Motorists are being urged to take a second look for motorbikes after new figures revealed that more than half of motorcyclists involved in collisions in the North East were killed or seriously injured.
Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) reported that the number of biker collisions in the region remains stubbornly high, with the number of serious injuries increasing last year compared to the two years previous.
From 2021 to 2025, there were 1,506 biker collisions on the region’s roads, with 65 motorcyclists killed, 772 seriously injured, and 669 slightly injured.
In many cases, the collisions were simply due to a failure to look, either by the biker themselves or motorists who did not notice the bike approaching.
Peter Slater, chair of RSGB NE, said: “Motorcyclists account for 7% of total injuries on the region’s roads, but this figure rises to 18% when looking at people killed or seriously injured.
“Bikers are vulnerable. When they’re involved in road collisions, it can have devastating results. We know that almost half of all motorbike collisions are caused by either the biker or the driver simply not looking properly. They can be avoided.
“We’re urging bikers to ride sensibly and according to the road and conditions, and drivers need to take a second look for bikes before pulling out or overtaking.
“Don’t live with regrets – looking twice could save a life.”
As the weather improves, more bikers are likely to be out on the roads in the coming weeks, leading to an increased risk of casualties.
RSGB NE is working with police and fire services from across the region to remind all road-users to stay focused on their surroundings and to look out for each other.
The latest figures show that more than half of motorcyclist casualties were aged under 35 years, with a third aged between 16-24 years.
Sgt Mark Kewley, Cleveland Police, said: “We would urge drivers and riders to be vigilant, cautious and sensible, particularly on unfamiliar routes, in order to help reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions on our roads.
“We would also encourage riders to wear the correct protective equipment for their own safety.”
Matthew Lidster, road and water safety team lead at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road-users, and when collisions happen, the consequences can be severe. We would urge all drivers to take that extra second to check for motorcyclists before pulling out, turning, or overtaking – it could save a life.”
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