This is from a news release, thought you might be interested

Hi Everyone,

this news is excellent though it is important that we assist with keeping the pressure on with this petition supporting all the other bodies pushing for a positive result for two wheeled safety........

Just one of 64 suggestions in the 535-page Victorian report, which is also notable for not supporting hi-vis vests or front numberplates

The 18-month Victorian parliamentary inquiry onto motorcycle safety has finally delivered its report, with the Australian Motorcycle Council lauding the document as one which “will be a reference point across Australia in the coming years”. And the report is also notable for what’s not in it: there’s no support for hi-vis vests or front numberplates.

The 535-page report makes 64 suggestions, including:

That the motorcycle safety levy be abolished;
That an independent office of road safety data be created, which will be responsible for collecting, collating, interpreting, and publishing all data relevant to road safety, including motorcycle safety;
That an immediate program to improve inter-agency data cooperation and collaboration on motorcycle crash data be instituted by government agencies;
That VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission treat off-road motorcycle safety no differently to that of on-road motorcycles;
That VicRoads includes motorcycle specific questions in its licence testing regime and motorcycle safety content in its training syllabus for learner and probationary car licence students;
That the Transport Accident Commission focuses its motorcycle safety advertising on redressing the attitude that responsibility for rider safety is solely attributable to the rider;
That a star rating system for protective clothing, which includes boots, gloves, jackets, pants and armour, be established… and be fully functioning within 36 months of the tabling of this report;
That VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission investigate ways of improving motorcycle safety through behavioural change programs including changes to the car licence curriculum and road rules so that motorcyclists and the risks posed to them by other road users are highlighted; and
That the benefits and risks of filtering, as distinct for lane splitting, be reviewed with the aim of introducing filtering in Victoria.
"The 18-month inquiry had produced a report that will be a reference point across Australia in the coming years,” said Shaun Lennard, the chairman of the Australian Motorcycle Council.

"I try to avoid clichés, but this report is a game-changer -- not only for Victoria, Australia, and even extending across the OECD and developing countries.

"It has confirmed - but now in an official government report -- a number of the things we have known for many years. The lack of accurate data around motorcycle crashes was recognised at the 2008 Canberra Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Summit -- as is stated in the report. That's four and a half years ago, with little progress.

“The AMC has also been calling for MAIDS -- Motorcycle Accident In-depth Study --- research in Australia, and that’s in the report too.”

Lennard believes one of the most significant recommendations is the abolition of the safety levy, which is an annual charge payable by all motorcyclists.

“We've always held the view that it's unfair to make motorcycle riders pay for road safety improvements, when for all other road users it's provided from general revenue.

“Two things that have had more publicity than they deserved in the past six months do not feature in the report. There's no plan for front numberplates and no plan for high-vis clothing. Let's stop talking about these things now -- they're simply not on the agenda."

The Victorian Government is required to table a response to the report within six months.

Regards Angus Constable-Townsend
 

 

 

"That a star rating system for protective clothing, which includes boots, gloves, jackets, pants and armour, be established… and be fully functioning within 36 months of the tabling of this report" <-- I wonder if this bit will turn into an attempt to ban open face helmets.

I am pleased with what has been covered in this report. Hopefully the government will act on alot of the suggestions. Anything that will reduce the cost of registration is a good thing. It has always seemed like daylight robbery that car and bike rego is almost the same cost.

problem with this....

Recommendation 52:
That a star rating system for protective motorcycle clothing, which includes boots,
gloves, jackets, pants and armour, be established within 24 months, and be fully
functioning within 36 months, of the tabling of this report. It should adopt the
Conformité Européenne standards for protective motorcycle gear, but also take into
consideration Victorian requirements including weather patterns and must include a
testing and certification regime.

is that this.....

