Austria records high motorcycle death toll as Germany sees anti‑biker hate graffiti

In Lower Austria, eleven motorcyclists have died between January and July 2025, bringing the year’s total to 23 fatalities – a figure that would make 2025 one of the deadliest recent biker years. Police data show that 84 % of fatal crashes occur on rural roads, and 76 % are caused by the rider, with excessive speed identified in 45 % of cases. Experts from the Austrian traffic club (VCÖ) advise riders to reduce speed to curb the trend.

In Germany’s Baden‑Württemberg, police are investigating a series of hate‑filled graffiti messages sprayed on the B500 and nearby routes, including slogans such as “Biker stirb!” and threats involving a pitchfork. Similar anti‑biker vandalism was reported in 2021 and a 2017 incident where an elderly resident threatened a rider with a pitchfork. Authorities are treating the recent markings as criminal vandalism and have opened investigations.