A new Road Safety Authority report has revealed that 105 motorcyclists died and 884 were seriously injured on Irish roads between 2020 and 2024, highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by two-wheeled road users.
The comprehensive study found that motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all road fatalities and 12% of serious injuries during this period, despite representing a much smaller proportion of overall traffic. An average of 21 motorcyclists died annually, with 177 seriously injured each year.
The statistics reveal concerning patterns about when and where these tragedies occur. All fatalities involved male riders, with nearly two-thirds aged between 16 and 45. Weekend riding proved particularly hazardous, with half of all deaths occurring on Saturdays or Sundays, while 40% of fatalities happened during afternoon hours between 1pm and 5pm.
Rural roads emerged as the most dangerous locations, accounting for nearly three-quarters of motorcyclist deaths. Dublin and Cork recorded the highest absolute numbers of both fatalities and serious injuries across the country.
Road junctions presented significant risks, with 27% of crashes occurring at these locations. Almost two-thirds of incidents involved collisions with other vehicles, with failure to observe traffic conditions identified as the primary contributing factor.
Sarah O’Connor, RSA Director of Partnerships and External Affairs, called the findings “a stark reminder of the human cost of road trauma,” urging both drivers and motorcyclists to exercise greater vigilance, particularly during summer months when injuries typically increase.