Despite making up just 3% of registered vehicles on the road, motorcycles are involved in a staggering 15% of all traffic deaths, a stark reality that underscores the severe risks every rider faces.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States recorded 6,218 motorcyclist fatalities, a 2% increase from 2021
- Motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 15% of all traffic deaths in the US in 2021 despite motorcycles comprising only 3% of registered vehicles
- From 1980 to 2021, motorcycle fatalities in the US increased by 414%, from 4,625 to 5,932
- Males aged 25-29 had 1,248 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, 21% of total
- 92% of 2021 US motorcycle fatalities were male riders
- Riders aged 30-34 accounted for 15% of fatalities (891 deaths) in 2022
- 67% of motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 involved another vehicle
- 42% of 2022 motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol, either rider or other driver
- Speeding contributed to 33% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021
- 42% of 2021 motorcycle fatalities had no helmet use by rider
- Helmets reduce fatality risk by 37% in all crashes, 41% in fatal ones per NHTSA
- In non-helmet states, 43% fatality rate vs 32% in helmet-law states 2021
- Motorcycle fatalities in California: 631 in 2022, highest state
- Texas had 589 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, second highest
- Florida: 745 deaths in 2022, rate 24.5 per 100k population
Motorcycle fatalities are rising alarmingly despite helmets significantly reducing risk.
Crash Causes
- 67% of motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 involved another vehicle
- 42% of 2022 motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol, either rider or other driver
- Speeding contributed to 33% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021
- Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 38% of motorcycle deaths in 2020
- Intersection-related crashes caused 46% of multi-vehicle motorcycle fatalities in 2021
- 29% of fatalities in 2022 were due to impairment (BAC 0.01+)
- Head-on collisions represented 10% of motorcycle fatalities in 2019
- Lane splitting not a factor in 95% of California motorcycle fatalities 2012-2017
- 60% of fatal motorcycle crashes occur in clear weather
- Rear-end crashes by other vehicles caused 22% of multi-vehicle motorcycle deaths in 2021
- Nighttime crashes 30% of fatalities despite 10% riding time
- 25% of 2020 fatalities involved excessive speed over limit by 10+ mph
- Motorcycle vs fixed object crashes 15% of total fatalities
- Other driver failure to yield caused 40% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes in 2022
- 18% of fatalities involved drowsy driving in 2019
- Animal strikes rare, <1% of motorcycle fatalities annually
- Run-off-road crashes 27% of single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities
- 35% of impaired rider fatalities had BAC 0.15+
- Motorcycle overturns in 20% of single-vehicle fatal crashes
- Distracted other drivers 12% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021
- 55% of fatal crashes occur on straight roads
- Aggressive driving by motorcyclist in 8% of fatalities
- Weather-related (rain/snow) 5% of motorcycle fatalities
Crash Causes Interpretation
Motorcycle fatalities paint a grim picture not of wild, solitary recklessness, but of a sobering vulnerability where the primary dangers are strikingly ordinary: sharing the road with inattentive or impaired drivers, mixing alcohol with riding, and simply pushing speed limits on clear, straight roads.
Geographic Trends
- Motorcycle fatalities in California: 631 in 2022, highest state
- Texas had 589 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, second highest
- Florida: 745 deaths in 2022, rate 24.5 per 100k population
- Motorcycle fatality rate highest in South Dakota at 12.3 per 100k vehicles 2021
- Global: 280,000 motorcycle deaths annually, 28% of road deaths
- Europe: 5,300 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, down 20% from 2010
- Australia: 147 motorcycle deaths in 2022, rate 4.2 per 100k
- New Mexico highest state rate 10.8 per 100k registered bikes 2021
- Urban areas 52% of US motorcycle fatalities in 2020
- Midwest states saw 15% fatality rise 2019-2022
- Nevada: 112 deaths in 2022, rate high due to tourism
- Southeast US 40% of national fatalities 2021
- Montana rural fatality rate 15.2 per 100k 2021
- Asia-Pacific: 200,000+ motorcycle deaths yearly
- Ohio: 312 fatalities 2022, up 10%
- No-helmet law states 65% of national fatalities despite 50% population
- Wyoming: 28 deaths 2021, highest per capita small state
- Northeast US lowest fatality rates, avg 3.5 per 100k 2021
- India: 70,000 motorcycle fatalities 2022
- Michigan: 265 deaths 2022, intersection heavy
- West Virginia rate 9.2 per 100k 2021
- Brazil: 13,000 motorcycle deaths annually
- Louisiana: 145 fatalities 2022, alcohol high
Geographic Trends Interpretation
While these numbers reveal a sobering global tapestry of loss, from the crowded roads of India to the scenic byways of South Dakota, they ultimately underscore a simple, brutal truth: on a motorcycle, geography is far less a predictor of risk than the decisions made by the rider, the driver sharing the road, and the lawmakers who could better protect them.
