Motorbikes are a common mode of transportation for many workers in Queensland, offering convenience, cost savings, and the ability to navigate traffic efficiently. However, riding a motorbike comes with inherent risks, making safety a critical concern—especially in the context of workplace health and safety.
Whether you’re commuting to work, delivering goods, or using a motorbike as part of your job, understanding and implementing motorbike safety measures can help reduce risks and ensure compliance with Queensland’s workplace health and safety regulations.
Why Motorbike Safety Matters in the Workplace
Motorbike riders are more vulnerable than other road users. According to Queensland Government statistics, motorbike riders account for a significant proportion of road fatalities and serious injuries. For employers, ensuring their workers are protected when using motorbikes is not only a legal responsibility but also essential for the wellbeing of their staff and the smooth operation of their business.
Work Safe QLD emphasises that employers and workers must collaborate to identify risks, adopt best practices, and create a culture of safety for motorbike use.
Proper Protective Gear is Essential for Motorbike Safety
1. Australian-Compliant Helmets
The most critical piece of safety equipment for any motorcyclist is the helmet. In Australia, helmets must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1698 (AS/NZS 1698), which ensures that they provide adequate protection in the event of an accident.
- Full-face helmets offer the most comprehensive protection, covering the entire head, including the chin and jaw. They provide excellent impact resistance and shield against wind, debris, and weather conditions.
- Modular or flip-up helmets combine the benefits of full-face protection with the convenience of a flip-up visor, allowing riders to open the front section when stopped.
- Open-face helmets protect the top and sides of the head, they do not offer full protection to the face or chin. They’re generally lighter and more comfortable, but they are less safe in the event of an impact.
Regardless of style, the helmet should fit snugly, with no movement when you shake your head. A properly fitted helmet will stay securely in place and offer maximum protection during a crash.
2. Protective Jackets and Pants Made of Abrasion-Resistant Materials
When riding a motorbike, the risk of falling or sliding in an accident is always present.
- Leather jackets and pants are a classic choice due to their durability and excellent abrasion resistance. They also offer decent protection from wind and weather conditions. High-quality leather gear often incorporates protective padding or armour in key areas like the back, shoulders, elbows, and knees.
- Textile jackets and pants are typically lighter than leather and can be more breathable, which makes them a good choice for hot weather riding. Look for gear made of advanced materials like Cordura or Kevlar, which are designed for abrasion resistance. Some textile options also come with waterproof liners, making them versatile for all weather conditions.
- Many jackets and pants come equipped with CE-rated armour or padding in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and back. This additional protection can absorb shock and reduce injury in the event of a fall or collision.
3. Sturdy Gloves
Gloves are another essential item of motorbike gear. In the event of an accident, your hands are often the first part of the body to hit the ground. Motorcycle gloves provide protection for your hands, wrists, and fingers, while offering comfort and better grip on the handlebars.
- Leather gloves offer excellent durability and abrasion resistance, providing more protection during a crash. They are also designed to be comfortable, flexible, and breathable.
- Textile gloves often have additional features like water resistance, breathability, and extra padding. Some gloves also come with hard knuckle protection to defend against impact in a fall.
Make sure your gloves fit snugly, allowing you to operate the controls easily without excess material that could interfere with movement. For extra protection, gloves with wrist straps can help keep them securely in place.
4. Non-Slip Boots
Footwear plays a vital role in motorbike safety. Motorbike-specific boots are designed to protect your feet, ankles, and lower legs from injury. The boots should offer protection against abrasions, impact, and compression in the event of a fall.
- Ideally, you should wear boots that are specifically designed for motorcycling. These boots offer protection for your ankles, shins, and feet while still being comfortable enough for riding. Look for boots made from durable leather or synthetic materials with protective inserts for the toes, heel, and ankle.
- Non-slip soles are essential for maintaining grip, especially when stopping or manoeuvring your bike in wet or slippery conditions. Boots with rubber or treaded soles are designed to prevent slipping when you put your foot down on the ground.
Choose boots that offer adequate coverage to protect your ankles and calves. Adventure or touring boots often extend higher up the leg and offer more comprehensive protection compared to shorter, everyday footwear.
5. High-Visibility Clothing or Vests
Being visible to other road users, especially in low-light conditions or bad weather, is crucial for motorcyclists. High-visibility clothing helps ensure that you can be seen from a distance, reducing the risk of accidents caused by other drivers not noticing you.
- High-visibility vests, jackets, or shirts made with reflective materials can dramatically improve your visibility, particularly in dusk, dawn, or rainy conditions. These garments are often worn over your riding gear and can make you much more noticeable to drivers in low-light conditions.
