Motorcycle crash rates on Queensland’s hinterland routes have emerged as a significant concern during National Road Safety Week, with Mount Glorious Tourist Drive flagged as a particular hotspot.
RACQ has released an analysis showing that regional routes popular among motorcyclists are overrepresented in fatal and serious injury statistics.
Of 21,500 kilometres of state-managed roads examined, the stretch between Mount Glorious and Somerset recorded the highest number of FSI (fatal and serious injury) crashes involving motorcycles. Between 2019 and 2023, 92% of the 59 recorded FSI incidents on this route involved motorcyclists.
RACQ road safety and technical manager Joel Tucker noted that most incidents occurred in dry, daylight conditions and on curved sections of road, predominantly over weekends. The majority involved only the motorcycle.
“The data paints a terrifyingly clear picture. Too many motorcycle riders are pushing their limits on hinterland roads and paying severe consequences for it,” he said.
He explained that Mount Glorious is not engineered for high-speed recreation. Despite being a popular weekend destination, the road’s structure – narrow lanes, natural debris, and limited safety barriers – requires cautious navigation.
RACQ has urged road users to adjust their behaviour to the conditions and called on authorities to consider additional enforcement tools.
“We believe measures like installing portable point-to-point speed cameras would be effective at reducing crash rates, particularly on hinterland roads, as they would encourage motorists to slow down and keep their speeds at or below the limit over longer distances,” Tucker said.
Professor Martin Wullschleger, chair of the Queensland Trauma Committee, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, underscored the medical risks associated with motorcycle crashes.
“When you crash and come off a motorcycle, there is little protecting your body, especially if you are not wearing good safety gear,” he said.
He highlighted injuries ranging from traumatic brain injuries to complex limb fractures and pelvic damage.
“I’ve seen far too many injured motorcyclists, spanning from fatal and life-changing brain injuries to men with shattered pelvises and genitals after their pelvises hit the fuel tanks on initial impact,” Wullschleger said.
From a training perspective, motoDNA founder Mark McVeigh said a gap exists between the minimal training required for licensing and the advanced skills necessary for real-world riding.
“It takes around 20 hours of training to get your license versus up to 10,000 hours needed for mastery,” he said.
McVeigh, who provides rider coaching through RACQ’s Mobility Centre, promotes continuous education in both technical handling and rider mindset.
“Riders need to have a ‘learn for life’ mindset and embrace training, which is not just about machine control skills and road-craft but also the mental approach,” he said.
Queensland government recently launched an inquiry into personal mobility device safety, following increased incidents involving electric scooters.
The move is supported by RACQ, which cited recent research and a rise in claims activity as reasons for review.
Hospital data showed that 1,504 individuals were treated for e-scooter-related injuries in 2024, compared to 1,273 the year before. Fatalities also rose, with eight deaths recorded across various mobility devices.
In insurance terms, RACQ processed 186 vehicle-involved claims featuring scooters or bicycles from March 2024 to February 2025 – a 22% increase year-on-year. Tourist destinations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Townsville were most frequently reported.
A RACQ member survey found that while many drivers encounter cyclists or scooter riders regularly, a knowledge gap exists regarding road-sharing obligations. One in four drivers said they were unfamiliar with safe passing rules, and 12% reported experiencing near misses.
