A motorcyclist has died after a crash on the Gold Coast on Friday afternoon, the second rider fatality in the state's south-east in 24 hours.
Police shut southbound lanes of the M1 for hours as critical care paramedics responded to a single motorcycle crash near exit 57 just after 3pm.
Police said the rider, 53, died at the scene after losing control and colliding with a guard rail.
The fatality came hours after Queensland Police reissued pleas to motorcyclists to take extra care on the state’s roads, with February the deadliest month for riders last year.
On Thursday, a collision killed a 79-year-old rider at Ipswich when, according to police, a vehicle attempting to turn struck the motorcyclist travelling through an intersection.
Members of the public gave the rider first aid, but he died in hospital.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the crash and anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to come forward.
Thirteen riders died in February last year, six within the first four days.
According to police, in 2021 more than 90 per cent of fatalities were caused by speeding, about 70 per cent by inexperience and more than 60 per cent due to rider’s driving dangerously, including being intoxicated.
Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus said many other riders were also left with lifelong injuries.
“As a rider myself, this hits particularly close to home,” Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
“An alarming 56 per cent were not wearing a helmet or had their helmet fitted incorrectly – this is incredibly concerning.
“As riders, our safety is largely up to us, on a motorcycle, you are 30 times more likely to die in a crash than if you were in a car – when everything on the road is bigger than you, you just have to be more careful.
“We’re asking all riders and motorists when they take to the roads this month, or any time this year, to take their responsibility very seriously.
“Together, we can change this in 2022.”
