Shock prediction: Motorcyclists to account for every third road death in Victoria by 2050

Alarming new research has predicted a grim toll for Victorian motorcyclists by 2050.

Motorcyclists will account for every third road death in Victoria by 2050 if current trends continue, alarming new research has predicted.

Motorbike riders currently make up 21 per cent of lives lost on the state’s roads, a fatality rate that has been climbing steadily over the past two decades.

Accident researcher and rider’s advocate Steve Bardsley said the current trend meant that 35 per cent of all road deaths would be riders within 25 years.

The shock findings have again prompted calls for the Motorcycle Safety Levy, currently $81 a year, to be scrapped or diverted into more effective programs.

Motorcycle accident deaths have been rising in Victoria for two decades. Picture: Supplied

Mr Bardsley said the controversial tax had clearly failed, even though it had raised more than $100m since its inception.

“Rider fatalities have increased by 72 per cent since the levy’s introduction,” he said.

Mr Bardsley said the tax was an “inequitable, poorly managed, and discriminatory levy”.

He also called for the levy to be returned to riders in the form of vouchers for protective gear such as gloves, jackets and boots.

“Reduced injuries due to riders wearing safety gear, would reduce TAC motorcycle-related injury claims,’’ he said.

TAC has received an average of about 2500 motorcycle-related accident claims a year over the past five years.

Rider groups have said MSL funds have been allocated to projects benefiting all road users rather than specifically enhancing motorcyclist safety.

The state government won’t say how much MSL money it has in reserve, but the Herald Sun reported in 2023 that $34m had been unspent amid claims it was being used as a slush fund.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said motorcycles made up three per cent of registered vehicles last year, but riders accounted for 22 per cent of deaths on the state’s roads.

TAC is dealing with thousands of rider claims every year. Picture: Supplied

“The Motorcycle Safety Levy improves motorcyclist safety by investing in targeted safety initiatives across motorcycle policy and law, education and research and road safety infrastructure improvements for motorcyclists,’’ the spokesperson said.

“The projects funded under the levy found a 27 per cent reduction in fatal incidents and 31 per cent reduction in serious injuries.”

The levy is currently funding improvements to Gembrook-Launching Place Road in Melbourne’s outer east, and a trial of a Motorcycle Enhanced Maintenance Scheme with the first route tests on Dargo Rd.

The levy fund is also paying for improvements to off-road networks in Neerim State Forest as part of the Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project. The project is receiving $2.8m even though the levy is not applied to recreational (off-road) bike registrations.

Victorian Motorcycle Council spokesman John Eacott said an earlier proposed scheme to return $1m from the levy fund to pay for riders’ safety gear was rejected by VicRoads because said it would cost another $1m to administer.

John Eacott, Victorian Motorcycle Council spokesman. Picture: Supplied

Mr Bardsley said that without major interventions and countermeasures, as many as 1800 more riders could be killed nationally by 2030.

So far this year 35 motorcyclists have lost their lives on Victorian roads, two more than this time last year.