Riders themselves cause most motorcycle crashes over the past two years, the data show. Bulgarian National Television's "The Day Begins" looked at how to cut road accidents, with Atanas Kirov, a member of a motorcycle club in Burgas, as guest.
Kirov says the problem lies in riders' own attitude. Instructors, he says, should not just hand over the keys — they should explain that the Road Traffic Act has to be followed. "It wasn't written by fools, but by smart people," he said of the law.
Young riders are also swayed by social media clips made just "to show off", Kirov said. He was blunt: riding a motorcycle "in flip-flops and without a helmet" is not okay.
Speed isn't the only problem, he said. Car drivers are careless too, especially those who use their phones behind the wheel.
Road markings, guardrails, poor asphalt and how well young drivers are trained all add to the danger for motorcyclists.