Members of GV Social Riders, a 228-strong group of motorcyclists from the Goulburn Valley, want to push home this year’s Motorcycle Awareness Month’s theme: Think about the person under the helmet.

“We are a local social ride group that rides every week and are made up of mums, dads, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles and grandparents,” group admin Jolene Doller said.

“We are local professionals, business owners, farmers, students, bus drivers, gardeners, support workers and retirees, just to name a few.”

Motorcycle awareness is increasingly important, with 52 motorcyclist fatalities on Victorian roads already this year, compared with 35 at the same time last year. The current total is just one shy of last year’s end figure.

“The rise in road trauma involving motorcyclists this year is incredibly concerning and has shown no sign of slowing down,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.

“We’re about to enter what has traditionally been the highest risk period for motorcyclist fatalities, and yet with still three months remaining in the year, we’re close to surpassing the total number of motorcyclist deaths for all of 2023.

“This year we’ve seen an increase in the number of rider deaths from multi-vehicle collisions, with failing to give way by other road users and excessive speed by riders the most common contributing factors.”

The statistics released by Victoria Police last week showed that the majority of the accidents happened at intersections, and at least 60 per cent of fatal rider collisions involved multiple vehicles.

Police are urging motorists to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for motorcyclists, particularly when changing lanes or when required to give way.

Police are urging motorcyclists to slow down, ride to the conditions and always wear appropriate protective riding gear.

Members of GV Social Riders agree that it requires a collective effort by all road users to keep each other safe.

“Our message to our local community is to stop running red lights, pay attention and look twice, particularly around intersections,” Ms Doller said.

“Check your mirrors and give us room so we can get out of your way.”

Not all drivers are motorcyclists; however, GV Social Riders member Russell Smith said motorcyclists were all drivers.

“When we are trying to get to the front (at traffic lights) — legally, due to (lane) filtering — it is to keep us safe,” Mr Smith said.

“Motorbikes can be hard to see, so if we put ourselves out the front we have a better chance of being seen.”

This month’s campaign is brought together by the Transport Accident Commission, the Department of Transport and Planning and Victoria Police.

Led by the Motorcycling Community Engagement Panel, the month-long campaign in October is an annual initiative encouraging both motorists and motorcyclists to share the road safely.

GV Social Riders takes measures to keep its members safe, such as travelling into NSW recently for its regular weekend ride to avoid increased traffic on Victorian roads due to school holidays.

Motorcycle crash survivor and group member Werner Detemple said he wished there were groups around like it when he first started riding.

“Everybody has different riding styles, so we all learn from each other,” Mr Detemple said.

“It gives you a reason to get up on Sundays and riding is great for mental health.”

Mr Detemple urged drivers to look over their shoulders and check their blind spots for riders.

“You will see us around all the time going to work, picking up and dropping kids off to school, grocery shopping, running errands, but as we come into summer there will be a natural influx of bikes on the road,” Ms Doller said.

“Please look out for us.”

The group welcomes all local riders with any level of experience, on any make or model of bike.

∎ For more information, join GV Social Riders on Facebook or email gvsocialriders@gmail.com

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Thursday, 21st December 2023

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