Motorcycle fatalities fell by 10% last year despite an increase in use, according to government figures. It’s the second major drop in two years, after rider deaths fell 15% in 2010.
There were 362 motorcyclists killed in road accidents in 2011 compared to 403 the year before.
Meanwhile motorcycle traffic rose 0.9% in the same period.
Motorcyclists are doing better at cutting fatalities than other road users, with deaths from all road accidents up 3%, the first increase since 2003.
But serious injuries to riders rose by 10% while total motorcycle casualties increased 8%.
Compared to the annual average from 2005-2009, rider deaths are down 33%.
We are proud of the results we have achieved in our area with the BikeWise initiative which has now been running since 1995 and we offer post test training with our own BikeWise Training and also through the Durham Advanced Motorcyclists. Our casualty statistics are consistently low, however, one casualty is one too many, so please be BikeWise and ride safe.