EASTLINK - PROFIT BEFORE SAFETY

Motorcycle and scooter riders will have to pay road tolls in Victoria for the first time since the West Gate Bridge opened. In a vain grab for cash Citilink will charge riders about half the toll for a car in spite of the fact that bikes take less than half the road space of a car, especially if traffic filtering is considered, and they cause far less wear and tear on the road.

Global warming and traffic congestion are just two of the reasons why responsible authorities and companies are encouraging the safe use of environmentally friendly transport.

Damien Codognotto OAM, independant lobbyist for the motorcycle community in Melbourne said. "This is bad for road safety. The toll will force some riders return to single occupant cars while others will take less safe routes to avoid this unfair toll."

The toll is all the more unfair because there is no viable etag for bikes so it is more complicated and time consuming for riders to pay tolls. "The effect is discriminatory." He said.

Tolls for two-wheelers will force many riders onto less safe streets that they would normally avoid. The problems will spread across Victoria as more roads are tolled and more existing tollways target riders. Councils can expect more cars and more motorcycles and scooters in residential areas. City of Melbourne surveys indicate the number of people commuting to work on powered two-wheelers has doubled.

Reasons why motorcycles and scooters in Victoria should remain toll free:
Road safety. Freeways are safer.
The environment. Motorcycles and scooters are cleaner and greener than cars. Tolls will force many riders back into single occupant cars.
Congestion. Motorcycles and scooters help traffic flow. They take up less space than cars on the road.
Road Damage. Motorcycles and scooters do far less damage to infrastructure to infrastructure than other vehicles.
Parking. A car space can park six or more motorcycles and/or scooters.
Shareholders won't benefit from bike tolls. The number of bikes on tollways means collecting tolls won't be cost effective and more cars will slow traffic meaning less income and more losses in productivity.
No free ride. Riders contribute similar road costs to car drivers. Most riders also have a car so they pay twice.
"Tolling motorcycle and scooter riders goes against logic and against moves to reduce pollution and congestion. It's not just unfair, it's irresponsible." Said Codognotto.

The Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council at VicRoads gave no warning of plans to toll motorcycles and scooters on Eastlink and other roads.

Contacts:

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independant Lobbyist.
MRA Life Member.
Ulysses Club 21208.