Trial to improve bike rider safety
Trail bike riders will see new track markers and greater access for emergency services in a pilot program to increase rider safety in Neerim State Forest, recently announced by the state government.
More than half of all motorbike accidents in the Baw Baw Shire take place on bush tracks.
The project will cover a 40-kilometre trail in the state forest and will see new location markers installed to better identify riders’ positions in the event of an accident; new track mapping; and better road access for emergency services.
“Over the past five years there’s been 36 motorbike crashes in this area,” said Roads Minister Jaala Pulford at Neerim last week.
She said the exact design of the improvements will be shaped in consultation with land owners, riders and locals.
“It’s great that we’re going to get some things in place for more safety,” said local trail bike rider Phoebe Berryman,.
“It’s always a concern on the more open trails, what’s coming around the corner,” she said.
The program is expected to be implemented over a three year period, with evalutations as to the program’s success taking place during and at the end of the period.
If deemed a success, the program may be rolled out to other areas of the state.
The program draws on funds from the Motorcyle Safety Levy, which aims to improve the safety of riders. More than $75 million from the levy has gone to improving safety since it was introduced.