While most Australian states and territories are easing coronavirus lockdown travel restrictions, Tasmania — normally the most motorcycle-friendly state — remains locked down for riders.

Victoria is the latest to ease its travel restrictions from 13 May, says the Health Department:

• You are able to go for a ride. Carrying pillion passengers should be avoided, unless they live in your household.
• You are encouraged to stay local, and only go to places where you can ride there and back in one day.
• Victorians are being asked to use consideration and common sense when it comes to travelling. If you can stay home, you must stay home.
• Since some of this information is not published on any government website, we have included the Health department email at the end of this article which you may like to print out for your records.

State travel restrictions

Travel restrictions are also being eased throughout the country:

• In NSW riding is considered exercise.
• In South Australia, riders can go for a recreational ride within their region from today (11 May 2020).
• WA is broken up into nine regions and riders must stay within their region. From 18 May, regions will be enlarged to: Perth + Peel + Wheatbelt + Southwest + Great Southern; Goldfields + Esperance; Mid-West + Gascoyne + Pilbara regions; and Kimberley which is  still in isolation due the high-risk Aboriginal communities there.
• The Northern Territory has designated areas which exclude non-essential travel.
• There are no restrictions in the ACT, but Canberrans should only travel outside the region to visit family and friends for care and support. Canberra residents who are travelling interstate will need to abide by the rules of the jurisdiction in which they are travelling.
• Queensland riders can travel up to a 150km radius from home from this Saturday and 250km from June 12.

Riders can ride in groups of up to 10 but must practise social distancing when they stop for fuel, a meal or coffee. WA will increase that to 20 from next Monday.

Overnight accommodation (and camping) for tourism is expected to be allowed in most states from June 12.

Cafes are opening soon for more than takeaway while state/territory borders are expected to open between states from July 12.

Locked down

Tasmanian roads go begging!

Meanwhile, in Tasmania, normally the most motorcycle-friendly state of all and certainly open of our favourites to ride, motorcyclists are locked down to essential travel only.

That means only riding for work, medical visits, education, essential shopping or legitimate care reasons.

Riders hassled by police for not obeying a health directive under the current restrictions should surely be able to claim ignorance as a defence.

After all, the rules change a quickly and frequently it is near impossible to keep abreast of the latest developments.

Motorbike Writer has been attempting for several weeks to collate and update the travel restrictions as they apply to riders across six stages and two territories.

I have lost count of the number of phones calls and emails I have made to various departments, media contacts and hotlines.

The information provided has been vague, conflicting and confusing. And references to motorcycles are sadly lacking in any of the descriptions of how the rules apply.

Do bureaucrats and politicians think motorcycles do not exist?

Health Department email

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Riders should be able to travel in a group of up to 10 under the first step of National Cabinet’s three-step plan announced today (8 May 2020) to ease coronavirus restrictions.

The states and territories are yet to confirm the easing and timing of restrictions. We will update as the rules on non-essential travel are applied. 

Group limit

Group of 10 riders

However, it appears that a group of up to 10 will be permitted outdoors, which should give the green light to groups of riders and pillions.

They are already allowed to ride and gather in groups of up to 10 in Western Australia and South Australia.

Riders will still have to practise social distancing when they stop at their favourite cafes or restaurants which have also being given permission to open.

WA riders must stay in their regions, but from Monday SA riders can ride throughout the state.

NSW riders can ride for exercise.

From May 15, Queensland riders can travel up to 150km radius for recreation (500km if they live and travel in the outback). 

For a Brisbane rider that means south to the border, north to Gympie, west to Dalby and southwest to Stanthorpe.

There is currently no limit if you are visiting another household from this Sunday (10 May 2020).

Victorian riders are still housebound unless they are travelling for work, education, groceries, medical reasons or to visit a partner with whom they do not live.

Premier Daniel Andrews says he will announce an update on eased restrictions next week. Not that riders will be likely to venture out this weekend given the weather conditions.

Travel limits

Riders gather at a popular cafe

The Queensland 50km radius limit which started last weekend and still exists is believed to have led to overcrowding of riders at various cafes on popular motorcycle routes.

Extending the radius limit to 150km will allow riders to go further and find less-crowded venues to stop for a coffee and a meal.

Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler has advised motorists that they will have additional resources patrolling for breaches of travel restrictions this weekend, particularly on the Gold Coast.

Riders in most states, except South Australia and Western Australia, should be aware that you cannot yet travel to a location and stay overnight.

So any ride you do will require you to return home the same day.

Tourism accommodation will be allowed in Queensland in the second stage from June 12.

You also cannot cross borders without official exemptions. Queensland hopes to open its borders in the third stage from July 12.

Official health sites

These are the official rules for your state or territory:

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com