Current projects
This page contains current projects under the Motorcycle safety levy.
Motorcycle Safety Levy Program Evaluation
In 2002, the State Government commenced collection of the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) to fund safety projects for Victorian motorcyclists. Since its introduction in 2002, over $100 million has been invested in a range of targeted safety initiatives.
A program evaluation is being undertaken for the projects delivered under the MSL between September 2015 and June 2020. The program evaluation will determine how effective projects have been at meeting the objectives of the MSL. This will help the Government to understand the level of effectiveness of different programs and inform future decisions on which projects and treatments should receive investment.
Cost: $519,000
Start Date: 2024
End Date: 2025
Gembrook-Launching Place Road, Gembrook, motorcycle route safety improvements
Gembrook-Launching Place Road is a popular motorcycle touring route that is characterised by winding roads throughout its 25km length, with several road sections of consecutive bends, hair-pin bends, and blind corners.
This whole route motorcycle safety improvement project delivers targeted motorcycle safety infrastructure upgrades along Gembrook-Launching Place Road between Warburton Highway, Launching Place and Beenak East Road, Gembrook to improve motorcycle safety.
Infrastructure improvements include:
- Sealed shoulders, intersections, and driveways
- Chevron Alignment Markers (CAMs)
- Curve advisory signs
- Guideposts
- Guardrail including motorcycle underrun protection
- Speed advisory signs.
Cost: $ 5.4 million
Start Date: 2023
End Date: 2025
Making Roads Motorcycle Friendly (MRMF) Training
The Making Roads Motorcycle Friendly (MRMF) Guide provides guidance on designing and maintaining roads so that they better consider the safety needs of motorcyclists. The guide provides up-to-date advice to practitioners and industry professionals to improve the safety of motorcycle riders.
The MRMF Guide had a comprehensive update in 2022 to ensure it remains current and delivers best practice guidance for practitioners.
To promote and embed the content of the guide to Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and Local Government staff, eighteen training courses will be delivered to staff over the next three years.
The courses will focus on developing an understanding of motorcycle fatality and serious injury risks, why roads need to be designed with motorcyclists in mind, the complexities associated with motorcycle riding, injury vulnerability of motorcyclists and the importance of integrating motorcyclists so they fit within the Safe System.
Cost: $ TBC
Start Date: 2024
End Date: 2027
Download the guide:
Motorcycle Enhanced Maintenance Scheme (MEMS) Trial
The MEMS trial is using a world-first approach that seeks to improve road maintenance standards by modifying key road maintenance parameters such as response times, tolerances and hazard definitions.
The MEMS project will change the maintenance scheme for two trial routes during two riding seasons (October to April) when there is a higher risk of road trauma for motorcyclists. During these high-risk months, there will be an increase in the frequency of inspections of the trial routes and a quicker response time to rectify any hazards or defects that are detected.
The trial commenced on the first route (Dargo Road) in 2023. A second trial route is planned to commence in October 2024.
Cost: $5 million
Start Date: 2023
End Date: 2026
Victorian Motorcycle Safety Framework
The statewide Motorcycle Safety Framework will provide a suite of coordinated and targeted countermeasures aimed at reducing motorcycle fatal and serious injury crashes. The new Framework will be aligned with, and complement, the Victorian Road Safety Strategy (2021-2030) and supporting action plans.
The Framework is being developed through a comprehensive and collaborative approach including research into the effectiveness of current and emerging countermeasures, a review of frameworks and strategies in Australian and international jurisdictions, and stakeholder workshops. To date, over 100 motorcycle safety stakeholders have participated across five workshops.
Cost: $275,000
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 2025
Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project
The Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project is a collaboration between the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA), the Department of Transport and Planning and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to address off-road rider safety.
The pilot project involves the upgrade of existing single trails and construction of new single trails within the Neerim State Forest. This will be the first dedicated single trail network for motorcycles on public land in Victoria.
The Project will be managed by DEECA in partnership with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) as a six-year pilot project.
The construction of the track network aims to be completed by December 2025, with an evaluation of the trial to commence 12 months following completion of the trails.
Key information:
The trail head is located at the Latrobe River Road motorcycle unloading area.
Planning and mapping of 46 kilometres of track is complete.
Targeting construction towards the end of 2024.
Cost: $2.8 million
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 2027
Motorcycle CRASH Card
The Motorcycle CRASH Card is a self-laminated card that motorcyclists and pillion passengers fill out with important personal information (such as personal details, emergency contact information, and any health conditions) and place in their helmets.
If the rider crashes, the CRASH card can guide first responders to a more effective and rapid response. The CRASH card has the potential to save lives by being able to communicate critical information to first responders and hence facilitate timely post-crash care.
The card was developed in consultation with the Motorcycle Community Engagement Panel and the road safety partners.
CRASH Cards are free and can be collected from distributors across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Cost: $265,000
Start date: 2022
End date: 2024
Metal surface skid-resistance specification and guidelines
Motorcycle riders are highly susceptible to road surface conditions and the low skid resistance associated with temporary metal plates on the roadway creates a serious hazard for riders. This hazard is exacerbated if the metal surface is located where a motorcycle rider is manoeuvring or is being traversed during wet or dark conditions.
An engineering specification and supporting material is being prepared for use by Road Managers, the Department of Transport and Planning and councils, to include in roadwork contracts where road openings are required. It will provide an opportunity to mandate the use of skid-resistant temporary metal plates when temporarily covering road openings, reducing the risks riders face when they travel over these plates.
Cost: $65,000
End date: 2024
Motorcycle imagery/video collection and storage
This project is aimed at generating a repository of images of motorcycle riders which can be used in various media. The collateral will be generated so that the Victorian Government can use the material to provide consistent and accurate images of motorcyclists to support safety campaigns, safety messaging and motorcycle infrastructure work.
Cost: $150,000
End date: 2025
Motorcycle volume data collection
This project involves the collection of motorcycle volume data to enhance understanding of motorcycle traffic across Victoria. Having reliable data on motorcycle movements across the state will aid in identifying routes with greater exposure and potential risk for riders. This can be used to inform targeted motorcycle road safety initiatives and to ensure that safety efforts and investment reach the most users.
Cost: $370,000
End date: 2025
Map-based motorcycle rider safety engagement survey
Development and deployment of a statewide survey that actively encourages Victoria's motorcycling community to identify locations that riders consider to be a safety risk. Very different issues are faced by riders on touring routes, compared to trail bike riders and inner city, urban riders.
This rider engagement survey will allow a diversity of issues to be raised, along with detailed location information that can be used to inform investigations and program planning.
By knowing and understanding what issues riders are directly facing (on both sealed and unsealed roads) it will be possible to be proactive rather than reactive in developing motorcycle safety initiatives.
Cost: $140,000
End date: 2025