VICROADS has stood firm in response to calls to lower the age from 18 for recreational motorcyclists.
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Wodonga resident Craig Martin has appealed to VicRoads to introduce underage recreational motorbike licences so his 15-year-old son, Jacque, can train off-road with the hope of riding professionally.
“To get the experience in race in the Dakar – where do you get it? You can't get it unless you ride in the bush,” he said.
“When you do ride in the bush when you're underage, you're riding illegally. This is why we've got to get the law changed - it's not working for the kids.”
But VicRoads executive director of policy and programs Anita Curnow told The Border Mail motorcyclists were “over-represented in deaths and serious injuries”.
“People caught riding a motorcycle underage and unlicensed are breaking the law and putting themselves and other road users in unnecessary danger,” she said.
Under Victorian law, under-18s require a full licence, Ls or Ps to ride a motorbike in the bush.
An unlicensed rider could be fined $80 and riding an unregistered recreational bike could attract a fine of up to $800.
Mr Martin has set up a Facebook page calling for the introduction of underage recreational licences, Rec Licence for Kids, which has gained close to 3000 likes.
“Wherever kids go to ride they're looking over their shoulder the whole time thinking when are the boys in blue going to turn up and book us,” he said.
Benambra MLA Bill Tilley has thrown his support behind Mr Martin and advised him to make a submission to the Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee inquiry – of which Mr Tilley is deputy chairman – into lowering the probationary driving age to 17.
When asked if this could increase the road toll, Mr Tilley said every other state in Australia had probationary licences at 17.
But Ms Curnow said lowering the licensing age to 17 would result in more crashes.
“Potentially including an additional 13 deaths, 200 serious injuries and 750 minor injuries every year,” she said.
“Young drivers are amongst the most vulnerable people on Victorian roads.”
Mr Tilley said the parliamentary committee had found those who’d had experience riding a motorbike underage were more likely to become responsible car drivers.
“They had the skills of knowing their surrounds, ground observation and muscle memory operating,” he said.
Mr Tilley added the introduction of underage recreational licences would also be good for families
“Not every family wants to play footy - families like Craig's want to participate using our great national parks,” he said.
Submissions to the parliamentary committee close May 30.
For details visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/lrrcsc or email lrrcsc@parliament.vic.gov.au