Motorcycling offers freedom and enjoyment for many, but it also comes with risks. Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. Understanding motorcycle accident statistics can help riders, policymakers, and road safety experts improve safety and reduce risks on UK roads.
In this guide, we break down the latest motorcycle accident statistics in the UK, explore the most common causes of crashes, and look at what can be done to make riding safer.
How common are motorcycle accidents in the UK?
In the UK, motorbike riders are amongst the most vulnerable road users. According to the latest UK road accident statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT), motorcyclists account for around 13% of road casualties and around 20% of road deaths, despite making up less than 1% of total road traffic. Compared to other road users, motorcyclists face disproportionately higher risks, and are 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than people in cars.
In the reporting year ending June 2024, there were 128,920 accidents causing casualties on UK roads, with 1,607 of these resulting in a death (1.2% of total accidents being fatal).
In that period, there were 16,407 accidents causing casualties involving motorbikes, with 319 involving the death of a motorbike rider (1.9% of motorbike accidents being fatal).
| Accidents by type of road user | Cars | Motorcycles | Pedal Cycles | Pedestrians | Other |
| Casualties | 70,597 | 16,407 | 14,345 | 19,092 | 8,479 |
| % casualties by type road user | 54.8% | 12.7% | 11.1% | 14.8% | 6.6% |
| Fatalities | 727 | 319 | 83 | 392 | 86 |
| % fatalities by type road use | 45.2% | 19.9% | 5.2% | 24.4% | 5.4% |
Data source: Department of Transport Road Safety Statistics year ending June 2024.
To put this into even clearer perspective, motorcyclists have 111 fatal accidents per billion miles ridden on the road, compared to two fatalities per billion miles driven by people in cars. This means that motorbike riders are over 50 times more likely to be killed than car occupants for a comparable amount of driving.
What causes most motorcycle accidents?
In a study conducted by the Department of Transport using data from 2004 to 2022, the top 10 most common motorbike accident causes were:
| Top 10 causes of motorcycle accidents | Total number of accidents | % of total accidents |
| Another driver failed to look properly | 7,226 | 21.6% |
| The motorcycle rider failed to look properly | 3,412 | 10.2% |
| The motorcycle rider failed to judge the other motorists path or speed | 3,168 | 9.5% |
| Another driver failed to judge the rider’s path or speed | 2,866 | 8.6% |
| The other driver was careless, reckless or in a hurry | 2,835 | 8.5% |
| The other driver performed a poor turn or manoeuvre | 2,329 | 7.0% |
| The motorcycle rider was exceeding the speed limit | 1,888 | 5.7% |
| The motorcycle rider performed a poor turn or manoeuvre | 1,787 | 5.4% |
| The motorcycle rider was careless, reckless or in a hurry | 1,650 | 4.9% |
| The motorcycle rider lost control | 1,452 | 4.3% |
Data source: Reported road casualties Great Britain: motorcyclist factsheet 2023.
The most common cause of motorbike accidents was other road users not looking properly and hitting motorcyclists (21.6%). However, six of the top 10 reasons for motorbike accidents were issues where the motorcyclist was at fault, highlighting the importance of careful riding.
Who is most at risk in motorcycle accidents?
Not all riders face the same level of risk – 61% of motorcycle accidents involved male riders, while 39% involved female riders. Men are more likely to have fatal accidents, with 75% of fatal accidents involving male riders, whereas only 25% involved female riders.
| Sex | Age group (years) | Casualties | % of total casualties | Fatalities | % of total fatalities |
| Male | Total | 76,510 | 61.1% | 1,204 | 75.1% |
| Male | 0 to 16 | 7,650 | 6.1% | 41 | 2.6% |
| Male | 17 to 29 | 23,176 | 18.5% | 302 | 18.8% |
| Male | 30 to 49 | 25,362 | 20.2% | 332 | 20.7% |
| Male | 50 to 69 | 15,287 | 12.2% | 313 | 19.5% |
| Male | 70 and over | 5,035 | 4.0% | 216 | 13.5% |
| Female | Total | 48,760 | 38.9% | 400 | 24.9% |
| Female | 0 to 16 | 5,129 | 4.1% | 23 | 1.4% |
| Female | 17 to 29 | 12,460 | 9.9% | 79 | 4.9% |
| Female | 30 to 49 | 16,091 | 12.8% | 65 | 4.1% |
| Female | 50 to 69 | 10,323 | 8.2% | 97 | 6.0% |
| Female | 70 and over | 4,757 | 3.8% | 136 | 8.5% |
Data source: Department of Transport Road Safety Statistics year ending June 2024.
