Making motorcycles safer

Once the winter snow melts, motorcycle enthusiasts prepare to take out their rides for another season of wind-in-your-hair adventures. Whether touring iconic roads or making quick jaunts around the neighborhood, bikers of all ages enjoy climbing onto their rides and hitting the open road.

When the weather warms, motorists are bound to see an influx of motorcycles on the road. So it’s only natural that, come spring, many motorists’ thoughts turn to motorcycle safety. Statistics indicate that motorcycles are more dangerous than cars. According to Wired, people on motorcycles are nearly 30 times more likely to die in a crash than people in cars, due in part to motorcycles’ lack of airbags, crumple zones and seat belts.

Upon the return of warm weather, motorcycle enthusiasts should revisit safety protocols and even explore the technological innovations that are helping to make motorcycling safer.

Bikes that talk

Vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology can help reduce motorcycle accidents and injuries. Using short-range WiFi-based communication, motorcycles can track vehicles in the vicinity; assess speed, braking, and other elements; and alert riders with enough time to avoid a crash. The hardware produced by Autotalks and Bosch is scheduled to be tested on Ducati motorcycles. Bosch’s initial research suggests it could prevent one-third of all motorcycle accidents in Germany, where the company is headquartered and will conduct the study.

Modern head protection

Motorcycle helmets protect one of the most important parts of the body that can be injured in motorcycle accidents. Seemingly a simple piece of equipment, helmets are continually evolving to prevent injuries. Some new technologies include using airbag systems with helmet designs to provide neck and spinal protection immediately on impact. Sensors built into the helmets can record speeds and inflate if a crash seems imminent.