Young men are overrepresented in motorcycle deaths but there is more to the picture, says long-time motorcycle rider and Coonamble local Tony Mowbray. 

The NSW government's latest statistics reveal the number of motorcycles involved in a crash is at a ten-year high - and it is younger men who are most often involved.

Tony Mowbray, who has been riding for 53 years, said that the increase in crashes also goes hand-in-hand with an increase in motorcycle registrations. 

According to statistics from the University of Canberra, the number of registered motorcycles in Australia rose from 709,288 in 2012 to 965,238 in 2023. 

Young men are more likely to engage in risky riding, committee member of the NSW motorcycle council Stephen Hopper, who bought his first bike in 1977, said. 

"And some of those risks don't pay off," Mr Hopper said. 

Out of 142 fatalities of riders between the ages of 20 and 29 in the past ten years, only four were women, despite the number of female motorcyclists in NSW increasing from 9.6 in 2003 to 13.2 in 2023.

As time passes, Mr Mowbray said he is less prone to taking risks. 

"I used to take unnecessary risks. I considered myself a fairly good rider but you always look good in your own mirror."

 Tony Mowbray (right) with President of the Coonamble Auto Club Stephen Lane at a Coffee and Cars Catch-up in July.

Now he makes sure someone is either riding with him or is aware of his whereabouts.

"I would rather ride with somebody. I value my personal safety. If there's somebody with me there's a good chance that you'll get some help if you need it," Mr Mowbray said. 

"As you gather experience, you learn to predict other traffic a little better. You sort of get a sixth sense" Mr Hopper said. 

Learning how to adjust your riding to the environment is a skill that comes with time and experience but that should also be taught in riding schools. 

"I would recommend more training, particularly on riding to your limits," Mr Hopper said.

Both the country and the city come with their own sets of challenges. 

"In the city, you have a lot of road users who don't care or aren't skilled. 

"In the country, there's other hazards, like a pig, a kangaroo, an emu, or a pothole," Mr Mowbray said.

"I think there's two huge factors and one of them is the condition of our roads and the other is driver/rider training."

Mr Mowbray used to be an accredited motorcycle coach. One of the main lessons he taught his students was maintaing balance.

"I told them to go out on the road to do figure eights. Don't use your brakes. Don't put your foot down. It teaches you control." 

Even counting the number of motorcycles on the road with your children can help raise drivers who are aware of their surroundings, Mr Mowbray said. 

"And then, when they get their licenses, they'll notice motorcycles."