New York Ranked One of the Safest States for Motorcycle Riders

Motorcycle season is in full swing across New York. Whether you're cruising through the Southern Tier, heading to the Adirondacks, or taking a ride along the Hudson Valley, motorcycles become a common sight on roads across the state. A new study has some good news for New York riders.

New York Is One of the Safest States for Motorcyclists

According to a study by Beck & Beck, New York ranks as the fourth safest state in the nation for motorcycle riders during the busiest riding months of May through September. They looked at motorcycle crash fatalities from 2020 through 2024 and compared them to the number of registered motorcycles in each state. While New York has one of the largest motorcycle populations, the risk of a fatal crash is lower than in most other states.

New York Has Nearly 784,000 Motorcycles

New York has nearly 784,000 registered motorcycles, the second-highest total in the country. Only California has more. Because so many people ride motorcycles in New York, the state records a fairly high number of fatalities each year.

Get our free mobile app

New York has almost 145 motorcycle deaths during the riding season. At first glance, that may sound alarming, but experts say it is important to look at the rate of crashes compared to the number of riders on the road.

The Risk Is Lower Than Most States

When they calculated crash rates, New York had just 18.34 fatal crashes per 100,000 registered motorcycles. That placed New York fourth safest in the nation. Only Montana, South Dakota, and Utah had lower crash rates.

Safety Still Matters

Even though New York ranks among the safest states for motorcycle riders, safety remains important every time someone gets on a bike. Riders are encouraged to wear helmets, stay visible to other drivers, obey speed limits, and remain alert at all times.