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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the high rate of deaths among motorcyclists on Australian roads is "appalling".
The government was looking at a range of ways to cut the toll, he said.
Motorbike riders are 23 times more likely to be killed than car drivers, according to statistics released by Transport Minister Anthony Albanese.
They make up 15 per cent of the road toll despite motorbikes accounting for just 4.5 per cent of registered vehicles.
"Anthony Albanese ... has put out some pretty stunning statistics on this and I was unaware of these myself," Mr Rudd told Fairfax Radio Network.
"Motorcyclists now account for almost 15 per cent of all road deaths.
"That's huge. Last year 240 motorcycle riders were killed and 5,000 hospitalised, these are huge numbers."
The government was now working on a national road safety strategy through the Australian Transport Commission, Mr Rudd said.
"We are going to look at a whole series of practical measures from the community about how we can bring this appalling fatality and injury rate down."
Call me paranoid but I think crimson is onto something here, anything on two wheels seem to be on the agenda Oz wide.
Have taken this from another forum.....
A report has been released TODAY from the Australian Government - Transport Safety Bureau regarding motorcyclist road deaths. This is probably the reason why some of the media outlets are picking up comments by the PM about the subject. The ATSB page about it is here and the report can be downloaded HERE (3.0mb PDF file). In the report, the statistical breakdown of fatalities by State/Territory puts WA at the head of the pack. Little wonder because the government does fuck all about the issue. However this is tempered by the fact that WA and QLD have experienced the fasted growth in motorcycle ownership over the past couple of years - cashed up miners with lots of disposable income perhaps?? Apart from that, there is little in there to indicate "who's to blame" but there is a lot of statistical information that is good to know, especially if you want to write to the ORS and bother them about it. Also:
So acording to this when the bike is at fault we are speeding or on drugs, & when the car is at fault they didnt see us
They are pretty interesting stats.
With record numbers of bike sales I am not at all surprised, bike riding is a hazzardous pastime.
As for industrial deaths, production, money and greed loom large.
Bt
Its really getting outa control as I see it.
Since I was dislodged from my bike Thursday week ago, 3 more motorcyclists have been collected in Darwin.
The latest being a 33 yo female postie T boned at an intersection, mother of 2.
She has severe head injuries and is currently fighting for her life. (so much for the fluro vest making you more visible)
Its about time a real campain was launched across Australia to educate all that we are on the road too.
There seems to be a lot adds about alcohol and smoking and drugs, but what about motorcyclists?
I honestly can't remember seeing a motorcycle awareness campain up here. (NT)
We had a scooter rider on the front page, in last weeks paper, pleeding for car drivers to be more aware of motorcyclist and you should have see the replies. She basically got adused by people in the 'write in' section. I was amazed by the reaction.
Time to kick more doors in I reckon Soon get their attention (in jest)
Fark....what do we have to do?
I recall a couple of campains with a postie, a couple of sports bikes and even a couple of Hells Angles riding into the distance along with the slogan "we are all one family" (or something like that)
We as bike riders have to take a bit of the blame, when some of us still weave from lane to lane to improve position, or cruse down between the cars to the front of the lights, this (IMHO) is just plain bad manners.
Rodders
Unfortunately the female postie passed away last night. Very sad situation.
My thoughts are with her family and may she rest in peace
It's a sad business when a rider is hurt or killed, my thoughts are with all concerned.
Over the years, riding many different bikes and having survived to now, I have come to the conclusion that if you are passive and don't make your presence known to all around you, you are going to get cleaned up. Car drivers are obliveous to bikes (inluding pedal ones) and will hustle you ot of the way.
My remedy is to be as agressive as is required to stay ahead and be seen and heard. The stats in the city I'm sure will show that most accidents involving bikes is the car hitting them. I cringe big time at traffic lights iether stationary or with the green, I have had cars near touch my rear coming to a stop at lights.
I will keep ducking and weaving and making noise as much as is nescessary to stay alive and in one piece.
It is true what Bobtail and Skull said about getting to the front of traffic at the lights. I do that all the time, it is legal as long as you do not cross the white unbroken line at the approach to the intersection (it is called "sharing the line", however you have to be very carefull when taking off. I always look left and right to be sure the intersection is clear.
Just the other day coming home from work at 04:15 in the morning I was chased by a tin top all the way. It was a Ford XR 6 Turbo anf the dickhead was chasing me, slowing down when I was slowing and speeding up when I was going faster.
That went on for about 20 Ks going through several intersections and at the end he (it was a young bloke about 20) turned right against a red arrow. Now imagine if there was another bike or car coming from the opposite direction!?!?!?
Guys, whatever you do on the road or whatever your riding style make sure you are heard/seen, never ride in a vehicle's blind spot and look, look look everywhere.
My instructor once told me "When you start riding you have to grow several sets of eyes, you have to have eyes in your front, your back, your sides and in your arse"
I'm not sure why would you need the last set but I suspect it is for all those arse attackers, after all if you are to remain safe you have to be covered from all angles.
True, very true Andij.
Stay safe.
