With thousands of bikes expected to descend on Phillip Island this week, the state government has launched a campaign focused on motorbike safety.

The government is urging drivers and motorcyclists to look out for each other and share the roads safely, with the number of motorbikes on the roads expected to increase as the weather warms up.

Marking the inaugural Motorcyclist Awareness Month, spearheaded by Victoria’s Motorcycling Community Engagement Panel (MCEP), Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the initiative had been developed in collaboration with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Department of Transport and Victoria Police.

The month aims to remind motorists that road safety is a shared responsibility and that everyone has a role to play in keeping the roads safe.

Traditionally, motorbike rider travel increases during the warmer and daylight savings months, with more recreational riders on the roads. The increase in rider numbers and distances travelled brings a greater risk of crashes involving motorbikes.

It is critical that drivers are always on the lookout for people on motorbikes, while riders can improve their safety ensuring they are visible through safe road positioning and wearing the appropriate protective gear on every ride.

Over half of the 42 motorcyclist fatalities on Victorian roads this year have occurred in collisions with other vehicles, reinforcing the importance of sharing the roads.

Throughout October, Victorians will see and hear about Motorcyclist Awareness Month through radio, outdoor signage, and events at a number of local markets and at the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.

Already this year, the TAC has launched two separate campaigns promoting motorcyclist safety and the importance of riders wearing protective clothing each time they get on their bike.

Visit the Motorcyclist Awareness Month Facebook page for more information.