Current motorcycle licensing system under scrutiny after 13 per cent rise in rider deaths

New provisional road casualty figures for 2025 paint a mixed picture for motorcycling in Britain, with overall rider casualties falling while, worryingly, the number of motorcyclists killed on the roads has increased sharply.

According to the provisional estimates of the Government's latest Reported Road Casualties report, total motorcycle casualties dropped by 3.25 per cent last year. However, that apparent improvement is overshadowed by a sharp 13 per cent rise in rider fatalities and a more than 4 per cent increase in serious injuries.

The figures have prompted renewed calls from the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) for a broader review of motorcycle safety policy, training and licensing. The NMC is among the most vocal advocates for change on this issue, but it is far from alone. A growing number of rider groups and industry organisations have also backed reforms to the current training and licensing system, claiming that, for the most part, it isn't fit for purpose.

While the statistics are only provisional and will be subject to further analysis when the full report is published, the headline numbers highlight a worrying trend. Fewer riders may be appearing in casualty figures overall, but those who are involved in collisions are increasingly suffering the most serious consequences.

The NMC argues that the data raises questions about the effectiveness of the current motorcycle licensing system, which was introduced in 2013. According to the organisation, motorcycle fatalities have risen by just over 16 per cent since the current regime came into force. By comparison, rider deaths fell by almost 36 per cent during the period covered by the previous licensing framework.

Of course, casualty figures rarely tell the whole story. Factors such as traffic levels, vehicle technology, road conditions and the actions of other road users all contribute to the bigger picture. The Government itself has cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from a single year's provisional data. But with such a stark difference between reported casualties and rider fatalities, doing so is inevitable.

The NMC believes the statistics expose a wider issue: the lack of meaningful support for motorcycling within national and local transport policy. This is something we touched on earlier this week, when we reported on the European industry group, ACEM, which published its report on how to ‘rightsize’ urban mobility for ‘L-category’ vehicles.

Although motorcycling is acknowledged in both the Government's Integrated National Transport Strategy and the developing Road Safety Strategy, the NMC notes that recent statutory guidance for Local Transport Plans makes no mention of motorcycles when discussing local transport and accessibility policies. It sees this as a dangerous missing link between national and local government. 

The organisation argues that this absence of policy support has left riders vulnerable, with little incentive for authorities to invest in infrastructure, training initiatives or other measures designed specifically to improve motorcycle safety.

NMC Executive Director, Craig Carey-Clinch, thinks that needs to change, and he’s arguing for sweeping reforms, not ‘piecemeal’ changes: 

“These new statistics underline the importance of the current review into motorcycle training and testing having the correct scope and to look fully at what needs to be done to evolve the current regime, rather than just making a few piecemeal changes, as much needed as these are. The stats also underline that the current approach of merely treating motorcycling as a ‘safety problem’ rather than considering the range of measures needed to support those who make motorcycle journeys, simply does not work. It has meant that efforts to create a proper ‘Safe System’ for motorcycling, with measures at all policy levels to support this, far more difficult.

“The NMC strongly urges both central government and local authorities to think again about the current approach they have towards motorcycling and to work with motorcycling organisations and other expert stakeholders to develop national and local strategies to fully support safety and access for those who ride. This will unlock the social and mobility benefits that motorcycling, as a zero congesting and low polluting transport mode, brings to individuals and wider society. The NMC and its members fully commit to supporting this work.”

The full casualty report is due later this year and should provide a clearer picture of what is driving the increase in deaths and serious injuries. For now, though, the uncomfortable contrast in the statistics is difficult to ignore.

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