GITNUXREPORT 2026

Motorcycle Deaths Statistics

Motorcycle deaths in the U.S. recently surged to a forty-year high despite lower ridership.

How We Build This Report

01
Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02
Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03
AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04
Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

In 2021, 42% of U.S. motorcycle deaths involved alcohol-impaired riders.

Statistic 2

Speeding contributed to 33% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021.

Statistic 3

60% of motorcycle-other vehicle crashes had the car turn left in front of bike.

Statistic 4

Helmet non-use: 40% of unhelmeted riders killed in 2021 vs 12% helmeted.

Statistic 5

Single-vehicle crashes: 37% of motorcycle deaths in 2020.

Statistic 6

27% of fatalities involved impairment in 2019.

Statistic 7

Lane splitting not primary cause; <5% in multi-vehicle crashes.

Statistic 8

Head trauma in 66% of fatal motorcycle crashes.

Statistic 9

Nighttime crashes: 29% of deaths despite 10% riding time.

Statistic 10

Intersection-related: 50% of multi-vehicle motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 11

Fixed object collisions: 25% of single-vehicle deaths.

Statistic 12

No helmet: increases death risk by 37%.

Statistic 13

Other vehicle failure to detect: 62% of car-motorcycle crashes.

Statistic 14

Excessive speed: 24% in 2018 fatalities.

Statistic 15

Rural roads: 53% of motorcycle deaths in 2021.

Statistic 16

Rear-end crashes rare for motorcycles: <10%.

Statistic 17

Alcohol: BAC 0.08+ in 25% of fatally injured riders 2017.

Statistic 18

Motorcycle impairment higher than cars: 42% vs 25%.

Statistic 19

Weather: dry roads 95% of fatal crashes.

Statistic 20

75% of deaths from impact with other vehicle or object.

Statistic 21

Distracted driving by car drivers: 14% in motorcycle crashes.

Statistic 22

Loss of control: primary in 40% single-vehicle.

Statistic 23

92% of U.S. motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 were male riders.

Statistic 24

Riders aged 30-49 accounted for 42% of motorcycle deaths in 2021.

Statistic 25

In 2021, 29% of motorcycle fatalities were riders over 50 years old.

Statistic 26

Males aged 25-29 had the highest motorcycle death rate at 45.5 per 100,000 in recent years.

Statistic 27

78% of motorcycle crash deaths in 2019 involved riders without proper licensure.

Statistic 28

In 2018, 54% of fatally injured motorcyclists were aged 40 or older.

Statistic 29

Females comprised 8% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021.

Statistic 30

Riders 20-29 years old made up 22% of deaths in 2020.

Statistic 31

In 2017, 37% of fatalities were riders aged 50+, up from prior decades.

Statistic 32

85% male involvement in motorcycle deaths consistently since 2000.

Statistic 33

Age 25-34 group had 1,200+ deaths in peak years like 2014.

Statistic 34

Unlicensed riders: 27% of fatalities in 2019.

Statistic 35

2016 data shows 25% of deaths in 40-49 age bracket.

Statistic 36

Riders under 20: only 3% of total fatalities in 2021.

Statistic 37

Males 50+ had fatality rate double that of females in same group.

Statistic 38

2020: 15% of deaths were passengers, mostly female.

Statistic 39

Peak age for female motorcycle deaths: 35-44.

Statistic 40

2008 surge: 60% of deaths male 30-54.

Statistic 41

Recent years: Hispanic riders 15% of fatalities despite 10% population.

Statistic 42

White males dominate: 75% of fatalities.

Statistic 43

Riders 16-24: higher per mile rate but fewer total deaths.

Statistic 44

2015: 28% fatalities over 50.

Statistic 45

Alcohol-positive riders: 70% male in 42% of cases.

Statistic 46

Urban vs rural: males higher in rural deaths.

Statistic 47

93% of passenger deaths female in 2019.

Statistic 48

Age 0-15: negligible motorcycle deaths, under 1%.

Statistic 49

Globally, over 1 million road traffic deaths annually, with motorcycles 23% in low-income countries.

Statistic 50

In 2019, India reported 68,000+ motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 51

Thailand: 21.4 motorcycle deaths per 100k population in 2021.

