Motorbike riders from the northern suburbs had a rough time on the roads last year, the latest RACV Insurance statistics reveal.
The insurer’s figures show that 67 claims were submitted by motorcycle- riding policy holders in the northern suburbs in 2014 – an increase of about
30 per cent on the previous 12 months when there were 51 claims.
The RACV bundles Moreland, Hume, Banyule, Nillumbik, Moonee Valley, Darebin and Whittlesea councils in a northern suburbs grouping.
In Hume, 10 motorcyclists submitted a claim last year, compared to seven in 2013. In Whittlesea, however, there were just two motorcycle insurance claims, compared to seven in 2013. Whittlesea, was the north’s only local government area to record a reduction in such claims.
RACV general manager of insurance Paul Northey said most claims were attributed to losing control of the bike or being hit by a car.
“VicRoads registration data tells us that there are about 71,000 more motorbikes registered today than 10 years ago,” he said. “An increasing number of people using motorcycles, in combination with traffic congestion in inner city areas, is likely to be a significant factor behind increases in collisions,” Mr Northey said.
The data also showed theft of motor- bikes rising, with 15 per cent of claims statewide in 2014 due to theft.
