Home > Motorcycles > Motorcyclists Stats 

There is a marked increase in the number of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds licensed in Northern Ireland in the last decade, from 8,775 in 1994 to 26,818 in 2003.  Not only are there more motorcycles on the roads, but there has also been a growth in motorcycles with an engine capacity of 500cc or more.  This increase in motorcycle traffic is in turn reflected in an increase in the number of motorcyclist casualties in injury road traffic collisions.

In 2005 there were 135 fatalities and 14 of those were motorcyclists and 1 pillion passenger.  A total of 1,073 were seriously injured and 154 of those were motorcyclists or pillion passengers

Just over three fifths (61%) of motorcyclists who were killed or seriously injured were aged 16 - 34.  Males accounted for 96% of all motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in 2005

Turning right without care accounted for 14% of fatal and serious injuries among motorcyclists and a further 14% of those killed and seriously injured were due to emerging from minor roads without care, while excessive speed having regard to conditions accounted for  11%

A report issued by the PSNI in 2005 covering the period 2000 to 2004 of Motorcycle Collisions and casualties provided the following statistical information;

Motorcyclist killed and seriously injured are predominantly male (96%) and predominantly young people aged 16 – 34.  This age group accounts for just over a third (33.6%)of killed and seriously injured casualties, while those aged 25-34 account for a further 29.5% and those aged 35–44 for 20%.  Just over half of all fatally and seriously injured motorcyclist casualties are responsible for the collision.  In these cases the most common causes of the collisions are excessive speed for the conditions, overtaking on off-side without care and inattention.  In collisions where the rider was not responsible, the main causes are emerging from a minor road without care and turning right without care.

(Stats taken from PSNI Road Traffic Collision Annual Report 2005 & PSNI Motorcycle Collisions and Casualties Report)