Helmet Usage
- 42% of 2021 motorcycle fatalities had no helmet use by rider
- Helmets reduce fatality risk by 37% in all crashes, 41% in fatal ones per NHTSA
- In non-helmet states, 43% fatality rate vs 32% in helmet-law states 2021
- Helmeted riders 69% less likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries in crashes
- Universal helmet laws associated with 24% lower fatality rates per capita
- 2022: 3,510 unhelmeted rider fatalities out of 6,218 total
- Helmets effective in 67% of all motorcycle crashes per IIHS
- Partial helmet laws save 1,000 lives annually vs no laws
- Unhelmeted riders 2.7 times more likely to die in head-impact crashes
- Helmet use 70% in helmet-law states vs 50% elsewhere in 2021
- Proper helmet fit reduces fatality risk by 40%
- Youth helmets <18 reduce deaths by 72% in crashes
- Repeal of helmet laws increases fatalities by 8% within year
- DOT-compliant helmets 35% effective in preventing fatalities
- 75% of unhelmeted fatalities had severe head injuries
- Helmet laws correlate with 4% drop in overall traffic fatalities
- Novelty helmets fail in 48% of impact tests, increasing death risk
- Passenger helmet use 65% in states with laws
- Helmets save $4.76 in medical costs per dollar invested
- 2019: Helmets prevented 1,872 deaths
- Full-face helmets 30% more protective than open-face
- Helmeted riders have 70% lower TBI hospitalization rate
- 2020 helmet use national average 42%
- Motorcycle fatalities in Florida increased 25% after 2000 helmet law repeal
- California helmet law compliance 99% for under 21
- US motorcycle fatalities per 100 million miles dropped 50% with helmet laws
Helmet Usage Interpretation
While the data starkly argues that a helmet is the single most effective piece of life-saving equipment a rider can own, the sobering reality is that in 2021 over 3,500 people still chose to ride without one and paid the ultimate price for that freedom.
National Totals
- In 2022, the United States recorded 6,218 motorcyclist fatalities, a 2% increase from 2021
- Motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 15% of all traffic deaths in the US in 2021 despite motorcycles comprising only 3% of registered vehicles
- From 1980 to 2021, motorcycle fatalities in the US increased by 414%, from 4,625 to 5,932
- In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists died in the US, the highest number since 2007
- Motorcycle death rate per 10,000 registered vehicles was 28.04 in 2021, compared to 1.37 for passenger cars
- US motorcyclist fatalities rose 21% from 2019 to 2021, totaling over 17,000 deaths in that period
- In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclist fatalities occurred in the US, up 6% from 2018
- Motorcycle fatalities represented 14% of total traffic fatalities in 2022 with 6,218 deaths
- Between 2000 and 2021, US motorcycle deaths more than doubled from 3,665 to 5,932
- In 2021, motorcyclists had a fatality rate of 25.22 per 100,000 registered motorcycles
- US saw 5,286 motorcyclist deaths in 2018, a record high at the time
- Motorcycle fatalities increased 29% from 4,812 in 2014 to 6,218 in 2022
- In 2017, 5,286 motorcyclists died, accounting for 14% of all traffic deaths
- From 1975 to 2021, motorcycle fatalities grew from 3,724 to 5,932 despite vehicle miles traveled increases
- 2023 preliminary data shows 6,000+ motorcyclist fatalities in the US
- Motorcyclist deaths per registered vehicle were 26.5 in 2020
- In 2016, 5,380 motorcycle fatalities occurred, up 5.1% from prior year
- US motorcycle fatality total was 4,730 in 2013
- 5,172 motorcyclist deaths in 2020, per billion miles 238.5
- From 2010-2021, annual average 5,200 motorcycle fatalities in US
- 2015 saw 4,976 motorcycle deaths, 13.5% of traffic fatalities
- Motorcycle fatalities hit 5,000+ in 2008 post-recession surge
- In 2012, 4,986 deaths, rate 64.4 per 100 million miles
- 4,430 motorcycle fatalities in 2011
- 2014 data: 3,987 deaths, lowest since 2009
- Pre-2000 average annual motorcycle deaths ~4,000 in US
- 4,184 deaths in 2009
- 2021 fatalities: 5,932, 19% of traffic deaths involving vehicles
- Motorcycle death rate 28 times higher than cars per mile in 2021
National Totals Interpretation
These sobering statistics reveal that while motorcycles account for a mere 3% of registered vehicles, they are tragically overrepresented as 15% of traffic fatalities, a grim math problem where the 'freedom of the open road' too often calculates to a fatality rate 28 times higher than that of passenger cars.
