ENGINE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS FOR NOVICE MOTORCYCLISTS - THE VICTORIAN EXPERIENCE

In an attempt to reduce the over-involvement of learner and first year probationary motorcyclists in accidents, the Victorian government amended the law in 1979 to restrict these riders to motorcycles with engine capacities of less than 260 cc. This paper presents an evaluation of sales figures and accident data which indicates a high level of compliance with the law amongst these motorcyclists, and which found that casualty rates for learners and first year probationers began to decrease from mid 1979 and continued to do so until mid 1981. Furthermore, concern has been expressed that since the legislation there has been a trend in the industry towards production of more powerful 250 cc motorcycles. This study found that "powerful" 250 cc motorcycles are not over-represented in accident or sales figures. (Author/TRRL)