Tag Archives: road safety

Motorcycle News, News

Truck tyre debris a hazard to riders

Leave a comment

Our highways are littered with shredded tyre debris mainly from trucks often using retreaded tyres, posing a significant danger to vulnerable riders.

Ride down any highway in almost any country and you will see heaps of tyre debris, mainly from trucks.

In the USA they quaintly call it “road gators” because they look like alligators crossing the road. Both should be avoided!

Retreads are cheap and legal so long as they comply with the Australian Standards. Retreads have a lower speed rating of 140km/h, but it is still well above the legal highway limit.

Modern retreading processes are supposed to be a lot more reliable and are even used in the airline industry and military.

Tyre debrisTyre debris

So why do we see so much dangerous truck tyre debris on the road such as the above which was dragged off a busy highway?

We assume that there must be a lot of rogue truck operators and tyre companies out there that are retreading the same tyres too often and/or overusing tyres. 

RACQ Principal Technical Researcher Russell Manning says retreads are mainly used by the heavy vehicle industry due to the high cost of new tyres.

“It would be financially and environmentally irresponsible to throw away a truck tyre just because the tread has worn down due the amount of raw materials that go into its manufacture,” he says.  

“The displaced tyre treads you see on the road typically come from a rear (usually a trailer) axle so they’ve done a lot of work and have been retreaded a number of times before they failed.”  

Blowout danger

To avoid hitting these “road gators”, we suggest you avoid following vehicles too closely as they can obscure the road ahead.

Also ride in the wheel tracks as they are more likely to be cleared of debris by other vehicles.

Not only is truck tyre debris a danger to riders, but so are the tyres when they blow out as this video graphically shows.

That is why I always quickly ride past a truck and would prefer to cop a speeding fine than be hit by a blown-out tyre.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Inactive riders urged to ride again!

Leave a comment

Inactive motorcyclists who haven’t ridden for some time are being urged to ride again, especially for commuting, as the pandemic travel restrictions begin to ease across the country.

This comes as the national cycling lobby is calling for $300 million to be spent on bike lanes.

Inactive riders

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries motorcycle manager Rhys Griffiths points out that there are about 2.1 million licensed riders in Australia and about 870,000 registered motorcycles and scooters.

That means there are about 1.2 million inactive riders with a licence, he says.

“COVID-19 has changed the way we go about our lives.  Motorcycles and scooters present a clever solution to the challenges the pandemic presents,” he says. 

“A motorbike might well be the best way to maintain social distance without creating congestion. Riders can avoid the contagion risks presented by public transport, while cutting commute times by lane filtering through increased traffic. 

“So the message is, get them out of the shed, get them serviced and get riding. If you haven’t got a bike, your local dealer is open for business.” 

Rhys says the plea to inactive riders will be a theme of their fourth Ride to Work Week in September 2020. Bike lanes lane filtering ride to work tax congestion

He says they will generate awareness through the website and social media.

The FCAI message to inactive riders follows recent surveys which suggest commuters will avoid public transport.

The fear is that this will send Australia from lockdown to gridlock.

The FCAI says motorcycle and scooter riders have two advantages:

  • They can mitigate infection risks by maintaining social distance; and
  • As commuter traffic volumes potentially increase beyond pre-pandemic levels, riders can nimbly negotiate traffic and park conveniently, cutting commute times.

Rhys also reminded riders to strictly observe all social distancing and contagion control requirements, and to regularly disinfect helmets, gloves and any high-touch surfaces on vehicle controls.

He also advises riders to consult their DIY guide to ensuring your motorcycle is ready for the road.

Cyclist lobby calls for bike lanesCyclists in bike lanes ride to work day lane filtering bus lanes reward

Meanwhile, the cyclist lobby is putting pressure on the federal government to spend $300m to build more bike lanes as post-pandemic traffic is expected to explode.

The national cycling safety charity Amy Gillett Foundation has commissioned a national poll which shows “massive support” for safe separate cycling infrastructure.

They claim a “doubling in cycling participation during the coronavirus lockdowns, as Australians turn to bikes for effective social distancing, for transport, enjoyment, and exercise”.

The Foundation is calling for $300m to be allocated from the $3.8billion infrastructure commitment made in late November 2019 by the Federal Government to build bike lanes.

