Young Riders Matter
Customer success story
Young Riders Matter is the most comprehensive research project into young motorcyclists to date, commissioned by the National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) to better understand the risks faced by this cohort. Delivered with funding from The Road Safety Trust and analytical support from Agilysis, the project set out to generate a robust, evidence-led understanding of young riders’ behaviours, attitudes, needs, and communication preferences. By combining national collision data with direct insight from young riders themselves, the study aimed to act as a focal point for stakeholders working to improve safety outcomes and reduce casualties among this important but often misunderstood group.
The Challenge
Young motorcyclists aged 16 to 24 are consistently over-represented in road casualty data, yet they remain a complex and relatively under-researched group. Stakeholders lacked a clear, up-to-date evidence base that explained not only how young riders are involved in collisions, but also how they think, behave, and engage with road safety messaging. Traditional approaches often treated young riders as a single, homogenous group, failing to recognise the diversity in their motivations, experience levels, and attitudes to risk.
The scale of the challenge is significant. Between 2019 and 2023, 22,161 young motorcyclists were injured, with 29% of those casualties resulting in a fatal or serious outcome. These collisions are not evenly distributed, with young riders more likely to come from deprived communities and to live and travel in urban environments. At the same time, many young people use motorcycles as a practical mode of transport rather than as an identity, meaning they may not engage with traditional motorcycling communities or safety campaigns. This creates a disconnect between those designing interventions and those most at risk, highlighting the need for a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the audience.
The Approach
To address this challenge, Agilysis designed and delivered a comprehensive, multi-phase research programme that combined quantitative analysis with qualitative insight. The first stage involved detailed analysis of national police-reported collision data, focusing on all recorded injuries involving riders aged 16 to 24 over a five-year period. This provided a clear, evidence-based understanding of where, when, and how collisions occur, as well as the factors influencing severity.
Alongside this, a nationwide survey of 250 young riders was conducted to capture self-reported behaviours, attitudes, and experiences. This was supplemented by follow-up interviews and focus groups, which provided deeper insight into the motivations behind rider behaviours and the challenges they face. Crucially, this ensured that young riders themselves were placed at the centre of the research, allowing their voices to inform the analysis rather than relying solely on assumptions derived from collision data.
A key feature of the approach was the use of advanced analytical techniques to segment the survey respondents into behavioural clusters. Using a data-driven methodology, riders were grouped according to similarities in their responses, resulting in 13 distinct clusters that could be further organised into three broad categories: more experienced riders, young inexperienced riders, and delivery or gig economy riders. This segmentation demonstrated that there is no single definition of a “young rider” and provided a framework for designing more targeted and effective interventions.
The Outcomes and Results
The Young Riders Matter project has delivered a step change in how young motorcyclists are understood and how interventions can be designed to support them. The analysis of collision data revealed clear and consistent patterns, showing that most casualties involve smaller motorcycles in the 51 to 125cc range, while the likelihood of severe injury increases as engine size increases. Collisions are predominantly urban and often occur at T-junctions involving conflicts with cars, typically during weekday afternoons. These findings provide a strong, evidence-based foundation for targeting safety interventions more effectively.
The research also delivered important insights into rider behaviour and attitudes. Although many young riders demonstrate a good understanding of their vulnerability and the importance of safety equipment, there are inconsistencies in how protective gear is used. Interviews highlighted that purchasing personal protective equipment online is often perceived as difficult and confusing, with young riders expressing a need for trusted, independent sources of advice. At the same time, the study found that young riders do not always identify strongly as motorcyclists, which has significant implications for how they are engaged and communicated with.
In terms of training and development, the findings highlighted clear opportunities to enhance existing provision. Around half of respondents felt that the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) did not provide all the skills needed to be a safe rider, with many suggesting that hazard perception, pre-learning, and post-training support could improve outcomes. This provides a clear direction for policymakers and training providers seeking to strengthen rider education and reduce risk.
The project also provided valuable insight into how young riders access information and how best to reach them. Social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Facebook were identified as the most commonly used channels, alongside search engines, online forums, and peer networks. Many participants expressed interest in digital tools, particularly a dedicated Young Riders’ app offering route planning, safety advice, and training opportunities, suggesting a clear opportunity to develop practical, accessible resources tailored to their needs.
Ultimately, the most significant outcome of the project is the confirmation that young riders are not a single, uniform group, but a diverse set of individuals with different motivations, behaviours, and levels of experience. This insight underpins a shift towards more segmented, evidence-led approaches to road safety, enabling stakeholders to design interventions that are more relevant, targeted, and effective. By combining robust data analysis with real-world insight, Young Riders Matter provides a clear blueprint for improving safety outcomes and reducing casualties among one of the most vulnerable groups on the road.