Rider Demographics
- Males aged 25-29 had 1,248 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, 21% of total
- 92% of 2021 US motorcycle fatalities were male riders
- Riders aged 30-34 accounted for 15% of fatalities (891 deaths) in 2022
- 27% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021 were riders over 40 years old
- In 2020, 78% of fatally injured motorcyclists were experienced riders with valid licenses
- Females comprised 8% of motorcycle fatalities in 2021 (475 deaths)
- Riders 20-24 years old had fatality rate of 35.2 per 100,000 in 2019
- 35% of 2022 fatalities were riders aged 25-39, totaling 2,176 deaths
- Hispanic motorcyclists had 12% higher fatality rate than non-Hispanics in 2021
- Riders under 20 accounted for 2% of fatalities (119 in 2021)
- 42% of fatalities in 2020 were riders 40+, up from 30% in 2000
- Licensed riders over 50 had 18% of fatalities in 2018 despite 25% of registrations
- Males 16-20 had 4.5 times higher fatality rate than females same age in 2021
- 22% of 2021 fatalities were riders 35-49 (1,305 deaths)
- African American motorcyclists fatalities rose 15% from 2019-2021
- Riders 25+ comprised 84% of fatalities in 2022
- Novice riders (less than 5 years experience) 11% of fatalities despite 20% of riders
- 56% of fatalities were full-time riders in 2020
- Riders aged 50-54 had highest fatality rate per registration in 2021 at 32.1
- Urban riders 45% of fatalities vs 55% rural in 2019
- 15% of fatalities were passengers in 2021 (891 deaths), mostly female
- Alcohol-positive riders averaged 42 years old in 2020 fatalities
- Weekend riders 60% of fatalities despite 40% riding time
- Interstate highway riders 25% of fatalities in 2022
Rider Demographics Interpretation
These grim figures, where experience and age do not inoculate against risk and men are overwhelmingly overrepresented, paint a clear picture: riding a motorcycle is a dangerous equation where being male, sober, licensed, and seasoned merely adjusts the odds, not the stakes.
Temporal Trends
- US fatalities increased 5% in summer months annually
- Motorcycle deaths peaked September-October, 25% of annual total 2021
- 2000s saw 150% rise in fatalities, from 3k to 5k+
- Post-COVID 2020-2022 fatalities up 25%
- 1980s average 4,500 deaths/year, 2010s 5,000+
- Weekend fatalities 42% of total despite 30% riding, consistent 2010-2021
- Fatality rate per mile down 30% since 2000 but numbers up due to exposure
- 2014-2019 average annual increase 4.2% in fatalities
- Nighttime share of fatalities steady at 30% 2000-2022
- Baby boomer riders drove 40% fatality rise 1990-2010
- 2023 Q1 fatalities up 10% YoY
- Recession 2008-2010 saw temporary 20% drop in deaths
- Per VMT rate halved from 1990s to 2020s
- Summer (Jun-Aug) 40% of fatalities every year 2015-2022
- 1970s helmet law era saw 20% drop in head injury deaths
- Post-helmet law repeals 1990s: 10-15% fatality spikes
- Electric motorcycle fatalities negligible <0.1% total 2022
- 2010-2020: fatalities stable ~5,000/year plateau
- Dawn/dusk crashes 15% of total, rising with LED lights
- Holiday weekends 5x average daily fatality rate
- 2020 pandemic low: 5,000 deaths vs 6k+ later
Temporal Trends Interpretation
While bikers are getting safer per mile and our roads are technically less lethal, the siren song of the summer weekend, combined with more riders on the road, continues to turn the freedom of the open throttle into a tragically predictable annual harvest.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NHTSAnhtsa.govVisit source
- Reference 2CRASHSTATScrashstats.nhtsa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 3IIHSiihs.orgVisit source
- Reference 4INJURYFACTSinjuryfacts.nsc.orgVisit source
- Reference 5GHSAghsa.orgVisit source
- Reference 6FHWAfhwa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 7BTSbts.govVisit source
- Reference 8HELMETShelmets.orgVisit source
- Reference 9CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 10DMVdmv.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 11OSHPDoshpd.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 12TXDOTtxdot.govVisit source
- Reference 13FLHSMVflhsmv.govVisit source
- Reference 14WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 15ETSCetsc.euVisit source
- Reference 16BITREbitre.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 17DPSdps.nv.govVisit source
- Reference 18OHIODOTohiodot.govVisit source
- Reference 19DOTdot.state.wy.usVisit source
- Reference 20MORTHmorth.nic.inVisit source
- Reference 21MICHIGANmichigan.govVisit source
- Reference 22TRANSPORTATIONtransportation.wv.govVisit source
- Reference 23LSPlsp.orgVisit source