New UK Road Safety Strategy Highlights Serious Risks for Motorcyclists.

A new road safety strategy released by the UK Government has placed renewed focus on the risks faced by motorcyclists on Britain’s roads. While any loss of life on our roads is tragic, the latest findings underline just how vulnerable riders remain—particularly in rural areas and in collisions involving other vehicles.

The data, averaged over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, paints a sobering picture.

Key Findings Affecting Motorcyclists:

Motorcyclist casualties remain consistently high.

On average, six motorcyclists lost their lives every week, with a further 101 riders seriously injured each week in reported road collisions. These figures alone highlight why rider safety must remain a priority for policymakers, drivers, and riders alike.

Most fatal collisions do not happen at junctions.

Contrary to common belief, the majority of motorcycle fatalities (63%) occurred away from junctions, rather than at or within 20 metres of one. This compares to 49% of all serious motorcycle injuries, showing that danger is not limited to busy crossings or intersections.

Collisions with cars remain a major concern.

Over a third (38%) of motorcycle fatalities involved two-vehicle collisions between a motorcycle and a car. This reinforces the importance of awareness, observation, and anticipation from all road users—not just riders.

Rural roads pose a heightened risk.

Despite accounting for only 39% of overall traffic, rural roads were the location for 69% of motorcycle fatalities. Higher speeds, limited visibility, road surface conditions, and delayed emergency response times may all contribute to this increased risk.

Male riders disproportionately affected.

The data shows that 92% of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured (KSI) were male. While this reflects riding demographics to some extent, it also highlights the need for targeted education and safety initiatives.

Observation Errors: A Repeated Factor

One of the most consistent themes throughout the report is ineffective observation.

• The most common road safety factor attributed to motorcyclists in fatal or serious collisions with another vehicle was ineffective observation by either the rider, driver, or pedestrian.

• Crucially, this same factor was also the most common cause attributed to other vehicles involved in these collisions.

This reinforces what many riders already know: being seen is just as important as seeing. Even when riders are riding responsibly, failures in observation by other road users can have devastating consequences.

What This Means for Riders

These findings are not about assigning blame—they are about awareness, prevention, and protection.

At SorryMate, we believe that better understanding of collision causes helps everyone:

• Riders can take extra steps to improve visibility and anticipation

• Drivers can be reminded to actively look for motorcycles

• Authorities can focus safety campaigns where they are most needed

Support When It Matters Most

Despite best efforts, accidents still happen. When they do, riders deserve clear, honest advice from people who understand motorcycling and the realities of the road.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident, SorryMate offers free advice, a free callback, and no obligation to proceed. Our focus is on supporting riders, protecting their rights, and helping them understand their options.