The grim statistics for motorcyclists:
Last year (2010), 224 motorcyclists (214 riders and 10 pillion passengers) were killed on Australian roads and approximately 5,000 were hospitalised
Motorcyclists deaths make up about 17 per cent of the Australian road toll
Motorbikes account for just 4.5 per cent of Australian registered vehicles
Motorcyclists are 23 times likely to be killed on Australian roads than car drivers
Between 2001 and 2006, motorcyclist deaths increased by an average of 1.9 per cent annually
Between June 2007 to May 2008, motorcyclists deaths increased by an average of 4.2 per cent annually
As at mid-night Monday, 2nd May 2011, there had been 20 motorcyclists (including pillion passengers) killed on Queensland roads
It is estimated that a quarter of motorcyclists involved in accidents and wearing helmets suffer brain damage or death
For each motorcycle or bicycle fatality in Australia, the cost to the community is close to $1,000,000 per person, and substantially more for brain-injured persons (RACQ, 1998)
The grim statistics for cyclists:
Last year (2010), 40 cyclists were killed on Australian roads compared to the previous year (2009), 31 cyclists killed
As at mid-night Monday, 2nd May 2011, there had been 0 cyclists killed on Queensland roads
The grim statistics for Motorcyclists, Cyclists and all Road Users:
The following table list the number of road fatalities on Australian roads for Motorcyclists (including Pillion Passengers), Cyclists and All Road Fatalities from 1980 to 2010: Download
Note:
The year 1981 recorded the highest Road Fatalities on Australian roads with 3321 deaths.
The year 1982 recorded the highest Road Fatalities for Motorcyclists (including Pillion Passengers) on Australian roads with 482 deaths.
The year 1983 recorded the highest Road Fatalities for Cyclists on Australian roads with 103 deaths.
Graph 1: Motorcyclists and Cyclists Deaths for Australia and the state of Queensland (2001 to 2010):
