Motorcycle licensing changes aim to cut crashes

Novice motorcycle riders will need to comply with tougher licensing provisions under changes to the motorcycle licensing scheme outlined in a report tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Transport John Mickel today.

"As part of our response to issues raised by the Parliamentary Travelsafe Committee in its report into Q-RIDE, a graduated licensing system similar to the one in place for young drivers will be progressively introduced for novice riders,” Mr Mickel said.

“The graduated system will mean new riders will progress through the license stages from pre-learner/learner to the provisional phase and through to an open licence.”

The first stage of a graduated licensing system will take effect from July 1, 2008.

“Motorbike riding is dangerous. It is 30 times more dangerous to ride a motorbike than to drive a motor car - there are no seatbelts and no airbags on motorcycles.

‘’Motorbike riding requires different knowledge and skills to driving a car and we must ensure the changes to the licensing system help riders learn the skills needed to travel on our roads safely.

“As part of our response to the Travelsafe report, we will also review engine capacity restrictions for new motorcycle riders. We will examine the issue with so-called ‘baby boomer’ motorcyclists who are taking up riding again after a period of some years and who lack day-to-day experience as a rider.

“Random on-site audits of training providers will be conducted to make sure training continues to be of a high standard. Changes will be made to Q-RIDE competency testing and there will be improvements to the current system for examining Q-RIDE trainers and changes to the timeframe the Q-RIDE training is delivered in."

Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government had made a commitment to continue to address motorbike rider safety and was already conducting a motorbike safety review that stemmed from the 2006 Road Safety Summit.

“This review encompasses motorbike rider licensing, engineering, enforcement and education.

"Many of the issues and initiatives which were identified in Travelsafe's Report 47 Report on the Inquiry into Q-RIDE have been included in the review."

Recommendations already implemented are:

-regular meetings and professional development opportunities for Registered Service Providers (RSPs) and

-improved training and assessment programs. It is intended that these changes will improve the quality of delivery of the Q-RIDE program.

The government has also addressed the issue of motorbike safety with the introduction of broad-based motorbike safety initiatives, including:

-the implementation of a motorbike safety campaign in July this year which included television, radio and outdoor advertising, a comprehensive website and direct marketing of motorbike safety information for riders and

-the introduction of new laws which require a motorbike rider to hold a provisional car licence for 12 months before gaining their learner motorbike licence, thereby providing valuable on-road experience

Media contact: Shannon Mackay (07) 3237 1125

December 24, 2007