- If you’re not wearing a full hi-vis jacket, reflective tape or stickers can be applied to your helmet, bike, or riding gear. This is an inexpensive way to increase your visibility at night or in poor weather conditions.
- In addition to reflective elements, wearing bright colours like neon yellow, orange, or red can also help make you more visible. Some jackets or suits incorporate bright colours with reflective piping or panels for increased safety.
For safety gear and everything else you need for your ride, check out RPM Moto.
Perform Regular Bike Maintenance
A well-maintained motorbike is crucial for safe riding. Riders should regularly check their brakes, tyres (including pressure and tread), lights and indicators, oil and fuel levels and their mirrors.
It’s a good practice for workplaces to schedule regular inspections for company-owned motorbikes or require employees to submit maintenance logs for personal motorbikes used for work.
Ride safe and stay visible
- Riders should always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead to allow adequate reaction time in case of sudden stops or changes in traffic flow. A general rule of thumb is to keep at least a three-second gap in normal conditions and increase this distance in adverse weather or heavy traffic.
- As a motorcyclist, one of the most important safety principles is to assume that other drivers may not see you. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than cars, and drivers often fail to check their blind spots or accurately gauge a motorcycle’s speed and distance.
- By riding defensively and anticipating that cars might merge into your lane, turn across your path, or stop suddenly, you can proactively avoid potential accidents. P
- osition yourself to be as visible as possible, use your headlights during the day, and avoid lingering in other vehicles’ blind spots. This mindset ensures you stay alert and prepared for unexpected situations on the road.
Key Road Rules for Motorcyclists
Motorcycle riders in Queensland must comply with general road rules, including speed limits, traffic light regulations, and give-way rules. However, specific provisions apply to motorcycle riders to ensure their safety and that of other road users. Below are the main rules to keep in mind:
1. Lane Filtering
Lane filtering allows motorcyclists to ride at low speeds between stationary or slow-moving vehicles traveling in the same direction. While lane filtering can save time, it is strictly regulated:
- Riders must have an open motorcycle licence. Learners and provisional licence holders cannot lane filter.
- Riders must not exceed 30 km/h while lane filtering.
- Lane filtering is prohibited in school zones during school hours, when “no filtering” signs are posted, or if it is unsafe.
- Lane filtering is not allowed in bicycle lanes or between a vehicle and the kerb.
2. Riding on Road Shoulders
- The road must have a speed limit of 90 km/h or more.
- The rider’s speed must not exceed 30 km/h.
- Riders must give way to others already using the road shoulder, such as cyclists.
- Road shoulders must be sealed, free from roadworks, and safe to use.
3. Motorcycle Control
Riders must always remain in full control of their motorcycles. This includes sitting with one leg on either side of the seat while riding. Adjustments, such as lifting a leg or raising from the seat, are allowed only when necessary for safe operation.
4. Pillion Passengers
- Only riders with the appropriate licence class can carry pillion passengers. Learners and first-year RE provisional licence holders cannot carry passengers.
- Pillion passengers must be at least 8 years old, able to reach the footrests, and seated safely on a suitable seat with proper footrests.
More Motorbike Safety Tips
- Riders must strictly observe speed limits. Not only is it the law, but adhering to speed limits gives riders more time to react to sudden hazards, such as debris, wildlife, or other vehicles. Remember, speeding is one of the leading causes of road accidents, and motorbike riders are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure.
- Signalling intentions is a vital part of safe riding. Riders must use their indicators well in advance when turning, merging, or changing lanes. Clear signalling helps other road users anticipate the rider’s movements, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and accidents.
- Planning a safe route is particularly important for workplace tasks involving motorbikes. Riders should consider avoiding roads with high traffic or poor conditions, factoring in weather forecasts to avoid riding in hazardous conditions and identifying rest stops for long journeys.
- Fatigue can significantly impair a rider’s focus and reaction time. Workers who use motorbikes should take regular breaks during long shifts and avoid riding if they feel overly tired. Employers can help by ensuring reasonable shift scheduling.
Employer Responsibilities
- Conducting risk assessments for motorbike use
- Providing training or refresher courses on motorbike safety
- Ensuring all company-owned motorbikes meet safety standards
- Offering financial assistance or incentives for purchasing safety gear
- Developing a clear motorbike safety policy as part of the workplace health and safety plan
When an Incident Happens
Despite all precautions, motorbike incidents can occur. Workplaces should have a clear procedure in place for responding to such incidents, including:
- Reporting the incident to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
- Ensuring the rider receives medical attention
- Investigating the incident to identify contributing factors and prevent recurrence
Motorbike riding is an efficient and practical option for many Queensland workers, but it requires a proactive approach to safety. By following these guidelines and fostering a culture of awareness, both employers and workers can reduce risks and ensure motorbike use remains a sa