Police data reveals group riding trauma trend

Victoria Police is issuing a warning to motorcyclists as new data reveals a concerning road trauma trend involving group riding.

Analysis of 267 motorcycle fatalities between January 2020 and June 2025 has revealed that one in five motorcyclist deaths occurred while the rider was travelling with one or more other motorcyclists.

Three-quarters of all group rider fatalities during the time period occurred on roads in regional Victoria.

The Goulburn Valley region incorporating Shepparton, Benalla and the Mitchell shire in North-East Victoria recorded the highest number of group rider fatalities (9), followed by Gippsland (6), Wangaratta/Wodonga (5) and Bendigo (5).

Over 70 per cent of group rider fatalities occurred between Friday and Sunday, with afternoons the most common time of day, indicating that weekend recreational group riding could be a factor in motorcycle fatalities.

Police also believe that in many of these fatalities did not involve any significant risk-taking or illegal behaviour, with more than 80 per cent of riders licenced and wearing an approved helmet.

Collisions where the rider lost control on a corner or had a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle were the most common in motorcycle deaths where the rider was travelling with others.

Police are concerned that group riding dynamics, including pressure to keep up and separation anxiety could be impacting rider decision-making and leading to potentially deadly outcomes.

With October to December considered the highest-risk period for motorcycle trauma, police are urging riders to prioritise their safety, particularly when participating in group rides.

Tips for safe group motorcycle riding include:

• Appoint a ride leader and tail end to set the ride pace and keep the group together
• Plan the route, including an assembly point and designated meeting points along the route
• Consider using hand signals to communicate to other riders
• Develop a system for corner marking so riders don’t feel pressured to keep up
• Consider the ride duration and manage fatigue by taking regular breaks
• Check your bike and ensure it is in a roadworthy condition
• Always wear an approved helmet and protective safety gear
• Ride at your own pace and do not attempt to keep up with the bike in front of you
• Leave a sufficient distance between each rider to account for road hazards
• Overtake other vehicles on the right, and always one rider at a time

Police will be proactively engaging with riders to throughout October, which also coincides with Motorcycle Awareness Month, an annual initiative that encourages both motorists and motorcyclists to safely share the road.

Police will be conducting enforcement operations in high-risk areas across the state, both on and off-road, and will be on the lookout for dangerous driving behaviour that puts motorcyclists at risk, as well as any motorcyclists engaging in reckless riding.

There will be a major focus on roads heads to and from Phillip Island for the Australian Moto Grand Prix, which kicks off on Thursday and runs until Sunday, with thousands of riders expected to travel to the event.

Police are urging those heading to the Moto GP to plan ahead, allow plenty of extra travel time and be cautious with increased traffic on the roads.

There have been 47 motorcyclist lives lost on Victorian roads to date in 2025.

For more information on and tips on safe motorcycle riding, visit www.police.vic.gov.au/motorcycle-safety

Quotes attributable to Road Policing Acting Assistant Commissioner, David Byrt:

“While motorcyclists are considered to be individual road users, what we often don’t consider is the dynamics of multiple riders travelling together and the potential risks that come from this.

“Our analysis of motorcyclist fatalities has uncovered one in five deaths occurred on a group ride, most commonly on weekends and on roads in regional Victoria, and involving riders who are mostly compliant.

“This suggests to us that group riding dynamics, such as trying to keep up with the group or riding beyond your capabilities to avoid becoming separated, could be a factor in some of these fatalities.

“Recreational group riding is a really popular and fantastic way to explore our great state, but we just ask that riders put the proper planning and safety mechanisms in place to ensure every rider reaches their destination safely.

“Riders should remember - falling behind won’t kill you, but trying to keep up might.

“During Motorcycle Awareness Month in October, police will be actively engaging with riders about safe group motorcycle riding and will also be on the lookout for motorists who put riders at risk on the roads.

“It’s up to all road users to do everything we can to prevent further motorcyclist deaths – every rider death is one too many.”

Media Unit
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