Thousands of adults in Iowa own and regularly ride motorcycles. Riders have to follow most of the same laws as other motorists, including obeying the speed limit and carrying basic insurance. They should be able to share the road as safely as anyone else. Motorcycles are an enjoyable hobby for some and a more affordable form of transportation for others.
Riders generally have an understanding that they are at risk if a crash occurs. However, they may fail to understand how serious their risks actually are. A look at recent collision statistics in Iowa paints a grim picture for those who prefer to use two-wheeled transportation. What does the data show about the level of risk for motorcycle riders?
Motorcycle riders are at disproportionate risk
According to an analysis of crashes, motorcycles are a tiny minority of the vehicles on the road. They account for 0.3% of the vehicles registered in the state. However, they represent a larger portion of state traffic fatalities. In 2023, there were 63 reported motorcycle fatalities. The total number of traffic fatalities across the state was 378. Despite accounting for less than half a percent of the vehicles registered, motorcycles accounted for 16.67% of all traffic deaths.
Motorcycle riders have more risk here than across the U.S.
According to an analysis by the Des Moines Register, motorcycle fatalities in Iowa are 10 times higher than the national average. One of the major risk factors for mortality in a crash is the lack of a helmet. Many of the riders who died in 2023 did not have helmets on at the time of the collision. There are also many others who sustained serious injuries in non-fatal motorcycle crashes. There tend to be multiple injurious collisions for every fatal crash reported. People can suffer brain injuries and broken bones, as well as lesser injuries like road rash.
Many motorcycle collisions occur due to the behavior of others rather than motorcycle riders. Those involved in collisions may need help holding other parties accountable for causing crashes. Filing insurance claims or possibly even personal injury lawsuits can help compensate those affected by drivers who don’t follow the law or don’t watch for motorcycles in traffic. Most motorcycle collisions are preventable, and all too often, a rider faces more consequences than others who actually cause crashes.