FAQs
- Over 120 blackspot treatments (specific sites and lengths of road) across Victoria have been treated or are about to be treated under this program.
- 35 other evaluation, research, development or trial projects have also been commenced or completed. Please click on the following sections for further information:
A Strategic Guide for Expenditure of the Motorcycle Safety Levy Funding has been developed to assist the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council select projects to be funded by the levy. View the priority areas of the Strategic Guide and current approved projects.
Q: How much money has been collected and how much of it has been allocated?
A: To March 2008:
- $22.5 million of safety levy funds had been collected since the levy started in October 2002; and
- $19.5 million have been approved for expenditure on the high priority projects detailed on this site.
Q: Are any of the funds used for projects other than specific motorcycle safety projects?
A: No, when announcing the introduction of the Motorcycle Safety Levy the Government stated that funds would be used solely for the development and management of motorcycle safety projects. All expenditure has been and will continue to be for this purpose.
Q: Will expenditure on other motorcycle safety programs go down because of the levy?
A: No, all Victorian Government road safety agencies have committed to continuing their existing motorcycle safety programs with funding levels similar to or increased on those when the Motorcycle Safety Levy was introduced. Find out more about other motorcycle safety programs funded by the Government road safety agencies.
Q: Riders pay taxes like everyone else. Isn’t this just another tax?
A: Most taxes go into consolidated government revenue. The critical difference with the Motorcycle Safety Levy is that the funds are fully dedicated to projects that will improve rider safety. Having a dedicated funding source is very rare and provides the opportunity to make a real difference. Over time riders will experience many of the road improvements made for them, experience new training aids or methods, hear about new research findings, or see innovative technologies in action. Representatives of the motorcycling community are involved in all of this to ensure that projects are the best ones for the safety of riders.
Q: I have two bikes; do I have to pay the Levy on both bikes?
A: No, the Levy for a private motorcyclist is applied to one motorcycle only, regardless of the number of motorcycles registered in the individual's name. This means that, at any time, motorcyclists are required to have a current Levy payment on one motorcycle only.
Q: Why should motorcyclists pay to fix hazards on the road caused by other vehicles?
A: Road hazards to motorcyclists result from various causes including weathering, spreading debris, drainage and general wear from all road vehicles. However, motorcyclists are affected by hazards and some road conditions that do not affect other road users. Blackspot treatments funded by the levy are only in locations that represent a specific and significant safety problem for riders. Other state funded road improvement programs also address problems in high risk areas for motorcyclists such as the Great Ocean Road.
Q: Why not fund the motorcycle blackspot projects from the normal road program?
A: The state and federal road improvement programs identify areas for treatment based on risk analysis. This means locations with the highest number of crashes by all vehicles will be given high priority for treatment. Due to the relatively small number of motorcyclists on the road, these programs are unlikely to identify sites that are of specific risk to riders. Where they do, the sites are treated under normal road programs. However, high risk areas for motorcyclists that don't meet the criteria for other funds are identified in the Motorcycle Safety Levy Blackspot Program. This program is unique because it undertakes detailed motorcycle crash analysis with expert motorcyclists and engineers reviewing sites to identify contributing factors and targeted treatments. This provides the maximum benefits for motorcyclists.
Q: Most riders are aware of the dangers of riding motorbikes so why not concentrate on making drivers behave better?
A: Over 50% of motorcycle casualty crashes don't involve any other vehicles. Therefore, it is important to continue road safety programs that promote awareness of the significant risks and educate riders on ways to reduce those dangers. However, around 37% of all serious and fatal rider crashes between 2001 and 2006 occurred at intersections. The drivers of other vehicles may have been responsible for many of these crashes. Significant effort is being directed at reducing these kinds of crashes. The TAC has been conducting a high profile awareness campaign for drivers to "put yourself in their shoes" and look out for riders. This is part of the ongoing road safety program and funded by the TAC general road safety budget. There will also soon be an awareness campaign encouraging drivers to look for motorcyclists at intersections, which will be funded by the Levy.
Q: What is being done to teach drivers about riders before they get their licence?
A: In addition to the ongoing awareness programs funded by TAC, there are several activities aiming to improve driver knowledge and awareness of riders. The Drive Smart CD Rom produced by the TAC for inexperienced drivers includes a number of scenarios with motorcyclists to improve the hazard awareness of drivers. Levy funds are being used to investigate new ways to train drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists. The research to date indicates that a computer-based training method has the potential to further modify driver’s behaviours around motorcycles. Further research to determine the effectiveness of a perceptual learning approach to train drivers to give way to motorcyclists is planned for the future.
Q: What is a veteran, vintage or classic motorcycle?
A: Veteran, vintage and classic motorcycles are exempt from the levy. These vehicles must have a club permit from a motor vehicle club authorised by VicRoads. This permit will allow vehicles, which are at least 25 years old, restricted use of public roads in return for payment of a permit fee.Information regarding club permits is provided on the VicRoads website and includes:
- Categories of vehicles which can be issued a club permit
- Club permit application form
- Car clubs and associations authorised by VicRoads
- Club permit fees
