Young riders of light motorcycles face a 36 times higher risk of being killed or seriously injured in traffic compared to young car drivers, according to new research from the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI).
A new report from the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI) shows that 16–17-year-olds riding light motorcycles have a dramatically higher risk of being killed or seriously injured in traffic than 18–19-year-old car drivers. The calculations indicate that the risk is as much as 36 times higher for the youngest motorcycle riders.
These findings provide important insights for young people, parents, and policymakers—and raise questions about traffic safety for the youngest road users.
23 Seriously Injured or Killed Each Year
During the period 2021–2024, there were on average:
- 23 fatalities or serious injuries per year among 16–17-year-old light motorcycle riders
- 17 fatalities or serious injuries per year among 18–19-year-old car drivers
Although the number of serious accidents is fairly similar, there is a large difference in how much the two groups drive.
Drive Less, but Face Much Higher Risk
According to a nationwide survey conducted by Nord University for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration in 2024, 16–17-year-olds riding light motorcycles travel an average of 5,836 kilometers per year. The total annual mileage for this age group is estimated at around 32 million kilometers.
By comparison, 18–19-year-old car drivers travel around 838 million kilometers annually (average for 2021–2024), according to the National Travel Survey.
When accident figures are adjusted for the actual distance traveled, the difference becomes clear:
- Light motorcycles (ages 16–17): 0.719 fatalities and serious injuries per million kilometers
- Cars (ages 18–19): 0.020 per million kilometers
This means that the risk is approximately 36 times higher for the youngest light motorcycle riders.
“The Results Are Highly Robust”
The study was initiated due to the need for updated risk estimates. Previous analyses have largely been based on older data on mileage for light motorcycles.
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