RSA Report Reveals 105 Motorcyclist Deaths on Irish Roads in Five Years

• Cork among counties with highest casualties as new data shows male riders aged 16-45 most at risk

A stark new report from the Road Safety Authority has revealed that 105 motorcyclists died and 884 were seriously injured on Irish roads between 2020 and 2024, with Cork recording the second-highest number of casualties nationwide.

The Motorcyclist Spotlight Report, published today, shows that motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all road deaths and 12% of serious injuries during the five-year period, despite making up a much smaller proportion of overall road users.

Cork recorded 11 motorcyclist fatalities and 102 serious injuries, second only to Dublin which saw 20 deaths and 254 serious injuries. The figures paint a concerning picture for the Rebel County, where scenic routes and tourist traffic combine with everyday commuting to create particular challenges.

Sarah O'Connor, Director of Partnerships & External Affairs with the RSA:

"This report is a stark reminder of the human cost of road trauma and the acute risks motorcyclists face. These findings highlight the need for drivers and motorcyclists alike to share the road with heightened awareness and responsibility. Behind each statistic is a life lost or forever changed, and families left grieving."

The report reveals that young to middle-aged men face the highest risk, with 65% of fatalities occurring among those aged 16 to 45. Remarkably, all 105 motorcyclists who died were male, while 93% of those seriously injured were also men.

Weekend riding proved particularly dangerous, with half of all deaths occurring on Saturdays and Sundays. The afternoon period between 1pm and 5pm saw 40% of fatalities, while serious injuries peaked during the summer months from May to September.

Rural roads claimed three-quarters of motorcyclist lives, though serious injuries were evenly split between urban and rural areas. More than a quarter of deaths happened at junctions, with 63% involving collisions with other vehicles, most commonly cars and light goods vehicles.

Ms O'Connor added:

"We must act now to reverse these figures. We all have a part to play in protecting the most vulnerable on our roads. We're urging drivers to take a second look before pulling out or turning; this is a life-saver look and we all need to build it into our every trip. We also need for motorcyclists to prioritise safe riding at all times."

The report identified "failure to observe" as the most common contributory factor in multi-vehicle collisions resulting in serious injuries, highlighting the critical importance of awareness from both motorcyclists and other road users.

For Cork motorcyclists navigating everything from the N25 to the scenic Ring of Kerry routes, the message is clear: increased vigilance from all road users could save lives. The full report is available at http://bit.ly/451Ii5G.