During National Road Safety Week, RACQ has urged Queensland motorcyclists to prioritise safety, drawing attention to a marked rise in rider deaths across the state’s roads.
According to RACQ, Queensland recorded 94 road fatalities between January and April of this year, and 31 of these were motorcyclists, marking a 46.2% increase compared to the five-year average.
Joel Tucker, managing of road safety and technical at RACQ, said motorcyclists account for a significant share of road fatalities.
“Riders account for 33% of the growing road toll, yet motorcycles make up around 4% of vehicles in Queensland. Motorcyclists are dying at disproportionate rates,” he said. “We estimate around 280,000 RACQ members ride motorcycles, and most would agree it’s a fun and cost-effective way to get around, but it’s a riskier mode of transport than a car.
“We are less protected on a bike, and we know it, so we need to avoid doing things that further increase that risk, such as not riding to the traffic or road conditions and not riding within our skill level.”
RACQ estimates that 280,000 of its members are motorcyclists.
Tucker noted that while motorcycles can be an economical and enjoyable mode of transportation, they present greater safety risks than cars.
“By taking unnecessary risks and letting our egos do the riding, we’re not only increasing our chance of an embarrassing minor drop or low speed crash, but also seriously or fatally injuring ourselves,” he said. “This National Road Safety Week, we’re urging riders to drop the ego, not the bike.”
He further mentioned that most of the motorcyclists who died in Queensland were male, with men generally taking greater risks on the road.
Michael Edwards, an Australian Superbike Championship racer and Northstar Yamaha dealership owner, reinforced the message.
“Far too often you see guys riding bikes that are too big for them and too powerful for their experience. This is a recipe for disaster and could result in damaging not just your bike but also yourself,” he said. “We want to see more people out enjoying motorcycling but doing so safely. Make sure you get professionally fitted to a machine that is comfortable and suits your ability. Don’t buy a motorbike just because it looks cool or it’s bigger than your mate’s bike, because it won’t look cool if you come off.”
RACQ, which also recently issued a warning to Queensland drivers to increase their vigilance on the roads due to rising insurance claims related to animal collisions, said it would continue to work with government and industry partners to improve road safety.
It encourages motorcyclists during National Road Safety Week to comply with traffic rules, wear appropriate safety gear, undergo further training, and ensure their riding matches both conditions and ability.
