A third of motorcyclists killed on Queensland roads in the first four months of 2024 were motorbikes, despite only a small proportion of road users traveling on two wheels.
Between January and April, 94 people died in crashes on Queensland roads. Of these, 31 were motorcyclists, 46.2% more than the average of the previous five years.
A surge in fatal motorcycle crashes has contributed to the loss of 94 lives on Queensland roads so far this year.Credit: Rebecca Hallas
The stark numbers have prompted the RACQ, Queensland's peak motorists' body, to urge riders to “give up the ego, not the bike” in a new safety push to be launched on Tuesday.
“Motorcyclists account for 33 per cent of the growing road toll, but motorcycles account for around 4 per cent of vehicles in Queensland. Motorcyclists die at a disproportionate rate,” RACQ road safety manager Joel Tucker said .
“We estimate that around 280,000 RACQ members ride a motorbike, and most would agree that it's a fun and cost-effective way of getting around, but it's a riskier form of transport than a car.
“We're less protected on a bike, and we know that, so we have to avoid doing things that increase that risk even more, like not riding in traffic or road conditions and not riding within our skill level.”
During an Easter Road Safety Blitz last month, Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Pilotto, of the Queensland Police Service's Roads Policing and Regional Support Command, said motorcyclists were still “over-represented” in the toll state roads.
“I implore you as a motorcyclist, or partner, friend or loved one of a motorcyclist, talk to them, talk to them about their riding,” he said.
Tucker said most of the motorcyclists who had died were men, as men tended to take more risks.
