PPB and PBOT Urge Awareness and Safety After Increase in Fatal Crashes involving Motorcyclists

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) are urging everyone who travels on Portland's roads—especially motor vehicle drivers—to slow down, stay alert, and safely share the road following a sharp increase in fatal motorcycle crashes across the city.

This year, motorcyclists account for 11 of Portland's 25 traffic fatalities—more than 50% above the four-year average and double the number recorded at this point last year. In addition to the 11 motorcyclists killed, eight pedestrians and six drivers or passengers in motor vehicles have died in traffic crashes in 2026. No bicyclists have been killed in traffic crashes this year.

Four motorcyclists have been involved in fatal crashes over the last month, all in the hours between dusk and dawn. The Portland Vision Zero 2025 Deadly Traffic Crash Report found that 72% percent of the city's traffic deaths occurred in between dusk, night, and dawn, consistent with the 75% average over the previous four years. Studies show that more people ride motorcycles during the summer months, increasing exposure and risk.

"What we're seeing in both our enforcement efforts and fatal crash investigations is that some motorcyclists are making unsafe choices," said Sergeant Betsy Hornstein. "We continue to see motorcyclists speeding, making sudden or unpredictable movements, lane splitting, and driving while impaired. While drivers of motor vehicles also engage in some of these behaviors, the consequences are often far more severe for motorcyclists. Motorcycles are smaller, less visible to other road users, and offer none of the protection of an enclosed vehicle."

People riding motorcycles can reduce their risk and help save lives by driving sober, traveling at the posted speed limit and wearing protective clothing as well as U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant helmets.

Motorcyclists should follow Oregon lane-use laws. Lane splitting with vehicles other than motorcycles is illegal.  

Oregon law requires people riding motorcycles to have a valid motorcycle endorsement obtained through an approved Team Oregon motorcycle safety course, or a motorcycle instruction permit. Penalties for riding without an endorsement can reach $2,000 plus court costs.

Nationally, people riding motorcycles continue to face higher risks in traffic crashes. In 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, people on motorcycles were nearly 27 times more likely than people in passenger cars to be killed in a motor vehicle crash and nearly five times more likely to be injured. Speeding and alcohol impairment remain leading factors in deaths involving people on motorcycles.

The City of Portland Vision Zero goal is to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. PBOT, PPB, and other partner agencies continue to make street safety improvements and enforce traffic laws. But Vision Zero requires everyone — Portlanders and visitors — to travel safely and look out for one another.

Despite the rise in motorcycle-related deaths, Portland remains about 15% below the four-year average for total traffic deaths across travel modes. Pedestrian deaths and deaths of people in motor vehicles continue to show a steady decline.  Safety improvements have reduced speeding on high-crash corridors, and early indicators show crash reductions as well. The city continues to expand safety cameras to discourage speeding and red-light running.

PPB supports Vision Zero by focusing enforcement on behaviors most likely to cause deadly crashes, including impaired driving and dangerous speeding, particularly on the High Crash Network.  PPB's crash investigations help identify human factors, roadway conditions, and visibility issues that guide PBOT's data-driven safety improvements.

Portland adopted Vision Zero in 2015 to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries and to improve safety and mobility for everyone. Learn more atportland.gov/transportation/vision-zero. For Vision Zero data, visit the Guide to the Vision Zero Dashboard.

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