MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has cautioned against hasty changes to laws affecting motorcyclists.
Mr Bell said while he supported measures to reduce the number of annual motorcycle fatalities, he pointed out that in 2016 there were eight fatalities and the five-year average stands at 11.
“As a legislator, it is important to introduce measures that reduce the number of deaths, however you also need to understand all the facts before rushing to introduce new laws that may not achieve the desired outcome,” Mr Bell said.
“Before I can support changes to existing legislation, I need to be convinced these changes are related to the issue we are trying to address.
“The recommendation will force 50cc scooter riders to obtain a motorbike licence – I can see this having a detrimental impact on businesses operating in our community, yet in the last five years there has only been one fatality involving a scooter rider in all of South Australia.”
Mr Bell also raised questions regarding one of the recommendations to raise the minimum age to gain a motorcycle licence to 18, as well as to impose curfews, longer learner periods and the enforcement of high visibility clothing.
“If the number of 16 to 18 year old fatalities is very small, or non-existent, I would question why this age group is being targeted and young people prevented from gaining their motorcycle licence before the age of 18,” he said.
“Longer term data has to be analysed as to what the main causes of these fatalities are and recommendations formulated from this evidence.
“Otherwise we are legislating without the full picture and it is likely we will not achieve the desired outcome.”
Philip Muller of Scooters2Go also questioned the need for scooter riders to obtain a full bike licence.
“People who would like to ride a bike need a low level entry point – a 50cc scooter can provide this and presently they can do this on a car licence,” Mr Muller said.
“Obtaining a full bike licence can be a costly exercise – it costs around $850 for a full licence – which will likely be a turn-off for many people who would otherwise have enjoyed riding a scooter.”
Mount Gambier Liberal candidate Craig Marsh welcomed any changes to reduce risks for young riders.
“I welcome this discussion because young people are over-represented in crash statistics,” Mr Marsh said.
“Anything that can be done to lower the risk of young people being involved in road accidents would have to be a good thing.”
