Motorcyclist Joel is all smiles now - but it was a different story last week when the 31-year-old came off his bike.
The avid rider is sharing his story this Motorcyclist Awareness Month as a reminder to all road users that safety is a shared responsibility.
Joel was riding from his home in Sunshine to the CBD for work - a trek he makes multiple times a week - when a car merged into his lane, clipping his bike.
Luckily for Joel, he was wearing all the proper safety gear - including a helmet, jacket and boots. He said this was one of the most important things motorbike riders could do to keep themselves safe.
“I’ve never messed around with not wearing proper protective gear,” Joel said.
And while he has a few broken bones - his shoulder and the back of his ribs, among others - he knows it could have been much worse.
The RMH’s Trauma Clinical Nurse Consultant, Kellie Liersch said, in 2022, approximately 300 people were admitted to the hospital due to motorbike crashes.
Over 40 per cent of those had serious pelvic and lower limb injuries.
“As a major trauma service, at the RMH we see first-hand the impact of road trauma – especially for motorbike riders,” Kellie said.
“It is important to wear protective gear such as helmets, boots and appropriate clothing each time you ride as this can prevent serious injury.
Joel is now recovering with the help of his supportive family and friends. He urged all road users to be responsible, and think about the person under the helmet.
“For riders, don’t be in a rush and learn to read traffic. If you’re in a car, please look in your mirrors and do a head check,” he said.
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