The state government has launched a new round of grants to help improve motorcycle safety on Victoria’s roads.
The Safer Motorcycling Grants Program will kickstart projects across three categories including technology and intelligent transport solutions (ITS), education and research, and policy and law to make road safer for these drivers.
Motorcyclists are overrepresented in road trauma in Victoria, with 46 riders losing their lives on the state’s roads so far this year.
Among them was a rider who was killed in a crash near the Princess Freeway in Altona on June 19.
The grants program will include projects to educate and empower riders to buy high safety rated protective gear, deliver new rider and driver training and undertake research into rider behaviour and vehicle design.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said the investment in motorcycle safety was badly needed.
“Tragically, motorcyclists are overrepresented in road trauma – last year, motorcycles made up three per cent of registered vehicles, but riders accounted for 22 per cent of deaths on our roads,” Ms Horne said.
Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales said the grants would fund road safety projects and initiatives that have proven to be effective.
“We know through rider and driver education, wearing the right protective gear and investment in innovative solutions, we can make the roads safer for one of our most vulnerable road user groups,” Mr Vidales said.
Under the grants program 16 organisations will receive a share of $3.5 million to deliver motorcycle safety projects, with the money coming from the state’s Motorcycle Safety Levy.
