Warning to riders after motorcycle fatalities jump almost 40 per cent

Queensland’s motorcycle community has been rocked with a spate of rider deaths – with fatalities up almost 40 per cent from this time last year.

Queensland has recorded its deadliest period of motorcyclist fatalities in the past five years – with authorities taking extraordinary steps to try and reel in the careening death toll.

Police figures reveal that 40 riders and one pillion passenger have lost their lives on the state’s roads in 2021 – almost 40 per cent more than the same period last year.

Two families last week were given the devastating news that their loved ones would not be coming home.

Levi Walsh, 17, was killed after he was thrown from a dirt bike into a wooden power pole on a Logan road after he swerved to miss a car last Monday afternoon.

Levi Walsh died after he came off his dirt bike while riding with his sister.

His 16-year-old sister Trinity who was on the back of the motorbike remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Less than 24 hours later, a 31-year-old Cedar Vale man who is yet to be identified, died after being thrown from his motorcycle while travelling along Mount Cotton Rd at Cornubia.

Despite the horror spate of tragedies, some riders have continued to dice with death.

Footage released by police last week showed shocking footage of three men hooning on the streets of Brisbane’s northside.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder pleaded with every registered motorbike rider – especially those the 40-60 years age bracket – to think twice about the way they ride.

He said unfortunately riders involved in fatal crashes were more often than not the ones at fault.

“It’s pretty clear to me that motorcycle who are vulnerable road users are not doing the things they need to do to stay alive on the road,” he said.

“In well over 70 per cent of the crashes the rider has been at fault.”

Wide Bay Federal MP Llew O’Brien was hospitalised with a fractured skull following a motorbike crash at Lakeside Park Raceway on Saturday.

To help combat the spike in fatalities, the Queensland Government took the unusual step of sending warning emails and letters to every registered rider in the state in April.

It followed the introduction of a new motorcycle Hazard Perception Test to ensure learner motorcyclists’ skills were up to scratch before they progress to unsupervised riding.

Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Supt Rohweder said he suspected an increase in motorcycle licence registration to be partly behind the surge in fatalities.

Figures provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads showed that as of June 2021, there were 226,187 registered motorbikes on the state’s roads – up 6 per cent from 2019.

The figures showed that majority of riders involved in fatal crashes were aged between 21 and 59.

“Preliminary analysis of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes reveals a mixture of factors are contributing to these crashes,” a TMR spokesman said.

“These include disobeying one or more road rules, speeding, being affected by drugs or alcohol and/or being unlicensed.

“Most fatalities and serious injuries on motorcycles could be avoided if riders showed appropriate caution, rode within the speed limits and road rules, and recognised and rode within their own skill level.”

RIDERS LOST ON QLD’S ROADS IN JULY

July 2 – Jake Opacic, 28

Jake Opacic, 28, died in a motorcycle crash in the Gold Coast hinterland on July 2.

Jake Opacic, 28, died in a motorcycle crash near the Numinbah Correctional Centre just after 10am on July 2.

Police said Mr Opacic had been arguing with two men just before the crash.

He then mounted his motorbike and rode 3km before he crashed and died at the scene.

Two men have been charged with murder.

July 10 – 17-year-old boy, unidentified

A teenage boy died after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car at Cooran, Noosa on July 10.

The 17-year-old boy was riding the motorcycle northbound on Greenridge Pinbarren Road when he collided with a Subaru Forrester station wagon.

Four sunflowers were laid on a fence post beside a rural road in a moving tribute to the teenager.

July 14 – Terry John Harper, 59

Dalby man Terry John Harper was killed in a motorbike crash at Kumbarilla on July 14.

Dalby man Terry John Harper was killed in a motorbike crash at Kumbarilla on July 14.

Early investigations showed the 59-year-old failed to negotiate a bend on the rural road, 30 minutes south west of Dalby.

Police attempted to revive Mr Harper, but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

July 19 – Levi Walsh, 17

Levi Walsh was killed when he crashed a dirt bike.

Levi Walsh, 17, was driving a dirt bike with his younger sister Trinity on the back when it clipped the kerb, throwing him into a wooden power pole at Logan on Monday.

The pair were rushed to hospital where the Walsh family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support.

His 16-year-old sister remains in a serious condition.

July 20 – 31-year-old man

The Cedar Vale man died while riding along Mt Cotton Road.

A 31-year-old Cedar Vale man died after being thrown from his motorcycle while travelling along Mount Cotton Rd, Cornubia just after 9.30pm last night.

Queensland Police said early investigations suggested the rider lost control and then hit a culvert. He died at the scene.