2 minute read
Motorbike safety
Changing course on bike safety
An expanding motorbike program is helping young Tasmanians avoid accidents and injuries, writes the Road Safety Advisory Council.
Despite representing only 5% of vehicles, motorcyclists make up approximately 25% of serious casualties on Tasmanian roads. otorcyclists are extremely vulnerable road users because there is very little to protect them and in the event of a crash, they are more likely to be seriously injured or killed than passengers in a car.
The Full Gear motorcycle training program was launched by Glenorchy City Council and Bucaan Community House in 2017 in response to concerning road safety statistics that showed young people were over-represented in serious injury crashes and fatalities, as well as community concern about unlicensed and dangerous riding.
Full Gear was co-designed by young people and encourages participants to engage positively in motorcycle road-safety education. In exchange, participants receive help to overcome the cost of a motorcycle licence and associated safety equipment – a common barrier for many young people.
The program, which is for 16- to 24-yearolds, aims to reduce risk-taking behaviours on the road, increase licensed motorcycle riders, and improve attitudes to road safety and educate the community.
By helping young people get a motorcycle licence, the program gives them the independence to get around without the need to rely on lifts or miss out on opportunities. It also teaches them how to be respectful and responsible road users and that illegal or hoon behaviour should never be tolerated.
Full Gear graduate Jemimah worked casually in a shopping centre before the program and now works full-time in aviation safety at Hobart Airport. She holds a full motorcycle licence and commutes daily on her bike. “None of that would have happened at all without having a learner’s licence to start with,” she says.
After four years of success, Full Gear has expanded to the north of the state. The trial expansion will be run by the City of Launceston in partnership with Starting Point Neighbourhood House and the Northern Suburbs Community Centre. The trial will run across Ravenswood Community Shed and King Billy Shed in Rocherlea.
The Launceston program will be coordinated by Strength 4 Life mentor and motorcycle enthusiast Jon Evans. With six one-hour training sessions over six weeks, the program covers key topics including road-craft, protective gear and crash risk factors.
Jon says Full Gear is way more than just a motorcycle safety program. “It is an enabler. Young people are also developing essential life skills such as communication, time management, health and wellbeing, and taking responsibility.
For more information, contact Conrad Gilbey, Full Gear Project Officer at Glenorchy City Council on 03 6216 6766 or Conrad.Gilbey@gcc.tas.gov.au, or Claudia Taylor, Community Development Officer Youth at Launceston City Council on 03 6323 3219 or Claudia.Taylor@launceston.tas.gov.au
