MEDIA RELEASE
VICTORIAN MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER RIDERS
OPPOSE THE MELBOURNE ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Powered Two
Wheeler (PTW) rider advocacy groups including the Victorian Motorcycle Council
(VMC), the Independent Riders Group (IRG) and the Victorian Scooter
Riders Association (VSRA) have collectively called for postponement of the
vote endorsing the Melbourne Road Safety Plan. Their concerns are the Plan fails to enhance the
safety of PTW riders and fails to meet its goal to:
“Create a safe, comfortable and richly engaging urban environment where pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are welcomed and supported through world leading road safety practices” and “to “recognise the needs
“Create a safe, comfortable and richly engaging urban environment where pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are welcomed and supported through world leading road safety practices” and “to “recognise the needs
of pedestrians, cyclists and
motorcyclists in street design”
Stephen Bardsley, VSRA spokesperson said, "Despite raising concerns back in October 2012, the Plan fails to recognise the needs of PTW riders in any meaningful way. It's a disgrace."
Damien Codognotto from the IRG said, “Whereas it’s good PTW’s were mentioned in the Plan, that’s all we got and it simply doesn't give riders a fair go."
Peter Baulch from the VMC said, "The Plan proposes no initiatives that encourage the most efficient and fastest growing form of road transport to enter the city, it also fails to recognise their needs."
The spokespersons for all
three organisations are collectively disappointed that whereas local
Governments all over the World are implementing policies to encourage
Motorcycle and Scooter Riders into CBD’s, the City of Melbourne appears to have
failed its obligations in this regard. This when:
► Evidence shows the answer to the World's urban
traffic congestion may be as simple as creating
policies promoting the use of PTW’s, the fastest growing mode of transport in Melbourne.
policies promoting the use of PTW’s, the fastest growing mode of transport in Melbourne.
► Research released in 2012 proved if just 10% of all private cars were to be replaced
with
PTW’s then traffic congestion would be reduced by up to 40%, to the benefit of all road users.
PTW’s then traffic congestion would be reduced by up to 40%, to the benefit of all road users.
The VMC, IRG and VSRA are
united in calling for the Melbourne City Council to postpone endorsing the plan
and to initiate genuine stakeholder review.
End of Media Release
VMC
Spokesperson – Robert Salvatore
Telephone: 0409 416 230
email: Rob.Salvatore@qenos.com
Spokesperson – Robert Salvatore
Telephone: 0409 416 230
email: Rob.Salvatore@qenos.com
IRG
Spokesperson – Damien Codognotto
Telephone: (03) 9846 8621
email: d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com
Spokesperson – Damien Codognotto
Telephone: (03) 9846 8621
email: d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com
VSRA
Spokesperson - Stephen Bardsley
Telephone: 0409 848 428
email: okeh1@bigpond.com
Spokesperson - Stephen Bardsley
Telephone: 0409 848 428
email: okeh1@bigpond.com
2 comments:
To the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Mr Robert Doyle and Melbourne City Councillors,
On behalf of the Victorian Scooter Riders Association (VSRA), the Victorian Motorcycle Council (VMC) and the Independent Riders Group (IRG) who collectively represent in excess of over 10,000 Victorian Motorcycle and Scooter riders, I write to request the vote scheduled for the 16th April 2013 to endorse the Melbourne Road Safety Plan be deferred for one cycle.
The request is made in accordance with the attached Media Release from the VMC, VSRA and IRG, as collectively all three organisations are concerned the Plan will not in its current format enhance the safety of PTW riders and does not meet the stated goal to:
“Create a safe, comfortable and richly engaging urban environment where pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are welcomed and supported through world leading road safety practices” and “to “recognise the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in street design”
We appreciate the work that has been put into the plan, but believe emphasis has been placed on pedestrians and cyclists at the expense of and without adequate consultation and consideration of the views of Victorian motorcycle and scooter riders. We therefore request a deferment so that a submission detailing our concerns may be presented for consideration by the MCC within the next cycle.
Regards
Stephen Bardsley
Spokesperson – VSRA
Melbourne City Council Committee Meeting Tuesday April 16, 5:30 PM
Agenda Item 6.5 Road Safety Report
Town Hall Administration Entrance (Opposite Flower Shop) Park your scooter or bike out front next to the flower shop
LIVE TO RIDE - SHARE THE ROAD EQUALLY
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