Motocross riders understand the physical risks of the sport. Broken bones, ligament damage and serious crashes are all part of the reality of riding. What many riders don't consider until it's too late, however, is the financial impact of an injury.
Time off work, lost income, mortgage payments, household bills and rehabilitation costs can quickly become a major concern, particularly for self-employed riders. In this guide, we look at UK motocross accident statistics, common injuries and what those figures mean from a financial perspective.
We also explore why many riders choose to consider financial protection alongside physical protection when participating in higher-risk sports.
With clubs all over the UK, motocross remains one of the UK's most popular off-road motorsports despite the risk of injury.
Research into motocross injury rates highlights the physical demands and risks involved in the sport. This is perhaps unsurprising given the combination of high speeds, large jumps, uneven terrain and close competition between riders.
Yet these risks have done little to reduce the sport's popularity. Every year, riders of all ages join clubs, obtain their licence and enjoy the challenge, competition and excitement that motocross has offered for more than a century.
New riders looking to get started may also find our Ultimate UK Motocross Resource Guide – Clubs, Tracks and More useful.
What We See When Speaking To Motocross Riders
At Quote Sports Insurance, we regularly speak to and help motocross riders at every level of participation, from weekend riders and practice enthusiasts, to club-level competitors, regional and national amateur racers, and elite riders competing at the highest levels of motocross.
Many are self-employed tradespeople, contractors, business owners or individuals whose income depends on their ability to work.
Because we specialise in helping people involved in higher-risk sports, we regularly speak to riders who are surprised by how quickly a few weeks away from work can affect household finances, mortgage payments and day-to-day living costs.
One common theme we encounter is that riders often invest heavily in safety equipment, bike maintenance and training, but have never considered how they would pay their bills if an injury stopped them working for several months.
While every rider's situation is different, understanding the financial risks associated with motocross is just as important as understanding the physical risks.
How Common Are Motocross Injuries?
Short answer: sadly, far too common.
When you combine high speeds, high jumps, collisions with other riders and sudden loss of bike control for whatever reason, the net result is potential for injuries ranging from simple sprains to life-threatening damage to internal organs.
Fortunately, modern safety gear reduces the chance of injury when accidents do occur, but unfortunately can't completely prevent it.
A long-term 12-year study [1] of 15,870 motocross riders highlights the frequency and severity of injuries sustained in the sport. Researchers collected accident data from race medical reports, insurance declarations and rider follow-up forms. They analysed 1,500 motocross accidents and found that 370 involved multiple injuries, demonstrating how a single motocross incident can result in several injuries occurring simultaneously.
The authors calculated that there were 150 injuries per thousand rider hours in stadium competitions, while outdoor motocross competitions saw 76 injuries per thousand rider hours. Overall, the incidence of motocross injuries worked out at 94.5 injuries per thousand rider hours.
While many of these injuries were relatively minor, the data demonstrates just how frequently riders require medical treatment. Even injuries that are not considered life-threatening can still result in weeks or months away from work.
Understanding the Financial Impact of Serious Accidents
Recovering from motocross injuries means time off work, as it can take up to four weeks to recover from mild knee, shoulder or ankle sprains.
But wrist, collarbone or rib fractures can take between six and twelve weeks to heal completely.
For employed riders, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) may provide some financial assistance during recovery, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. SSP is payable for up to 28 weeks, although the amount received is often significantly lower than a rider's normal earnings.
And as for "a certain amount", that’s either 80% of their average earnings or £123.25 a week (at the time of writing) - but whichever is the lower.
However, recovery from serious injuries such as ACL tears, internal organ trauma and spinal damage of any kind can take much longer than 28 weeks.
So what options are available once those 28 weeks are up?
There's Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment - none of which would provide an income close to what a rider would have been earning previously.
Self-employed riders, though, don't have even the partial financial assistance offered by statutory sick pay. They are, however, entitled to Universal Credit, which can take up to five weeks to start, and Employment Support Allowance, which can take more than three months before payments begin.
Whether a rider is an employee or self-employed, the usual bills will still keep coming in during recovery, and it's very likely there will be additional medical expenses to deal with as well.
Savings might make up the shortfall, but for how long? We discuss the wider financial consequences of sports injuries in our guide What Happens Financially If You're Injured Playing Sport in the UK?
The Hidden Cost Of Motocross Injuries
Lost earnings are often only part of the financial impact.
Depending on the severity of an injury, riders may also face:
- Physiotherapy costs
- Travel to medical appointments
- Additional childcare expenses
- Mortgage and rent commitments
- Loan and vehicle finance repayments
- Reduced business income for self-employed riders
- Ongoing household bills despite reduced earnings
For many riders, these costs continue long after the initial injury has healed.
