The death of five motorcyclists on NSW roads at the weekend – including one killed on a suburban Blackbutt street just metres from his home – has prompted a police plea for riders to take care on the road.
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The state’s highway patrol command boss says an increasing number of crashes on NSW roads this year are involving some of the state’s most vulnerable road users – motorcyclists and pedestrians.
“Six people – five of whom were motorcyclists – lost their lives on NSW roads across the weekend,” Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
“So far this year, our provisional data shows 41 motorcyclists and 53 pedestrians have lost their lives on NSW roads.
“As a motorcyclist myself, I know how vulnerable you feel when you are on the road. It is up to all of us as riders to make sure we’re as safe as we can be.
“While the causes of the weekend’s tragedies remain under investigation, I would encourage pedestrians and riders to be more aware of their surroundings and for drivers to realise some of their fellow road users are not as protected as they are.
“All riders should ride according to their skills and ability and buy the best bike for their riding level.”
On Saturday, a 46-year-old man died after he lost control of his motorcycle on Chillawong Circuit at Blackbutt and hit a tree.
The man had departed his home, only about 100 metres away, moments before impact. His distraught wife and numerous relatives were among the first to respond to the tragedy.
The crash, which happened about 2.30pm, was the second serious motorbike incident in the region on Saturday.
About 11am, a 50-year-old man was airlifted to St George Hospital after colliding with a car at Bulli.
Elsewhere across the state, motorcyclists were killed in crashes on Central Coast, at Dubbo and in the Northern Rivers at the weekend.
A 53-year-old male motorcyclist from Wallsend died after a crash between a motorbike and car at Spencer, on the Hawkesbury River west of Mount White, about 11.30am on Sunday.
On Saturday, 21-year-old man died after his motorcycle crashed into a fence at Dubbo about 10.40pm.
Also on Saturday, a man died after the trail bike he was riding hit a tree at Rappville, just south of Casino, about 2pm. Three men were riding trail bikes at the time.
Meanwhile, a man believed to be aged in his 50s died at the scene of a crash involving his motorcycle, a tip truck and a Subaru Outback station wagon at Clunes, northeast of Lismore about 2.20pm on Friday.
