motorcycles and the environment

Alternative Fuels         Electric Motorcycles          Emissions and CO2 output         Hybrid Motorcycles         Motorcycle Parking     Motorcycles and Government Planning    Racing and the Environment      Road Congestion   

Road Congestion

Motorcycling Australia believes that motorcycles and scooters have a significant role to play in reducing road congestion. Motorcycles offer individuals flexibility, low cost transport, minimal emissions, and reduced impact on roads; both in terms of wear and tear and space.

Motorcycling Australia calls on Government to implement policies and programs which positively discriminate in favour of motorcycles and scooters as commuter vehicles.

These could include:

• Inclusion of motorcycles in the National Road Transport policies
• Exemption/Reduction in road tax and tolls for motorcyclists
• Construction of motorcycle-only lanes on key arterial roads
• Approval for motorcycles to use existing transit, bus and bicycle lanes
• Exemption from tolls on tolled roads and infrastructure
• Construction/expansion of motorcycle parking areas in Central Activitiy Districts
• Approval for motorcycles to selectively use footpaths and other areas for parking
• Mandatory motorcycle parking to be included in the construction plans for all new significant buildings
• Integration of motorcycles into the planning for Public Transport projects, such as park and ride for bikes.

In addition, Motorcycling Australia calls for the national adoption of a licencing system which removes the restrictions on LA class scooters, to include car licence holders and suitably trained adolescents [age 15+].

Motorcycling Australia supports further research into the role of motorcycles in the overall transport mix.

Emissions and CO₂ output

Motorcycling Australia believes that motorcycles have a significant role to play in the national and international reduction of Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. Motorcycles offer similar flexibity to four-wheeled vehicles, at a much reduced impact on the environment.

Motorcycling Australia calls on Government to implement policies and programs which positively discriminate in favour of motorcycles and scooters as commuter vehicles.

These could include:

• Inclusion of motorcycles in the National Road Transport policies
• Exemption/Reduction in road tax and tolls for motorcyclists
• Construction of motorcycle-only lanes on key arterial roads
• Approval for motorcycles to use existing transit, bus and bicycle lanes
• Exemption from tolls on tolled roads and infrastructure
• Construction/expansion of motorcycle parking areas in Central Activitiy Districts
• Approval for motorcycles to selectively use footpaths and other areas for parking
• Mandatory motorcycle parking to be included in the construction plans for all new significant buildings
• Integration of motorcycles into the planning for Public Transport projects, such as park and ride for bikes.
  

In addition, Motorcycling Australia calls for the national adoption of a licencing system which removes the restrictions on LA class scooters, to include car licence holders and suitably trained adolescents [age 15+].

Motorcycling Australia supports further research into the role of motorcycles in reducing greenhouse emissions.

Motorcycle Parking

Motorcycling Australia believes that motorcycles can play a key role in reducing emmissions and road congestion. Motorcycling Australia supports and encourages making motorcycle parking safe and available.

Motorcycling Australia supports Municipal Councils like the City of Melbourne (Vic) and the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council (Tas) for creating and implementing policies which encourage the use of motorcycles.

Motorcycling Australia calls on all municipal authorities to create rules which enable motorcyclists to park their motorcycle on the footpath and in designated motorcycle parking areas safely and legally while minimising the impact on pedestrians, other road users and nearby properties.

Motorcycling Australia call on all planning authorities to mandate the provision of integrated, safe and available motorcycle parking on all new commercial developments and buildings.

Motorcycling Australia calls on all municipal authorities to create motorcycle only parking areas within their jurisdiction in ways and in places which encourage the use of motorcycles as commuter and commercial transport options.   Motorcycling Australia also calls for the provision of electrical recharging points  to be available to motorcycles.

Motorcycling Australia endorses the City of Melbourne protocols for parking motorcycles:

• Motorcyclists should dismount prior to parking on pedestrian spaces.
• Motorcyclists should park to allow safe and free access to the property line,  by allowing a motorcycle length between buildings and the motorcycle
• Motorcycles should park to allow safe and free access to car parking and the kerb by parking at least one motorcycle wheel's distance from the kerb.
• Motorcycles should not park to obstruct safe and free access to: Disabled parking spaces, Taxi ranks and bus stops, and Essential government services (fire hydrants, electrical substations, etc)
• Motorcycles should not leak oil onto the pavement.
• Motorcycles should not be parked on private property unless permission is granted.
  

Alternative Fuels, Hybrids and Electric Motorcycles

Motorcycling Australia recognises the need for all road users to seek the use of alternatives to fossil fuels.

Motorcycling Australia encourages all motorcycle manufacturers to create and manufacture motorcycles which reduce the impact of motorcycles on the environment, including, but not limited to: hybrid powertrains, electrically powered motorcycles, and hydrogen fuel cell motorcycles. Motorcycling Australia also endorses efforts by motorcycle manufacturers to minimise fuel consumption on existing motorcycles.

Motocycling Australia encourages all motorcycle manufacturers to establish ways of maximising the useful life and ultimate recyclabilty of their products.

Motorcycling Australia support research into minimising the impact of motorcycles on the envirnoment.

Motorcycles and Government Planning

Motorcycling Australia believes that motorcycles and scooters have a significant role to play in transoprt policy and planning. Motorcycles offer individuals flexibility, low cost transport, minimal emissions, and reduced impact on roads; both in terms of wear and tear and space.

Motorcycling Australia calls on Government to implement policies and programs which positively discriminate in favour of motorcycles and scooters as commuter vehicles.

These could include:

• Inclusion of motorcycles in the National Road Transport policies
• Exemption/Reduction in road tax and tolls for motorcyclists
• Construction of motorcycle-only lanes on key arterial roads
• Approval for motorcycles to use existing transit, bus and bicycle lanes
• Exemption from tolls on tolled roads and infrastructure
• Construction/expansion of motorcycle parking areas in Central Activitiy Districts
• Approval for motorcycles to selectively use footpaths and other areas for parking
• Mandatory motorcycle parking to be included in the construction plans for all new significant buildings
• Integration of motorcycles into the planning for Public Transport projects, such as park and ride for bikes.

In addition, Motorcycling Australia calls for the national adoption of a licencing system which removes the restrictions on LA class scooters, to include car licence holders and suitably trained adolescents [age 15+].

Motorcycling Australia supports further research into the role of motorcycles in the overall transport mix.

Racing and the Environment

Motorcycling Australia call on all motorcycle competitors to consider the environment in the course of pursing their competition goals.

Motorcycling Australia endorses the concepts of reduce, recycle and re-use  in motorcycle competition.

Initiatives which Motorcycling Australia endorses and promotes to motorcycle competitors and clubs include:

• Minimising water use in Motocross and Enduro events
• Minimising water use in cleaning motorcycles
• Recycling oils and lubricants
• Recycling parts
• Using envirnomentally approved cleaners
• Using Enviro-mats in service areas
• Minimising fuel use
• Minimising noise emission
• Minimising exhaust emissions

Motorcycling Australia supports any organisation which seeks to establish competition using motorcycles which reduce the impact on the environment.