Motoring club RAA has warned motorbike riders after its data revealed a 58% rise in the number of serious crashes over five years.  

The SA organisation says there were 966 serious crashes involving motorbikes in the state between 2019 and 2023, up from 611 in the previous five years. 

The rise came despite a 3% drop in the number of people with full motorbike licences. The RAA data shows one in 10 riders involved in fatal crashes did not have a valid licence.  

About 93% of people involved in “casualty crashes” were male, while riders aged 16-28 accounted for about 34% of these accidents.  

“RAA is reminding riders to ride to the conditions, at the appropriate speed and ensure you’re wearing the appropriate safety wear to best prevent injury – including a helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots,” the motor club’s road safety senior manager Charles Mountain said.  

He says 46% of fatal incidents were run-off-road crashes – such as rollovers or hitting a fixed object – and there is greater risk in regional areas with less stable road infrastructure.  

“We don’t want to see any more riders lose their lives, and plead with motorcyclists to be safe, especially with rain, wind and uneven road surfaces making riding even more hazardous over winter,” he said.