City of São Paulo records record number of motorcyclist deaths in July

In the first seven months of the year, there were 286 cases, also the highest number for the period since 2015, when the Infosiga historical series began, a state system that measures traffic fatalities.

The statistics soared in the month in which the Ricardo Nunes (MDB) administration installed signs and banners in more than 2,000 points in the city warning of the deaths of motorcyclists.

The initiative took place amid yet another chapter in the legal dispute between the city hall and transport applications over the release of services similar to motorcycle taxis, which remain suspended.

In the report, Nunes even said that they were wanting "carnage" in the city, after a judicial authorization that would be overturned days later.

Deaths of pilots and passengers increase as the fleet increases. As Folha showed, the number of new car registrations fell in the first half of the year in the city of São Paulo. On the other hand, the number of motorcycles grew, and the number of SUVs soared.

According to a survey by Detran-SP (São Paulo Traffic Department), the number of motorcycles grew 5.7% compared to the first six months of this year with the same period of the previous year, going from 51,590, in 2025, to 54,529, in 2026.

In a note, CET (Traffic Engineering Company) says it is carrying out continuous actions to increase the safety of the road system.

The Ricardo Nunes administration cites 233.3 km of blue lane, exclusive signage for motorcycles, on 46 routes, which benefit 500 thousand motorcyclists.

"CET invested in the implementation of safe fronts in more than a thousand waiting areas [boxes] at traffic lights, educational campaigns and courses at the Traffic Training and Education Center", states an excerpt from the note.

Sérgio Ejzenberg, master in transport engineering, remembers that the number of motorcyclists killed in the city of São Paulo had been falling until 2019, even with the increase in the fleet. But it has almost doubled since then, due to there being more motorcycles on the streets and, according to him, a lack of speed enforcement, documentation and licenses.

"The situation could worsen with the federal government's relaxation of the requirements for driver's licenses," he says.

Cyclists

To a lesser extent, the number of cyclists killed in traffic also increased. There were five last month, the same number recorded in March, months with the highest statistics of the year. In 2025, there was one death in July.

In total, from January to July, 18 cyclists died in the capital of São Paulo, four more than in the same period last year. The numbers are lower than those in the first seven months of 2024, when 28 deaths occurred.

In the note, the city hall says that CET offers a course for cyclists to learn how to cycle safely.

General decline

Overall, traffic fatalities in São Paulo registered a drop of 7.5% last month, compared to July last year: there were 86 cases in 2026, compared to 93 in 2025.

Comparing the first seven months, there was stability. There were 576 deaths in 2025, compared to 575 in 2026. This is the third consecutive year of decline.

The biggest reduction, in the comparison between the months of July, was that of pedestrian accidents, with 32.4% less: 34 against 23.

The city hall says that the current management held a public competition to hire agents and managers, expanding the operational framework of CET, which today has more than 1,700 traffic agents. "Inspection is carried out in conjunction with the Military Police and the GCM [Metropolitan Civil Guard]."

Deaths in the state

In the state as a whole, there was a slight increase of 1.1% in the number of motorcyclists killed. There were 1,578 in the first seven months of the year.

When comparing only the months of July, the percentage growth was higher, at 14.8%. There were 248 deaths in 2026.

Overall in all deaths, there was a drop of 5.5% in the state, when comparing the months of July 2026 and 2025, and 5.8% in the first seven months of the year.

In a note, Detran-SP says it monitors statistical data continuously and maintains permanent inspection and education actions, aiming to reduce cases and increase road safety throughout the state.

"The focus of the actions is the most vulnerable audiences, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists", he says.

According to the agency, in the first seven months of 2026, alcohol inspections increased 78.6% compared to the same period last year. Also from January to July this year, more than 460 thousand people were directly approached by more than 2,500 educational actions organized to reinforce messages about safe behavior and respect for traffic laws.

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