The TAC’s latest Towards Zero initiative includes plans to introduce flexible centre-line barriers, flexible roadside barriers and rumble strips. Motorcyclist George Fong said wire rope barriers were potentially dangerous for motorcyclists who could be exposed to the “cheese grater effect” .

“Having a solid concrete barrier is better for motorcyclists and is effective for car drivers,” Mr Fong said.

“We don’t want people ricocheting off the wire barriers.”  

But the TAC says the cheese grater effect has been largely disproved. It says flexible rope barriers stretch and absorb the force of crashes. The barriers use dual mechanism to slow down and divert excessive force, redirecting the vehicle away from the hazard with the rebound.

The TAC says the flexible barriers are superior to concrete and steel W-beam barriers because they dissipate the energy of the crash away from people in cars. 

Flexible barriers have been in use overseas for decades and a Swedish study found road trauma in locations where they were installed reduced by up to 82 per cent.

The roll-out of centre-line flexible barriers is new to Victoria. It is expected to bring about a significant decrease in fatalities and injuries resulting from head-on collisions. TAC general manager Samantha Cockfield denied the TAC was neglecting motorcyclists in its billion dollar road package.

Ms Cockfield said under-run protection barriers would be installed on popular motorcycle routes, preventing motorcyclists from sliding under or becoming entangled in the barrier.

Posts in these locations would also be padded to reduce rider injuries. 

“Centre-line flexible barriers create an environment where motorcyclists are far less susceptible to mistakes made by oncoming vehicles.” Mr Fong said he could see why the TAC had chosen this option, but said in New Zealand hundreds of people had protested against the barriers. 

Monash University accident research centre’s Trevor Allen said there were very few motorcycle accidents linked to wire rope barriers.

He said overseas research showed the rope barriers were effective for motorcyclists. 

He praised the TAC for taking a multi-user safety approach.