5 minute read
Braking the cycle
Editorial: Cassandra Stanghi
Photography: Jesse Wray-McCann
It’s probably no surprise that the members of Victoria Police’s State Highway Patrol Solo Unit are passionate about motorbikes.
After all, the 25-strong unit spends most of its working day on the back of a bike, traversing the state’s highways and local roads.
But if there’s one thing they’re more passionate about than the two-wheeled vehicles themselves, it’s the safety of people riding them.
In the first half of 2024, Victoria recorded a 75 per cent rise in the number of motorcyclists losing their lives compared to the same time last year.
And, according to VicRoads, about 950 motorcycle riders are killed or seriously injured in Victoria each year.
In response, the Solo Unit is committed to pulling out all stops to prevent any further trauma.
Motorcyclist safety is a long-held passion for Sergeant Brett Cunningham, who rode his first bike on his family's farm in the state's north-west at three years old.
“Growing up I spent a lot of time on bikes on the farm, and eventually on tracks and on the road as I got older,” Sgt Cunningham said.
“My experiences riding personally, and seeing the impact of road trauma on the small town I grew up in, have led me to focus on motorcyclist safety in my day job.”
In a recent long weekend road policing operation across the state, Solo Unit members detected 50 offences by on-road and off-road motorcyclists, ranging from general traffic offences to unlicensed riders, and unregistered and unroadworthy bikes. The unit checked a further 130 motorcyclists for safety compliance, which gave members an opportunity to share some of their own safety advice.
“We travel all around the state on our bikes, probably a lot more than most people will, so we’re more than happy to share our experience and advice with other riders,” Sgt Cunningham said.
“When we come across a group, we first make sure everything is compliant and then we have a chat with them about good places to ride, good types of protective gear and things like that.
“It’s not unusual for us to give someone a ticket and then still have a good conversation with them about tracks in the area they might like to try.”
As the weather warms up, Sgt Cunningham and his colleagues are preparing for an increase in riders on the road and off-road tracks around the state.
“Around spring and summer, we know a lot of recreational riders will take their bikes out of the garage and get back on the road after a break during winter,” Sgt Cunningham said.
But riding a motorbike is a perishable skill, so we know that when people are hitting the road after not riding for a while, they’re at risk of getting in trouble.
The warmer weather also presents a risk for riders who opt to skip protective gear in the heat.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is for riders to have all of their skin covered, including their hands and ankles,” Sgt Cunningham said.
"Serious injuries and skin abrasions are lifelong issues which can be avoided with some protection."
Solo Unit Senior Sergeant John Papas said it was no secret that motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users.
“There’s not much between a rider and the road, so when things go wrong the consequences are often severe,” Sen Sgt Papas said.
“So while our members in the Solo Unit and right across Victoria Police will be working hard to keep riders safe, it’s important that riders also do their bit to enjoy their ride and make it home in one piece.”
SGT CUNNINGHAM’S SOLO SAFETY TIPS
1. Wear a compliant helmet
“All motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet, but having one that’s compliant to the legal safety standard can be the difference between life and death or serious injury in a collision. I’ve seen riders lose their lives while wearing non-compliant helmets, so this is a non-negotiable.”
2. Invest in good quality protective gear
“In a perfect world, everyone would buy the best protective gear and spend whatever money they have leftover on a bike, but we know it’s usually people buying the most expensive motorbike then scraping whatever money they have leftover to buy some gear. A good jacket, pair of pants, boots and gloves are the only things protecting you from the road, so it’s worth the investment.”
3. Build an emergency kit
“When we’re on patrol, we always have a first aid kit, an emergency blanket, something to light a fire, and having those emergency items has carried over into my own personal riding. It’s about preparing for the worst so you’re not caught short if you end up in an unexpected situation.”
4. Be aware of your visibility
“Many riders think cars can see them on the road or on a track when, in reality, we’re not that visible. It only takes a couple of near misses to realise that. My mentality is to ride defensively and assume other road users can’t see me so I can avoid being caught off guard.”
5. Make sure your bike is up to scratch
“We see a lot of recreational riders dust off their bikes after a few months when the weather is nicer without having it checked for issues. I’d suggest having your bike looked at by a mechanic if it’s been a while between rides and always make sure it’s in a safe and roadworthy condition.”
