This is the third article in a series of three which describe the epidemiology ofmotorcycle and ATV crashes in New Zealand which result in death andhospitalization. The first article presented an overview of all motorcycle crashes and thesecond, traffic crashes. This article focuses on non-traffic crashes. The source of thefatality data was national electronic mortality data files for the years 1978 to 1987inclusive, complemented by coroners files. The source of morbidity data was nationalhospitalization (inpatient) data for the years 1980 through 1989. Four percent (n = 44)of all the motorcycling fatalities for the period 1978 through 1987 were non-trafficcrashes giving a mortality rate of 0.1/100,000 persons per year. Similarly, for the period1980 through 1989 there were 4,199 first admissions to public hospitals for thetreatment of non-traffic motorcycling injuries, giving a rate of 12.9/100,000 populationper year. Young males, especially those in the 15 through 19 age group, had the highestrates of injury, whereas 24% of the crashes involved persons less than 15 years of age.Occupational groups with high rates of injury were students, farmers, and metal andmachine trades workers. The most common (40%) injury was a fracture of a limb(lower: 1,176, upper: 510) followed by head injuries (26%). Forty-eight percent of theincidents were described as having occurred on a farm. In a further 20% of incidentsthere was some indication that the place of occurrence was being used as a motorsportvenue. There were more students injured on farms than farmers (811 versus 695). Anumber of priority areas for action and prevention strategies are discussed. Agerestriction on drivers and roll-over protection on four-wheeled motorcycles have beenidentified as two key means of reducing injury. Before vigorously pursuing any of theseit will be necessary to obtain more detailed information on motorcycle usage off roadand the circumstances of crashes.