Tag Archives: vehicle registration

Do riders deserve a better deal ?

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Riders deserve a better deal that includes free tolls and parking, and lower rego and insurance to encourage more people to ride and ease congestion and strains on road and parking infrastructure.

So says the high-profile 2 Wheel Action Group made up of Australian motorcycle industry figures, led by former GP champion Wayne Gardiner.

They have launched a “Better Deal for Two Wheels” petition to demand more recognition and concessions for powered two-wheelers.

Click here if you would like to sign the petition that will go to appropriate state and federal ministers. Or use this QR Code.

Better Deal Petition

It calls for a raft of concessions to get Australia moving on a more convenient form of transport than public transport which is being shunned by the public with genuine fears of Coronavirus infection.

Key points:

  • Lower the cost of powered two-wheel registration and compulsory third party insurance, making prices standardised across all states ($50 for 50cc, $100 – LAMS, $200 – Open);
  • 50cc scooters and mopeds able to be ridden on a car licence Australia-wide, not just Qld, SA, WA and NT;
  • Incentives for commuters to buy electric powered bikes through green fund rebates (as per current solar rebates) and no stamp duty charges;
  • National exemption from motorway, bridge and tunnel toll charges; and
  • Free parking and footpath parking, except in public thoroughfares and walkways.

The 2 Wheel Action Group has set up social media assets and appointed respected and awarded retired industry veteran Stuart Strickland as its public relations manager.

Zenith Bi-Car

Stuart has urged riders to make comments about registration costs when they sign the petition.

Wayne Gardner’s video content will be rolled out over the next four weeks through Facebook and YouTube.

He will point out that more powered two-wheelers on the road means less pollution, better social distancing, less congestion, lower demand for infrastructure and parking, plus more fun!

Find out more about a Better Deal:

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Call for Ebikes to be registered

Ebikes or pedal-assisted electric bicycles are growing out of control in many countries, creating danger for other road users, robbing motorcyclists of parking and giving all riders a bad name.

There are now calls in Australia and around the world for regulation or registration for these vehicles.

In China it is so bad, more than 10 major cities have restricted or banned them, despite the bikes providing cheap and easy transport.

Many see them as a green transport alternative that free up the city and provide cheap transportation with some health benefits.

However, some Chinese authorities claim ebikes are dominating bike lanes, endangering bicycle, motorcycle and scooter riders as well as other motorists. They are also riding on footpaths and paying little attention to road rules.

Ebikes epidemic

ebikesChinese bikes destined for Europe (Image: Electrek)

Many other countries are now finding similar problems with the burgeoning growth of ebikes and the EU has complained about China dumping bikes in Europe.

There is a fear that they will grow even faster in the post-pandemic world where people eschew public transport because of the dangers of infection.

Motorcycle manufacturers such as Ducati and even Harley-Davidson are getting into the ebikes trend.

rude boy bicycles ebikesHarley ebikes

Like many countries including Australia, you can ride an ebike without a licence.

In Australia, they are limited to 25km/h, but illegal and virtually untraceable modifications can make them such faster and more dangerous.

Ebikes menace

Long-time motorcycle advocate Rodney Brown says they are a menace.

“Ebikes are unregistered, the riders unlicensed, some not roadworthy, uninsured and electrical grid drainers,” he says. 

“They need to be registered, insured, roadworthy, speed restricted, age restricted and need to heavily enforced.”

Rodney Brown Rider's call for ute tarps rejected bike lanesRodney Brown

He says they are also taking up valuable footpath parking space in Melbourne.

This follows calls last year by the the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council for free identification numbers, not registration, for cyclists over 18 so their traffic offences can be reported and riders fined.

Their call was backed by Emeritus Professor of Transport Marcus Wigan who says electric bicycles and scooters blur the lines between bicycles and registered motorcycles and scooters.

He says bicycles are legal transport and as such should be bound by the same features of ID as other vehicles using the roads.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Call to replace rego with user-pays fuel levy

A riders group is seeking to scrap vehicle registration in favour of more expensive fuel through an extra state fuel levy, plus a user-pays tracking system for electric vehicles.

The Queensland-based Motorcycle Advocacy Group Facebook group which claims membership of more than 1100 riders, mainly in South-East Queensland, has sent its proposal to the national cabinet.

Unfair rego

Spokesperson David White says the current fixed-cost vehicle registration system is unfair, especially to those with multiple vehicles, while the current federal fuel excise is diminishing as vehicles become more economical.

