Shaping the future of riding motorcycles: Your help needed

As work continues on our Motorcyclist safety: Connected motorcycle pilot project, its researchers at La Trobe University are looking for participants in two trials, to be held on various dates in February and March. The first is a Connected Motorcycle Test Track Trial, the second is a Connected Motorcycle Simulation Trial.

Other partners on this project are Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and several motorcycle brands including BMW, Ducati, and Honda.

More information for each trial is below, along with a downloadable flyer for each of the two trials.

Connected Motorcycle Test Track Trial

• Location: Toyota Centre of Excellence Autodrome, Altona North VIC
• Dates: 24 February to 8 March 2025
• Times: Bookings between 9.00am and 9.00pm. The time commitment for each rider’s session is 3 hours.

We are working with motorcycle manufacturers and the government, to make the future of motorcycling safer through new technologies known as Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS). This can only be successful with the help of riders like you. That’s why we invite you to come and try them at a test circuit.

We will provide a Honda CB125F motorcycle equipped with this new technology for you to ride a few rounds and give us your feedback. During these rounds, you will encounter basic traffic situations with advanced warnings. These scenarios are no more dangerous than riding in public and do not require any more skills than you already possess as a licence holder.

We will ask for your feedback on a few methods of receiving these warnings to see which you prefer. This might include a smart helmet, rear mirror LED lights, vibrating wristbands, and more.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and you will receive a$200 AMX Superstores gift card for your participation.

Participant requirements:

• Reside in Victoria.
• A valid motorcycle license.
• Recent riding experience (actively riding in the last 6 months).
• Not taking any medication that could affect the ability to ride safely.
• Not suffering from any medical conditions that affect your hearing or your vision while riding.
• Have full protective clothing including a helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots, which must be worn during the trial.

For more information on the Connected Motorcycle Trial, including how to apply, click the button below to download a flyer.

Connected Motorcycle Simulation Trial

• Location: David Myer Building (DMW-113), La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Bundoora Victoria.
• Dates: 10 to 14 February 2025 AND 17 to 29 March 2025
• Times: Bookings between 9.00am and 9.00pm. The time commitment for each rider’s simulation session is up to 90 minutes.

If you want to take part in this study, we will ask you to participate in a one-to-one meeting with the research team where you will be sitting on a motorcycle simulator and riding in a controlled, virtual environment. During the trial, we will ask you to do three laps around a virtual map while riding on the motorcycle simulator.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and you will receive a$100 AMX Superstores gift card for your participation.

Participant requirements:

• Reside in Victoria.
• A valid motorcycle license for the last 6 months.
• Recent riding experience (actively riding at least 50 km per month).

For more information on the Motorcycle Simulation Trial, including how to apply, click the button below to download a flyer.