The Motorcycle Safety Levy: Providing an integrated program to improve motorcyclist safety

A Motorcycle Safety Levy was introduced in Victoria in 2002 in recognition of the vulnerability
of motorcyclists and their over-representation in road trauma statistics. The Levy is added to
the Transport Accident Commission insurance premium on motorcycles of 126cc capacity
and over, and is included with motorcycle registration renewals. The Levy enables the
implementation of a program of road safety initiatives that address the key issues causing
trauma to motorcyclists but do not meet funding criteria under State and Federal road safety
programs. Since implementation of the Levy, alongside the arrive alive! Road Safety
Strategy, motorcyclist fatalities have decreased in Victoria, whilst increasing across the rest
of Australia.
A strategic framework to guide expenditure of Levy funds was developed with input from
Monash University Accident Research Centre, motorcycle safety professionals, and
members of the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council (VMAC). One of the most important
initiatives to be funded by the Levy is road improvements at blackspot locations. However,
the Levy is also being used to develop and implement education, training and research
projects. These non-road projects are expected to provide improvements in rider safety over
the longer term. Projects focused on education or training include research into motorcycle
protective clothing and development of a star rating system, investigation of rider hazard
perception and response skills, and the development and evaluation of an on-road assisted
ride program. Other projects aimed at enhancing knowledge of motorcycle safety to better
inform decision making include a motorcycle exposure study and research into the role of
speed and speeding in motorcycle crashes.
This paper will provide an overview of the program of non-road projects funded by the Levy
and discuss the expected benefits for motorcyclist safety in Victoria.