Figures from the traffic directorate (DGT) indicate that just over 50% of all road deaths in the Balearics in 2023 were those of motorcyclists - 21 out of 41.
In Mallorca specifically, there were 14 motorcyclist fatalities, three of which were on the MA-13 Palma-Alcudia road. Motorway for much of its length, the final sections into Alcudia are single lane. Two of the three motorcyclist deaths occurred only some one hundred metres apart in the space of two weeks last summer. The third fatality was in the Marratxi area.
The MA-13 had the worst fatal accident record for motorcyclists last year, and it is the final part of the road which over the years has been the greatest concern.
When the motorway from Inca was extended in 2005, the original intention had been for it to go as far as Alcudia. Instead it ended at Sa Pobla because of pressure from residents and Alcudia town hall opposed to the expropriation of land which would have been required.
After the elections in 2023, it was reported that the new administration at the Council of Mallorca was looking at a project to extend the motorway to Alcudia. The Council's president, Llorenç Galmés, responded to these reports by saying there was no plan to do so.
Of other roads which claimed the lives of motorcyclists, the MA-10 in the Tramuntana Mountains was one of them. There was the one fatality in Banyalbufar, which was where a protest against illegal bike races on the road was staged in October. A 60 kilometre per hour speed limit is in operation along most of this road, a measure that was taken to try and address the problems caused by these bike races.
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Very Simple Slow the F-ck Down and stop blaming your problems on other people !
It seems to me that a sizeable number of road users (Car and motorbike) here are not risk averse. Ie, they are willing to take risks that most others would see as irresponsible, dangerous or totally suicidal. It’s that mentality which causes accidents and senseless deaths. On top of that, of course, is excessive speed but such restrictions are futile without the guaranteed back up of being likely to be caught. At the moment the chances of that are close to zero. I have lost count of the number of times I have been seriously up the arse tailgated and overtaken or have on-coming over-takers taking their and other’s lives (including mine) in their reckless hands, and I’m no slouch, just normal driving. Unmarked police cars? Catch ‘em, book ‘em and repeaters get banned and have their vehicle crushed? That’ll should sort most out. I know, dream on. In the meantime, as It used to be said in HSBs “Be safe out there”.