The physical outcomes of a motocross injury are plain to see, but what too many riders have yet to take into account are the financial implications.
Some riders, though, not only have the physical protection they need to minimise the risk of injury but also have all the financial protection they need in place should an injury occur.
If you ride motocross and rely on your income to support yourself or your family, it may be worth reviewing your financial protection arrangements before an injury occurs rather than afterwards.
Motocross Injury Statistics - What the Data Shows
The long-term 12-year study highlighted not only the frequency of motocross injuries but also the severity of injuries sustained.
The study categorised the 1870 injuries noted as follows:
Of 1076 bruises recorded, 27.9% were on the upper extremities, 26.9% on the lower extremities, 21.2% were on the trunk, and 16% were on the face.
Of the 450 fractures recorded, 50.9% were in the upper extremities, 38% in the lower extremities and the remainder between the spine, chest and skull.
Spine fractures (5.8% of all accidents) saw long-term neurological problems in 8 riders.
Head injuries (5.7% of all accidents) produced coma in 3% of those injured and loss of consciousness in 14%.
The Most Common Types of Motocross Injuries
The first epidemiological study of motocross injuries in the UK, undertaken by a trauma and orthopaedic department between 2010 and 2014 [2], investigated 423 admissions with injuries ranging from one to six per patient.
The study recorded the following injuries:
70 Clavicle
53 Long bone fracture
47 Forearm / Distal radius
43 Shoulder
36 Wrist / Hand
35 Soft tissue / laceration
34 Knee ligament / soft tissue
32 Abdomen
26 Foot and ankle
26 Chest
22 Elbow
19 Neck
18 Life-threatening / polytrauma
14 Head
10 Shoulder blade
And even though that study is over ten years old now, and safety equipment is more and more effective, today’s rate and type of injury hasn’t changed all that much.
We explore these injuries in greater detail in our guide to The Most Common Motocross Injuries, including recovery times, treatment considerations and the potential impact on a rider's ability to work.
How Motocross Compares to Other Sports
As we've seen, according to that 12-year study [1], overall injury rates work out to 94.5 injuries per thousand rider hours - not surprising since motocross involves speed, heavy bikes, split-second decisions and super-fast reactions.
And even though most of those decisions and reactions keep riders out of trouble,
collisions and rough landings are all part of what makes motocross a dangerous sport. We explore this in more detail in our article How Dangerous Is Motocross Compared to Other Sports?
When comparing motocross injury rates with those seen in other sports, motocross consistently ranks among the higher-risk activities. Research into professional rugby, skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking also demonstrates significant injury rates, although motocross continues to rank among the higher-risk sporting activities because of the combination of speed, jumps, impacts and rider collisions.
During the 2021-22 season, Premiership Rugby in England recorded a match injury incidence of 75 per thousand hours. 45-50% of those injuries are caused by tackling, with concussion being the most common injury.
And as for rough landings, a ResearchGate publication [3] tells us that skiing and snowboarding show an injury rate of 47.5 injuries per thousand visits. Sprains, knee and lower leg injuries feature for skiers, while snowboarding injuries tend to be fractures and dislocations of forearms, hands and wrists.
Still on the subject of rough landings, a BMJ article [4] lists overall downhill mountain biking injury rates as 16.8 injuries per thousand hours. Lower leg injuries were most common, followed closely by injury to the forearm.
And when it comes to soccer, according to another BMJ article [5], overall injuries in professional male football players were 8.1 per thousand hours. Match injuries, however, worked out to 36 per 1000 hours. The most common type of injuries were muscle/tendon damage in the lower extremities.
How Safety Equipment Helps Reduce Risk
Modern safety equipment protects motocross riders from head to toe. Literally.
Head And Upper Body Protection
- Helmets protect against skull fractures, brain injury and rotational forces
- Goggles prevent eye injury, vision loss and impacts from flying debris
- Neck braces limit hyperflexion, hyperextension, and lateral bending and reduce the risk of cervical spine injury
- Chest protectors protect ribs, sternum, lungs and heart from impacts, flying debris, and handlebar strikes
- Body armour absorbs and disperses impact forces, protecting shoulder, elbow, chest, back and ribs
- Shoulder guards prevent AC joint injuries, clavicle trauma and reduce impact energy on the shoulder girdle
- Elbow guards prevent fractures, abrasion and hyperextension
Lower Body Protection
- MX trousers protect from exhaust burns and house knee-brace interfaces
- Hip protectors reduce the risk of pelvic and hip contusion
- Knee braces protect against ACL/MCL tears, hyperextension, torsional injuries, and protect against impacts.
