Police reiterate need for motorcycle safety

An increasing number of motorcycle collisions in the Baw Baw police services area has prompted a special traffic operation to target motorcyclists.

A motorcyclist and his female passenger were the latest casualties on local roads following a collision at Powelltown on Saturday afternoon.

Baw Baw highway patrol acting sergeant Mark Hrynyszyn said on-road motorcycle collisions were continuing to rise across the area.

He said the mountain areas around Noojee, Neerim South, Erica and Rawson were particularly popular for motorcyclists.

However, he said it appeared speed was a common factor, with many motorcyclists hitting the corners too hard and coming off second best.

Mr Hrynyszyn said the collisions were commonly occurring on Saturdays and Sundays and were mostly visitors to the areas.

Highway patrol officers have been joined by police at Neerim South, Rawson and Trafalgar to undertake Operation Bike Safe.

Officers are policing local roads popular for motorcyclists so they can talk to motorcyclists about road safety and ensure their motorcycles are compliant.

Mr Hrynyszyn said the operation aimed to prevent serious injuries through policing the local road network to reiterate the safe riding message.

On Saturday a Mt Eliza woman was airlifted following a collision at Powelltown.

The collision occurred at 1.55pm when the male motorcyclist and his female passenger were travelling west along Yarra JunctionNoojee Rd.

Police said the man was negotiating a left hand bend near the intersection of Big Tree Rd when the back of the bike slid and he lost control.

The rider and passenger were thrown from the bike.

The 57-year-old rider was taken by ambulance to Maroondah Hospital while the 55-year-old female passenger was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital.

Police said moments later a second motorcyclist came around the corner, saw the accident and also lost control. He was not injured.