They say the investment could be made immediately as part of the $500m Local Roads and Community Infrastructure announcement last week (22 May 2020).

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Ban on GPS speed camera alerts

Leave a comment

Germany is banning fixed speed camera alerts provided on most GPS units and many mobile phone apps in a worrying trend that could be replicated in other countries.

In most Australian states, fixed speed cameras are sign posted, but safety nannies are always looking for new ways to clamp down on speeding and could start pushing for this German ban.

However, this ban will not just catch habitual speedsters, but also affect those who inadvertently drift over the speed limit.

Safety alerts

And instead of motorists watching the traffic and relying on alerts to tell them of a fixed speed camera, it will lead to them monitoring their speedos and looking at the side off the road for cameras.

We are not sure how Germany expects to enforce their €75 (about $A125) fine as it would require police to pull over motorists to check their satnav devices and phone apps.

In some jurisdictions, that would require a search warrant.

Garmin and TomTom satnav companies have emailed their registered users to advise them of the law change in Germany.

autobahns autobahn

It seems strange in a country that has some roads with unlimited speeds and many autobahns with very high posted speeds.

However, if you have ever ridden in the country you will know that the speed limits are enforced and local motorists comply.

On one occasion, I saw an overhead electric sign suddenly flash a warning of a coming storm and reduced the 130km/h speed limit to 80km/h. Immediately the traffic around me slammed on the brakes and settled at 80km/h.

Germany uses a lot of fixed speed cameras in tunnels and around the entries and exits of villages and have already banned the use of speed camera and radar detection systems as in Australia (except Western Australia).

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Delivery riders flouting road rules

Leave a comment

Some motorcycle, scooter and bicycle delivery riders are flouting traffic and parking rules, endangering pedestrians and other road users, says Motorcycle Council of NSW vice-chairman Jason Antony.

He says it has worsened under the current pandemic lockdown, as more and more people use online services to order meals.

Delivery rider scrutiny

“The food delivery industry — part of the burgeoning gig economy — is in dire need of regulatory oversight as well as scrutiny from road safety authorities,” Jason says.

“As a significant number of these workers are from overseas, it would not surprise me if they do not hold an Australian licence.

“Many such riders therefore tend to be unfamiliar with, or have little regard for, Australia’s traffic system and road rules — often endangering other road users, including pedestrians, for very little gain.

“For years, I have observed them on barely roadworthy motorbikes and scooters, choosing to behave in an increasingly dangerous manner as they stare at their mobiles, focussing on text and video conversations instead of their surroundings.

“Even L-platers can be frequently seen lane filtering, lane splitting, kerb filtering, failing to give way, chucking U-turns into the path of oncoming traffic, running red lights, almost striking pedestrians who are crossing legally … the list goes on.”

Under lane filtering rules, only those who hold a full Australian motorcycle licence are permitted to lane filter, not overseas licence holders.

We asked Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne councils if they had an issue with scooter delivery riders and whether they were over-represented in traffic and parking fines. However, they said they didn’t keep records relating to delivery riders. They also didn’t have any specific operations to keep a check on them.

Kymco Agility Carry delivery scooter

Jason says the perceived lack of targeted action by the relevant authorities to hold errant delivery riders to account is perplexing.

“Over the past few years, I have observed an increase in the number of delivery riders taking more risks, breaking more road rules and creating close calls — yet we have not seen a campaign targeting them,” he says.

“The message needs to be spelled out and enforced with no wiggle room: inconsiderate, reckless and dangerous riding that puts others at needless risk will not be tolerated.”

CyclistsBicycle Delivery

Jason says it’s not just motorcycle and scooter delivery riders at fault.

He says many push-bike delivery riders are also illegally riding on footpaths, including many on power-assisted electric bikes despite the roads being relatively empty during the lockdown.

“They power through narrow footpaths at ridiculous speeds, speed past shop entrances and intersections, bang the bell when approaching pedestrians and frighten them out of their way — others silently scrape past those on foot with very little room to spare.”

In some states, it is illegal to ride a bicycle on pedestrian footpaths, but there are some exceptions for children.

Licensing and training

Jason says all delivery riders should be made to undertake road rules training and a defensive riding course.