The ages most likely to be involved in an accident were motorbike riders aged 30 to 49 and riders aged 17 to 29.
| Age group (years) | Casualties | % of total casualties | Fatalities | % of total fatalities |
| Total | 125,270 | 100.0% | 1,204 | 100.0% |
| 0 to 16 | 12,779 | 10.2% | 41 | 3.4% |
| 17 to 29 | 35,636 | 28.4% | 302 | 25.1% |
| 30 to 49 | 41,453 | 33.1% | 332 | 27.6% |
| 50 to 69 | 25,610 | 20.4% | 313 | 26.0% |
| 70 and over | 9,792 | 7.8% | 216 | 17.9% |
Data source: Department of Transport Road Safety Statistics year ending June 2024.
Many people assume that motorways are the most dangerous roads for motorcyclists, but statistics show otherwise.
- Urban roads account for 54% of motorcycle travel, yet 70% of all motorcycle accidents happen on them.
- Rural roads make up 40% of motorcycle travel, but 67% of all motorcycle fatalities occur there.
This data suggests that while urban roads see more motorcycle accidents overall, rural roads are far more dangerous in terms of fatal crashes.
| Type of road where motorcycle accidents happen | % of total traffic | % of total casualties | % of total fatalities |
| Urban roads | 54% | 70% | 30% |
| Rural roads | 40% | 29% | 67% |
| Motorways | 6% | 1% | 3% |
Data source: Reported road casualties Great Britain: motorcyclist factsheet 2023.
What injuries do motorcyclists suffer in crashes?
Motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities than car accidents, as motorbike riders aren’t protected by their vehicles. While the UK doesn’t collect data on the specific type of injuries that motorbike riders experience, we know that the most common injuries motorcyclists incur include:
- Head trauma: Traumatic brain injuries remain a major concern, especially for riders without helmets.
- Fractures: Leg and arm fractures are prevalent, often caused by direct impact with vehicles or the road surface.
- Spinal injuries: Injuries to the spine can lead to long-term disability and require extensive rehabilitation in serious cases.
- Road rash and abrasions: Even at low speeds, falling from a bike can cause severe skin injuries.
Serious motorbike accidents can cause lasting injuries, including scarring, loss of limbs, chronic pain, and cognitive issues from head trauma.
Wearing protective gear such as helmets, reinforced jackets, gloves, and padded trousers can significantly reduce the severity of injuries.
How can we reduce motorcycle accidents?
Improving motorcycle safety requires a combination of rider training, responsible riding habits, and government initiatives, including:
- Rider education: Advanced riding courses, such as those offered by IAM RoadSmart and the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme, can help improve riding skills and hazard awareness.
- Wearing protective gear: Wearing high-visibility items, a helmet, and protective clothing can prevent or limit serious injuries.
- Road infrastructure improvements: Smoother road surfaces, better signage, and clearly marked junctions can help reduce accident hazards.
- Government campaigns: Initiatives like “THINK!” encourage drivers to be more mindful of motorcyclists.
What should you do after a motorcycle accident?
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights. You should:
- Check for injuries – Assess yourself and others for any injuries.
- Move to safety – If possible, relocate to a safe area away from traffic.
- Call 999 – Request emergency assistance if medical help is needed or if the accident has caused significant damage or debris on the road.
- Exchange details – Gather contact and insurance information from other drivers and witnesses.
- Document the scene – Take photos of the accident site, vehicle damage, and road conditions.
- Seek legal advice – Before accepting any insurance settlement, consult a solicitor to ensure you receive fair compensation.
How Injury Lawyers 4u can help you?
If you’ve been involved in a motorbike accident and someone else was at fault, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our team at Injury Lawyers 4u have expertise in motorcycle injury claims and guide you through every step of the personal injury claim process. Find out how much you may be able to claim with our compensation calculator and get in touch today.
Call us on 0333 400 4445 for a free consultation or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.