Risky Motorcycle Rider Behaviors That Increase the Chances of an Accident

Motorcycle accidents are not always caused by bad weather, poor road conditions, or reckless drivers in cars.

11:01 02 July 2025

Motorcycle accidents are not always caused by bad weather, poor road conditions, or reckless drivers in cars. A huge part of the problem often comes from the way motorcyclists ride. Research shows that 90% of traffic accidents are related to driver behavior.

If you ride a motorcycle, it’s not enough to just wear a helmet and think you’re good to go. The way you ride, the choices you make on the road, and how you respond to situations all affect your safety. And when accidents do happen, the results are often serious. 

In many cases, the damage from a crash can affect your health, your future, and even your ability to work. And if you ever find yourself in a bad crash, having the right help can be a big deal. In those situations, choosing a motorcycle accident attorney who understands the details of your case can make a real difference in how things turn out for you.

Behaviors That Put Riders At The Highest Risk

These are some of the risky habits riders engage in that put them at higher risk of accidents:

Speeding and Stunt Riding

Speeding is one of the most common risky behaviors among motorcyclists. The faster you go, the less time you have to react. Braking takes longer, and controlling the bike becomes harder. This makes it easy to lose control during turns or emergency situations. 

Younger riders and those with less education or income were more likely to speed. They were also more likely to perform stunts like wheelies or weaving in and out of traffic.

Ignoring Helmet Use and Basic Safety Gear

Even though wearing a helmet is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent serious injuries, many riders still choose not to wear one. In some studies, over 80% of riders in both accident and non-accident groups admitted to riding without helmets. This makes crashes much more dangerous. 

A helmet protects your brain, which is the part of your body you can’t afford to damage. Not using a helmet is a clear example of a safety violation, one that greatly increases your chances of long-term injury or death if you crash.

Riding Under the Influence of Alcohol

Riding after drinking alcohol is one of the most dangerous choices a motorcyclist can make. In Texas, data from 2010 to 2017 showed that in 5,438 accidents involving impaired motorcycle riders, 83% of the riders themselves were the ones who were impaired. 

That means alcohol was not just involved, but was also a direct factor in most of those crashes. Alcohol messes with your ability to see clearly, think straight, and move quickly. These are all things you need in order to ride safely. 

On top of that, 55% of those alcohol-related crashes ended in serious injury or death. That shows just how deadly impaired riding can be.

Distractions and Lack of Focus

Being distracted while riding also leads to accidents. Some riders think it's harmless to listen to music with headphones or check their phones while stopped at a light. 

One study found that riders who didn’t believe that listening to music while riding was dangerous were more likely to be in an accident. The problem is not just what you’re doing, but the mindset that comes with it. If you’re not focused, you’re already more at risk.

Riding With No License or Experience

Riders without a valid license are often more likely to be involved in crashes. Not having a license often means you didn’t go through any formal training. That means you may not know how to handle emergency situations or understand the rules of the road. 

Studies have shown that riders without licenses, or those who only ride occasionally, are more likely to be in accidents. In contrast, people who ride every day for less than an hour were shown to be at lower risk, possibly because they are more cautious and aware of traffic patterns.