Young male motorcycle riders are dying at almost twice the rate of other groups, with the NSW Government today issuing a call for caution from riders and other drivers on the road this Motorcycle Awareness Month.
The proportion of motorcycles involved in road crashes has hit a ten-year high in 2024, with 50 of the 258 deaths on NSW roads as of 8 October 2024 being motorcycle riders or their passengers.
Motorcycles make up just 3.8 per cent of registered vehicles in NSW but have accounted for 19.4 per cent of deaths so far this year. Over the decade 2014-2023, a total of 590 fatalities involved motorcycle riders or their passengers, with young people over-represented.
There were 142 riders aged between 20 and 29 who died in motorcycle crashes - 63 more fatalities than the next age bracket of those aged 30-39.
The skew is heavily towards young males. Of the 142 rider fatalities aged 20-29 years-old, 138 were males and four were females.
A third of the deaths in the 20-29 bracket were riders on a Learner or Provisional licence.
As with other vehicle categories, speeding was the biggest killer.
October is Motorcycle Awareness Month, an initiative of the Motorcycle Council of NSW, aimed at helping to protect some of our most vulnerable road users.
The NSW Government supports the initiative each year and has several programs in place to ensure the safety of motorcyclists, including testing clothing and helmets, and running the Ride to Live campaign to educate road users on how to share the road safely.
The Minns Labor Government has introduced a range of road safety measures to combat the road toll, including:
- Seatbelt enforcement by the existing mobile phone camera detection network
- Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
- The demerit return trial that rewarded more than 1.2 million drivers for maintaining a demerit-offence-free driving record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024
- Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2,700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same
- Hosting the state's first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts
- Signing a National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth
For information on the safety of protective gear and helmets, visit motocap.com.au.
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
"The numbers tell a story and that is that young males on motorcycles are dying in numbers that are too high and should not be accepted as the status quo.
"No family wants to be affected by road trauma, but in too many cases it is a young male loved one that is being hurt or killed.
"In Motorcycle Awareness Month we must recognise that motorcyclists are at risk of dying when the vehicle drivers around them make one bad decision. I appeal to drivers to be aware, be mindful and help keep those on motorcycles safe.
"If you're a driver always check twice for motorcyclists and follow the road rules - the choices you make can save a life."
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
"Our regions are home to some of the best routes for motorcyclists in the country.
"As picturesque and fun as the roads in our beautiful regional areas may be, it's always important to be vigilant on the roads. Nearly two thirds of all fatalities involving motorcycle crashes across the state in the last 10 years occurred on regional roads.
"Any death on our roads is a tragedy but when it's a young person with their whole life ahead of them it feels even more tragic. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable in a crash and vigilance and awareness of the road terrain is incredibly important.
"Of the 142 young riders who lost their lives over the past decade we know that many of those crashes have been the result of running off the road at a curve (40) or crashing into a tree/bush (16).
"When you're riding, always stay within the speed limit, watch out for oncoming traffic, curves, steep hills and make sure you're wearing safe helmets and gear. For other road users, please check your blind spots when merging or crossing - we all have a responsibility to help each other get to our destinations safely."
Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman, Vinnie Bee said:
"Safety starts with you, keep your eyes on the road and your mind in the moment.
"Take a few extra seconds to check for bikes when pulling out onto a road or making a turn on a street. A few extra seconds can save a life.
"While driving your car you see a 'biker', someone else sees a dad, a mum or a child. Please watch out for motorbikes. Look twice and save a life."
