Outlaws motorcycle gang member killed at start of Tasmanian tour

A member of an outlaw motorcycle gang has been killed and two others injured in a crash on the Bass Highway in north-west Tasmania.

The members of the Outlaws were riding in a large group of up to 100 bikes when one rider lost control and two others swerved to avoid him.

One man died at the scene and two others were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

They had just ridden off the Spirit of Tasmania ferry on Friday morning at the start of the Tasmanian leg of a national "run".

Tasmania Police are monitoring members of the gang which has links to organised crime.

Police ran a large operation at Symons Plains on the Midland Highway later in the morning, intercepting the motorcyclists.

They conducted licence and registration checks as well as random alcohol and drug tests.

One rider tested positive for illegal drugs, and several others were fined for speeding.

Police keeping watch

Northern Commander Brett Smith said the Outlaws gang had well-established links to organised crime and police would be keeping a close watch while they were in Tasmania.

"The community can be assured that there will be a strong, coordinated, high-visibility police presence to monitor the activities of the OMCG members while they are in our state and police will respond to any issues that may arise," he said.

"We will not tolerate criminal or anti-social behaviour."

He urged members to obey the state's road laws.

"There has already been a tragic road crash ... and while the cause is still under investigation, we urge all OMCG members to ride to the conditions on the state's unfamiliar roads."

Police are seeking witnesses to the crash.