Motorcycle Touring - Road Safety Advisory Council

Touring Motorcyclists

Motorcycle Touring

Riding in Tasmania can be very different to the rest of Australia. Our unique scenery, weather and roads create great rides, but also create extra danger. Too many riders are dying – interstate motorcycle riders make up nearly half of all visitors seriously injured or killed on Tasmanian roads. Plan ahead, be prepared and be aware of changing conditions.

Enjoy your stay, and please ride carefully. We want to see you again.

PLAN YOUR RIDE

To get the most from your ride in Tasmania, and to make sure you return home safely, it’s important to plan. With winding roads and breathtaking views, travel time can be longer than you expect – it can take 2 hours to travel 150 kilometres. It’s easy to become tired or lose concentration, so plan to travel no more than 300 kilometres a day and take frequent breaks.

Estimated travel times

From	To	KM	Time
Devonport	Burnie	49	40 minutes
Devonport	Launceston	99	1 hour
Devonport	Hobart via Midland Highway	277	3 hours
Launceston	Hobart via Midland Highway	198	2 hours 20 minutes
Launceston	St Helens via Scottsdale	163	2 hours 30 minutes
Launceston	Bicheno via Scottsdale	236	3 hours 30 minutes
Launceston	Queenstown via Sheffield	251	3 hours 30 minutes
Hobart	Port Arthur	93	1 hour 30 minutes
Hobart	Bicheno via Sorell	178	2 hours 25 minutes
Hobart	St Helens via Sorell	265	3 hours 40 minutes
Hobart	Queenstown	260	3 hours 30 minutes
Burnie	Queenstown	176	2 hours 25 minutes

SAFE RIDING TIPS

Obey speed limits and take note of all advisory speeds
Be prepared for rapidly changing road and weather conditions
Adjust your speed to suit the conditions – speed limits are a guide, not a target
Limit riding to 300km a day and plan frequent rest breaks
Be aware of roadkill, fallen tree limbs, gravel and ice
It can be cold and dark, so wear highly visible protective clothing
Keep a safe distance from other riders and cars
Service your motorcycle before starting your ride in Tasmania

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Most Tasmanian roads are good but never underestimate what’s ahead. Ask locals about the current road conditions, check the weather the night before (it can snow as late as December), don’t rush and let someone know where you’re going. When you’re riding in a group, make sure there’s enough distance between you and the rider in front for you to safely stop suddenly. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions. Blue skies and sunshine can quickly change to rain and hail. Fog, snow and ice can also be experienced in some areas. Hazards on the road can be caused by the weather. Be wary of damp patches on the road underneath tree canopies. The west and east coasts of Tasmania have very different weather conditions. Always check the weather forecast before setting out.

What to look out for:

Wildlife and roadkill, especially at night and early morning
Gravel, dirt, rocks and soft corners
Livestock and farm vehicles along roadsides and at property entrances
Tree canopies covering roads leaving them damp, slippery or wet
Black ice and moss on the road, especially in shady areas
Overhanging branches and fallen tree limbs
Other vehicles cutting corners and bringing dirt and stone on the departure side
Trucks, caravans, bicycles or machinery travelling slowly or creating a hazard

STAY ALERT

Tiredness can creep up on you and is potentially fatal. To tackle fatigue, have a good night’s sleep, avoid riding at night and take frequent breaks to rest. It can help to do some light exercise, have a drink or have something to eat. Most importantly, don’t ride for too long in a day.

Stop riding and rest if you:

Run a bit wide on corners or have a couple of rough gear changes
Have lapses of concentration, daydream or don’t see a road sign
Have a dry mouth or feel stiff in your neck, knees or wrists

RIDE TO THE CONDITIONS

Road and weather conditions can change quickly and dramatically. One minute you might be riding in sunshine, and the next you’re coming around a shady, wet corner – or even a patch of invisible black ice. Ride at a speed that suits the conditions and allows you to stop safely. Take notice of the road signs, especially speed limits and suggestions – you might not be speeding, but you could still be going too fast for the conditions.

SAFETY CHECKLIST

Service your motorcycle before starting your ride in Tasmania
Consider new tyres even if yours are in pretty good condition
Check these features before each ride:
- Brake fluid and pads
- Cables, chain and belts
- Lights, horn and steering
- Tyre pressure
- Appropriate safety clothing

IN AN EMERGENCY

Dial 000 or 112 (an alternative to 000 if you are outside your mobile phone provider’s coverage)
Make the scene safe by warning and directing traffic
Help those injured, reassure them and keep them calm
Don’t move people unless they are in danger

PETROL

In most areas petrol is available seven days, and most service stations are open until 7pm. Country town stations are usually open during normal business hours. There are some 24 hour stations in cities.

TASMANIAN MOTORCYCLE COUNCIL

The Tasmanian Motorcycle Council represents all motorcyclists – clubs, associations, groups, dealers, individuals, junior, senior, on-road and off-road – about roads, government regulations and Motor Accidents Insurance Board issues. The Council helps you have a safe and enjoyable stay.
tasmanianmotorcyclecouncil.org.au

RIDE TASMANIA SAFELY

ROAD RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following are important road rules and road signs for motorcyclists:

ALWAYS drive on the LEFT side of the road.
SLOW DOWN on winding, gravel or icy roads in bad weather.
Slow down and LOOK OUT for animals on the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
You MUST OBEY speed limits. In poor conditions, drive slower than the limit.
LOOK OUT for a corner or curve ahead and take note of the advisory speed.
WARNING of a sharp bend ahead.
LOOK OUT for winding roads ahead.
Hazard markers warn that the road ahead is about to CHANGE DIRECTION.