The Young Riders Matter report, supported by The Road Safety Trust and produced in partnership with data specialists Agilysis, combines national casualty data with the lived experiences of 250 young riders. It is one of the most detailed examinations of this age group ever carried out in the UK.
Behind the statistics are real people. For many young riders, a motorcycle is not a weekend hobby. It is how they get to work, college or training. It represents independence, affordability and opportunity. That makes the findings all the more urgent.

The research shows that most casualties involve smaller bikes between 51cc and 125cc, the types typically ridden by young people. Collisions are more common in urban areas, often at junctions and during weekday afternoons. While smaller bikes are most frequently involved, injuries become more severe as engine size increases.

Crucially, the report makes clear that young riders are not a single, uniform group. Their motivations, confidence levels and attitudes towards safety vary widely. Many told researchers they value protective gear and want to ride safely, but feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice online. Others called for improvements to Compulsory Basic Training, particularly around real world hazards and clearer guidance once training is complete.
The message is simple. If we want to reduce serious injuries and deaths, we need to listen. Road safety strategies must reflect the realities of young riders’ lives, how they travel, how they learn and where they get their information.

This is where technology must become part of the conversation. Prevention, training and awareness are essential, but crashes still happen. In those critical moments after an incident, particularly when a rider is unconscious or unable to reach their phone, rapid emergency response can be the difference between life and death.

REALRIDER SOS exists to address that exact gap. As the UK’s only government-accredited motorcycle crash detection app with direct 999 integration, it is designed to automatically alert emergency services if a serious incident is detected. For young riders on 125cc bikes commuting through busy urban junctions, often alone and on tight budgets, that added layer of protection provides reassurance not just for them, but for their families too.

Technology is not a substitute for better training or safer infrastructure. It is a safety net. As policymakers and industry leaders respond to the Young Riders Matter findings, the focus should not only be on reducing collisions, but also on improving outcomes when they occur. Supporting young riders means combining education, clear guidance and modern safety tools that reflect how they actually ride today.

If we are serious about protecting the next generation of motorcyclists, we need a joined-up approach: better training, clearer communication and intelligent technology working together. Young riders matter. Their safety must reflect that.

https://realrider.com