Head for hills – but ride safely

MOTORCYCLIST Linda Fry says she would be dead if she did not wear a full-faced helmet.

The Merrimac rider told of her lucky escape on a Hinterland road five years ago when she came off her hog after braking hard at just 60km/h.

“I just slid and my head was bouncing along the road,” she said. “My full-faced helmet saved me. If I wasn’t wearing leathers it would have been nasty.

“It would have been a hard call for my husband to get.”

Mrs Fry, a member of the Gold Coast Harley Owners Group, shared her story with more than 100 riders as part of the Queensland Police Service’s Operation North Upright. She is one of hundreds of riders who take part in operations every three months to remind motorists to play it safe in the hills behind the Gold Coast.

The program was launched after a horror year in 2015 when 15 riders lost their lives on Hinterland roads.

Senior Sergeant Andrew Disley said a reduction to six motorcycle deaths in 2016 was a sign the safety message was cutting through.

But after the heartbreaking death of a 40-year-old female pillion passenger at Advancetown last month Sen-Sgt Disley said more needed to be done.

The pair came off a bend on Nerang Murwillumbah Rd and slid down an embankment.

The woman was pronounced dead a short time later and the man, also aged 40, was hospitalised with serious leg and chest injuries.

“We’re just here to remind people that it’s great fun out there but it is dangerous,” Sen-Sgt Disley said.

“After 2015 we thought we had to do something so we’re reminding experienced riders about road safety.

“I think we can say that this is a contributing factor in lowering the death toll. I think everyone would like to see less crashes though.”