Advice: Are motorcycles safe?

Motorcyclists are officially three times more likely to die on the roads than car drivers, based on last year’s national crash statistics. The bike fleet represents around five per cent of our road traffic yet motorcyclists account for 17 per cent of fatalities.

For any two-wheeled rider, that’s an unsettling stat. But, just like revising past temperature records to smooth the average, removing the outliers – the young and stupid bravos and the unsuspecting returning riders – sees that motorcycle crash stat drop significantly and all of a sudden puts motorcycle safety into perspective.

In short, riding a bike is generally as safe as you want it to be, providing you operate on the premise you are a vulnerable road user and do everything you can to mitigate the risk.

Common sense says hitting something at 60km/h as a motorcyclist is going to be more injurious than the same impact in a car. Ride smart and don’t get in that position to start with.

The obvious starting point is your bike. Tyres give you grip so give them plenty of attention, checking pressure and wear at least once a week.

Related: Advice: Understanding road bike tyres

Brakes likewise need to be loved. Hitting the back of a car – or truck – shouldn’t be the first indication you need new pads.

Related: Advice: all you need to know about brakes
Related: Advice: How do I know if my bike is roadworthy?

Motorcycle safety has a number of elements. If the machine is fit for purpose, are you?
Riding requires more skill, attention and restraint than just jumping behind a steering wheel, which is why young riders disproportionately figure in road crash stats.

It’s fun to crank the bike over in corners but if it’s a new bit of bitumen, do it on the second run when you’ve already checked for potholes, water or debris on the road and how the turns tighten up or loosen. It's all about taking a safety first approach.

Related: Better Riding part four: control
Related: Better Riding part three: thinking

A decent bike course – beyond the one you’ve just taken to earn a set of L or P-plates – is essential for new and returning riders.

There’s a controlled environment, expert tuition and the chance to practice the techniques without putting yourself or other road users and vehicles in danger.

Finally, buy the best protective gear you can afford – and that doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive. That good-looking mesh jacket you bought cheap doesn’t look like so much of a bargain after it fuses with your skin on a slide down the road.

Likewise the big-ticket brand-name race replica leathers will do the job but usually aren’t structurally better than the regular pair from the same company.

Most riders will end up with wet and dry weather outfits because comfort equates with safety on longer rides.

That generally means leathers in the dry and synthetic jacket and pants for rain. Snaffle a pair of waterproof boots with ankle protection, decent gloves with tough stitching and extra panels on the friction points like palms.

Related: Advice: Preparing for winter riding

Top it all off with a helmet that fits: you may want to emulate your MotoGP hero and wear the same Brand X lid but if that shell shape doesn’t suit your head, the best bet is to find a shape that does.

Motorcycle crashes aren't fun. Mitigate the risks of motorcycling – and maximise motorcycle safety – by:
1. Making sure your bike is roadworthy;
2. Making sure you are fit for purpose;
3. Taking a safety first approach;
4. Practicing all the techniques you’ve learnt; and
5. Being smart and proactive about protective gear choices.