“This is the highest number of deaths recorded in over 20 years and a 24% increase from 195 deaths in 2019. Previously, the number of motorcycle-related deaths fluctuated by less than 17% year to year,” Statistics Canada said regarding data released May 15.
According to Statistics Canada, the rise in motorcycle deaths could have been explained by an increase in the number and rate of motorcyclist deaths among Canadians aged 25 to 39 years and 60 to 79 years.
Despite representing just 2 percent of all road users, motorcyclists account for over 10 percent of all road user deaths. Statistics Canada said despite government legislation, driving courses, and safety features for motorcycle gear, bike riders continue to be considered “vulnerable road users.”
The report found that around 12 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved the deceased riding with another person. Fifty-five percent of motorcycle fatalities resulted from a collision between two or more vehicles while 38 percent resulted from a single-motorcycle event; intersections (31 percent) and highways (30 percent) were the leading locations of fatal motorcycle crashes.
The rate of motorcycle fatalities was also more than seven times higher among males than females, but this trend could be partially explained by the greater proportion of males driving motorcycles, with a Canadian Community Health Survey for Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, and British Columbia finding the proportion of male drivers (84 percent) who drove a motorcycle in the last year was more than five times greater than the proportion of female drivers (16 percent).
The top risk factors for fatal motorcycle collisions include alcohol or drugs (31 percent), loss of control (27 percent), excessive speed (24 percent), lack of experience or a license (7 percent), weather or road conditions (6 percent), not wearing a helmet (2 percent), and mechanical issues (2 percent).
The findings are based off data from the Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database from 2016 to 2020. Statistics Canada said while the details around motorcycle deaths are not always known, the findings reported by coroners and medical examiners “offers insights.”