- Knee guards protect against patella fractures, abrasions and direct impacts
- Shin guards prevent shin fractures and roost injuries
- MX-specific socks reduce blistering and improve circulation
- MX boots provide rigidity to prevent ankle sprains and fractures and protect ankles, shins and feet from crushing, twisting and impacts.
Supporting Equipment
- Gloves improve grip, prevent blisters and abrasion and reduce hand injuries during falls
- Kidney belts support the lower back and abdominal muscles, and protect internal organs from vibration and impact
- Jerseys don't protect from impact, but prevent abrasions and allow airflow over body armour
Although modern safety equipment significantly reduces injury severity, no safety equipment can completely eliminate risk or protect against loss of earnings following an accident.
Financial Protection Options Riders Sometimes Consider
While riders invest heavily in protective equipment to reduce the risk of physical injury, some also choose to put financial protection in place to help minimise the financial consequences of a serious accident.
Over the years we've discussed four main types of financial protection with motocross riders: personal accident insurance, income protection, life insurance and private medical insurance.
Much, of course, depends on their situation: are they, for example, single and unattached? Or are they the sole breadwinner for their family? Do they enjoy the occasional fun afternoon on the motocross track, or are they active competitors at club, regional, national or professional level?
With these and other questions answered, we’ve arranged the most appropriate type of Motocross Insurance to provide each of those riders not only with the financial protection they need, but also the peace of mind of knowing they’re covered in exactly the way that suits them best.
Personal Accident Insurance provides different payouts for different types of fracture, such as that of a wrist or of a femur. It also helps with the cost of a longer stay in hospital. There would also be a lump sum for permanent total disablement or accidental death.
Income Protection Insurance not only covers income lost through motocross injuries but also through accidents at home or work and illness. This cover can be short term or even up to retirement age.
And in the case of accidental death, Life Insurance provides a tax-free lump sum for riders' dependents.
Riders who would like to explore their options can compare suitable protection solutions, including income protection, personal accident cover, fracture cover and life insurance.
Why Riders Often Contact Us
Many motocross riders contact us after seeing a friend, family member or fellow rider suffer an injury that resulted in weeks or months away from work.
In many cases, it isn't the injury itself that creates the biggest long-term problem — it's the loss of income that follows.
Understanding the options available before an injury occurs allows riders to make informed decisions based on their own circumstances, occupation and financial commitments.
Every rider's circumstances are different, which is why it is important to understand both the physical and financial risks associated with motocross before deciding what level of protection may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is motocross more dangerous than football?
Very much so – while the overall injury rate for motocross works out to 94.5 injuries per thousand rider hours, professional male football players’ injury rate works out to 8.1 injuries per thousand playing hours. Football injury rates during matches rise to 36 per thousand playing hours, far less than the 150 per thousand hours we see during stadium motocross events.
What is the most common motocross injury?
According to a four-year study, the most common motocross injury is to the collarbone. Fractures and dislocations can be caused by falling onto an outstretched arm or a direct blow to the shoulder.
What are the chances of injury in motocross?
Research consistently shows that motocross carries a significantly higher injury rate than many mainstream sports. While injury severity varies considerably, riders can experience anything from minor sprains and bruising through to fractures, ligament damage and more serious trauma.
What are the main causes of motocross injury?
The most common cause of motocross crashes is loss of front-wheel traction. Other causes include high-side crashes, bad landings that can send a rider over the front of the bike or into its fuel tank and, of course, collisions with other riders or track features.
How can motocross riders prevent injury?
Although modern safety equipment can lessen the effect of collisions, bad landings and other causes of motocross injury, it can’t completely prevent them. So a rider’s best chance of avoiding injury is to invest in the best safety gear they can afford- from the helmet and goggles all the way down the body to MX socks and MX boots.
Is motocross considered a high-risk sport by insurers?
Almost all insurers regard motocross as a higher-risk sport due to the increased likelihood of injury. However, acceptance, premiums and policy terms vary between insurers, the type of riding undertaken and an individual's occupation, health and claims history.
Can motocross injuries stop you working?
Yes. Even relatively common motocross injuries such as collarbone fractures, wrist fractures, knee ligament damage and shoulder injuries can prevent riders from working for weeks or months. The impact is often greater for self-employed riders, tradespeople and manual workers whose income depends on their physical ability to work.
Do self-employed motocross riders receive sick pay?
Self-employed riders are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Depending on their circumstances, they may be eligible for benefits such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, although these payments are often significantly lower than normal earnings and may take time to start. This is one reason some riders choose to explore financial protection options before an injury occurs.
This article has been written for UK motocross riders using publicly available research, injury data and experience gained from speaking with riders about the financial impact of injury and illness.
Sources
[2] - https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/1/1/e000019
[4] - https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/7/458
[5] - https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/711
Statistics and information were accurate at the time of publication and may change as new research becomes available.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.