“It could provide the impetus for food delivery riders to understand the responsibilities that come with operating a vehicle on the roads safely, sensibly and considerately,” he says.

“At the end of the day, it is about their safety as well — not merely the general public’s.”

He also points out that people with overseas driver/rider licences must obtain a relevant local licence after a certain period, usually three months.

Jason says this should be rigidly enforced.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Jazzy Protector to save rider’s groin

Leave a comment

Have you ever hit a big bump that hammers your groin on to the fuel tank, sending tears streaming down your face?

Old Triumph motorcycles used to have a luggage rack on the tank (pictured above) that many called “the castrater” for obvious reasons!

Thankfully modern bikes don’t have such dangerous tank attachments, but they can still cause pain for riders if they hit a bump and land on the tank.

Now a Brooklyn inventor has come up with the “Jazzy Protector” which he says will save the family jewels.

“I ride a motorcycle and thought there could be a better way to protect the groin area when hitting potholes or riding on rough roads,” he tells Pittsburgh company InventHelp which protects the intellectual property of inventors.

“My design could help to prevent unwanted discomfort and injuries,” the unnamed inventor says.

The invention is patent pending and there are few details provided by InventHelp.

We asked them to put us in touch with the inventor to find out more but they have so far failed to reply.

Protecting your groin

All they say is that the invention “provides an effective way to protect a motorcyclist’s groin if he or she slides forward unexpectedly”.

“In doing so, it prevents the rider from contacting the motorcycle’s gas tank,” InventHelp says.

“As a result, it enhances comfort and it provides added protection and peace of mind.

“The invention features a durable design that is easy to apply and use so it is ideal for motorcycle owners. Additionally, it is producible in design variations.”

That doesn’t really tell us anything.

We still don’t know if it is something that you stick down your trousers like a cricket “box” or hockey “cup”, or whether it is something you attach to the motorcycle tank or seat.

The original design was submitted to the Manhattan sales office of InventHelp and is available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

More pressure on American helmet laws

Leave a comment

Despite the US introducing helmet laws more than half a century ago, only 19 American states require all riders to wear helmets and now Missouri may relax their helmet laws.

A large proposed transportation bill before government includes a provision to allow riders aged 26 or more to ride without a helmet so long as they have medical insurance and proof of financial responsibility.

It is not the first time the bill has been attempted.

Missouri voted in May 2019 to repeal its helmet laws.

Governor Mike Parson vetoed the Bill in July 2019, but only because of a provision to confiscate licences of people who don’t pay fines for minor traffic offences.

The Governor had no qualms with allowing riders over 18 to decide whether they want to wear a helmet or not.

In fact, Parson supported repealing the helmet rule as a legislator.

Missouri is not the only American state considering a reversal of helmet laws. There have been several in recent years including Nebraska which last year finally rejected the idea.

American laws

crash accident helmet Sturgis insurance claim

US helmet laws were introduced in 1966 when the feds withheld 10% of states highway construction funds unless they introduced certain safety regulations, including helmet laws.

Within a decade, 47 states had complied.

But in 1975, Congress amended the Highway Safety Act to prevent the use of federal highway funding as leverage against states.

Despite evidence of helmets protecting riders form death and severe head injury, 28 states have repealed their helmet laws with more likely to follow.

It seems strange to Australian riders since we were the first nation in the world to make helmets compulsory in 1961.

Most American states introduced compulsory helmet laws in 1967, but there is a growing movement toward “more freedom” for riders with a strong civil liberties lobby actively fighting the laws.

In recent years, states such as Michigan have relaxed their helmet laws and the latest to consider the move is Tennessee, despite the overwhelming evidence that helmets save lives.

Safety

As Dudley (William H Macy) tells Woody (John Travolta) in “Wild Hogs”: “62 per cent of all motorcycle fatalities could be prevented with the use of an approved DOT helmet.”

Liberal helmet lawsWild Hogs

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for every 100 motorcyclists killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 could have been saved had they worn helmets.

Yet, the use of motorcycle helmets in the US continues to decline to about half from 71% in 2000.

So the temptation when you visit America is to try some of that freedom for yourself.

I must admit to having tried it a few times, usually at slow speeds around town, but on one occasion at the speed limit on an Indiana highway.

