Part one report – Thematic investigation of accidents involving young people on light motorcycles

The accident involving a 16-year-old boy on a light motorcycle on county road FV 115 in Aurskog-Høland on 8 May 2024 occurred when the rider lost balance, crossed over the oncoming lane and struck the safety barrier posts on the outside curve. The investigation has shown that the position and design of the safety barrier contributed to the extent of the injuries being so severe that the rider died. The NSIA considers that the safety barrier does not necessarily provide sufficient visual guidance in the curve compared with directional signs, and that a motorcycle protection system could have been installed due to the run-off-road risk. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration's risk-curve model has identified a particularly high risk for approximately 111 curves on the county road network in Akershus. These have been mapped, and the county authority has been given access to the maps.

 

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Akershus County Authority review high-risk curves with safety barriers on county roads with regard to motorcycle safety, and assess measures that could improve safety. This will provide a basis for prioritising safety measures.

Three of the four fatal accidents involving young people on light motorcycles in 2024 occurred because the riders chose speeds close to personal and physical limits. Figures from the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI) for 2022 show that the risk of being killed or seriously injured per kilometre travelled on a light motorcycle is very high. Research into brain development has shown that brain functions related to assessing risk, making judgements and responding to rapid and unexpected changes are not fully developed in teenagers. It is therefore concerning that young people are permitted to ride virtually unprotected on light motorcycles that can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h.

 

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration increase the age limit for light motorcycles, provided that the consequences have been thoroughly assessed, including how the risk may be shifted to other vehicle types and how this can be addressed.

The investigations into fatal accidents involving young people on light motorcycles in 2024 show that cornering, overtaking and junctions present a high risk for young riders. Cornering at high speeds and small safety margins represent a critical risk area that is exacerbated by technical defects and deficiencies. Mechanical maintenance is a decisive factor for safely operating a light motorcycle. Young riders often have little experience of assessing the condition of chains, tyres and brakes. The use of protective equipment that shields the body’s most vital areas (head, back, abdomen and chest) from impact is also highly significant for safety. These are topics that should be given more emphasis in training.

 

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration initiate work to revise learning objectives and/or content in the category A1 curriculum, ensuring that the findings and learning points from this investigation are included as part of the knowledge base.

All riders involved in fatal accidents with young people on light motorcycles in 2024 were wearing motorcycle clothing in addition to the mandatory helmet. In three cases, the helmet failed. In one accident, the helmet's quick-release system opened, and in two accidents, the helmets failed to absorb and distribute the energy from the impact. In one case, the back protector in the motorcycle jacket did not provide sufficient protection. These findings underline the need for stricter requirements for motorcycle protective equipment. The investigation also raises concerns about helmet performance, particularly regarding protection against impacts to the back of the head.

 

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration initiate work to assess additional requirements for protective equipment that can provide increased protection for the parts of the body most critical for survival, both for riders and passengers.

The investigations into fatal accidents involving young people on light motorcycles in 2024 indicate problems with mechanical maintenance. Three of the motorcycles – two of which were relatively new – had defects and deficiencies that affected stability and control: worn chains and sprockets, incorrectly mounted wheels, incorrect tyre pressure and degraded suspension. Young riders often have little experience of mechanical checks and maintenance, and parents or guardians have a difficult and unclear role in monitoring vehicle condition. Motorcycles are also exempt from the mandatory roadworthiness test (‘EU test’), and spot checks by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration do not detect all mechanical defects and deficiencies. This emerges as a clear area for improvement.

 

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration initiate work to revise regulations and/or control mechanisms so that the mechanical condition of light motorcycles is monitored more closely.

The investigations into fatal accidents involving young people on light motorcycles in 2024 indicate that road conditions contributed to several accidents. Hazardous curves with limited forward visibility contributed to three of the accidents. Unforgiving roadside terrain and safety barriers exacerbated the severity of injuries in two of the accidents. This demonstrates that infrastructure that is sufficient for cars can pose a lethal hazard to motorcyclists when the safety margins are small.

 

A. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration review road sections with particularly high accident risk for motorcycles, and assess measures that can improve motorcycle safety on these sections. This will provide a basis for prioritising safety measures.

 

B. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Nye Veier AS review road sections with particularly high accident risk for motorcycles, and assess measures that can improve motorcycle safety on these sections. This will provide a basis for prioritising safety measures.

 

C. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that county authorities review road sections with particularly high accident risk for motorcycles, and assess measures that can improve motorcycle safety on these sections. This will provide a basis for prioritising safety measures.

The investigations into fatal accidents involving young people on light motorcycles in 2024 show that cornering, overtaking and junctions present a high risk for young riders. Cornering at high speeds and small safety margins represent a critical risk area that is exacerbated by technical defects and deficiencies. Mechanical maintenance is a decisive factor for safely operating a light motorcycle. Young riders often have little experience of assessing the condition of chains, tyres and brakes. In addition, the ability of the protective equipment to absorb and distribute energy has a direct impact on the outcome of accidents. These topics should be given more emphasis in the information efforts aimed at young motorcyclists and their parents or guardians by authorities and organisations with responsibility for motorcycle safety.

 

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration initiate an information campaign directed at motorcyclists – particularly young riders and their parents or guardians – incorporating the findings and learning points for road users from this thematic investigation.

The investigations into fatal accidents involving young people on light motorcycles in 2024 show that cornering, overtaking and junctions present a high risk for young riders. Cornering at high speeds and small safety margins represent a critical risk area that is exacerbated by technical defects and deficiencies. Mechanical maintenance is a decisive factor for safely operating a light motorcycle. Young riders often have little experience of assessing the condition of chains, tyres and brakes. In addition, the ability of the protective equipment to absorb and distribute energy has a direct impact on the outcome of accidents. These topics should be given more emphasis in the information efforts aimed at young motorcyclists and their parents or guardians by authorities and organisations with responsibility for motorcycle safety.

 

A. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Motorcycle Union (NMCU) initiate information work specifically addressing the findings and learning points for road users in this thematic investigation.

 

B. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Council for Road Safety initiate information work specifically addressing the findings and learning points for road users in this thematic investigation.

 

C. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that NAF MC initiate information work specifically addressing the findings and learning points for road users in this thematic investigation.

 

D. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Motorcycle Importers Association (MCF) initiate information work specifically addressing the findings and learning points for road users in this thematic investigation.

 

E. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Norsk MC-Forhandlerforening (MCF) (Motorcycle Importers Association) initiate information work specifically addressing the findings and learning points for road users in this thematic investigation.