By CASEY NEILL
MOTORCYCLE crashes are behind a new police operation targeting riders.
Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts said his officers would pull over “just about every motorbike they see” during the next few months.
“There’s been an unfortunate increase in accidents involving motorbike riders,” he said.
“Every time a motorbike rider comes off his bike there’s an injury, and more often than not it’s classified as a serious injury.
“We’ve decided to do something about it.”
Officers will check whether bikes are roadworthy and warn riders about lane-splitting, riding up service lanes and taking unnecessary risks.
“Some of them behave outrageously,” Sen Sgt Roberts said.
“I’m a motorbike rider myself but I don’t take those sorts of risks.
“I saw a learner in the rain scream up behind me and overtake me.
“I just wonder how much longer he’s going to last.”
He said police were targeting spring because of the warmer weather and October’s Moto GP.
“Motorbikes get put away over the winter months. Riders dust them off and get out in the nicer weather,” he said.
“Sometimes they haven’t ridden for a while so they’re a bit rusty with their skills, or they haven’t checked the bike out.
“We just want to minimise the trauma.”
