Motorcycles

Safe motorcycle and motorised scooter riding tips

Motorcycle and motorised scooter riders are more likely to be injured than people in cars. Intersections are particularly dangerous places and half of crashes are solo and do not involve any other vehicles.

Ride as safely as possible

  • Be seen: wear bright colours and use the headlight
  • Observe: take in the big picture, scan ahead and to the sides and use your mirrors to be aware of vehicles around you.
  • Obey: ride to the conditions, always observing the speed limit and being aware of advisory speeds. Don’t engage in risk-taking behaviour as this places you and other road users in danger. 
  • Anticipate: anticipate risks and hazards on the road. Don't count on other drivers seeing you.
  • Respond: respond to the conditions of the road to avoid the need to swerve or brake suddenly. Approach intersections carefully and be ready to stop and take evasive action if necessary.
  • Gear up: wear quality, tested motorcycle protective gear such as a full-face helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots
  • Prepare: make sure you are mentally and physically rested before each ride. Ensure you have a CRASH card (a self-laminated card that motorcyclists and pillion passengers can place in their helmets) so that first responders have access to your personal information in the event of an emergency.  

Motorcycle and motorised scooter riding skills

Keep a safe distance and stay alert

  • Keep a safe distance from other road users, parked cars and fixed objects on the side of the road.
  • Keep at least a three second gap to the vehicle in front.
  • Change your position within the lane to maintain a safe distance on each side and so you can be seen in the side vision mirror of the driver in front.
  • When safe to do so, change lanes to get away from a tailgater or let them overtake.  
  • Don’t ride when you are fatigued or impaired by alcohol or drugs as they can affect your vision, reflexes, co-ordination and concentration and put you and other road users at risk.

Buffering (road positioning)

Riders should put a buffer space between themselves and road hazards. Road lanes offer plenty of space to ride in the safest position within a lane. Continuously monitor and alter your position as you ride.   

Navigating curves

When you ride through a curve:

  1. Slow down or brake before you begin to lean into a curve.  
  2. Consider the conditions and ride at a speed that allows you to respond to an unexpected hazard. Heavy rain, for example, may mean you need to slow down more.  
  3. Position yourself so you maximise your view of the road ahead. Enter the curve close to the centre of the road and finish away from the ‘head on crash zone’.  
  4. Always look where you want to go to keep the right line

Riding in different conditions

Even familiar roads can change due to bad weather and poor light. You can adapt by:  

  • increasing the distance between you and other road users
  • observing the road ahead and slowing down
  • wearing light/bright coloured riding gear with reflective panels/strips
  • wearing all of the protective gear on each ride
  • making sure your lights are on
  • taking extra care when riding on or near painted lines, shiny bitumen, loose surfaces, potholes, oil and tram or railway tracks.

Many motorcycle and scooter crashes happen in good weather and road conditions and at intersections. 

  • Be as visible as possible so that other drivers can see you.
  • Higher speeds increase your crash risk. Speed is often a contributing factor in crashes. Always obey speed limits, including advisory speed signs.  
  • Be mindful that the faster you ride, the less time you have to observe, react, and take action.

On variable or uneven road surfaces, be mindful that you may lose traction and need to regain control of the motorbike or motor scooter: 

  • look at the road ahead
  • reduce your speed
  • certain surfaces can be slippery so take care when you notice painted lines, shiny bitumen, loose surfaces, potholes, oil and tram or railway tracks.

Share the road with trucks

  • Never overtake a turning truck, stay back as they need extra room to turn safely. Trucks have reduced visibility compared to cars (large blind spots) and may not be able to see you.  
  • Don’t cut in front of trucks, as it takes trucks a long time to come to a stop.  
  • Keep the time you ride next to a truck to a minimum.  
  • Large moving trucks can create gusts of wind and can impact your balance. Don’t ride too closely behind or next to a truck.
  • Never lane filter (travelling between stopped or low-speed traffic) between two trucks. 

Buying and parking your motorcycle or motorised scooter

  • Consider buying a motorcycle with as many safety features as possible.  
  • Visit the VicRoads safe bikes website to search for a motor bike which has important safety features fitted to it.
  • If you buy your motorcycle from a private seller, look it up on the personal property securities register. The register tells you if the vehicle is under finance or has been listed as stolen or written-off.  
  • Insure your motorcycle.
  • Park in well-lit designated parking areas and anchorage points in public. Motorcycles are often stolen from residential locations so try to park out of sight behind lockable gates or in a garage. Use a motorcycle cover to conceal your bike - few will risk blind theft.
  • Lock up your bike by using:  
    • a steering lock
    • a disc lock, U-Lock or chain and padlock
    • a chain and matching security lock through the rear wheel or frame of the bike, connected to railings or a lamp post.  
    • a good anti-theft alarm
  • Consider installing an engine immobiliser so the motorcycle can't be ridden away.
  • Record your motorcycle’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN). If your bike is stolen, you can give the VIN to police, which may help you get your motorcycle back.

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