Motorcycle and moped users account for 19% of all road traffic deaths in Europe of 27.

In Greece, the percentage of bicyclists lost in traffic accidents is twice the European average, reaching 36% of the total (European Road Safety Observatory, 2019).

The European Commission’s published data on road safety has been and continues to be of particular concern to motorcyclists as, based on data available across the EU, bicyclists are 16 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than car drivers.

In 2020, Greece had the highest rate of motorcyclist deaths in the EU. (32.2%), followed by Cyprus with a rate of 29.2% (Eurostat, 2022).

In Greece, 37% of road traffic deaths are young motorcycle riders, while in Cyprus the corresponding percentage is 34%. Both rates are among the highest in the EU.

Furthermore, in Greece in 2018, 66% of dead motorcyclists were not wearing helmets, while in Cyprus, between 2018-2020, this percentage was 50%. 75% of motorcyclist deaths are due to head injuries. Traffic accidents are the most common cause of severe brain injury, a serious cause of death for 19 to 25 year olds. These are some of the research findings made by I.O.AS. “Panos Mylonas”.

The most common causes of accidents between motorcycles and cars are alcohol and drug use, sudden stops (when car drivers rear-end motorcycles too closely), and door opening. Also, intersections are dangerous places for motorcyclists, since 70% of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. Finally, lane changes are another major motorcycle accident factor.