Six simple steps to make roads safer for motorcyclists

Why motorcyclist safety deserves greater attention

Without the physical protection offered by a car, motorcycle riders can face a higher risk of serious injury when crashes occur. While rider behaviour plays an important role in road safety, factors such as road design, maintenance, infrastructure, and traffic management can also have a significant impact on motorcycle accident rates.

Creating safer roads for motorcyclists requires a shared effort from governments, road authorities, motorists, and riders themselves. From maintaining road surfaces and improving infrastructure to supporting rider education and reducing common road hazards, there are a range of practical measures that could help make travelling on two wheels safer.

Here are some of the ways road design and safety initiatives could better support motorcyclists and contribute to safer roads for everyone

Six simple steps to make roads safer for motorcyclists

1. Repair and maintain roads, and report dangerous spots

Potholes, cracks, and debris are a major cause of stress for every motorist, but they can be especially dangerous for riders. Poorly maintained roads are often a contributing factor in road accidents.

Local councils and road authorities are responsible for maintaining roads and managing road safety risks. They have obligations under road management plans, which often set out how frequently roads should be inspected and the timeframes within which defects should be repaired.

While reporting hazards is an important way to help improve road safety, authorities may still be held responsible for injuries caused by dangerous road conditions, even if a specific defect has not been reported to them. If a council or road authority fails to meet its obligations to inspect, maintain or repair roads in accordance with its road management plan, it may be found to have breached its duty of care and be liable for any resulting injuries.

Being vigilant and reporting hazards to your local council or road authority can help prompt an inspection and, where necessary, repairs to make the road safer for everyone.

2. Expand safe access to bus lanes for motorcyclists

In Victoria, motorcyclists are now permanently permitted to use bus lanes on selected sections of the Eastern Freeway and Victoria Parade.

The approved locations are:

• Eastern Freeway, between Chandler Highway and Hoddle Street (westbound)
• Victoria Parade, between Hoddle Street and Nicholson Street (westbound)
• Victoria Parade, between Nicholson Street and Hoddle Street (eastbound)

Signage is in place to help riders identify where motorcycles can legally and safely travel in bus lanes. By creating more dedicated road space for riders, measures like these have the potential to improve safety and make travel more predictable for all road users.

Allowing motorcyclists into bus lanes is claimed to improve safety and reduce congestion and pollution, according to the Motorcycle Action Group, a UK-based advocacy organisation. But while the benefits for all road users seem clear, the same can’t be said for the rules.

3. Create dedicated space for vulnerable road users

With space on our busy roads at a premium, it can be difficult to convince four-wheel users of the benefits of giving up a lane for another mode of transport.

But building “cycling superhighways” has become a priority for Infrastructure Australia to alleviate congestion and encourage more people to cycle in Melbourne.

Instead of seeing all roads as a shared space for motorcycles and cars, it may be time to think differently and designate some routes for four wheels and others for two wheels?

These zones could include segregated lanes, priority at traffic lights, or no entry for certain types of vehicles altogether.

It would require a complete overview of traffic patterns across each city, but with careful thought, it could create safer spaces and reduce congestion on our streets.

4. Design road infrastructure with riders in mind 

Roads have become a forest of signs, streetlights, rails, and barriers. The sheer volume of information lining most inner-city roads can create a distraction for motorists and obscure visibility. Simplifying and decluttering streets will enable drivers to focus on the road.

Fixed furniture, such as bollards, signs, streetlights, telegraph poles, and traffic lights can significantly increase the risk of serious injury for a motorcyclist from hitting an object. Greater consideration needs to be given to motorcyclists at the design stage.

Roads should include clear zones free from obstacles, the edges of roads should have adequate run-off to allow a rider to recover if they stray off the road.

New barriers, streetlights and signs should have to comply with rider crash standards before being used.

5. Use high-grip road surfaces and markings 

Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle in wet weather knows how quickly road conditions can change. Painted road markings, metal surfaces, tram tracks and worn road surfaces can all become slippery when wet, increasing the risk of losing traction.

Traditional road markings, such as lane lines, arrows, and pedestrian crossings, can be particularly hazardous for riders when grip is reduced. A momentary loss of traction may be a minor inconvenience for a car driver, but for a motorcyclist it can lead to a loss of control and serious injury.

Using high-grip road surfaces and skid-resistant road markings in areas with high traffic volumes, busy intersections and known crash hotspots could help reduce these risks. Combined with regular road maintenance, these improvements can make roads safer for motorcyclists while benefiting all road users.

As road authorities continue to look for ways to improve safety, investing in road surfaces that provide better traction in a range of conditions could play an important role in reducing motorcycle accidents.

6. Invest in ongoing rider training 

It is never too late to brush up on your skills. There are various rider training programs on offer. 

A small shift in thinking to put vulnerable road users at the heart of road design and infrastructure could result in a safer network for all motorists.

Making it safer and easier to travel on two wheels has the potential to reduce congestion and support more sustainable transport choices, benefiting all road users.

FAQs about motorcycle road safety

Why are motorcyclists at greater risk of serious injury?

Motorcyclists have less physical protection than occupants of cars and trucks. As a result, even low-speed collisions can lead to serious injuries, particularly when riders come into contact with road surfaces, roadside infrastructure, or other vehicles.

What road conditions are most dangerous for motorcyclists?

Common road hazards include potholes, uneven surfaces, loose gravel, road debris, slippery painted markings, and poor drainage. These hazards may cause a rider to lose control, particularly in wet conditions.

How can motorcyclists improve their safety on the road?

Regular rider training, maintaining safe speeds, wearing appropriate protective gear, staying visible to other road users and remaining alert to changing road conditions can all help reduce risk.

Who is responsible for maintaining roads?

Responsibility for road maintenance typically falls to the relevant road authority, such as local councils or state road agencies. Reporting hazards can help authorities identify and address dangerous road conditions more quickly.

What should I do if I'm injured in a motorcycle accident?

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, report the incident where required, gather evidence and obtain legal advice about your rights. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.