Motorcycles continue to take the heaviest toll on Costa Rica’s roads. In January and February this year, 63 people died while riding motorcycles. Those deaths made up 56 percent of the 113 total road fatalities during the first two months of 2026. Police figures show January ended with 59 deaths on the roads, 32 of them motorcyclists. February added 54 more deaths, including 31 motorcyclists. Cars ranked second with 17 fatalities. Bicycles came in third, claiming 11 lives.
This marks another period where motorcycles top the list, a trend that dates back to 2014. “New year, same old behaviors, whether it’s motorcyclists failing to act cautiously or the hostile or reckless attitudes of other road users that lead to fatalities. To these 63 cases, we must add 11 deaths involving another two-wheeled vehicle, bicycles, which rank third on the list,” said Martín Sánchez Agüero, director of the Traffic Police.
Sánchez shared basic steps that riders can take to cut risks. Motorcyclists and cyclists should skip stunts like lifting the front wheel. They need to stop at red lights and stop signs. Overtaking on the right remains banned. No one should ride against traffic or on sidewalks. Lights and reflective clothing help others see riders clearly.
Drivers of buses, trucks and cars share responsibility too. They can avoid pressuring motorcyclists to move aside, blocking paths or putting riders at risk with sudden moves. Speed has driven many of these tragedies since 2022. Of the 59 deaths in January, 21 tied back to speeding. February saw 23 of 54 deaths linked to excessive speed. That equals 36 percent in January and 43 percent in February.
Sánchez called on drivers to slow down, particularly as the school year starts and more children and young people travel the roads. He also noted signs of rushing in another 22 deaths. Many involved vehicles crossing into oncoming traffic during hurried overtakes. Driver recklessness stood behind 13 deaths.
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