Motorcyclists have been put on alert after a surge in claims across the west presented to major insurer RACV Insurance.
Western suburbs motorcyclists lodged more claims for accidents or theft with the company in 2014 than riders in any other part of the state, according to new RACV figures.
The insurer recorded 28 motorbike claims in the west, up 22 per cent on 2013 data. Statewide, motorcycle claims with RACV rose 18 per cent. But it’s not all bad news for Wyndham motorcyclists; only two claims were made last year, up from one in 2013.
The bulk of claims in the west were made in Maribyrnong (11), Brimbank (seven) and Hobsons Bay (five).
RACV general manager of insurance Paul Northey said the data revealed that most of the claims were the result of a motorcyclist losing control or being hit by another vehicle. A small portion of claims were theft-related.
Transport Accident Commission figures show that of the 249 people killed on Victoria’s roads in 2014, 30 were either motorcycle riders or pillion passengers.
That accounted for 12 per cent of the road toll, despite motorcycles making up only 3.4 per cent of all vehicles registered with VicRoads.
“An increasing number of people using motorcycles, in combination with heavy traffic congestion in inner city areas, is likely to be a significant factor behind increases in collisions,” Mr Northey said.
“It’s important that all road users be conscious of others around them, particularly when turning, overtaking or changing lanes.
“This is especially the case when sharing the road with more vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, where keeping a good lookout and safe distance is critical.”
Mr Northey also called on motorcycle owners to park their bikes in well-lit areas and, where possible, behind locked gates or in a garage to prevent theft.