The group wants rego axed and replaced by a state fuel levy on top of the current federal fuel levy.

“There is a need for a simple, efficient and effective way to improve road funding and a user-pays system for registered road vehicles could achieve this,” the MAG proposal says.

Motorway tolls traffic lane filteringDavid White with his 2007 BMW R1200S

“A user-pays fuel levy system for internal-combustion-powered registered road vehicles could be in addition to fuel excise.”

However, they say there would still need to be a nominal annual fee for each vehicle to cover administrative costs.

“Trailers and caravans could have their registration and insurance paid through the extra use of fuel by the towing vehicle,” the proposal suggests.

“The levy could be based on zones, a higher levy in urban zones and lowest in regional and remote zones. This may also lead to a quicker uptake of electric vehicles in cities and urban areas.

A zonal system would be fairer and more equitable as the average fuel consumption for country motorists is usually greater than the average fuel consumption of city motorists. City motorists commonly have a range of essential services close by and also have access to good public transport facilities.”

David says motorists driving and riding electric vehicles should have a user-pays system based on distance travelled via a secure tracking device that protects location privacy.

Levy advantages

David says their proposal would “help meet the current needs of those in financial hardship, boost jobs throughout the economy, lower emissions and traffic congestion, add to the health and wellbeing of the general population and boost productivity quite significantly”.

Owners of multiple vehicles wouldn’t pay onerous rego costs per vehicle under the proposal.

Riders would also be advantaged by the comparatively low fuel consumption of motorcycles and scooters.fuel gauges MBW Motorbike Writer fuel scooter economy

“As motorcyclists, we have noticed repeatedly the omissions of  motorcycles and scooters in most of the inquiries, reviews, reports and plans  that deal with land transport reform and traffic congestion,” David says.

“It is also apparent that these inquiries, reviews, reports and plans do not address some of the basic needs and aspirations of private vehicle owners.  

“Despite overwhelming evidence that reform of land transport is long overdue, these inquiries, reviews, reports and plans haven’t been embraced by the Australian people.”

User pays

There have been several other user-pays proposals over the years including a congestion tax that would be offset by cheaper rego.

In New Zealand, riders get cheaper rego if they complete a rider training course.

  • What do you think of this proposal? Leave your comments in the box below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Bike warranty extensions for pandemic

Motorcycle manufacturers are starting to offer warranty extensions because of the down time during the pandemic lockdown.

It began in India a month ago with companies such as KTM, Royal Enfield and Benelli offering up to three-month extensions on the warranty period of new motorcycles.

Since Royal Enfield also offered the extension in the UK, we asked the Australian importers about a week ago if it would be offered here, but they have still not responded.

The first to follow up here was Ural Australia with a three-month extension on the standard two-year warranty.

Mat Hodge of Ural AustraliaMat Hodge of Ural Australia

They have now been followed by three-month extensions on warranties on all new MV Agusta motorcycles and BRP products such as the Can-Am Spyder.

It’s a smart goodwill gesture to retain the loyalty of customers who feel they are have lost out on warranty while their bike has been up on its stand in the garage.

Since few customers will ever actually need the warranty extension, it’s also large a token gesture.

In fact, Murphy’s Law dictates that when you need a claim it’s just after the warranty has expired. Thankfully, a good dealer will honour those anyway.

We are surprised more manufacturers and importers have not offered a warranty extension as well as a roadside assist extension.

Just remember this when it comes time to chose your next motorcycle!

Rego and insurance extensionsDynamoto motorcycle stand

Check out the amazing Aussie-made Dynamoto stands

When we first suggested the warranty extension a month ago, we also suggested state governments extend rego and insurance companies extend premium periods or offer a discount.

While no Australian states or territories have come to the party, New Zealand has extended vehicle registrations and warrants of fitness (annual roadworthy certificate) by a whopping six months.

Typical of our cousins over the ditch to be ahead of us on compassion and kindness!

Meanwhile, the only insurers to offer riders a benefit are QBE who have made a token gesture with a $50 gift card for private car owners and just $25 for motorcycle owners.

Gift cards will be able to be used for a “wide variety of goods and services including supermarket shopping, petrol, and at a host of other retail outlets”.

The discount represents about 25% of the average private-use motor insurance policy from April to June. However, motorcycle insurance is often more expensive, so it might be a smaller percentage.

Still, it’s better than nothing.

We have heard that some other insurers such as Youi are offering discounts for private cars, but we have not yet been able to confirm any discounts for riders.