Statistic 52

Vietnam 2020: 14,000 motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 53

Brazil: 13,000 motorcycle deaths in 2019.

Statistic 54

Indonesia: 25,000+ annual motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 55

Mexico 2021: 5,800 motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 56

Australia 2022: 117 motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 57

UK 2022: 355 motorcyclist deaths.

Statistic 58

Canada 2021: 218 motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 59

France 2021: 584 two-wheeler deaths.

Statistic 60

Germany 2022: 422 motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 61

Italy 2021: 641 powered two-wheeler deaths.

Statistic 62

Spain 2022: 319 motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 63

Japan 2021: 863 motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 64

South Africa 2019: 2,300 motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 65

Nigeria: estimated 40,000 annual road deaths, 50% motorcycles.

Statistic 66

Philippines 2020: 12,000+ motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 67

Malaysia 2021: 4,388 motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 68

In California 2021, 659 motorcycle deaths, 90% male.

Statistic 69

Florida 2021: 745 fatalities, highest in nation.

Statistic 70

Texas 2022: 522 motorcycle deaths.

Statistic 71

Ohio 2021: 333 deaths, rate 7.1 per 100k pop.

Statistic 72

New York 2020: 144 fatalities despite helmet law.

Statistic 73

Pennsylvania 2021: 267 deaths.

Statistic 74

Michigan 2022: 190 fatalities.

Statistic 75

Illinois 2021: 179 deaths.

Statistic 76

Georgia 2021: 254 fatalities.

Statistic 77

North Carolina 2021: 239 deaths.

Statistic 78

South Carolina 2021: 145, high rate per registered bike.

Statistic 79

Missouri 2021: 170 deaths.

Statistic 80

Indiana 2021: 156 fatalities.

Statistic 81

Wisconsin 2021: 123 deaths.

Statistic 82

Kentucky 2021: 132 fatalities.

Statistic 83

Alabama 2021: 118 deaths.

Statistic 84

Tennessee 2021: 193 fatalities.

Statistic 85

Arizona 2021: 212 deaths.

Statistic 86

Nevada 2021: 95, highest per capita.

Statistic 87

Louisiana 2021: 97 fatalities.

Statistic 88

Oklahoma 2021: 112 deaths.

Statistic 89

Arkansas 2021: 78 fatalities.

Statistic 90

West Virginia 2021: 51, high rural rate.

Statistic 91

Montana 2020: 36 deaths, top per capita.

Statistic 92

South Dakota 2021: 21 fatalities.

Statistic 93

Wyoming 2021: 18 deaths.

Statistic 94

Hawaii 2021: 19 fatalities.

Statistic 95

Alaska 2021: 12 deaths.

Statistic 96

In 2022, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roadways, marking the highest number since 1982.

Statistic 97

In 2021, motorcyclist deaths in the U.S. totaled 5,932, representing 14% of all traffic fatalities despite motorcycles comprising 3% of registered vehicles.

Statistic 98

U.S. motorcyclist fatalities reached 5,172 in 2020, a decrease attributed partly to COVID-19 travel reductions.

Statistic 99

2019 saw 5,014 motorcycle deaths in the U.S., up 5.6% from 2018.

Statistic 100

In 2018, 4,748 motorcyclists died in the U.S., with a fatality rate of 25.2 per 100,000 registered motorcycles.

Statistic 101

2017 U.S. motorcycle fatalities numbered 5,286, the highest since 2008.

Statistic 102

2016 recorded 4,614 motorcyclist deaths nationwide.

Statistic 103

In 2015, 4,632 motorcycle fatalities occurred in the U.S., stable from prior year.

Statistic 104

2014 U.S. motorcyclist deaths totaled 4,295.

Statistic 105

2013 saw 4,668 motorcycle fatalities, a 6% increase.

Statistic 106

In 2012, 4,986 motorcyclists were killed in the U.S., highest in 25 years.

Statistic 107

2011 motorcycle deaths in U.S. reached 4,630.

Statistic 108

2010 recorded 4,502 fatalities.

