Damo, cars kill...fact. Experienced properly trained motorcyclists very rarely get hurt.

-My Aunt rode a motorcycle for 35 years and was an instructor, died of breast cancer 15 years ago.
-My Uncle also rode for 35 years, died of a heart attack last year.
-Same goes for 2 grandfathers one of whom was a dispatch rider in France during WW2.

Yet when I was a child two different people I knew died in car crashes both were parents of friends. I have only known two motorcyclists that died when riding and they were both drunk riding.

Although I have to agree to some extent about the recklessness of some riders. For me, having had ridden many smaller displacement bikes for so long and having toured on bigger bikes. In any European or Asian country a 500 twin is more than enough power for me, ever, and find it hard to keep me feet on the pegs if I open her up properly. I've ridden for 20 years and this is the biggest I would ever need, and I've owned 650s and rented 750s and 1000cc bikes. So I find it strange when people want R1s or Fireblades, Ducatis. Too much for a European road, much to much for China.

Damo, I hate to say it but if you think motorcycling is unsafe you don't have enough training, although training takes many forms including reading books about techniques and talking to more experienced riders. Also I get a bitter feeling that as you aren't allowed to ride where you are, so misery loves company, eh?

When you look at statistics for motorcycling deaths remember:

1. How many were not at fault and were knocked down by cars/trucks etc
2. How many were inexperienced or inadequately trained.
3. How many were riding on a bike that was unsuitable for the road or their skill level.
4. How many were drunk.

In fact I have a compromise. If you must ban, then ban race replica bikes. They are good for race tracks, but actually not that good on a real road.