Number of motorcycles in traffic in Turkey has doubled in 5 years
According to TUIK data, the number of motorcycles, which was 3.7 million in 2021, exceeded 7.5 million as of August; their share in accidents has also increased.
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The number of motorcycles registered in traffic in Turkey has shown a rapid increase in recent years. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), the number of motorcycles, which was 3 million 744 thousand 370 in 2021, reached 7 million 531 thousand 166 as of August this year, marking a 101 percent increase.
According to the data, the number of motorcycles in traffic rose to 4 million 141 thousand 914 in 2022, 5 million 79 thousand 396 in 2023, and 6 million 261 thousand 927 in 2024. The number, which was recorded as 7 million 109 thousand 964 in 2025, crossed the 7.5 million threshold in the August period of 2026.
It is assessed that ease of transportation, the ability to move more practically in urban traffic, and changes in individual transportation preferences are effective in the increase in motorcycle usage.
MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS SURPASSED CARS IN JULY
In July of this year, motorcycles accounted for 99 thousand 786 of the 207 thousand 508 vehicles registered in traffic. The number of cars registered in traffic in the same month was 78 thousand 761. Thus, motorcycles moved ahead of cars in new registrations in July.
The highest number of motorcycles on a provincial basis was recorded in Istanbul. While there are 962 thousand 309 motorcycles in Istanbul traffic, there were 559 thousand 493 in Antalya and 545 thousand 248 in İzmir. The province with the lowest number of motorcycles was Tunceli with 2 thousand 79.
The increase in motorcycle density was also reflected in accident data. According to TUIK data, motorcycle-related deaths were recorded as 777 in 2021, 791 in 2022, 1014 in 2023, 1228 in 2024, and 1525 in 2025.
It was stated that motorcyclists were involved in 61 thousand 511 of the 161 thousand 299 fatal and injury-causing accidents that occurred across Turkey as of July this year.