Motorcycling, to many people, is dangerous and anti-social. But now, a new survey has shown that it's not nearly as dangerous as riding a horse or skiing. Is it time to say, 'we told you so,' to the insurance companies?

Motorcycles are statistically safer than horses

Ask anyone who doesn't ride a motorcycle and they'll take great pleasure in telling you how dangerous they are. How many times have you arrived somewhere on a bike only to be told by some imbecile, 'oh, I know someone who was injured/maimed/killed (delete as appropriate) on a bike.'

I mean, if you turned up in a car, no-one would tell you how many of their friends had had an accident, even though, statistically, it is much more likely. You get my point.

However, now we can hit back. The next time someone tell you how dangerous motorcycles are, ask them if they ride a horse. If they say yes, then you can tell them that horses are more dangerous: it's not an opinion but fact!

A study by the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank has studied the statistics around why U.S. people have landed in hospital to be treated for injuries. And, whaddya know: more people end up there because of horse-related accidents than motorcycle-related.

Motorcycling injuries account for 0.14 out of 1000 hours of riding. By contrast, horse riding has 0.49 injuries during that timeframe, with 37 per cent of those requiring care for trauma to the thoracic region (chest and upper back area) and a fifth suffering a head injury. A quarter of those would go on to require intensive care, plus one in ten needing surgery.

So, there you have it: Horses - hard in the middle and dangerous not only at both ends but when you fall off as well. Rather ride a 200mph missile with a fuel tank between your legs and a controlled explosion right underneath that.