Report forms concerning the deaths of 120 motorcycle riders in traffic crashes in New South Wales have been studied. Most of those killed were young men. Deaths were particularly common after 6:00pm and at the weekend. In many cases a colliding vehicle had not been aware of the motorcyclist’s presence. Any measure which would make motorcycles more easily visible, such as the constant burning of headlights, should have a beneficial effect. Head injury was very common. If 100 per cent of motorcyclist in New South Wales wore helmets, rather than the 75 per cent as at present, the death rate would be cut by about 35 percent.