A survey showing one in four motorcycle riders take risks and exceed the speed limit gives a skewed and inaccurate view of motorcyclists.
In fact, motorcyclists are the most aware and safety conscious road users, according to other surveys.
The survey of about 1300 riders commissioned by Canstar Blue also shows that 73% of riders are aware of tyre wear, 78% know their correct tyre pressures and 75% are concerned about other road users not seeing them.
Our global survey of MotorBikeWriter readers showed that 77% claimed road safety was the most important aspect of riding, followed by 71% concerned about road quality.
It found riders are also more likely to take an advanced rider courses than drivers are to do post-licence training.
This follows a British survey which found riders were far more aware of the road rules than other road users and more than twice as likely to pass a licence renewal test.
Far from being cavalier risk takers, we are the most safety conscious road users!
Risk survey
Yet, with motorcycle road fatalities still too high, we expect mainstream media to continue concentrating on the sensationalist statistics that 25% of riders exceed the speed limit and take risks.
Actually, we’re surprised it’s only 25% who say they take risks. We all know riding a motorcycle is risky, but we do it anyway, so the figure should be more like 99%.
We still take the risk of riding because we calculate it is worth it for the thrill, freedom and inexplicable joy we get out of our passion.
Riders don’t ride to take risks, but to master them!
At the same time as taking these calculated risks, motorcyclists are also aware of the dangers and devote most of our attention to not getting killed.
Meanwhile, the drivers around us are more concerned with listening to music, applying their lipstick or texting.
So when you read or hear of this new survey today, arm yourself with our statistics that show riders are possibly the safest road users.
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Canstar Blue survey results
| Statement | Total | |
| Australian roads are dangerous for motorcyclists | Agree | |
| 58% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 42% | ||
| Family or friends have encouraged me to stop riding because it can be dangerous | Agree | |
| 56% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 44% | ||
| I’m often worried that other road users won’t see me | Agree | |
| 75% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 25% | ||
| I’ve been involved in a collision with another vehicle | Agree | |
| 23% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 77% | ||
| I’ve considered selling my motorcycle because riding can be dangerous | Agree | |
| 32% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 68% | ||
| I often exceed the speed limit | Agree | |
| 26% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 74% | ||
| I often take risks while riding (e.g. overtaking other vehicles, riding between vehicles) | Agree | |
| 25% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 75% | ||
| I have had an accident whilst riding my motorcycle | Agree | |
| 37% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 63% | ||
| I paid for my motorcycle with a bike loan or financing | Agree | |
| 26% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 74% | ||
| I prefer riding a motorcycle to driving a car | Agree | |
| 59% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 41% | ||
| Riding my bike makes me feel young at heart | Agree | |
| 83% | ||
| Disagree | ||
| 17% | ||
| Reason of riding a motorcycle but not driving a car | It’s more convenient | |
| 46% | ||
| It’s exhilarating | ||
| 63% | ||
| It’s cheaper | ||
| 55% | ||
| It’s a great image | ||
| 20% | ||
| It’s less maintenance | ||
| 25% | ||
| Other | ||
| 8% | ||
| Reason of owning a bike | Cheaper to park | |
| 30% | ||
| Cheaper to buy (i.e. motorcycle itself) | ||
| 24% | ||
| Cheaper fuel-wise (i.e. running cost) | ||
| 45% | ||
| Easier to find a park | ||
| 40% | ||
| As a hobby (e.g. weekend riding) | ||
| 58% | ||
| To join a social group | ||
| 12% | ||
| Makes me feel sexy | ||
| 10% | ||
| Other (Please specify) | ||
| 11% | ||
| I delay buying new tyres for as long as possible (even if I think I should replace them) | Agree | 32% | |
| Disagree | 68% | ||
| I’m not sure what the correct air pressure of my tyres should be | Agree | 22% | |
| Disagree | 78% | ||
| I’m not sure how to check if I need new tyres | Agree | 18% | |
| Disagree | 82% | ||
| I’m not sure what the legal tyre safety standards are | Agree | 27% | |
| Disagree | 73% | ||
| I have been fearful of an accident when driving because of worn tyres | Agree | 31% | |
| Disagree | 69% | ||
| I have been ripped off when buying tyres | Agree | 33% | |
| Disagree | 67% | ||
| I tend to buy the cheapest tyres available | Agree | 20% | |
| Disagree | 80% | ||
| I have driven on tyres I suspected were below legal safety standards | Agree | 27% | |
| Disagree | 73% | ||
| I tend to ignore engine warning lights showing in my motorcycle | Agree | 14% | |
| Disagree | 86% | ||
| I’m wary of being ripped off when buying tyres | Agree | 60% | |
| Disagree | 40% | ||