BY MEGHAN V. MALLOY

Staff Writer

Motorcycle fatalities across the nation continue to steadily climb, government safety officials announced, but although more motorcyclists in Maine are perishing in accidents, the number is fewer per registered motorcycle than last year.

While motorcycle fatalities have averaged 21 per year for the past five years, there are more motorcyclists on the road, as increasing numbers register motorcycles with the Maine Bureau of Vehicles, state records show.

Last year, one motorcyclist died for every 2,001 registered to operate a motorcycle in Maine. A decade ago, that ratio was much higher: one death for every 1,600 motorcycles registered.

Things are more grim on a national level.

2007 was the 10th consecutive year that saw a growth in U.S. motorcyclist deaths, according to a report from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters.

Accidents involving motorcycles nationwide claimed the lives of 5,154 people last year -- one death for every 1,202 motorcycles registered. The fatality rate was one for every 2,197 registered motorcycles only a decade ago.

Drivers not wearing a helmet, operating their bikes under the influence or lackingf experience are all possible contributing factors to the number of fatalities nationwide. But government officials said causes are only speculation.

"I don't think anyone knows with any degree of certainty," Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said of the increases. "The high points are lack of experience, perhaps alcohol use, use of a helmet."

The numbers are part of the increasing popularity of motorcycles in the state and nation.

Since 1998, motorcycle registrations in Maine have risen by more than 20,000, to 46,033 last year, according the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The highest number of Maine motorcycle-related deaths this decade was in 2006 and 2004 -- 23 fatalities each year.

As of Aug. 12, there have been 14 motorcycle-related deaths in Maine this year, said Duane Burnell of the Maine Department of Transportation.

Of those 14 fatalities, at least five were from central Maine.

Peters' report prompted a national industry group to urge transportation officials to investigate the matter.

Both the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Motorcycle Industry Council have committed significant funding to a federal study on the causes of motorcycle deaths, Motorcycle Safety Foundation officials said this week.

Foundation President Tim Buche called the causation study -- which motorcycle-safety advocates said would be the first in 30 years -- a "high priority."

"We need this federal study to be of high priority and move forward as soon as possible," Buche said.

Mike Mount, a spokesman for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, said the study is to be conducted by the Oklahoma Transportation Center.

Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 13 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2007, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported last week.

"Riding a motorcycle is a risky business, but it's a great pastime," Tyson said. "If you approach it with sensibility, it can also be a safe pastime."

Meghan V. Malloy -- 623-3811, Ext. 431

mmalloy@centralmaine.com