The number reported as seriously injured also fell 4% to 5,350; whilst the total reported motorcycle user casualties for 2009 is 20,703 – another 4% down on 2008. This is despite motorcycle traffic rising by 2% over the same period.

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) said police Bike Safe schemes, intelligent enforcement, engineering improvement standards, and commitment from trainers to improve standards has contributed to a safer motorcycling environment.

MCIA CEO Steve Kenwood said: "Although there is still a strong concern about the number of motorcycle casualties, the fact remains that year after year motorcycling continues to get safer in terms of the likelihood of having an accident.

"The report of the fall in motorcycle fatalities during 2009 is welcome, but we cannot be complacent about this – there are still far too many people dying in accidents – and we still have much work to do.

"The MCIA and the rest of the motorcycling community will continue to work hard to improve safety and ensure that they get full government support for a more rounded approach to road user safety.
Throughout the UK press there are numerous reports about bike safety initiatives.

Recent reports confirmed that in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2008, 252 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured, and 849 suffered an injury in road traffic accidents. 65% of all injuries resulted from collisions involving motorcycles or scooters at junctions, and 35% of those incidents were where the other driver failed to see the motorcyclist.

Lancashire County Council in partnership with Lancashire Police, has launched a campaign to give drivers advice and training encouraging them to think more about motorcyclists on the roads; while in Norfolk, the Th!nk campaign run by the county council, the three emergency service and the Highways Agency offers bikers the chance to improve their riding through additional training.

The number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on Norfolk's roads fell from 102 in 2008 to 93 in 2009, an 8.8% drop.

Associate and Motorcycle Personal Injury team leader Simon Richards said: "These figures are incredibly encouraging, both as a biker and as a member of the motorcycle community who has an interest in road safety.

"Access Legal from Shoosmiths is encouraging riders to consider extra training, and we've been working to encourage bikers to consider furthering their skills by attending courses such as Bikesafe."

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