A RECORD number of motorcyclist deaths on Victorian roads has prompted calls for greater caution.
As of 28 June, 35 motorcyclists have died on Victorian roads in 2024. That figure is up 75 per cent from the same time last year, and 56 per cent higher than the five-year average. In May eight motorcyclists were killed, the highest number in a decade. In June so far, three have died – two of those deaths were in Chelsea and Highett.
Victoria Police says the Kingston, Glen Eira and Bayside municipalities are the worst-affected by motorcylist deaths. Victoria Police road policing assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said “it is extremely concerning that road trauma involving motorcyclists has risen so significantly this year.”
“We typically see motorcycle riding decrease over the cooler months, but there have been no signs of this slowing down. In fact, May and June both have both experienced large increases in rider deaths,” he said. “We need all road users to play their part to help keep each other safe, particularly at this time of year with poor visibility and wet, slippery roads.”
Weir said that police had identified “failing to give way, from both riders and drivers, and inappropriate speed” as the most common causes of fatal motorcycle crashes. “Police will be conducting targeted motorcycle operations like Operation Kickstand across the state to address the increase in trauma and educate both riders and motorists on the potential dangers involving motorcycles,” Weir said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 2 July 2024