NRMA Motoring Blog

The Australian motorcycle market has grown a whopping 70 per cent in the last five years. 129,966 bikes were sold in 2007 alone, and despite interest rate rises and decreased consumer spending, first quarter sales in 2008 are already up 4.9 per cent compared to last year.

Whether you’ve jumped on a bike for the love or as a money-saving transport alternative, motorcycles are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, with the good there’s always the bad. There’s no shortage of motorcycles on our roads, but are they being accommodated?

There’s a fair contingent of motorcycle riders in the NRMA offices. Asking around, they all spoke of the practicalities of owning a bike and the fun that comes with it. But they also had their criticisms:

• • Rough roads: Poor road surfaces make riding difficult and damage tyres. Having to be wary of potholes and debris is a distraction and compromises safety.
• • Lack of motorcycle friendly roads: Outside Sydney there are some good roads, but not in metropolitan Sydney.
• • Other motorists: Despite more bikes on the road, education about sharing the road with them has not increased.
• • Tolls: The current E-tag attachment is not appropriate for motorcycles.

Having started the ball rolling, we’d love to know what you find difficult about riding a motorcycle in Australia?

Check out our Two Wheels section for new motorcycle and scooter reviews.

ACCC petrol commissioner Pat Walker last week revealed Coles Express service stations are the most expensive.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s survey, Coles Express had the highest petrol prices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Mr Walker said the commission had identified about 30 Coles Express sites in Sydney that were selling petrol for 155.9 cents a litre, when the average price was 143.3 cents a litre. According to News.com.au, Coles was selling petrol in Melbourne for up to 14 cents more than the city’s average.

Mr Walker advised motorists to shop around for the best price, as those who use shopper dockets may not be getting the discount they think they are.

“It is important that consumers do not automatically rely on their petrol discount voucher to necessarily deliver the lowest price,” he said.

NRMA President Alan Evans said, “The Petrol Commissioner has done well to catch and shame Coles for their over-pricing; he now needs the powers to do something about it.”

Mr Evans said that bad press alone is not enough, as oil companies have grown immune to it. He believes the Commissioner’s powers must therefore be extended so he can:

• • Force oil companies to drop their prices when they are over-inflated;
• • Force oil companies to artificially keep their prices down to compensate motorists who have been over-charged;
• • Fine oil companies.

Have you noticed some service stations regularly being more expensive than others?