Not sure what it tells us but m/c deaths in 2011 down 10% to 362 as against 403 in 2010.

Overall 3% increrase in deaths - first increase since 2003

more figures HERE

less motorcyclists on the road due to crap weather maybe?

I doesn't tell us anything apart from the number being down and it is around 1 a day.

Just to put numbers into perspective;

Death rates from VTE in hospital

Each year over 25,000 people in England die from venous thromboembolism (VTE) contracted in hospital. This is more than the combined total of deaths from breast cancer, AIDS and traffic accidents, and more than 25 times the number who die from MRSA.

2009 death figures for England and Wales - click to zoom. M/c in red.

"But Kevin Clinton of the safety charity Rospa said the rise in the number of deaths was disturbing."

and If Kevin is disturbed whats a little bit of VTE within society! (I'm being factitious there)

More speed cameras. More compulsory hi vis. No bike mods. Bigger number plates. Lower speed limits for bikes. Ban 2 strokes. Increase the minimum age to 25. Reduce the maximum age to 40.

That should stop ROSPA Kev from being disturbed.