Most people recognize the inherent risk of riding a motorcycle. They understand they have a greater chance of getting injured or killed on motorbikes than in other vehicles. However, statistics may still shock riders at just how much risk they carry.

Death More Likely with Motorbikes

Data indicates that motorcyclists may have as much as 28 times more of the risk of dying than people driving cars for the same number of miles. Furthermore, the time for the most deaths related to motorcycles is during the summer, from May to September. This isn’t surprising since the weather is perfect for being out without protection from rain or cold.
It’s a common misperception that motorbike riders are careless and dangerous, leading to accidents. Statistics show that the average speed for the bike just before the accident is just under 30 mph. It’s rarely over 86 mph when an accident occurs.

Many times, the bike rider isn’t the one at fault. Two-thirds of the time, other vehicles are getting in the bike’s space or right-of-way is what causes accidents involving multiple vehicles. The majority of them occur in intersections. Studies show that bikers have less than two seconds to make a decision on avoiding a crash.

More deaths occur in urban areas than rural, and almost none of the accidents were impacted by the weather. Over half occurred on the weekends while most happened at the beginning of short trips.

Preventing Bike Crash Injuries

If the accident is the other party’s fault, you may not be able to prevent it from happening. However, you can increase your chances of survival by taking certain precautions. For instance, less than half of the riders who were in an accident wore a helmet. However, they have been shown to prevent fatalities by almost 40 percent. The top cause of death in a motorbike crash is an injury to the head.

It’s important to know the bike. Statistics show that over half of the bikers involved in these accidents had been riding their bikes for less than five months. However, the age range varies, with riders at all ends of the spectrum from those who are under 25 to those who are over 50. Even though the majority of bike riders are male and those who suffer accidents are also male, more women are riding today than in the past. Gone is the image of the typical biker with women who have college degrees enjoying the ride. They generally choose to buy a new bike if they are the driver.

Because of the lack of protection, bike injuries can be serious even if they aren’t fatal. Along with head injuries, a person can suffer from injuries to the leg, foot and arm or friction burns from sliding on the pavement.

These statistics from the NHTSA show that riding a bike is a big decision and one that should involve training and preparation to prevent serious injury or death. Even the most careful rider is at a higher risk.