Motorcycle fatalities rise 13% despite fall in overall rider casualties

Motorcycle fatalities increased by 13% in 2025 despite an overall reduction in rider casualties, according to the latest provisional road safety statistics published by the Government.

The figures, contained in Reported road casualties in Great Britain, provisional estimates: 2025, show that overall motorcycle casualties fell by 3.25% during the year. However, the number of motorcyclists killed rose by 13%, while serious injuries increased by just over 4%.

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) said the statistics highlighted concerns around the effectiveness of the current motorcycle licensing regime, which was introduced in 2013. According to the organisation, motorcycle fatalities have risen by just over 16% since the current system was implemented, compared with a fall of almost 36% during the period covered by the previous licensing regime.

The NMC also argued that a lack of support for motorcycling within national and local transport policies is contributing to rider vulnerability. While motorcycling is referenced within the Government’s Integrated National Transport Strategy and Road Safety Strategy, the organisation noted that new statutory guidance for Local Transport Plans does not include motorcycling within local transport and access policies.

Craig Carey-Clinch, executive director of the National Motorcyclists Council, said: “These new statistics underline the importance of the current review into motorcycle training and testing having the correct scope and to look fully at what needs to be done to evolve the current regime, rather than just making a few piecemeal changes, as much needed as these are.

“The stats also underline that the current approach of merely treating motorcycling as a ‘safety problem’ rather than considering the range of measures needed to support those who make motorcycle journeys, simply does not work. It has meant that efforts to create a proper ‘Safe System’ for motorcycling, with measures at all policy levels to support this, far more difficult.”

Carey-Clinch added: “The NMC strongly urges both central government and local authorities to think again about the current approach they have towards motorcycling and to work with motorcycling organisations and other expert stakeholders to develop national and local strategies to fully support safety and access for those who ride. This will unlock the social and mobility benefits that motorcycling, as a zero congesting and low polluting transport mode, brings to individuals and wider society. The NMC and its members fully commit to supporting this work.”

The Government has stressed that the figures are provisional and that further analysis will be carried out when the full Road Casualties Great Britain report is published in September, including consideration of contributory factors and the involvement of other road users in collisions.