Fatal and serious motorbike crashes have climbed 58% in South Australia over the past five years, prompting a safety plea from the Royal Automobile Association (RAA).
RAA said there were 966 serious crashes involving motorcycles between 2019 and 2023, up from 611 in the previous five years. Already in 2025, five motorcyclists have died and 104 have been seriously injured on South Australian roads.
The rise in incidents comes despite a 3% decline in full motorbike licence holders over the past decade, highlighting growing risk among a shrinking rider base.
RAA also revealed that one in 10 riders involved in fatal crashes was unlicensed, raising further concerns about compliance and safety.
According to RAA, 93% of motorcyclist casualty crashes involved male riders, with those aged 16 to 28 most at risk. This age group accounted for 34% of all crashes involving motorcyclists.
Among all demographics, 20-year-old males were found to be involved in more motorcycle crashes than any other group on South Australian roads.
“Be seen and prioritise your visibility – especially during those dark winter mornings and nights – and keep your headlights on at all times,” said RAA senior manager for road safety Charles Mountain.
“Be aware of drivers’ blind spots and make sure you’re actively positioning yourself where others can see you on the road – and make sure you’re maintaining a safe following distance, especially in adverse weather conditions.”
The RAA official underscored that 46% of casualty crashes involved run-off-road events, typically resulting in rollovers or impacts with fixed objects.
Mountain also urged motorbike riders to wear proper protective gear, such as helmets, jackets, pants, gloves, and boots, while riding.
“A lack of physical protection means increased exposure to hazards – and a more vulnerable motorcyclist with a higher risk of injury,” he said.
“More than half of fatal crashes are also happening regionally, where there may be less forgiving road infrastructure and a greater prevalence of single-vehicle off-road incidents.”
With crash rates rising and unlicensed riders on the road, how should the insurance sector respond to protect lives and manage risk?