Statistic 109

2009 U.S. motorcyclist fatalities were 4,462.

Statistic 110

In 2008, a peak of 5,312 motorcycle deaths occurred.

Statistic 111

2007 saw 5,154 fatalities.

Statistic 112

2006 motorcycle deaths totaled 4,810.

Statistic 113

In 2005, 4,365 motorcyclists died.

Statistic 114

2004 U.S. fatalities numbered 4,265.

Statistic 115

2003 recorded 3,661 deaths.

Statistic 116

In 2002, 3,744 motorcycle fatalities.

Statistic 117

2001 saw 3,192 deaths.

Statistic 118

2000 U.S. motorcyclist fatalities were 3,375.

Statistic 119

1999 totaled 2,759.

Statistic 120

In 1998, 2,806 deaths.

Statistic 121

1997 motorcycle fatalities: 2,116.

Statistic 122

1996 recorded 2,161.

Statistic 123

1995 U.S. deaths: 2,324.

Statistic 124

1994 saw 2,319 fatalities.

Statistic 125

1993 totaled 2,886.

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While 2022 saw the heartbreaking toll of 6,335 motorcyclists killed—the highest number in 40 years—this devastating statistic is part of a larger, complex pattern of risk that reveals who is most vulnerable and why.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2022, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roadways, marking the highest number since 1982.
  • In 2021, motorcyclist deaths in the U.S. totaled 5,932, representing 14% of all traffic fatalities despite motorcycles comprising 3% of registered vehicles.
  • U.S. motorcyclist fatalities reached 5,172 in 2020, a decrease attributed partly to COVID-19 travel reductions.
  • 92% of U.S. motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 were male riders.
  • Riders aged 30-49 accounted for 42% of motorcycle deaths in 2021.
  • In 2021, 29% of motorcycle fatalities were riders over 50 years old.
  • In California 2021, 659 motorcycle deaths, 90% male.
  • Florida 2021: 745 fatalities, highest in nation.
  • Texas 2022: 522 motorcycle deaths.
  • Globally, over 1 million road traffic deaths annually, with motorcycles 23% in low-income countries.
  • In 2019, India reported 68,000+ motorcycle deaths.
  • Thailand: 21.4 motorcycle deaths per 100k population in 2021.
  • In 2021, 42% of U.S. motorcycle deaths involved alcohol-impaired riders.
  • Speeding contributed to 33% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021.
  • 60% of motorcycle-other vehicle crashes had the car turn left in front of bike.

Motorcycle deaths in the U.S. recently surged to a forty-year high despite lower ridership.

Crash Causes

1In 2021, 42% of U.S. motorcycle deaths involved alcohol-impaired riders.
Verified
2Speeding contributed to 33% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021.
Verified
360% of motorcycle-other vehicle crashes had the car turn left in front of bike.
Verified
4Helmet non-use: 40% of unhelmeted riders killed in 2021 vs 12% helmeted.
Directional
5Single-vehicle crashes: 37% of motorcycle deaths in 2020.
Single source
627% of fatalities involved impairment in 2019.
Verified
7Lane splitting not primary cause; <5% in multi-vehicle crashes.
Verified
8Head trauma in 66% of fatal motorcycle crashes.
Verified
9Nighttime crashes: 29% of deaths despite 10% riding time.
Directional
10Intersection-related: 50% of multi-vehicle motorcycle fatalities.
Single source
11Fixed object collisions: 25% of single-vehicle deaths.
Verified
12No helmet: increases death risk by 37%.
Verified
13Other vehicle failure to detect: 62% of car-motorcycle crashes.
Verified
14Excessive speed: 24% in 2018 fatalities.
Directional
15Rural roads: 53% of motorcycle deaths in 2021.
Single source
16Rear-end crashes rare for motorcycles: <10%.
Verified
17Alcohol: BAC 0.08+ in 25% of fatally injured riders 2017.
Verified
18Motorcycle impairment higher than cars: 42% vs 25%.
Verified
19Weather: dry roads 95% of fatal crashes.
Directional
2075% of deaths from impact with other vehicle or object.
Single source
21Distracted driving by car drivers: 14% in motorcycle crashes.
Verified
22Loss of control: primary in 40% single-vehicle.
Verified

Crash Causes Interpretation

So, let’s ride: If a motorcyclist’s biggest threat is often the other driver, their own speed, a left-turning car, or the bottle they drank before mounting up, then the helmet they don’t wear merely seals the fate they’ve already drafted with poor choices and bad luck.

