafe Committee

In December 2010, the NSW Staysafe Committee announced the terms of reference for their enquiry into “vulnerable road users” which includes motorcycle riders:

“That the Committee inquire into and report on vulnerable road users, specifically motorcycle and bicycle safety, with particular reference to:
a) patterns of motorcycle and bicycle usage in New South Wales;
b) short and long term trends in motorcycle and bicycle injuries and fatalities across a range of settings, including on-road and off-road uses;
c) underlying factors in motorcycle and bicycle injuries and fatalities;
d) current measures and future strategies to address motorcycle and bicycle safety, including education, training and assessment programs;
e) the integration of motorcyclists and bicyclists in the planning and management of the road system in NSW;
f) motorcycle and bicycle safety issues and strategies in other jurisdictions; and
g) any other related matters.”

Survive the Ride Assoc of NSW wrote a submission and provided evidence to the NSW Staysafe Committee about motorcycle safety issues and is encouraging all interested parties to contribute ideas and strategies.

NSW Motorcycle Safety Strategy

The NSW Government released their Road Toll Response Package to target works and programs in 2010-2015.  Part of the package included the development of the NSW Motorcycle Safety Strategy.

STRANSW provided input at several strategy meetings along with representatives if the NSW Motorcycle Council, Police and other state agencies.

We have also been involved with other motorcycle rider groups in a number of wider policy issues over the past few years such as;

Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit

The Summit was initiated as a means to give voice to key stakeholders and to facilitate consensus on measures to improve motorcycle and scooter safety.  Recommendations from the Summit were finalised in consultation with the Motorcycle Safety Consultative Committee (MSCC). In line with the objectives of the Summit, it is proposed to use the recommendations as input to the development of the post-2010 National Road Safety Strategy.

STRANSW was represented at Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit by our Secretary David Tynan. David also represented Blacktown City Council at the summit.  The results of the Summit are available at this link