NSW Motorcycle Deaths Hit 10-Year High

The NSW Government will bring together safety experts, rider advocates, and key agencies next month to address a sharp rise in motorcyclist fatalities on the state’s roads. The Motorcycle Safety Roundtable, set for 29 April 2025 in Sydney, follows a concerning spike in deaths in 2024—the highest in over a decade.

According to Transport for NSW, 68 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2024, including 63 riders and 5 passengers. This marked a 16-person increase compared to 2023. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 23 motorcyclist deaths have already been recorded, nine more than the same period last year.

Roundtable to Focus on Actionable Reforms

The roundtable will bring together representatives from:

Motorcycle rider groups
Road safety advocates
Academics and training experts
Government agencies and regulators

Discussions will focus on improving outcomes in areas such as:

Licensing and training (including the Motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme)
Rider education and awareness
Protective gear requirements
Road infrastructure and visibility
Motorcycle design and safety technology

Younger Riders at Greater Risk

A particularly concerning trend has been the increase in deaths among young riders aged 16–25, which rose from 12 in 2023 to 21 in 2024. Deaths involving learner and provisional licence holders also increased, from 9 to 14.

Beyond fatalities, hospitalisation figures have risen sharply. Between July 2023 and June 2024, 2,846 motorcyclists were admitted to hospital—up 10% year-on-year.

Nearly 20% of all road deaths in NSW in 2024 involved motorcyclists, with 57% of these occurring in regional areas.

Government and Community Reactions

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison acknowledged the alarming trends and the need for immediate action:

“Every death on our roads is one too many and we’re determined to do more to save lives of all road users, particularly those who are more vulnerable like motorcyclists.”

She noted the roundtable builds on previous road safety reforms, including:

The launch of the average speed camera trial for light vehicles
Activation of mobile seatbelt detection cameras
A record $2.8 billion road safety budget

Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman Vincent Buck welcomed the initiative:

“The Motorcycle Council of NSW welcomes the establishment of a Motorcycle Safety Roundtable... Our goal is to make NSW roads as safe as possible for riders and all road users alike.”

Road safety advocate Heidi Haydon, who survived a motorcycle crash, added:

“Motorcycle safety is so important... Having a roundtable dedicated to discussing what we can do to improve this is very positive.”

Shared Responsibility on the Road

The NSW Government is urging both riders and drivers to remain vigilant:

Riders are reminded to wear approved helmets and protective gear, stay within speed limits, and be cautious on curves and at intersections.
Drivers are encouraged to check blind spots, give motorcycles space, and be mindful of riders, particularly when merging or changing lanes.

With lives on the line, the upcoming roundtable represents a timely opportunity to turn concerning statistics into tangible action that can improve motorcycle safety across New South Wales.