The Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) is collected as part of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) premium in registrations for motorcycles with an engine capacity of 126cc or above. The levy contributes to projects that improve the safety of people who ride motorcycles and contributes towards our goal to eliminate road deaths by 2050. Find out more on the VicRoads website
http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/road-users/motorcycle-riders
The Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) is collected as part of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) premium in registrations for motorcycles with an engine capacity of 126cc or above. In 2021 the levy was $75.90 (incl GST) per registration (External link). This levy contributes to projects that improves the safety of motorcycle riders.
Since its introduction in 2002, over $86 million has been invested in a range of targeted safety initiatives across the following investment areas:
- Road safety infrastructure for motorcyclists
- Technology and Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS)
- Education and research
- Motorcycle policy and law
Infrastructure improvements represent the largest area of investment from the Levy and can include measures such as improved curve alignment signage and delineation, rub-rail protection at the base of barriers, bell mouth sealing, post cushions and surface improvements. Other investment area examples include: motorcycle lane filtering legislation (Motorcycle Policy and Law), motorcycle graduated licensing scheme implementation (Education and Research) and motorcycle anti-lock braking technology promotion (Technology and ITS). A breakdown of the Levy investment for completed projects is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Breakdown of Levy investment (2002-2020)
Road Safety Program
The Victorian and Australian Governments are investing $14.4 million on seven motorcycle safety route improvements in high-risk motorcycle routes across Victoria as part of the $300 million Road Safety Program.
These projects are expected to be delivered in 2021, weather permitting.
Key information:
- Yarra Junction-Noojee Road (Baw Baw Shire and Yarra Ranges Shire)
- Cost: $1.5 million ($300,000 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include: bell-mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends, rub-rail and targeted resurfacing.
- Mallacoota Road (East Gippsland Shire)
- Cost: $2.7 million ($540,000 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include: bell mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends, shoulder sealing on the inside of high-risk bends.
- Lang Lang-Poowong Road (South Gippsland Shire)
- Cost: $1.5 million ($300,000 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include: bell-mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends, rub-rail and targeted resurfacing.
- Forrest–Apollo Bay Road and Skenes Creek Road (Colac-Otway Shire)
- Cost: $3.15 million ($630,000 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include bell-mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends and rub-rail installation.
- Meeniyan Mirboo North Road (South Gippsland Shire)
- Cost: $1.2 million ($240,000 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include: bell-mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends and rub-rail.
- Wilsons Promontory Road (South Gippsland Shire)
- Cost: $3 million ($300,000 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include: bell-mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends, improved delineation and rub rail.
- Great Alpine Road (East Gippsland Shire)
- Cost: $1.39 million ($277,200 MSL contribution)
- Treatments include: bell-mouth sealing, curve warning signage for high-risk bends, improved delineation, and shoulder sealing on the inside of high-risk bends.
Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project
The Gippsland Trail Bike Safety Pilot Project is a collaboration between the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (Forest Fire Management), the Department of Transport and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to address rider safety in the Neerim State Forest.
The construction of the track network will begin in late 2021 and is expected to be completed by mid 2022, weather permitting.
Key information:
- The trail head is located at the Latrobe River Road motorcycle unloading area.
- Planning and mapping of 40 kilometres of track commenced in May 2021.
- The mapping component of the project recognises the skills and experience of local riders, using their local knowledge and insight to provide feedback on the trail experience and durability as it is marked every 5 kilometres.
Cost: $2.8 million
Recent and current projects Show more
Other initiatives funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy Show more
A list of previously completed projects can be found here [DOC 139 Kb]
Governance
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists between the Department of Transport (formerly VicRoads) and the TAC that governs the process for the development and approval of motorcycle safety levy projects.
To guide the investment of funds, a Strategic Guide for the Expenditure of the Motorcycle Safety Levy (the Guide) was developed. The Guide was initially created by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in consultation with road safety professionals and the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council (VMAC).
The following objectives need to be met for a project to be approved:
- Significantly improve the safety of riders by addressing the key issues in rider safety.
- Where the expected benefits to riders exceed the cost of the program.
- Would not otherwise be funded from other road safety budgets.
Download a copy of the Guide [DOC 328 Kb]
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-safety-programs/motorcycle-safety-levy