There are ten million motorcycles registered across the country, with bikers hitting the road every second. While the world of motorcycling has evolved significantly, it is not without its risks. Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer John Fitch analyzed fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of 2020 to determine which states provide the safest environments for motorcyclists. Here are the top 10 safest states for riders.
10. Tennessee
Tennessee ranks as the tenth safest state for motorcyclists in the United States of America, making it an even better place for riders to explore the Smoky Mountains and the renowned Tail of the Dragon Road. In 2020, a total of 1722 casualties were recorded, with 154 of them involving motorcyclists, accounting for 8.94% of all fatalities.
9. Virginia
Motorcycling is an exhilarating way to explore the beauty of Virginia with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. The state is continuously improving to become more motorcycle-friendly. However, despite these efforts, it experienced 104 losses involving bikers. Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer John Fitch’s analysis has confirmed that out of a total of 1211 fatalities, 8.59% of them were motorcyclists.
8. Kentucky
Kentucky stands out as a safe state in the United States for motorcyclists, catering to both casual and experienced bikers to ride the bluegrass landscape. In 2020, Kentucky recorded 92 biker fatalities, notably lower than Tennessee and Virginia. Out of 1074 total deaths reported, motorcyclists accounted for 8.57%.
7. New Mexico
In 2020, New Mexico reported fewer motorcyclist deaths compared to Kentucky, with a total of 46 fatalities. New Mexico’s state law requires all motorcycles to be equipped with one to two headlamps, enhancing safety for bikers as they ride the desert landscapes and winding canyon roads. Fatal crash data from NHTSA confirmed that out of 540 total losses, 8.52% were motorcyclists.
6. Georgia
Georgia law mandates all motorcyclists to hold a class M license before riding on the state’s roads, where they can enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Providence Canyon, rural landscapes, and scenic waterfalls. In 2020, the state reported 2387 deaths, with motorcyclist fatalities accounting for 8.21%.
5. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s reputation as one of the safest states for riding doubles its small-town charm. Motorcyclists seeking scenic routes should be aware of its four mountain ranges: the Ouachitas, Arbuckles, Wichitas, and the Ozarks. State law requires motorcycles to be equipped with both left and right rearview mirrors, each with a reflection surface of at least three inches in diameter. NHTSA reports 70 motorcyclist casualties in 2020, accounting for 7.64% of the total 916 deaths.
4. Louisiana
In Louisiana, motorcyclists riding the countryside roads can only carry passengers if the motorcycle seat is designed for two people. Louisiana ranks as the fourth safest state, with 78 motorcyclist fatalities accounting for 6.88% of the 1133 total deaths.
3. Mississippi
Mississippi ranks third place as the safest state in the United States for motorcyclists with routes including lush forests, hills, and valleys. With significantly fewer motorcyclist casualties compared to Tennessee and Virginia, the report highlights that out of 969 total fatalities, 61 were motorcyclists, accounting for 6.30% of the total.
2. Alaska
Alaska is considered the second safest state for motorcyclists and offers boundless natural beauty, including mountains, forests, and coastlines. In 2020, NHTSA reported only five motorcycle fatalities, which accounted for 6.25% of the total 80 casualties. With such low fatalities, Alaska stands out as the perfect state for motorcycle rides.
1. Alabama
There are two options in Alabama to obtain a motorcycle license: a person who is at least 14 years old may apply for a restricted class M license and 16 years old for a non-restricted class M license. Alabama leads with the lowest number of motorcyclist fatalities, likely attributed to the helmet mandate for both drivers and passengers. NHTSA reported 77 motorcyclist fatalities in 2020, accounting for 5.90% of the 1306 total deaths.
Safe riders can enjoy the ultimate destination: the Barber Motorsports Museum houses the world’s largest motorcycle collection.
➤ See the 10 Most Dangerous States for Motorcyclists
Source: John Fitch
