VICTORIA Police says its focusing on motorcycle safety this month after a “concerning” number of rider deaths so far in 2025.
Motorcyclists make up more than a quarter of this year’s fatalities, with 12 riders killed on Victorian roads to date, slightly above 11 recorded at the same time last year.
Nine rider deaths happened during January, with a further three this month.
It comes as last February was the deadliest month for rider deaths, with nine of the total 66 motorcyclist fatalities.
Three quarters of this year’s rider deaths have occurred on regional roads, an 80 per cent increase on the five recorded on regional roads the same time last year.
All deceased riders were male with varying ages between 23 and 82.
Swan Hill police Acting Inspector Brian Hansen said a male motorcyclist was killed when he crashed into a tree at Warmur on Monday.
“Whether it’s a concentration thing or not, the statistics are telling us that of all the fatalities this year, including motor vehicles as well, 67 per cent occur within 20km of their home address,” he told The Guardian.
“People have really got to concentrate on getting from point A to point B safely.
“You can’t turn off, especially a motorbike, when you’re really exposed to other traffic and pedestrians and things like that; you’ve really got to concentrate all the way to the front door.”
Insp Hansen said particularly young drivers may not be used to sharing the roads with motorcyclists.
“The key thing is make sure that they give all road users enough space,” he said.
“And if there is an opportunity or you need to overtake them, do it with a lot of space, and do it safely, not not in a hurry.
“A lot of motorcycles do possess a very quick pickup. They can take off very, very quickly, and sometimes that can give the rider an illusion, that they can make up short spaces very quickly.
“But, unfortunately, if you’re approaching a bend in a road, that bend can come up on you very, very quickly and it puts not just you but other road users in danger.”
Insp Hansen said the condition of the roads was not a factor in fatalities, according to intelligence.
“It’s probably more speed, fatigue and concentration,” he said.
“We’re not seeing a hell of a lot of people hitting pot holes and then running off the side of the road.”
Victoria Police said provisional police analysis indicated excessive and inappropriate speed, unauthorised riding and failing to give way were the most common factors in fatal motorcycle collisions this year.
In an effort to reduce the rising number of rider deaths, police would ramp up enforcement and continue to prioritise motorcycle safety this month.
Motorists are being encouraged to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for motorcyclists, particularly when changing lanes or when required to give way.
State highway patrol solo unit Senior Sergeant John Papas said motorcyclists were one of our most vulnerable road users and “have little to protect them if they’re involved in a collision”.
“We must all do everything we can to protect riders,” he said.
“For motorists, that means watching out for motorcyclists, being present behind the wheel and aware of your surroundings.
“For motorcyclists, it means keeping yourself safe with the right protective gear and avoiding risky riding behaviour like excessive speeding.”
Police reported 44 lives had been lost on the roads so far this year, seven more than the same time last year.
