ONE in five people killed or seriously injured in accidents on Gwent roads last year was driving a motorbike, according to new statistics.

Gwent saw six fatal motorbike accidents in 2004, compared to just one the year before.

There were 225 deaths and serious injuries on Gwent roads last year of which 41 were motorcyclists.

Statistics show that accidents happened on all roads in all weathers. Road safety specialists are so concerned they have published a special leaflet for bikers in an effort to reduce casualties.

The leaflets highlight statistics relating to motorbike accidents and warn bikers of the dangers.

The leaflet was produced by the road safety teams of Capita Symonds, who collate and analyse the crash data. And it produces some unexpected facts.

Principal road safety officer Penny Thorpe said: "Motorcycle accidents are always a concern. Motorcyclists are more heavily represented in the statistics than road users generally.

"In Gwent motorcyclists make up only one to two per cent of road traffic but 18 per cent of casualties.

"That is a very worrying statistic.

"A lot of the accidents in Gwent are people commuting to and from work rather than leisure biking, which is a surprise."

Mrs Thorpe said the accident and death statistics were broadly similar over the last five years, with the exception of 2003 when they were unexpectedly low.

The leaflet will be sent to Gwent motorcycle dealers and organisations. Mrs Thorpe said: "This new leaflet is intended not to tell people what to do but point out the facts.

"We hope the motorcycle community will temper their riding styles and remember that they are vulnerable."

A spokeswoman for Gwent police said: "The change in statistics relating to motorcycle collisions does not seem to be down to speed but, increasingly, about people returning to the sport after time away."