Scooters riders join protest
The VSRA represents Victoria’s four largest Scooter clubs and recently took a prominent role in the Motorcycle and Scooter Protest Rally held in A’Beckett Street, Melbourne on the 29th October 2012. The VSRA believes it is time the collective voice of Scooter Riders is heard, in particular regarding serious concerns relating to the soon to be released findings from the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety.
The VSRA anticipates the Victorian Government may attempt to introduce legislation supposedly based on findings from the Parliamentary Inquiry. These may include the introduction of compulsory fluorescent vests; additional compulsory items of safety equipment such as jackets, gloves and boots and also propose the return of front number plates or other forms of additional identification for Motorcycles and Scooters.
The VSRA understands and supports the concept of shared responsibility relating to road safety and believes it is important any initiatives in this regard provide the most effective, efficient and appropriate outcomes for all road users. The VSRA strongly believes these will not be achieved via the introduction of superficial measures such as compulsory fluorescent vests, because the most significant threat to Scooter riders on Victorian Roads is currently Drivers not obeying traffic signals, road signs or rules of the road. VSRA Spokesperson Stephen Bardsley has said he believes Victorian Roads currently operate under a system similar to the “Law of the Jungle”, where Drivers of the largest vehicles presume right of way, no matter what traffic signal they may face.
The VSRA believes the reintroduction of front number plates, which were in the past removed from Motorcycles and Scooters due to road safety concerns, is more related to revenue raising than it is to road safety. Front plates will not only be costly and difficult to retrofit, but they will achieve zero improvement in safety for any road users. The VSRA believes the cost of front ID for Motorcycles and Scooters will instead be best spent on Driver and Rider education and other initiatives able to provide quantifiable measures to minimise the risk Drivers pose to Riders of Motorcycles and Scooters.
The VSRA proposes the introduction of a system that will accurately identify, apportion, record and report the liability of all parties involved in accidents where Motorcycles, Scooters and also other vehicle(s) are involved. This to put an end to the much conflicting information and data emanating from what has been referred to as the “Blame Game” which is currently prevalent in Victoria. The VSRA is a proactive organisation and remains available to consult and work with authorities to help ensure any proposed legislation provides genuine and quantifiable improvements in road safety.