While I felt very vulnerable, I have to admit it was absolutely exhilarating … but also deafening.

The wind in your hair is one thing, but the wind in your ears is another.

It also blows your hat off! I’m surprised Billy in Easy Rider could ride without getting his cowboy hat blown off.

Liberal helmet lawsMotorbike Writer in Indiana

State laws

When you are again able to fly to the United States, maybe for Daytona Bike Week in March or the Sturgis Rally in August, don’t get too excited about not wearing a motorcycle helmet.

As soon as you get off the plane in California, you will have to wear a helmet to ride. In fact, 20 states, mainly on the west and east coasts of the US, have compulsory helmet laws.

American states with motorcycle helmet laws for all riders are: Alabama, California, DC, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Only three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) have no helmet use law.

The remaining 28 states have varying laws requiring minors to wear a motorcycle helmet while six of those states require adult riders to have $10,000 in insurance and wear a helmet in their first year of riding.

About half the states also allow you to ride a low-powered motorcycle such as a 50cc bike or scooter without a helmet.

State Riders Required To Have Helmets
Alabama All riders
Alaska 17 and younger
Arizona 17 and younger
Arkansas 20 and younger
California All riders
Colorado 17 and younger and passengers 17 and younger
Connecticut 17 and younger
Delaware 18 and younger
District of Columbia All riders
Florida 20 and younger
Georgia All riders
Hawaii 17 and younger
Idaho 17 and younger
Illinois No law
Indiana 17 and younger
Iowa No law
Kansas 17 and younger
Kentucky 20 and younger
Louisiana All riders
Maine 17 and younger
Maryland All riders
Massachusetts All riders
Michigan 20 and younger
Minnesota 17 and younger
Mississippi All riders
Missouri All riders
Montana 17 and younger
Nebraska All riders
Nevada All riders
New Hampshire No law
New Jersey All riders
New Mexico 17 and younger
New York All riders
North Carolina All riders
North Dakota 17 and younger
Ohio 17 and younger
Oklahoma 17 and younger
Oregon All riders
Pennsylvania 20 and younger
Rhode Island 20 and younger
South Carolina 20 and younger
South Dakota 17 and younger
Tennessee All riders
Texas 20 and younger
Utah 17 and younger
Vermont All riders
Virginia All riders
Washington All riders
West Virginia All riders
Wisconsin 17 and younger
Wyoming 17 and younger

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Inquiry may probe wire rope barriers

Leave a comment

Riders are being urged to make submissions about the perceived dangers of wire rope barriers to a Victorian inquiry into the road toll.

Submissions to the Legislative Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be accepted online until 30 June 2020.

Committee member and Liberal MP for Western Victoria, Beverley McArthur, invited Motorcycle Safety Consultant John Nelson to make a submission on the perceived dangers of wire rope barriers, saying the remit of the committee is “very wide”.

She says a public submission “doesn’t need to be long, or detailed, or deal with all potential causes”.

Many submissions are “less than a page long, and detail a specific idea or experience”, she says.

John has long campaigned against WRBs and recently warned of the rollout of higher wire rope barriers which could be even more dangerous to riders.

New Safe Direction wire rope barriersNew Safe Direction wire rope barriers

“I encourage all Australian riders to make a submission no matter how small,” he says.

“Every submission will be read and considered.  Be vocal and to the point.  Silence and apathy does not achieve change.” 

Inquiry remitwire rope barriers road safety

Beverly told John in an email that the inquiry will consider all areas of road safety, including existing ‘solutions’.

“There is an important opportunity to investigate the whole issue of wire rope barriers thoroughly,” she says.

“It would be helpful, however, if you could encourage anyone who feels strongly to write in and briefly explain their opposition.

“The more submissions we get to that effect, the better the chance we will have of making it a high profile part of the inquiry.

“I’d be grateful if you could pass this on to anyone who you know feels strongly about this.

“Having looked through the submissions to date, I only saw one which raised wire rope barriers, so I thought I would pass this on in the hope of stirring up some interest.”

John’s call for submissions on wire rope barriers follows his recent concerns about new wire rope barriers that will soon replace the current WRBs around Australia.

