MINISTER OPENS NEW MOTORCYCLE RIDER TRAINING CENTRE
Published Thursday, 04 September, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
The opening of a motorcycle rider training facility in Brisbane today has been welcomed by Transport Minister John Mickel who reiterated his commitment to improving safety for all Queensland motorcyclists.
"52 motorcyclist and pillion passengers have lost their lives on Queensland roads this year.” said Mr Mickel speaking at the opening of the Honda Australia Rider Training facility at Brisbane Airport
“This number represents nearly one quarter of the Queensland road toll. When you consider that only four percent of the vehicles on the road are motorcycles, this figure is alarming (as at 1 September 2008).
"I would like to congratulate Honda Australia in opening the program in Queensland," said Mr Mickel.
“Facilities like this work well in partnership with the programs put in place by the Queensland Government and play an important role in providing quality training and important road-craft skills to riders in a secure learning environment.
"The Queensland Government is committed to improving safety for all motorcyclists. The training process provided under the Q-Ride scheme has been developed to give a solid grounding in riding skills and knowledge.
"Honda Australia Rider Training will be a service provider for the Q-Ride program and will have the added responsibility of training Australia Post posties who use motorcycles to deliver mail," said the Minister.
Queensland Transport has introduced a variety of initiatives to combat motorcycle fatalities this year, including:
• the requirement for all learner riders to hold a restricted (RE class) licence for 12 months before progressing to an unrestricted (R class) licence
• introducing a minimum age of 8 years for motorcycle passengers
• further auditing and assessment processes for Q-Ride training programs.
"These changes are just the beginning. In May this year we conducted consultation to work out the main safety issues concerning Queenslanders about motorcycles," he said.
The consultation addressed the process for getting a licence, protective clothing standards, safety technology and public education.
"There was an overwhelming response from the public and it will play a major part in shaping the Motorcycle Safety Strategy to be released later this year.
"Public education campaigns, focusing on both motorists and motorcyclists, have also been implemented over the past two years and will remain a road safety priority," he said.
ENDS
Media contact: John Smith on 3235 4060 or Jane Rowe on 3237 1125
4 September, 2008
"52 motorcyclist and pillion passengers have lost their lives on Queensland roads this year.” said Mr Mickel speaking at the opening of the Honda Australia Rider Training facility at Brisbane Airport
“This number represents nearly one quarter of the Queensland road toll. When you consider that only four percent of the vehicles on the road are motorcycles, this figure is alarming (as at 1 September 2008).
"I would like to congratulate Honda Australia in opening the program in Queensland," said Mr Mickel.
“Facilities like this work well in partnership with the programs put in place by the Queensland Government and play an important role in providing quality training and important road-craft skills to riders in a secure learning environment.
"The Queensland Government is committed to improving safety for all motorcyclists. The training process provided under the Q-Ride scheme has been developed to give a solid grounding in riding skills and knowledge.
"Honda Australia Rider Training will be a service provider for the Q-Ride program and will have the added responsibility of training Australia Post posties who use motorcycles to deliver mail," said the Minister.
Queensland Transport has introduced a variety of initiatives to combat motorcycle fatalities this year, including:
• the requirement for all learner riders to hold a restricted (RE class) licence for 12 months before progressing to an unrestricted (R class) licence
• introducing a minimum age of 8 years for motorcycle passengers
• further auditing and assessment processes for Q-Ride training programs.
"These changes are just the beginning. In May this year we conducted consultation to work out the main safety issues concerning Queenslanders about motorcycles," he said.
The consultation addressed the process for getting a licence, protective clothing standards, safety technology and public education.
"There was an overwhelming response from the public and it will play a major part in shaping the Motorcycle Safety Strategy to be released later this year.
"Public education campaigns, focusing on both motorists and motorcyclists, have also been implemented over the past two years and will remain a road safety priority," he said.
ENDS
Media contact: John Smith on 3235 4060 or Jane Rowe on 3237 1125
4 September, 2008