Motorcycle safety initiatives
This page provides a summary of recent motorcycle safety initiatives that have been introduced to help improve the safety of motorcyclists and other road users.
Parliamentary inquiry recommendations into motorcycle licensing
A recent parliamentary inquiry into motorcycle licensing completed in October 2012 has recommended a number of changes to the Queensland motorcycle licensing process. Some of the recommendations include compulsory pre-learner off road training and specific risk taking and hazard perception training.
CARRS-Q research report into motorcycle safety
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety at QUT carried out a 3-year research report into motorcycle safety which was completed in 2012. This research was funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC). A focus on increased training and assessment is just 1 of the recommendations from the research report.
Motorcycle safety reforms
With motorcycle usage growing in popularity and motorcyclists being more vulnerable to injury than other road users, the Queensland Government introduced a variety of reforms to increase motorcycle safety.
The initiatives included:
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Zero blood or breath alcohol concentration (0.00 BAC) for novice riders
Since 1 July 2010, class RE motorcycle licence holders are required to ride with a 0.00 BAC during their first year of riding. For more information see Introduction of zero blood or breath alcohol concentration (0.00 BAC) for novice motorcycle riders (PDF, 84 KB).
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The Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAM Scheme)
The introduction of the LAM Scheme meant safer motorcycles for novice riders and consistency across Australia. The scheme replaced the previous 250mL engine capacity restriction for class RE motorcycle licence holders with a combined power-to-weight ratio and engine capacity restriction.
The power-to-weight ratio is a comparison of the engine output to the weight of the motorcycle. It is a measure of the motorcycle’s performance. The LAM Scheme restricts novice riders to motorcycles with a power-to-weight ratio that does not exceed 150kW/t and an engine capacity that does not exceed 660mL. In effect, class RE licence holders will have access to a much larger range of motorcycles without compromising their safety.
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Provisional motorcycle licence holders must display a P-plate
This brought all provisional licence holders in line — car drivers and motorcyclists. Displaying P-plates on motorcycles clearly identifies newly licensed riders to other road users. It also facilitates the enforcement of particular restrictions that apply to these licence holders. A single P-plate is required at the rear of the motorcycle only, similar to the requirement to display L-plates on motorcycles.
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Learner riders no longer able to carry any pillion passengers
Motorcycle learners are prohibited from carrying pillion passengers (including supervisors). This removed the risk that a pillion passenger poses to stability and balance of a motorcycle for a novice rider.
The following 3 changes came into effect on 1 July 2008.
Licensing requirements
All newly licensed motorcycle riders are required to hold their class RE (restricted) motorcycle licence for a minimum of 12 months before being able to progress to their class R motorcycle licence. This law was introduced to ensure all newly licensed motorcycle riders gain valuable on-road experience on a lower powered motorcycle.
This is in addition to the requirement to hold a provisional or open licence of another class for at least 12 months in the 5 years prior to getting a motorcycle learner licence (class RE).
Passengers
All pillion passengers on motorcycles are required to be a minimum age of 8 years old. This amendment aligned Queensland with the motorcycle passenger requirements in the Australian road rules.
All motorcycle passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. Passengers, seated behind the rider, need to be facing forward with their feet on the pillion footrests.
Q-Ride
The introduction of without notice, on-the-spot, and in-person auditing of Q-Ride training programs. This measure strengthened the Q-Ride motorcycle licensing scheme.
