The need to add a category to transport mode questions to ensure that data is collected on motorcycle and scooter use. For the purpose of this submission, the term "motorcycle" is intended to cover both motorcycles and scooters. An alternative, generic term used on some parts of the world for this collective is "powered two wheeler" or PTW.
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Population
Sex and gender
Households and families
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Income and work
Unpaid work and care
Education and training
Disability and carers
Housing
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Transport
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Topics on Transport
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Mode of travel to work
Name and address of workplace attended
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Number of motor vehicles
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Assessment Criteria 1
1.
This topic is of current national importance.
National Importance
Motorcycle ownership has grown in Australia by over 100% in the past 15 years. National, state and territory, and local government are all working to tackle increasing traffic and congestion - yet data around motorcycle use (one of the fastest-growing transport mode) is not currently available.
Assessment Criteria 2
2.
There is a need for data from a Census of the whole population.
For whole population
Data is needed from the whole population - congestion is an issue facing all major cities and an increasing number of regional ones.
The Census seeks to collect information on a breakdown of transport mode types, for example the last Census collected information on cycling, which was reported at less than 2% of work-related trips. Knowing the figure for motorcycle use would assist in transport planning.
Assessment Criteria 3
3.
The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.
Easy to answer
Yes, this would be an easy matter for respondents to address. Anecdotal feedback received by the Australian Motorcycle Council shows that transport questions that fail to ask about motorcycle use is in fact confusing to people.
Assessment Criteria 4
4.
The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.
Acceptable
There is nothing controversial about asking about motorcycle use. Again, our experience is that it's controversial that motorcycles are specifically excluded from some questions.
Assessment Criteria 5
5.
The topic can be collected efficiently.
Collected efficiently
This addition simply adds another specific category to transport mode - quite straight forward.
Assessment Criteria 6
6.
There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.
Continuing need
Yes, as Australia continues to deal with the challenges of an increasing population and traffic congestion, data on motorcycle use will assist in planning at federal, state and local levels.
Assessment Criteria 7
7.
There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.
No alternatives
There is no other means of collecting this information on a national basis, and adding motorcycles as a transport category is a logical step given the significant increase in motorcycle ownership and use over the past 15 years. In reality, this would be addressing an anomaly going forward.
Any further comments?
If you would like to tell us anything else about your submission, please comment below.
Further comments
Australia's 800,000+ motorcycle owners, and possibly well in excess of 1.5 million motorcycle licence holders, have wondered for many years why motorcycle usage has been specifically excluded from travel data questions.
The ABS is to be congratulated for this consultative process, and the Australian Motorcycle Council looks forward to data on motorcycle usage in Australia being collected as part of the 2021 Census.
Our organisation is available to assist if needed to further clarify the need for this change.