Similarly, remember this wen it comes time to renew your insurance!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Extend rego, warranty during lockdown

If riders are not allowed from take their motorcycle out for a ride during the current pandemic lockdown, then governments and manufacturers should extend registration, warranties and servicing periods.

Authorities won’t call it a lockdown, but effectively is!

Some people can still ride to work, to get grocers, visit the doctor or for a few other valid reasons.

For all other riders, their bike is just up on the stand in the garage on the trickle charger, burning registration money and running down the warranty period.

Click here to complete our three-minute survey on attitudes to the pandemic!

Extended warranty

Dynamoto motorcycle standCheck out the amazing Aussie-made Dynamoto stands

We notice that in India, KTM is extending warranties and free service offers for all its models until the end of June.

What a great move to ensure the loyalty of customer.

Be aware that just because your bike may be idle and not racking up the kilometres to the next scheduled service, it may still need a service. Check your bike’s manual for the maximum time interval between services.

If you don’t rack up the distance, it probably still advises an annual service.

Click here for more details on how to hibernate your motorcycle.

Extend regoBenzina number anti-theft plate holder plate scam cloning

As for registration, it is made up of an insurance component and a payment to help maintain our roads.

If you are not riding, you are not an insurance risk and you are not doing any damage to the roads (not that motorcycles do much road damage anyway!).

So state governments should offer an extension of registration periods for these mandatory lay-offs they have enforced.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Registration rewards for safe riders

Kiwi riders are being offered $200 cash-back rewards on their motorcycle registration if they complete approved rider courses.

It’s an interesting approach to the issue of the hefty insurance component in annual registration fees.

In Australia, the Motorcycle Council of NSW is calling for third-party insurance on riders, not motorcycles as governments continue to hike up annual registration and safety levy fees.

Kiwi rewardsHarley, Lake Pukaki and Mt Cook travel insurance long tour rewards

New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation claims their no-fault accident insurance scheme is like no other in the world, covering Kiwis as well as foreign visitors for the cost of treatment, rehabilitation or compensation.

The ACC launched the pilot cash-back scheme because motorcycles are 3% of vehicles on the road, yet represent up to 20% of the cost of road crashes, costing $102m from 7000 claims in 2018.

Kiwi riders pay $397 a year in rego which includes a $25 safety levy, but the ACC claims that if riders paid the true cost to cover all motorcycle injuries, it would be up to $1746 a year.

However, one Kiwi rider tells us they pay $519 for their motorcycle but only $79 for their car.

The ACC say the 20,000 riders who have completed one of their Rider Forever courses are 27% less likely to have an ACC claim from a crash.

So they have launched their pilot cash-back scheme that runs to 30 June 2021 to encourage more riders to take one of their courses.

Riders can select from four on-road course types from beginner to advanced, costing from just $20 to $50 and lasting four to eight hours.

Rider feedback

Nirvana around every corner on a Harley Iron Run

They say their cash-back rewards system was developed from rider claiming they do not cause the majority of crashes and that longtime riders who have not had a crash should be rewarded.

However, the ACC says riders are at fault in 64% of motorcycle crashes and older, more experienced riders, are over-represented in the statistics.

They claim the situation is worsening because there has been a rapid growth in rider numbers, average ages and kilometres covered, most of which are on deadly country roads.

“Since the year 2000, the average age of motorcyclists has gone up and the percentage of injured riders aged above 40 has risen from 26% to 45%,” the ACC says.

“Additionally, the kilometres travelled by motorcyclists has gone up – they’re riding more and are likely riding in rural areas at speed.

“In fact, open road riders are involved in nearly three-quarters of fatal motorcycle crashes. The biggest motorcycle crash type involves the rider losing control on a bend or curve, and sustaining more severe injuries because they’re riding in higher-speed zones.”

The cash-back system is $100 refund per year per course and limited to two courses.

Phil Heath, an Australian who now lives in Auckland and works at the North Auckland Harley-Davidson ays the cash-back system is well received by riders.

Wonderful to see something come out of the blue from government to assist motorcyclists,” he says.

“From all those years in Australia, I would never expect anything like this.

“In NZ, riders are officially encouraged to ride and be safe, rather than discouraged from being on the roads at all which is my concept of Australian governments.

Our comment

While riders would appreciate a carrot rather than a stick approach, these cash-back rewards represent another biased attitude toward motorcycles and scooters.

How about a similar rewards system for drivers if they do an advanced driving course?