New wire rope barriers WRBThe BRIFEN MASH compliant cable barriers will supersede current NCHRP-350 systems that will be phased out from 30 September 2020 in NSW with other states set to follow.

Supplier Safe Direction say the Brifen system has been crash tested.

However, John says the new barrier type is primarily designed for cars and SUVs.

“Crash testing for motorcycles would not have been done, simply because the outcomes are already known,” says John who has also been a rider trainer and crash analyst. 

John Nelson wire rope barriersJohn Nelson

“I was shocked to see the new WRB design and wonder how Brifen can create a barrier system that is even worse for motorcyclists impacting the barrier directly.

“The only scenario that is being touted by the road safety community is the out-of-control oncoming vehicle, and a rider is going past the site. 

“Each time I challenge the pro-WRB community to show the research and evidence that WRB saves motorcyclists, they can’t, won’t and disappear.” 

New design

New Safe Direction wire rope barriersNew Safe Direction wire rope barriers

The new design is higher and the cable is spread over a wider area with less space at the bottom. 

John says the original design meant riders were prone to going over the top and being injured by the cable and posts. 

“The new design would keep a rider from going over the top and extrude a body through the cable and posts,” he says. 

Many riders view wire rope barriers as “people slicers”.

However, Australian road safety consultancy Safe System Solutions Pty Ltd Research and Evaluations Lead and motorcyclist Dr Tana Tan says they have no issue with wire rope barriers on straights as riders don’t tend to fall asleep as much as drivers. 

“That’s because we have limited tank range so we stop more frequently, we generally monitor our fatigue better and we have to be alert to ride,” he says.

“The issue is with placing WRBs on curves.”

Wire rope barriers in Tassie on a gradual bendWire rope barriers in Tassie on a gradual bend

Transport departments throughout Australia adhere to the standards published in the Austroads Guide to Road Design which do not permit wire rope barriers on curves of less than 200 metre radius. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Warning to riders after cattle crashes

Leave a comment

Two riders were injured in separate crashes with stray cattle over the weekend, promoting us to reissue our warning to riders now exploring the country after the lockdown measures have eased in some states.

On Sunday (4 May 2020) a rider hit a bull at Wetheron north of Gayndah, Central Queensland.

Paramedics treated him on the scene for significant lower limb injuries and he was airlifted to hospital.

On Saturday a rider in his 20s hit a cow on Maleny Stanley River Rd at Booroobin, South East Queensland. No other details are available, but the ambulance did attend.

Our best wishes to the riders for a full and speedy recovery.

Cattle warning

Riders are being urged to use a mobile phone app to record roadkill in an effort to identify hotspots and help save lives. Roadkill Reporter app

The latest Austroads Guide to Road Safety Part 5: Road Safety for Rural and Remote Areas found that motorcycles are significantly over-represented in crashes with animals.

It cited Australian insurance data that found more than 80% of animal crashes involved kangaroos. Other common animal strike crashes involved wombats, dogs, cats, and cattle.

“The majority of animal/vehicle collisions in Australia occur on regional and remote roads and most often take place around dawn and dusk or during the darker hours,” it found.

However, Austroads also noted an underreporting of animal-related crashes.

Click here for tips on how not to become roadkill.

To help identify hotspots for roadkill crashes, riders have been asked to download the free Roadkill Reporter app for Android and Apple iOS developed by wildlife scientist Bruce Englefield.

The app allows users to take a photo which is GPS and time stamped, and logged online with authorities.

Data is then used to “mitigate” roadkill crashes in hotspot areas with remedies such as over- and under-road crossings for animals, signage, fences.

A 2016 study by Californian non-profit science and medicine research communication hub, PLOS, found that fences were the most effective measure, reducing roadkill by 54%.roadkill cattle cow livestock wildlife road safety
Be aware that there may be road rules that require motorists to give away to livestock or face a fine of up to $2600.

Riders certainly should do their best to avoid a run-in with cattle. They are much bigger than you and you will come off second-best!

Slow down or even pull over, switch off the engine and wait for them to pass.

If you ride by slowly, don’t blip the throttle as a loud exhaust can startle them, especially young cattle, causing them to charge.

Try to ride behind the direction a cow or bull is facing as they are less likely to do a u-turn if they bolt.

Do not use your horn to alert them of your presence as that could startle them.

