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Roadcraft Are motorcycles dangerous?
One of the most common questions asked is “Are motorcycles dangerous?” Although the risk of riding a motorcycle can put you at statistically higher risk than driving a car, the overall risk of an accident can be significantly reduced with adequate experience and roadcraft skills. In fact, inexperience is often a strength if we’re able to recognise our limitations.
It’s also worth stating that if you drive a car, you are already putting yourself at a statistically higher risk than not driving one. In fact, any activity has an associated risk of accident or injury. In fact, according to the Transport Accident commission in 2024, pedestrians minding their own business, lost their lives almost at the same rate as motorcyclists (14% pedestrians vs 19% motorcyclists). (1)
Putting statistics aside, let’s look at some practical ways to reduce the accident risk of riding a motorcycle. Here are some practical ways you can help to lower your accident risk:
- Realise your limitations – new riders are generally at higher risk due to inexperience, and therefore it is important that new riders get used to constantly identify errors in their riding, with the aim to correct these each time they go out on the road
- Obey road rules – Although tempting on a motorcycle, it is important to ride within the speed limits and always obey road signs
- Be predictable – Other road users respond more positively with predictability. The more unpredictable we are, the more unprepared other road users will be for our actions.
- Consider your lane positioning – an often-overlooked area of riding a motorcycle safely, is considering which lane position is most appropriate for each situation. The aim with lane positioning, is to always have a safe buffering distance between other vehicles.
- Anticipating hazards – The more we recognise and anticipate potential hazards the more we are prepared for them when they occur.
- Pre-plan your journey – New riders can benefit from pre-planning the route, and perhaps even driving the route in a car before riding it. By doing this, we can reduce stress levels, and avoid common roads which may be hazardous (i.e. potholes, loose gravel)
- Wear appropriate safety gear – both new riders and experienced riders can benefit from not only wearing protective gear but an item that has high visibility, particularly in conditions which cause low visibility. This additional measure can help other road users take note of motorcyclists.
If you do not want to take the extra precautions to be a responsible road user, you may need to reconsider your priorities and determine whether you are ready to start riding a motorcycle.
Are motorcycles dangerous? Yes! but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ride one! It is an experience like no other which can lead to many great memories and new friendships.
The key to increasing safety is being a responsible and considerate to other road users, in addition to being humble in recognising your limitations. Looking on the brighter side, it’s worth considering that a total of 100% of people die, and if we are playing the statistics game, then most likely from cardiovascular disease! So be responsible, considerate to others, and go and live the life God gave you!
References
- Road Safety Quarterly Statistics [Internet]. TAC; [cited 2025 Mar 23]. Available from: https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/statistics/road-safety-statistical-summary