Recommendation 53:
That gear that does not meet a minimum star rating (once established) should not be
sold or branded as ‘protective’ motorcycle gear in Victoria. Clothing that does meet a
minimum standard should be subject to incentives and subsidies devised by road safety
agencies to facilitate its purchase by motorcyclists.

could mean they charge us more to rego if we dont follow the established minimum star rating... be it hi vis "protective" clothing or just leathers etc...

mostly good but i`m sceptical and un-trusting of this shit, it would be ok if it meant u pay less if u have the better gear,, but as if that will ever happen in this lifetime...

That seems to me a way to show people what is better protective gear.
It says nothing about making you have to wear it.
Just a guide. If you read more, you'll see that they also mention how many more people are riding Bikes and scooters and how a lot of them are newbies, so to speak.
The guide could be for them when they buy their gear.

Sure it says nothing about 'having to wear it' but how long before courts and insurance companies are reducing payouts because we chose to ride in 'unrated' gear rather than 'rated' gear and how long before open face helmets don't meet the minimum safety star rating?

Ahh, Do you mean like, Age of Driver, what license, type of car, speed of car, how many times license lost etc?

+1 hilly

How is a star rating going to work, I thought that was what "CE Approval" was all about. I do agree that the insurance companies will jump on this, if you're not wearing a high star rated item they will reduce their payouts... but at least the Victorian government isn't setting the precedence to wear all Hi-Vis clothing!

Hmm... I can see it now...



(Sometime in the Future)....

Clothing without any Hi-Vis will be considered NOT to pass any level of the now introduced Star Rating, and is now banned. All motorcycle clothing must include Hi-Vis elements to classify on the Star Rating.

All motorcyclists must wear 5 pieces of clothing that comply with the Star Rating System.





Do you see where this is going!!!

 the report reads far better than most expectations. 

 

I agree with mongrel,they might say no support for hi-vis ect, but can you beleive them.

lol, well if it is a financial incentive either way,,, maybe all you will have to do is borrow all your mates shit and show it to them as yours?

Books written by Dr Seus don't count

They dont mention HiVis, but they do want to rate protective clothing.

So........A HiVis jacket with body armour might rate a 5 star, and a t-shirt with leather vest ??? 1/2 star (if your lucky)
A glow in the dark full face ......5 Star, 1/2 Lid.....1 (maybe)

Just my thoughts, hope I'm wrong

You'd hope that the motorcycle community would be involved in this process... one can only dream that logical thinking will plan a part in all of this

Still rediculous as , although I and i`d say the magority of riders are fairly safety conscious anyway , i still like to wear what i like , when i like , imagin how long it could take to strip down proving your aproved 5 star constelation ratings at their disgretion ?
Don`t fart , they may soon slap ya with an EPA notice ?
Besides being the usual revenue raising stimulous venture , i think it`s a blattant way to , under their own disgetion , harrass and hinder the Aussie black clad biker culture and further frustrate clubs , as when they started targetting and road blitzin clubs more intensely , many clubs , tryin to do the right thing , would just call the plod to come and check them out , attempting to accomodate this new treatment into their days planning , prior to leavin the area , rather than add hock stops on the roadside , interfearing with and fucking their ride plans ?
This , too me , is just an escolation of all that ?
They would know that they would face mass protest from all riders , forcing fleuro down our throats (i`m guessin it was used , just so we would feel better about these changes , thinking pheww`no fleuro), but this is just a stepping stone in that direction and in their favour , of course ?
Many other countries are makin plenty of changes but not against personal freedoms , some are removing cable lane dividers , moving poles and trees back from road sides , improved free training , educating cagers and rewarding safe riders in order to change bad habbits , either way it`s still gonna hurt when ya hit the deck , unless their 5 star constelation changes that fact or make other road users wary enough to scan traffic situations like we riders do , it doesn`t seem helpful , but just a hinderance and another expence many will have to fork out for ?

I agree Scotti, especially your last paragrath on improving the roads, training of cagers etc, would make the world of difference

Guys, don't be jumping to assumptions and conclusions that just aren't here.  Yeah we have been burnt numerous times before. 

The one thing we should be fighting tooth and nail for is "LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE".  We should not be allowing a beauracrat who knows shit about motorcycling make decisions based on god knows what information.