MEDIA RELEASE
VICTORIAN MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER RIDERS
OPPOSE THE MELBOURNE ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Powered Two Wheeler (PTW) rider advocacy groups including the Victorian Motorcycle Council (VMC), the Independent Riders Group (IRG) and the Victorian Scooter Riders Association (VSRA) have collectively called for postponement of the vote endorsing the Melbourne Road Safety Plan. Their concerns are the Plan fails to enhance the safety of PTW riders and fails to meet its goal to:
“Create a safe, comfortable and richly engaging urban environment where pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are welcomed and supported through world leading road safety practices” and “to “recognise the needs
of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in street design”
Stephen Bardsley, VSRA spokesperson said, “Despite raising concerns back in October 2012, the Plan fails to recognise the needs of PTW riders in any meaningful way. It’s a disgrace.”
Damien Codognotto from the IRG said, “Whereas it’s good PTW’s were mentioned in the Plan, that’s all we got and it simply doesn’t give riders a fair go.”
Peter Baulch from the VMC said, “The Plan proposes no initiatives that encourage the most efficient and fastest growing form of road transport to enter the city, it also fails to recognise their needs.”
The spokespersons for all three organisations are collectively disappointed that whereas local Governments all over the World are implementing policies to encourage Motorcycle and Scooter Riders into CBD’s, the City of Melbourne appears to have failed its obligations in this regard. This when:
? Evidence shows the answer to the World’s urban traffic congestion may be as simple as creating
policies promoting the use of PTW’s, the fastest growing mode of transport in Melbourne.
policies promoting the use of PTW’s, the fastest growing mode of transport in Melbourne.
? Research released in 2012 proved if just 10% of all private cars were to be replaced with
PTW’s then traffic congestion would be reduced by up to 40%, to the benefit of all road users.
PTW’s then traffic congestion would be reduced by up to 40%, to the benefit of all road users.
The VMC, IRG and VSRA are united in calling for the Melbourne City Council to postpone endorsing the plan and to initiate genuine stakeholder review.
End of Media Release
VMC
Spokesperson – Robert Salvatore
Telephone: 0409 416 230
email: Rob.Salvatore@qenos.com
Spokesperson – Robert Salvatore
Telephone: 0409 416 230
email: Rob.Salvatore@qenos.com
IRG
Spokesperson – Damien Codognotto
Telephone: (03) 9846 8621
email: d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com
Spokesperson – Damien Codognotto
Telephone: (03) 9846 8621
email: d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com
VSRA
Spokesperson – Stephen Bardsley
Telephone: 0409 848 428
email: okeh1@bigpond.com
Spokesperson – Stephen Bardsley
Telephone: 0409 848 428
email: okeh1@bigpond.com