Operation Yellow Flag/Black Flag Focusing On Victorian Motorcyclists

The Melbourne CBD will be the site of a three-day blitz and education campaign by Victoria Police from today, focusing on motorcyclists and scooter riders.

Part of a two-year cooperative project between Victoria Police and the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council, Operation Yellow Flag/Black Flag will see 30 police officers on foot, in vehicles and on motorbikes speaking with road users in the Melbourne CBD.

So far this year, 29 motorcycles have died on Victorian roads - 14 more than the same period last year, making up almost one fifth of all road fatalities this year.

Twenty-two of the deceased riders were aged over 30, and 12 of the 29 died on roads within a 60 km/h speed zone.

“The maps and data show us that motorcyclists in the city are over-represented in serious injury collision data, and we know that the majority of these are preventable,” Victoria Police's Sergeant Shane Cowman said today.

“Black spots are our focus but really, police will be out and about trying to engage with motorcyclists and educate them on the importance of wearing appropriate clothing, riding within the limits and wearing a helmet.

“But at the end of the day, this isn’t all about targeting those on two wheels. Sharing the road is paramount, and we all have to look after each other.”

Although the focus of the campaign is on educating road users, police officers will also be actively enforcing against speeding, unregistered bikes and unlicensed riders, and general traffic offences.