The US Federal Highway Administration is to conduct a study into the causes behind motorcycle crashes, in a bid to cut down on the number of accidents on the roads.

The move comes as motorcycle rider fatalities in the US are on the rise despite significant improvements in highway safety as well as a reduction in fatalities involving all other vehicles.

The study will focus on the effects of preventive measures on motorcycle crashes.

Data will be collected from hundreds of motorcycle crashes to help identify common factors such as road configurations, environmental conditions and rider experience.

The study will be conducted along with the Oklahoma State University.

Motorcycle fatalities have increased by 150% from 1997 and 2008, with the 2008 death toll of motorcycle totalling 5,300, which represents 14% of the total traffic fatalities.