Which age group of motorcyclists has the highest death risk?
Death rates by motorcyclist age aren't available because we don't have age-specific data on registrations or on miles traveled. Looking at motorcycle type, we know that drivers of cruisers, standards, and touring motorcycles have the lowest death rates. These motorcycles, which together form the largest class of registered motorcycles on the road, are most often driven by people age 40 and older, according to data from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).
Primary contributors to the worsening motorcycle crash death problem are motorcyclists who drive supersport motorcycles, which make up a small fraction of registered motorcycles but are overrepresented in fatal crashes. A combination of light weight and high-horsepower engines means many of these motorcycles can reach speeds of nearly 190 miles per hour. Motorcyclists who ride supersports tend to be younger than 30, with a driver death rate per 10,000 registered motorcycles about 4 times higher than the rate for motorcyclists who ride cruisers and standards or touring bikes.
