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Motorcycle safety ini tiatives

Key rules for motorcycle riders:

1. Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme

2. Pillion passenger restrict ions for

learner riders

3. Requirements to display a P plate

1. Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme

A Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMscheme) is now operating in Queensland. Underthe scheme, class RE licence holders are only ableto ride motorcycles that are LAM scheme approved.Learner riders (holders of a Queensland class RElearner licence) are also only able to ridemotorcycles that are LAM scheme approved.

Why is the type of motorcycle that a class RElicence holder is author ised to ride changing?A 250 ml limitation was introduced in Queenslandwhen a small capacity engine generally related tothe performance of the motorcycle. Due toadvancements in technology, this is no longer the

case and a number of modern 250ml motorcycleshave performance capabilities that are not suitablefor inexperienced riders. The LAM scheme willreplace the current 250ml engine capacity limitapplied to class RE licence holders.

The introduction of the LAM scheme providesconsistency between Queensland and otherAustralian states.

What is a class RE motorcycle?A class RE motorcycle is a learner approved

motorcycle, including a moped.

What is a learner approved motorcycle?A learner approved motorcycle is a productionmotorcycle that is fitted with an electric motor, orhas an internal combustion engine with an enginecapacity of not more than 660ml and:

has a power-to-weight ratio of not more than

150kW per tonne

that has not been modified other than for an

allowable modification

that is stated to be a learner approved

motorcycle in a list kept by the chief executive

and published on the departments website at

www.tmr.qld.gov.au.

What is the power-to-weight ratio of amotorcycle?The power-to-weight ratio is obtained by dividingthe maximum engine power by the sum of the taremass of the motorcycle plus 90kg and multiplyingthe answer by 1,000 expressed as kilowatts pertonne.

How is the power-to-weight ratio of amotorcycle worked out?

The motorcycles maximum engine power inkilowatts is divided by the prescribed weight of themotorcycle then multiplied by 1,000 for conversionto kilowatts per tonne. The prescribed weight of themotorcycle means the tare mass, in kilograms, ofthe motorcycle plus 90kg, that is:

Example:

The power-to-weight ratio of a motorcycle that hasa maximum engine power of 54kW and a tare massof 360kg is calculated by dividing 54kW by the sumof 360kg and 90kg (that is, 450kg) and multiplyingthe product of the division by 1,000. In thisexample, the power-to-weight ratio is 120kW/t.

54 kW

(360 kg + 90 kg)

What is a production motorcycle?A production motorcycle is a motorcycle that ismanufactured and marketed in volume for normalroad use and conforms with the requirements thatapply to the motorcycle under vehicle law.

A production motorcycle may be modified and stillbe considered a learner approved motorcycle,provided the modification is an allowablemodification.

What is an allowable modification?An allowable modification is a modification that is

approved under the Transport Operations (Road

Maximum Engine Power (kW) x 1000 =Kilowatts per tonne (kW/t)Prescribed Weight (kg)

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Use Management Vehicle Standards andSafety) Regulation 2010.

The modification may either be to the seating

capacity of the motorcycle or a modificationdesigned to enable a person with a physicalimpairment to ride the motorcycle. However,it does not include a modification that increases themaximum engine power of the motorcycle.

How is a learner approved motorcycleidentified?The departments website will list thosemotorcycles that are learner approved motorcycles.Whilst most motorcycles with an engine capacity ofless than 250ml will be considered a learner

approved motorcycle, those that have a power-to-weight ratio of more than 150kW per tonne areexcluded. There will be an additional list that willhelp identify those motorcycles that are not alearner approved motorcycle.

The vehicle registration label will help identify themotorcycle as being a learner approved motorcyclewith the exception of a production motorcycle thatis conditionally registered.

Which motorcycles are prescribed

motorcycles?The following six models of motorcycles, although250ml or under, have been identified as aprescribed motorcycle, and are not learnerapproved motorcycle:

Aprilia RS250

Honda NSR250

Kawasaki KR250 (KR-1 model)

Kawasaki KR250 (KR1s model)

Suzuki RGV250

Yamaha TZR250.

