The state government is continuing work to reduce the New South Wales road toll and reduce the tragic impact of road trauma on communities across the state, with road safety experts and advocates gathering in Sydney today for a Motorcycle Safety Roundtable.

Sadly, the number of motorcyclists dying on New South Wales roads has hit a ten-year high, with 16 more people dying on a motorcycle in 2024 compared to 2023.

The New South Wales Government has today convened a roundtable with the intention of better understanding why more motorcycle riders have died and to explore potential steps that can be taken to save lives. 

Topics on the agenda include enhancements to the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme, innovative road infrastructure safety measures, vehicle safety and more use of protective gear. 

Attendees include the Motorcycle Council of NSW, Motorcycling NSW, the Australian Automobile Association, the NSW Police Force, Stay Upright, NRMA, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Deakin University, Monash University Accident Research Centre and ANCAP.

Motorcycles make up just 3.8 per cent of registered vehicles in NSW, but accounted for almost 20 per cent of deaths on New South Wales roads in 2024. Over the decade 2014-2023, a total of 590 fatalities involved motorcycle riders or their passengers, with young people over-represented.

Hospitalisations of motorcyclists also increased by 10 per cent in the 12 months to June 2024, with 2,846 motorcyclists admitted to hospital. This is 248 more than the previous 12 months. 

Data shows:

• Fatality risks are highest during the early stages of a rider’s licensing journey, particularly during the learner, P1, and P2 licence phases 
• Deaths among young riders aged 16–25 have surged, rising from 12 in 2023 to 21 in 2024
• Over the past decade, 87 per cent of motorcycle crashes occurred in fine weather, with the most common type of crash involving riders running off the road on a curve 

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison MP, said, “Motorcycles make up just 3.8 per cent of registered vehicles in NSW, yet they accounted for nearly 20 per cent of road deaths last year – a significant over-representation. Modelling suggests that motorcyclists will make up 30% of road deaths by 2050. 

“I am confident this roundtable will help identify further road safety measures we can move ahead with.

“I am delighted that there has been a strong response from stakeholders to the roundtable, which is being coordinated on behalf of the NSW Government by the Centre for Road Safety, bringing together rider groups, safety experts, academics, and government agencies.

“Research shows injury risk to the part of the body protected can be reduced by more than 40% by wearing gloves and boots – a $50 pair of gloves can make a huge difference.

“Every life lost on the roads is one too many. We know we can do more to protect all road users, especially our most vulnerable. That’s why we’re holding this roundtable—to listen, to learn, and to act.”