Black cattle can be particularly difficult to spot in the distance as they are the same colour as the road.

Manure on the road is a good indication of livestock on the road ahead, maybe just up around that blind corner or over the crest of the next hill.

An AAMI survey of 20,000 claims in 2015 indicated animal strikes are a very serious problem in terms of safety and the economy. roadkill horses

However, nine out of 10 animal strikes involves a kangaroo.

Riders are encouraged to report livestock and injured wildlife on the roads to local police, road authorities or council.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Learn from motorway ramp crash video

Leave a comment

We can all learn something from this video from a Canadian truck’s dash cam that captures the moment a rider hits a freeway barrier and flies over the side of the off-ramp.

It happened in Montreal last week and the unlicensed rider suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The male rider is lucky to be alive and owes his life to the truck and a police officer who was nearby.

What can we learn?

The lack of a licence indicates the rider was unskilled, although he wasn’t traveling very fast.

Some suggest he had target fixation.

If you don’t know what that term means, think of it as “if you look at it, you will run into it”.

Learn crash videoTarget fixation

Target fixation often happens in a corner when a rider goes in too fast, looks at where he thinks he will crash and that’s where the bike goes.

However, you can actually make target fixation work for you by consciously choosing where you want to be and the bike will go there.

Click here for more information.

Counter steering

Learn crash videoThe other interesting take from this video is that the bike keeps going.

It shows how important rider input is in steering a motorcycle.

Above about 8km/h, a motorcycle’s wheels have a gyroscopic effect which keeps the bike upright.

Without any rider input, a bike sits up straight and continues on.

To steer, you have to “counter steer” in the opposite direction.

In an emergency situation like this, your instinct is to turn the handlebars toward the direction you want to go.

While we can’t see this rider turn toward the wall, even the slightest bar movement in the wrong direction can have a catastrophic effect.

Check out this video where a rider makes several mistakes.

First, the rider enters the corner too shallow which makes the bike run wide. The rider should take a wider approach so the bike is leaning and turning away from oncoming traffic.

Read more about apexes here.

Second, the rider sees the truck and develops target fixation.

The third problem is that the rider has not practised counter steering, so he swaps back and forth between steering and counter-steering, weaving into the truck.

You need to practise counter steering to ensure that it becomes your reflex action in an emergency.

Click here to find out how to practise counter steering.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

New motorcycle clothing standard (Pt 1)

Leave a comment

Part 1 – The new European Standard EN17092.

Over the past seven years, Europe has developed a new clothing protection standard (EN17092).

We have asked Dr Chris Hurren to explain the new European standard and what it means for Aussie riders.

Dr Hurren is a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory works on protective motorcycle clothing. He worked with Dr de Rome and others to produce the protocol that is used by MotoCAP for their testing regime.

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris Hurren awardChris Hurren and his Honda GB400

This is the first in a four-part series explaining the new standard and what you will see in store.

New standard

Increasing numbers of motorcycle garments are appearing in our stores labelled as being certified to a new standard – EN17092 or sometimes to Directive 89/686/EEC.

Australian and New Zealand riders are likely to see a lot more gear with this labelling on it. What is going on? How can riders interpret the five-level classification system of this new standard?

Many riders would be aware of the European standards for motorcycle protective clothing, including EN13595 for motorcycle jackets and pants.

Although in force for almost 20 years, until recently few manufacturers were submitting their garments for CE certification because the standards were not enforced in Europe.

That situation changed in April 2019 when the European Commission made it mandatory for all motorcycle clothing sold in Europe to be independently tested for CE certification.

In response to industry pressure, a new standard for motorcycle jackets and pants was developed (EN17092 1:2020) which allows for a wider range of protective performance than those of the original standard EN13595.

The two standards will operate in parallel until 2023, but many manufacturers are already choosing to work to the new standard.

There is much debate amongst manufacturers that the original European Standard EN13595 was set too high.

It was developed back in the days when leather was king and street clothing had not even been thought of. Most companies did not produce clothing that complied with it because it was not easy to achieve.

Now we appear to have the opposite with a standard that is set quite low with most products already in the market passing it.

A low standard will see everything certified but is this an advantage or disadvantage to riders?

Click here for the next article which explains the different levels of the standard.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com