Demographics

192% of U.S. motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 were male riders.
Verified
2Riders aged 30-49 accounted for 42% of motorcycle deaths in 2021.
Verified
3In 2021, 29% of motorcycle fatalities were riders over 50 years old.
Verified
4Males aged 25-29 had the highest motorcycle death rate at 45.5 per 100,000 in recent years.
Directional
578% of motorcycle crash deaths in 2019 involved riders without proper licensure.
Single source
6In 2018, 54% of fatally injured motorcyclists were aged 40 or older.
Verified
7Females comprised 8% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021.
Verified
8Riders 20-29 years old made up 22% of deaths in 2020.
Verified
9In 2017, 37% of fatalities were riders aged 50+, up from prior decades.
Directional
1085% male involvement in motorcycle deaths consistently since 2000.
Single source
11Age 25-34 group had 1,200+ deaths in peak years like 2014.
Verified
12Unlicensed riders: 27% of fatalities in 2019.
Verified
132016 data shows 25% of deaths in 40-49 age bracket.
Verified
14Riders under 20: only 3% of total fatalities in 2021.
Directional
15Males 50+ had fatality rate double that of females in same group.
Single source
162020: 15% of deaths were passengers, mostly female.
Verified
17Peak age for female motorcycle deaths: 35-44.
Verified
182008 surge: 60% of deaths male 30-54.
Verified
19Recent years: Hispanic riders 15% of fatalities despite 10% population.
Directional
20White males dominate: 75% of fatalities.
Single source
21Riders 16-24: higher per mile rate but fewer total deaths.
Verified
222015: 28% fatalities over 50.
Verified
23Alcohol-positive riders: 70% male in 42% of cases.
Verified
24Urban vs rural: males higher in rural deaths.
Directional
2593% of passenger deaths female in 2019.
Single source
26Age 0-15: negligible motorcycle deaths, under 1%.
Verified

Demographics Interpretation

The statistics paint a grim portrait of motorcycle mortality as a predominantly male, middle-aged affair, where a lack of proper licensure and a surplus of overconfidence often collide with fatal consequences.

International Data

1Globally, over 1 million road traffic deaths annually, with motorcycles 23% in low-income countries.
Verified
2In 2019, India reported 68,000+ motorcycle deaths.
Verified
3Thailand: 21.4 motorcycle deaths per 100k population in 2021.
Verified
4Vietnam 2020: 14,000 motorcycle fatalities.
Directional
5Brazil: 13,000 motorcycle deaths in 2019.
Single source
6Indonesia: 25,000+ annual motorcycle fatalities.
Verified
7Mexico 2021: 5,800 motorcycle deaths.
Verified
8Australia 2022: 117 motorcycle fatalities.
Verified
9UK 2022: 355 motorcyclist deaths.
Directional
10Canada 2021: 218 motorcycle deaths.
Single source
11France 2021: 584 two-wheeler deaths.
Verified
12Germany 2022: 422 motorcycle fatalities.
Verified
13Italy 2021: 641 powered two-wheeler deaths.
Verified
14Spain 2022: 319 motorcycle deaths.
Directional
15Japan 2021: 863 motorcycle fatalities.
Single source
16South Africa 2019: 2,300 motorcycle deaths.
Verified
17Nigeria: estimated 40,000 annual road deaths, 50% motorcycles.
Verified
18Philippines 2020: 12,000+ motorcycle fatalities.
Verified
19Malaysia 2021: 4,388 motorcycle deaths.
Directional

International Data Interpretation

The grim statistics are a global chorus shouting that while a motorcycle offers the exhilarating illusion of freedom, in too many places it comes with the unacceptably high probability of becoming a stark mortality statistic.

