Rub rails and wildlife

Motorcycle rub rails are the bottom rail fitted, or retro-fitted, to the bottom of existing guard rail.

Rub rails are fitted below the guard rail on the outside section of a curved road. The purpose is to prevent motorcyclists from colliding with the guard rail posts.

In most situations, the rub rail goes right to ground level. In these situations, terrestrial wildlife is confronted with an impassable barrier, often for hundreds of metres.

Rub rail on the outside, none on the inside

The inside of the curve often contains no rub rail, or in many situations, no guard rail at all. Wildlife crossing from the inside of the road becomes ‘trapped’ by an impassable barrier on the outside of the curve.

Echidnas, wombats, koalas, possums, bandicoots and even snakes are just some of the wildlife that can find rub rails a significant issue in some locations.

Drouin-Korumburra Rd Athlone 18/07/22

After concerns were raised by wildlife carers, Queensland government decided to remove sections of solid guardrails, or rub rails, from a stretch of road in the Gold Coast hinterland (ABC News LINK).

Another issue with rub rails in some locations is that they cause a build up of roadside debris, blocking the normal drainage pattern of the road. This can result in the road surface becoming more readily covered with water, causing vehicles to aquaplane.

Main Neerim Rd Rokeby

Bit more study needed?