How common are motorcycle crashes when compared to car crashes?

Question

I think it's safe to assume that you're at a greater risk in a motorcycle accident then in a car accident, but how common is an accident in a motorcycle anyway? Is it less, because of the added maneuverability of a bike when compared to a car or truck? Or is it greater because of less stability? I mean, I'm going to assume that it's statistical more common to crash a car then a bike, just because there's a lot more cars on the road. But if the numbers were scaled, what would the comparison look like?

Answer 1

*/Strike Through. _ I've found it.
Bluff Mike, your observations are duly noted.

"In 1998, the CHP issued 2,206,933 citations; only 24,698 (just over 1%) were issued to motorcyclists. In 2002, the CHP issued 2,202,827 citations; 15,609 (just under 1%) were issued to motorcyclists."

"In 2001, there were 25,472,630 motor vehicles registered in California. Less than 2% (495,271) of those were motorcycles. Of the 21,977,700 licensed drivers in California, just over 4% (906,144) had motorcycle endorsements."

"Beginning in 1999, motorcyclist crash victims began to increase over the all-time low experienced in 1998. In 2001 there were 3,517 fatal collisions in California. Motorcyclists were involved in 298 (just over 4%) of those collisions. The motorcyclists were at fault in 215 (72%) of the fatal collisions. In 2001 there were 201,478 injury collisions in California. Motorcyclists were involved in 8,014 (just under 4%) of those collisions. The motorcyclists were at fault in 4,266 (53%) of the collisions. The 2002 numbers show a continued increase in motorcycle-involved fatalities, injuries, and motorcyclist-at-fault collisions."

From Friction Zone March 2004
All back issues prior to December 2006 are sold out.
http://www.friction-zone.com
My source's sources are:
http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/2001quickf.html
http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/2001-sec3.pdf

It appears to me that the percentages are a bit inflated. What if three injuries and two fatalities are involved in a single collision? It would seem that they are reported as multiple injuries/fatalities, but only as one collision. Using this math, we would find that in 2005 California had an automobile fatality rate of 140% when compared to the total number of fatal collisions.

Also I see three possible methods of comparing motorcycles to automobiles side by side. Registered vehicles, licensed drivers, and miles traveled. It may appear that miles traveled is the most accurate method but does there really exist an accurate method for obtaining the miles traveled in the first place? Such statistics are flawed from the very beginning.

2005 California Collision Statistics:
http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/pdf/2005-quick.pdf
http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/pdf/2005-sec3.pdf

Additional Details:
I've located an archive containing the full article on page 6.
http://www.ridetowork.org/files/thedailyrider/6/RTW_Flyer_6.pdf
Also check out the AMA Press Release on page 9.
“Research shows that more than half of all motorcycle crashes are caused by other vehicles violating the right-of-way of a motorcyclist,” said Sean Maher, AMA director of state affairs.
¿1999 Minnesota Collision Statistics?
Background: Over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes, and nearly half of all motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers, not by motorcyclists. Of the 1,319 fatal car-motorcycle crashes in 1999, 38 percent involved another vehicle violating the motorcyclist's right-of-way by turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.

*/End of Line.

Answer 2

I've been in 6 car crashes and one motorcycle wreck. I walked away from the car crashes, but I was carried away from the motorcycle wreck with lots of bruises, tore up riding gear, and a busted collar bone. That's a 6 to 1 ratio for me, but I also put about 400,000 miles behind the wheel and only 5,500 miles on the bike

Answer 3

Compared to cars, not many. Wrecks caused by cars are often reported as motorcycle wrecks, as well.

The difference shows up in the percentage of fatalities in car wrecks vs. motorcycle wrecks.

To reply to Superman, I don't think we can trust the numbers supplied by cops. We need another Hurt Report, that is, genuine research done by a disinterested party.

A motorcycle's stability increases with speed, by the way.

Answer 4

I believe it was in the Hurt Report (the guy's name, not the result of a crash) found that 75% of all bike-car accidents were caused by the automobile. In the remaining 25% of bike alone or with another bike accidents, something like 90% of them were piloted by someone under the influence of drugs or booze. In short, keep your eyes open and your mouth shut (to booze).

Answer 5

obviously there are more car crashes than bike crashes simply because there are more cars then bikes if we look at just the number of crashes. I would think that if we look at it as per 1000 I would still put my money on cars.

I don't think that all of these large cruiser 1000CC and up are more maneuverable one of my colleagues drives a big 1500CC beast and I know my little 600 Sport bike will handle much better than his however on the highway he will leave me in his dust.

Answer 6

Car crashes are more common.... Its more common that car drivers are the ones who cause motorbike accients, people in cars "never" see them etc. A bike always comes out second best

Answer 7

Let's see, by that logic 99.9% of two vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle also involve a car, can't argue with that, whatever the question was.

Answer 8

of course its more deadly but not as comon as car crashes since not as many people drive them as cars. usually if you watch vidoes on youtube and such you can see the motorcycle accidents and the reasons why ( stuipid people thinking they can ride the bike/ do tricks etc.) they happen.