Keep in mind that a strong majority of motorcycle accidents are not caused by the motorcycle or the motorcycle rider, but external factors, primarily other drivers not seeing them or just making a mistake.
All of the research and statistics I've seen indicate the exact opposite. Well over half of all motorcycle accidents (as well as the majority of bicycle accidents) were the fault of the motorcyclist.
(as much as 70%, in least in this example:
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9014719 )
As a group (at least in the US), people who ride motorcycles
tend to be young males with no fear and wanting to show off their baddassity (and not by being frugal!). The statistics for speeding, drunk driving, driving without a license, reckless driving, etc are much higher for motorcyclists as a whole than car drivers, which leads directly to the higher accident rates. In a study that compared only motorcycle cops to car driving cops (thereby controlling for driver demographic) they found the motorcops accident rate to be
lower. I suspect the same would be found for motorcycle couriers compared to other delivery drivers.
When the car driver is at fault, it is usually due to poor visibility. This can be mitigated with a white helmet, reflective jacket, reflective tape on the bike, and head and taillight modulators (which make them flash) as well as riding predictably and in the center of the lane.
More power leads to more safety as you can get out of a dangerous situation quicker. Think of a car merging into your lane, or think of needing to speed up to get away from a stray dog. The possibilities are endless. More power can be a good thing.
That's a popular theory, but studies/statistics disagree: there is a definite and consistent correlation between power/engine size and fatality rate. The bigger the engine, the higher the statistical accident risk.
If people really could accelerate out of trouble, sports cars (with their superior handling, and braking, in addition to the acceleration) should have lower accident rates than, say, minivans, yet the exact opposite is true.
Be safe out there.
I couldn't agree more!
Regarding motorized / electric bikes specifically, you have to be extra aware that other drivers will not be expected you. You have motorscooter like speed, but bicycle level viability (smaller than a motorcycle, plus no headlight, taillight, or turnsignals) If I was on a motorized/electric bike, I'd want the brightest bike headlight and taillight available, and I'd run them during the day.
Take the lane whenever possible (if your electric bike goes 25mph, then ride in the center of the street, like a motorcycle would, on any road with a speed limit below 30mph). This is legal, and most importantly, much more safe than hugging the shoulder, because you are more visible and move with the flow of traffic.