Riders in each state of Australia already face escalating registration and insurance costs while Victorians also pay an annual $70-odd safety levy on top.

Once riders are singled out for special treatment, the authorities and insurance companies are at liberty to apply all sorts of Draconian measures that could even include tracking devices to monitor our behaviour.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Cyclist identification proposal rejected

Tasmanian Motorcycle Council proposal for free identification numbers for cyclists over 18 has been rejected.

Council president Paul Bullock confirms the Tasmanian Road Safety Advisory Council discussed the TMC’s policy proposal.  

Proposal rejected

“RSAC did not endorse the proposal,” he says.

“Discussions identified that it might be timely to develop a campaign about all road users sharing the roads.

“RSAC referred this to the Education and Enforcement Sub Committee (EESC) for consideration within its priorities.

“Identification has been passed on to a sub committee of the RSAC ‘for consideration within its priorities’, so it will be a low priority.

“But I will be following and asking what is happening at every RSAC meeting you can be assured of that.”

The rejected TMC call for cyclist ID is based on cyclists disobeying road rules and not being fined.

Paul says it follows “many complaints” from motorcyclists, car drivers, bus drivers and truck drivers about cyclists who behave irresponsibly.Identification bicycle rejected

Identification not registration

The rejected TMC proposal did NOT suggest cyclists pay registration fees.

“Cyclists don’t understand it is for identification, not registration. It is to stop cyclists breaking the law. At no cost to the cyclist,” Paul told us when the TMC made the suggestion in January.

The TMC wanted cyclists over 18 to wear some form of reflective identification number on their bike, clothing or helmet. Paul says it could be funded through the road safety levy.

Maritha Keyser Cyclist rule endangers motorcyclists rejected
Tasmanian road sign

Rule breakers

What seems to irk many motorists is that cyclists get political favour, their own lanes, free footpath parking and yet avoid traffic offences.

Paul says the TMC posted the following video of cyclists disobeying roundabout give-way rules.

However, cyclists are not avoiding traffic fines altogether.

In the past two years, Queensland Police alone have booked more than 230 cyclists for speeding and 540 for running red lights.

The TMC also provided this list of traffic offences in Tasmania by cyclists:

Offence Legislation Fine Code Item Penalty
Unit
Cyclist unreasonably obstructing the path of other driver/pedestrian RR 125(1) $81.50 B819 174 0.5
Cyclist ride without due care and attention RR 367(1) $122.25 BC11 441 0.75
Cycle without reasonable consideration for other road users RR 367(2) $81.50 BC12 442 0.5
Cyclist unreasonably obstructing the path of other driver/pedestrian RR 125(1) $81.50 B819 174 0.5
Cyclist not seated astride and facing forward RR 245(a) $81.50 BA97 330 0.5
Cyclist riding with no hands on handlebars RR 245(b) $81.50 BA97 330 0.5
Cyclist seated other than on seat RR 245(c) $81.50 BA98 331 0.5
Cyclist fail to ride in bicycle lane RR 247(1) $122.25 BB01 335 0.75
Cyclist cause traffic hazard (moving into path of driver/pedestrian RR 253 $122.25 BB22 345 0.75
Ride bicycle with no warning device in working order RR 258(b) $81.50 BB38 356 0.5

While the majority of cyclists obey the law there is an element within the cycling fraternity that continually do not,” Paul says.

“They obstruct vehicles travelling on the road; while travelling in a group doing far less speed compared to other vehicles, they will not move into single file to allow vehicles to pass.

“Cyclists use the excuse that they are entitled to ride two abreast on the road, while failing to accept that they are unreasonably obstructing traffic, which is illegal.

“Despite it being legal for cyclists to travel two abreast and laws allowing other vehicle to cross double lines to pass when safe to do so, irresponsible and discourteous rider behaviour puts cyclists and other road users at risk.”

With identification numbers, more traffic offences could be issued, more than paying for the cost to implement the program, Paul says.

Petitions against cyclist rules

Last year, a Change.org petition was started by Drivers For Registration of Cyclists for cyclists to ride single file.

It has so far received more than 136,000 signatures.

Identification bicycles cyclist rejected
Image from the Change.org.au petition

Meanwhile, a 2017 petition against a rule allowing motorists to cross solid and double white lines to pass cyclists thus endangering oncoming motorcyclists has closed with only 2327 supporters.

Petition organiser Maritha Keyser, who was injured in such an incident, closed the petition after failing to gain the attention of any politicians.

 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com