The number of Bay motorcyclists hospitalised following accidents has increased by 56 per cent in a year, and local bike riders are four times more likely to be hospitalised than the national average, a report reveals.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) Trauma Service's report into the district's road traffic crashes states there were 50 hospitalisations resulting from motorcycle accidents this year compared to 32 in 2013.

As the holiday season approaches, the report's authors hope its findings act as a warning to road users to remain vigilant and take all safety precautions.

For motorcyclists that includes wearing helmets, says trauma-orientated consultant Mr Barnaby Smith.

'There has been an alarming increase in motorcycle accident-related admissions to Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals over the last 12 months.

'And 16 per cent of the motorcyclists admitted to our hospitals were not wearing helmets. This impacts on the severity of sustained injuries and has potentially life-altering effects.”

Although motorcycles represent just 0.5 per cent of total vehicular travel time and usage, 31 per cent of hospital admissions from accidents in 2014 were motorcyclists.

SunLive asked people in the community what they thought the cause of most motorbike crashes were.

Watch the video above to see what people had to say.