Why have these prescribed motorcycles beenexcluded from the learner approved motorcyclelist?These motorcycles are capable of high speed andrapid acceleration. They are regarded as beingunsuitable for inexperienced riders due to theirsports style power delivery, handling and riding

position

What class of licence will I need to ride aprescribed motorcycle?You will need a class R licence to ride a prescribedmotorcycle.

What class of licence do I need to ride aconditionally registered motorcycle that is not aproduction motorcycle?You need a class R licence to ride a conditionallyregistered motorcycle that is not a productionmotorcycle.

Are there any changes to the types ofmotorcycles I can ride under a class R licence?No. You can still ride a motorcycle of any enginecapacity including a learner approved motorcycle

and a moped.

When can I learn to ride a class R motorcycle?You may learn to ride a class R motorcycle afteryou have held a class RE motorcycle licence(excluding a learner licence) for at least one year.

When can I learn to ride a class R motorcycle?You may learn to ride a class R motorcycle afteryou have held a class RE motorcycle licence(excluding a learner licence) for at least one year.

What will happen if I am found riding a class Rmotorcycle unaccompanied and I only hold aclass RE licence?You may receive an infringement notice or berequired to appear in a court for unlicensed driving.If you are convicted of unlicensed driving the courtmay impose a fine of up to $4,400.

Is a moped a learner approved motorcycle?Yes.

2. Pillion passenger restrictions forlearner riders

Am I able to carry a supervisor as a pi ll ionpassenger on my motorcycle when learning toride?No. You are not able to carry a supervisor as apillion passenger on your motorcycle while you arelearning to ride the motorcycle.

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How can I learn to ride a motorcycle if I can notcarry my supervisor as a pillion passenger?As a learner you are still required to be supervisedby an appropriately licensed person when riding a

motorcycle. You may only carry a supervisorseated in a sidecar attached to the motorcycle. Ifthe motorcycle does not have a sidecar, thesupervisor may follow you at a safe distance onanother motorcycle or in another motor vehicle.

When will I be able to carry a passenger as apillion on my motorcycle?You are only allowed to carry a passenger on amotorcycle if you hold a provisional or open licencethat authorises you to ride that class of vehicle andyou have held that class of licence for at least one

year.

A passenger on a motorcycle includes a pillionpassenger and a person seated in a sidecarattached to the motorcycle.

However, while learning to ride you may carry asupervisor seated in a sidecar attached to themotorcycle.

Why has this new passenger restrict ion forlearner riders been introduced?Evidence suggests carrying passengers increasesthe risk to the rider and the passenger and can leadto more severe injuries in the event of a crash.

Carrying a pillion passenger requires moreadvanced riding skills to accommodate thepassengers impact on the balance and stability ofthe motorcycle. This new restriction will remove theadded burden on learner riders to allow them toconcentrate on developing basic on-road ridingskills.

3. Requi rement to disp lay a P plate

Am I required to display a 'P' plate on amotorcycle?Yes, you are required to display a P plate on amotorcycle if you hold a class RE or R motorcycleP1 or P2 type licence.

The requirement to display a P plate on amotorcycle (including mopeds) will continue untilyou upgrade to an open type licence.

If you are the holder of an open driver licence andobtain an RE or R class motorcycle licence, you willnot be required to display a P plate.

What colour 'P' plate will I be required to displaywhen riding my motorcycle?Similar to the requirements to displaying 'P' plateson cars, P1 licence holders will be required todisplay a red P plate and P2 licence holders mustdisplay a green P plate on the rear of themotorcycle, or on the back of a vest worn by therider.

Will I need to display a 'P' plate on the front andrear of my motorcycle?No. Similar to the current requirements for display

of an 'L' plate on a motorcycle, you will only need todisplay a 'P' plate on the rear of the motorcycle.

Where can I find more information?For a full list of learner approved motorcycles,information regarding the Learner ApprovedMotorcycle Scheme, how to apply for a class RE orR licence, and other motorcycle rules visitwww.motorcyclesafety.qld.gov.auor call 13 23 80.