The NSW Government has today announced the state’s most significant motorcycle safety reforms in nearly 20 years.
They include targeted, evidence-based measures to protect novice riders and save lives, while complementing the Government’s broader efforts to improve road safety infrastructure across NSW.
“These reforms are about smarter, safer riding. They’re grounded in data, evidence-based and shaped by insights from riders and safety experts and proven to work in other jurisdictions,” said Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison.
Coinciding with Motorcycle Awareness Month, the reforms to the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme (MGLS) form a cornerstone of the Government’s 2026 Road Safety Action Plan – with the long-term vision of zero deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads by 2050.
The reforms follow extensive consultation, including via the 2025 NSW Motorcycle Safety Roundtable, which brought together more than 70 riders, trainers and safety experts. Their recommendations, captured in an independent Insights Report, have directly informed these reforms and are released publicly today.
The Insights Report found overwhelming support for better rider training and education, protective gear standards and enhanced road infrastructure.
“The Motorcycle Safety Roundtable gave us strong direction, as is evident in the Insights Report we’ve released today. Riders want safer roads, better training, and more support to build good riding habits, especially for young and new riders,” said Minister Aitchison.
“These reforms target novice riders because they are over seven times more likely to die in a crash than experienced riders.
“By strengthening training, improving on-road experience and mandating simple protective gear, we’re giving new riders the best possible start.”
Key reforms include:
- Mandatory protective gloves for all learner and provisional riders;
- High-visibility vests for learner riders to improve visibility and awareness on the road;
- Extended pre-learner course, increasing training with experienced riding instructors, allowing for more and improved learning outcomes and skill development;
- New online learning modules and knowledge testing, to expand theory requirements;
- Group on-road coaching and assessment, bringing NSW into line with best practice in other states.
The Insights Report highlighted the growing trauma burden among motorcyclists. In 2024, 68 riders and passengers were killed on NSW roads – a 34% increase from the previous year. Motorcyclists remain 34 times more likely to die in a crash than other road users.
While motorcycles make up just 3.8% of registered vehicles, sadly they account for almost 20% of road deaths.
Learner and provisional riders face the highest risk on NSW roads, with crash data revealing that learner riders are more than seven times as likely to be killed in a crash compared to fully licensed riders.
The Government acknowledged that the new reforms may place additional demands on riders. However, NSW’s motorcycle training pathway is subsidised to support high-quality training for riders and will remain one of the most affordable in Australia, it said.
“We’re taking a whole-of-system approach: safer people, safer roads and safer vehicles. It’s all part of our Towards Zero vision of eliminating deaths and serious injuries by 2050,” the Minister said.
“Every life lost on our roads is one too many. We all have a role to play in keeping NSW roads safe.”
The rollout of reforms will be staged over multiple years to allow for detailed program design, industry-wide communication and preparation of training providers to deliver the enhanced training.
Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCCNSW) Chairman, Vinnie Bee said the Council broadly supports initiatives aimed at improving rider safety, including proposed changes to protective gear requirements and the rider training scheme for novice riders.
“The MCCNSW is committed to working through these reforms with all relevant stakeholders to make sure these changes will improve safety for riders and to ensure the demand for an increase in training and supervision can be met while remaining affordable,” he said.
“We await further detail as the proposals are finalised, and will continue to advocate for practical, evidence-based measures that genuinely enhance rider safety.”
