Motorcyclist death toll climbs

Albany motorcycle enthusiast Paul Armstrong has called on drivers to pay more attention to riders on the roads after a spate of fatalities involving motorcyclists in WA this year.

Mr Armstrong, who is president of the Vintage Motorcycle Club of WA’s Albany branch, knows too well the risk of riding motorcycles.

While he says he has survived two “big accidents” where cars pulled out in front him, some of his friends had not been so lucky.

About four years ago, his business acquaintance Neville Ryan died after he was hit by a road train on Chester Pass Road

“In both accidents, I couldn’t stop and had nowhere to go when the cars did a u-turn in front of me,” he said.

“Drivers don’t pay attention and don’t look for motorcyclists.”

In the past year, 41 motorcyclists have died on WA roads.

One of those was a 41-year-old motorcyclist who was killed after being struck by a car allegedly driven by a French tourist on the wrong side of the road on Albany Highway, near Rocky Crossing Road, in March.

With such a high toll, riders are being urged to be more visible on the roads to prevent more deaths.

The call coincides with Motorcycle Safety Week and Great Southern traffic Sergeant Peter May said anything that could be done to improve motorcycle safety would be a positive step because of a lack of care by drivers and riders.

He said on many occasions, both were at fault through not paying attention.

“There are careless people not paying attention when they drive and there are errant motorbike riders,” Sgt May said.

Bob’s Motorcycle Riding School owner Mike Marsden said he tried to emphasise the need for more learner lessons to increase skills, but most people simply just wanted to pass their tests.

“The Government tests people to 60km/h then they can go out and do 110km/h,” he said.

“It’s very rare anyone asks for higher skills as it costs more.” WA Motorcycle Riders Association president and road safety officer Dave Wright said while riders needed to take greater care because speed was a factor, many needed to improve their skills.

He said they also needed to do their best to be seen by cars.

“They should have their headlights on and wear hi-vis clothes,” he said.

“This is particularly important to riders on country roads as they go in and out of shadows all the time.”

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