Review of 2021 Census Topics - Australian Bureau of Statistics

Response 355292630

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Question relating to registered vehicles garaged at the residence needs both to specifically include motorcycles and to distinguish between motorcycles and cars.

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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

Location

Transport

Cultural diversity

Religion

Topics on Transport

Choose one or more of the following topics that relates to your submission

Please select all that apply

Mode of travel to work

Name and address of workplace attended

Number of motor vehicles

Other/unknown

Assessment Criteria 1

1. This topic is of current national importance.

Over recent years motorcycles/scooters represent the greatest increase in number of new motor vehicle registrations. While there is a question in the census concerning motorcycles as a means of transport to work, unlike cars the majority of motorcycles are used for recreation rather than commuting.

Proper data on where motorcycles are garaged would allow state governments and local councils better information on which to plan their infrastructure decisions and also policies in relation to parking, health care recreational planning etc.

Assessment Criteria 3

3. The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.

The question of how many registered motorcycles are garaged at the residence is easily understood and easily completed by the respondent. There is no need to change the existing question but simply change the definition of a vehicle to include motorcycles and provide a box to allow distinctions between motorcycles and cars.

Assessment Criteria 4

4. The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.

The question is not offensive or intrusive. In fact many motorcycle owners consider it offensive that the question is not asked as it implies their needs are not being considered and they are not important enough to be counted in the Census.

Assessment Criteria 5

5. The topic can be collected efficiently.

The cost of collecting the data as part of the census will be insignificant and is likely the most efficient way to collect the data.

Assessment Criteria 6

6. There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.

Motorcycles represent a growing proportion of motor vehicles. This trend is likely to continue as road congestion and travel times increase. This trend is likely to continue for some time and consequently there will be a need for the data trend in
to the future.

Assessment Criteria 7

7. There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.

While options to collect the data in other ways exist, collection as part of the census is likely to be the most effective and economical means of data collection.

Any further comments?

If you would like to tell us anything else about your submission, please comment below.

Motorcycles and cars operate differently and there is a need to take these specific needs into consideration in terms of road safety, provision of infrastructure and related government policy. This has not occurred for a long time and this has often been to the detriment of riders. Governments are finally starting to recognise motorcycles in their planning policies but there is a long way to go. Having better data relating to motorcycle ownership will assist more appropriate policy decisions.