FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2025
Contact:
Carr Lanham, Target Zero Manager Region 11
CLanham@wtscwa.com
360-815-4243
Increased Motorcycle Safety Patrols During Oyster Run
Anacortes, WA — More motorcycles travel on Washington’s roads in the summer months than any other time of the year. Officials are hopeful that fatal motorcycle crashes decreased in Washington. In an ongoing effort to reduce these crashes, increased safety patrols will be visible September 26-28 during the 42nd Annual Oyster Run near Anacortes, WA.
Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Sedro-Wooley PD, Anacortes PD, Burlington PD, Mt. Vernon PD, Oak Harbor PD, Island County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol will be focused on unsafe and high-risk driving behaviors by both motorcycle riders and other vehicle drivers.
According to preliminary data from Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), motorcyclist fatalities decreased in 2024 on Washington’s roads. In 2023, there were 142 motorcyclist fatalities, the most in Washington state’s history. In 2024 Washington experienced a 20 percent decrease with 113 motorcyclist fatalities. While one motorcyclist serious injury or fatality is unacceptable, it’s hopeful to see this reduction.
Traffic safety professionals remain concerned about the overall increase in motor vehicle crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities, and while motorcycles represent a small number of incidents, they also represent a disproportionate number of deaths. In the last five years (2020-2024), motorcycles made up just 3% of registered vehicles on Washington’s roads and accounted for 16% of all traffic fatalities.
“While most motorcycle riders practice safety, the number of fatalities is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. This is particularly concerning because we know these crashes are preventable,” said Mark Medalen, Motorcycle Safety Program Manager at WTSC. “We want to ensure that everyone enjoys the Oyster Run weekend and returns home safely.”
Motorcyclists are over-represented in traffic fatalities because they are vulnerable road users that don’t have steel cages, air bags, seat belts, and crash protection of other motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), per mile traveled in 2019, motorcyclists were about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash and four times more likely to be seriously injured.
Most traffic crashes are caused by human choices or errors. The leading causes of motorcyclist serious injuries and fatalities (single vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes) are speed, impairment by alcohol and/or drugs, and distraction.
The WTSC’s motorcycle safety website, “Ride Safe, Ride On,” has a collection of resources including videos, blogs, training tools, and safety information designed to help motorcyclists and motorists learn how to safely share the road together.
Drivers are also encouraged to leave extra space and following distance around motorcycles, always drive sober, wear a seatbelt, follow speed limits, and avoid distractions.
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About Ride Safe, Ride On
Ride Safe, Ride On is a motorcycle safety outreach program from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. We focus on making a positive impact on Washington motorcycle riders by promoting ongoing training, responsible riding and wearing all the safety gear, all the time.
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