Motorbike crashes in Nillumbik on the rise, police warn

Motorcyclists hurtling around bends and darting in between traffic is behind a rise in crashes on Nillumbik roads, police say. The incidents include a man was flown to hospital when his bike landed in a ditch in Kangaroo Ground.

Greensborough Highway Patrol officers will be cracking down on reckless motorbike drivers.

Speed is behind a spate of motorcycle crashes in Nillumbik with riders dangerously darting through traffic and hurtling around bends.

And police say they are cracking down on the dangerous behaviour.

The warning comes after a motorcyclist was flown to hospital after skidding across two lanes of traffic and landing in a ditch in Kangaroo Ground on July 6.

The 20-year-old Blackburn man was believed to be speeding around a bend on Kangaroo Ground-Wattle Glen Rd when he lost control.

Greensborough Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Ashley Hodges said there had been “far too many” incidents involving motorbikes during winter.

“Speed, road conditions and inexperience are the biggest contributing factors to these incidents so we’re urging drivers to ride within their abilities and always being cautious on the roads,” he said.

The bend on Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Rd where a motorcyclist lost control on July 6.

Sen-Sgt Hodges said old tyres and wet weather were a “disastrous” mix and encouraged drivers to check they had enough traction.

“Many of the roads in Kangaroo Ground, Wattle Glen, Hurstbridge, Christmas Hills and surrounds are very narrow and winding, with a speed limit of 80km/h in most areas,” he said.

“This does not mean you’re free to do what you like — these roads become tricky in wet weather.”

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Sen-Sgt Hodges said too many motorbike drivers were crossing the double-painted white lines to overtake traffic and dangerously hurtling around bends.

“We want everyone to be safe on the roads, so we will be cracking down on this sort of behaviour,” he said.

“It puts your own lives at risk, as well as the lives of others.”

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