Introduction Brazilian records show a high rate of traffic accidents involving motorcycles (30% of deaths, 55% of hospitalizations). The number of Brazilian workers who use motorcycles is increasing and it is necessary to understand the context of these accidents in order to develop public policies and promote education.

Objectives To describe the proportion of mortality by work-related injuries (PM_WRI) involving motorcycle in Brazil, 2007–2018.

Methods The study was conducted with data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System for those aged 18–65 years, in 2007–2018. Motorcycle-related deaths correspond codes V20 to V29 (ICD-10). PM_WRI are presented by calendar year, sex, age and occupational groups.

Results There were 121,124 records of fatal injuries involving motorcycles, with a increasing linear trend from 7,502 in 2007 to 9,725 in 2018. Work-related data (WRD) were registered for only 48,716 (40.2%) cases, from which 3,692 were classified as occupational. From 2007 to 2010, the PM_WRI went from 7.6% to 8.9% (maximum) when it started to fall until 2015 (6.4% minimum). The average for the last three years was 7.4%. No significant difference of PM_WRI by sex was found. PM_WRI increased with age but declined in the oldest age group (50–65 age years). Occupation was registered for 33,784 cases (69% of the WRD). The highest PM_WRI was estimated among workers from service industry (14.3%) followed by administrative services (13.6%). Agriculture had the largest number of motorcycle-related deaths (35%) but only 3.1% was recognized as work-related.

Conclusion The work-related data in death certificates were poorly recorded, limiting conclusions on the contribution of labor on motorcycle associated deaths. PM_WRI estimates were presumably underestimated and findings could be biased. Motorcycle-related deaths doubled over the study time and the role of labor for this need to be better understood. Improvements in the quality and completion of WRD are urgently needed and prevention programs implemented.