motorcycles

Toll on two-wheelers revs up protests

Matt Johnston

28May08
Damien Codognotto and Neil Relph are campaigning against tolls for bikes on EastLink at Donvale.

Damien Codognotto and Neil Relph are campaigning against tolls for bikes on EastLink at Donvale.

A TEMPLESTOWE motorcycle lobbyist says tolling motorbike and scooter riders when EastLink opens would be dangerous and bad for the environment.

Tollway operator ConnectEast has announced it will toll motorcycle and scooter riders half the amount of a standard car toll when the tollway opens on June 29.

ConnectEast has new technology that can capture front and rear vehicle images, allowing the company to better identify motorcycles and scooters.

The motorcycle levy would be the only one implemented on a Melbourne tollway.

Motorcycle lobbyist Damien Codognotto said people should be encouraged to drive two-wheelers to cut carbon emissions, traffic congestion and car parking. "Why would you want to make us pay more when all that's going to do is put more single occupant cars on the road and more congestion?" Mr Codognotto said.

He said many part-time riders would go back to their cars, thinking "what's the point?", and others would avoid the tollway and go into side streets to avoid paying, which could be dangerous.

ConnectEast spokesman James Tonkin said drivers on EastLink would be paying the lowest private toll rate in Australia, and motorcycle riders would be given a discount about half standard car tolls.