Two good

30 July 2021

Taking personal transport seriously

As most Victorians head back to work once again after Lockdown 5.0, the inevitable will occur – gridlocked roads, crowded public transport and, to a degree, an end to the social distancing that has been keeping most of us safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to these problems.

When Australia’s workforce is largely back in the office, the workshop, or worksite, tens of thousands more people will be packing into buses and trams and trains and driving down previously quiet roads.

But one piece to the puzzle that seems to have been forgotten is the positive role motorcyclists and scooterists can play in keeping some semblance of social distancing in place.

There are almost 900,000 registered motorcycles and scooters on Australian roads. And they are used in different ways – on farms, off-road recreation, and for weekend escapes.

But there is also a dedicated core of motorcyclists and scooterists who use their vehicles to commute to and from work – and for the numerous meal delivery services that are so popular right now.

We should be grateful for motorcyclists because the alternative ­– having tens of thousands more cars on our peak hour roads – is not viable.

Motorcycles and scooters keep our roads, streets, and carparks clearer than they otherwise would be, while being cost-effective compared to four-wheel vehicles.

So, as far as forms of personal transport go in our country, there’s a lot to be said for the two-wheeled – or three-wheeled – kind.

Words: VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym. As featured in the Herald Sun 30 July 2021.

Share your thoughts! E: ceo@vacc.com.au