REDUCING MOTORCYCLE THEFT

Sub-program A: Reducing the Cost of Theft

Approach A1: Improving the Standard of Vehicle and Component Identification.

Background

The dynamics of motorcycle theft vary considerably from those of other motor vehicles. While motorcycles represent 7 per cent of all thefts, recovery rates are less than half those of cars. The low recovery rate suggests that motorcycles are less likely to be stolen for opportunistic reasons such as transport or joyriding than other motor vehicles.

Work Program

National Survey of Motorcycle Riders and Dealers - 2002

A survey of motorcycle riders was conducted by the NMVTRC during 2002 in partnership with the Australian Motorcycle Council. A complementary survey of motorcycle dealers was developed in partnership with the Motor Trades Association of Queensland and distributed to dealers across Australia by motor trade associations from each state and territory.

Combined with motorcycle theft incident data, the survey findings provide a clearer picture of the issue of Motorcycle Theft in Australia. The report found that the absence of adequate vehicle identification, the large market for off-road bikes (that do not require registration) and the ease with which motorcycles can be lifted onto other vehicles makes them a soft theft target for criminals. Devices such as immobilisers can only have a limited impact on motorcycle theft.

Motorcycle owners indicated that they are willing to pay to pay a premium for improved security if it is likely to increase the chances of their motorcycle being recovered if stolen.

Next Steps

Stolen motorcycles have a very low rate of recovery with poor identification a major contributor to this. While many of the NMVTRC's strategies will help to decrease the opportunities for motorcycle theft, improving the identification of motorcycles at a manufacturer level is critical as the majority of stolen motorcycles are relatively new models. The NMVTRC will continue to engage motorcycle manufacturers in discussions on the logistics of improving security identification on their vehicles.