The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has released new research showing on-road motorbike crashes are more likely to happen in the warmer months, as bikers dust off their bikes for summer-time rides.

Motorcyclists ride more often in the warm months – 59 per cent riding three to four times a week compared to 45 per cent in the cooler months, with 28 per cent of crashes happening in summer and 32 per cent happening in autumn.

In Ballarat, 66 motorcyclists have been hospitalised due to crashes since January 1, 2010 – with 61 of the victims being male and 48 aged between 26 to 59.

George Fong from “non-club” group Ballarat Riders, said it was vital bikers either wore leathers or purchased some of the more affordable, lightweight, high-tech riding gear during the summer months.

Mr Fong also suggested anyone who had stored their bike away for the winter needed to get a maintenance check before taking it out on the road.

He also mentioned the new lane filtering laws due to come in November 2, which would permit motorcyclists to ride at traffic lights at no more than 30km/h to the front of the traffic, a practice he said would lead to greater safety in congestion.

Ballarat motorcyclist, David Annear from Motorcycle Land, said he had largely quit on-road riding since being injured when a motorist failed to give way and ran into him, in an incident that saw him black out and end up in hospital.

However he said motorcycling wasn’t “too dangerous”, as long as riders were aware of their surroundings and rode to the conditions.

Regional Victoria is over-represented in motorcycle crashes – in 2013, 41 motorcyclists were killed in Victoria, with 49 per cent in regional areas.

Central Highlands Ulysses Club vice president Wayne Morgan suggested bikers “ride to your own amenities and keep your wits about you”.

The TAC statistics come as Monash University releases a new report showing motorcycle casualties and serious injuries can be reduced by 36 per cent if the bikes are fitted out with anti-lock braking systems (ABS).

However, only about 20 per cent of new motorbikes are sold with the feature.