State Data

1In California 2021, 659 motorcycle deaths, 90% male.
Verified
2Florida 2021: 745 fatalities, highest in nation.
Verified
3Texas 2022: 522 motorcycle deaths.
Verified
4Ohio 2021: 333 deaths, rate 7.1 per 100k pop.
Directional
5New York 2020: 144 fatalities despite helmet law.
Single source
6Pennsylvania 2021: 267 deaths.
Verified
7Michigan 2022: 190 fatalities.
Verified
8Illinois 2021: 179 deaths.
Verified
9Georgia 2021: 254 fatalities.
Directional
10North Carolina 2021: 239 deaths.
Single source
11South Carolina 2021: 145, high rate per registered bike.
Verified
12Missouri 2021: 170 deaths.
Verified
13Indiana 2021: 156 fatalities.
Verified
14Wisconsin 2021: 123 deaths.
Directional
15Kentucky 2021: 132 fatalities.
Single source
16Alabama 2021: 118 deaths.
Verified
17Tennessee 2021: 193 fatalities.
Verified
18Arizona 2021: 212 deaths.
Verified
19Nevada 2021: 95, highest per capita.
Directional
20Louisiana 2021: 97 fatalities.
Single source
21Oklahoma 2021: 112 deaths.
Verified
22Arkansas 2021: 78 fatalities.
Verified
23West Virginia 2021: 51, high rural rate.
Verified
24Montana 2020: 36 deaths, top per capita.
Directional
25South Dakota 2021: 21 fatalities.
Single source
26Wyoming 2021: 18 deaths.
Verified
27Hawaii 2021: 19 fatalities.
Verified
28Alaska 2021: 12 deaths.
Verified

State Data Interpretation

The grim arithmetic of the open road reveals a stubbornly male tragedy, where sunshine states and wide-open highways top the fatality charts, proving that while freedom has two wheels, it often comes with a devastatingly high cost.

US Annual Fatalities

1In 2022, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roadways, marking the highest number since 1982.
Verified
2In 2021, motorcyclist deaths in the U.S. totaled 5,932, representing 14% of all traffic fatalities despite motorcycles comprising 3% of registered vehicles.
Verified
3U.S. motorcyclist fatalities reached 5,172 in 2020, a decrease attributed partly to COVID-19 travel reductions.
Verified
42019 saw 5,014 motorcycle deaths in the U.S., up 5.6% from 2018.
Directional
5In 2018, 4,748 motorcyclists died in the U.S., with a fatality rate of 25.2 per 100,000 registered motorcycles.
Single source
62017 U.S. motorcycle fatalities numbered 5,286, the highest since 2008.
Verified
72016 recorded 4,614 motorcyclist deaths nationwide.
Verified
8In 2015, 4,632 motorcycle fatalities occurred in the U.S., stable from prior year.
Verified
92014 U.S. motorcyclist deaths totaled 4,295.
Directional
102013 saw 4,668 motorcycle fatalities, a 6% increase.
Single source
11In 2012, 4,986 motorcyclists were killed in the U.S., highest in 25 years.
Verified
122011 motorcycle deaths in U.S. reached 4,630.
Verified
132010 recorded 4,502 fatalities.
Verified
142009 U.S. motorcyclist fatalities were 4,462.
Directional
15In 2008, a peak of 5,312 motorcycle deaths occurred.
Single source
162007 saw 5,154 fatalities.
Verified
172006 motorcycle deaths totaled 4,810.
Verified
18In 2005, 4,365 motorcyclists died.
Verified
192004 U.S. fatalities numbered 4,265.
Directional
202003 recorded 3,661 deaths.
Single source
21In 2002, 3,744 motorcycle fatalities.
Verified
222001 saw 3,192 deaths.
Verified
232000 U.S. motorcyclist fatalities were 3,375.
Verified
241999 totaled 2,759.
Directional
25In 1998, 2,806 deaths.
Single source
261997 motorcycle fatalities: 2,116.
Verified
271996 recorded 2,161.
Verified
281995 U.S. deaths: 2,324.
Verified
291994 saw 2,319 fatalities.
Directional
301993 totaled 2,886.
Single source

US Annual Fatalities Interpretation

The grim toll of two wheels proves that riding a motorcycle is an act of statistical defiance, where claiming just 3% of the road often exacts 14% of the price.