Motorcycle safety
Motorcycle safety is a critical aspect of road safety, given that motorcycle accident rates and fatalities are significantly higher than those for other motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are about six times more likely to die in a crash compared to car drivers. This heightened risk stems from the inherent vulnerabilities of motorcycles, being two-wheeled machines that lack protective frameworks like those found in cars, which often include safety features such as seat belts and airbags.
In 2013, motorcycles were involved in 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., despite accounting for only 3 percent of registered vehicles. The most severe crashes often involve collisions with other vehicles, particularly during left turns. Helmets are recognized as one of the most effective measures for preventing serious injuries, with data suggesting many lives could be saved through universal helmet use. Additionally, wearing appropriate gear, such as jackets with protective padding and retroreflective clothing, can reduce injury risk.
Training and education are vital for motorcyclists, as they are encouraged to undertake safety courses and remain vigilant while riding to mitigate risks associated with fatigue and inexperience. The combination of proper safety gear, rider training, and awareness of road conditions plays a crucial role in enhancing motorcycle safety.
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Motorcycle safety
The accident rate for motorcycles is much higher than that of other motor vehicles, and the fatality rate for the operators and passengers of motorcycles is much higher than for those of cars and trucks. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that motorcycle fatalities were twenty-two times more likely to occur than car fatalities in 2022. According to NHTSA data, in 2022, motorcycles accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States.
Motorcycles tend to be less safe than other motor vehicles because most are two-wheeled (although some are three-wheeled), which makes them more prone to slipping or tipping over than four-wheeled cars and trucks. Furthermore, motorcycles lack the frameworks that surround the driver and occupants of cars and trucks, as well as other critical safety features such as crumple zones, seat belts, and air bags, making motorcyclists more likely to be thrown from their vehicles or to suffer impact injuries in the event of a crash.
Brief History
In 1885, German inventor Gottlieb Daimler, who later founded the automobile company Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (later Daimler AG), and his partner Wilhelm Maybach developed a prototype called the Reitwagen, a two-wheeled vehicle with a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine that is considered by most sources to be the world’s first motorcycle. The first motorcycle built for commercial sale was the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller, which was invented in Munich, Germany, in 1894. Unlike the Reitwagen, which accelerated to approximately five miles per hour, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller was able to attain a top speed of twenty-eight miles per hour.
In 1903 Harley-Davidson, one of the best-known motorcycle manufacturers in the world, started producing motorcycles in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company’s founders, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson, originally began producing a motorized bicycle, but after discovering that the vehicle could not climb hills unless the rider pedaled, they moved on to other projects. The first production Harley-Davidson motorcycle was developed and sold in 1904. In the early twentieth century, the sport of motorcycle racing became popular, and motorcycle manufacturers focused on enhancing the speed and power of their vehicles.
Overview
The NHTSA reports that more than four thousand motorcyclists die each year in the United States. Per registered vehicle, motorcyclists were six times more likely to die in crashes than car drivers and passengers in 2013. Specifically, 55.54 motorcyclists died per 100,000 registered motorcycles in 2013, down from 72.48 per 100,000 in 2007. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2013, motorcyclists were nearly five times more likely to be injured than the occupants of cars. One reason motorcyclists are more likely to die or be injured in crashes is the lack of safety features that are commonly found on cars and trucks. Safety features such as air bags, seat belts, and automatic braking are not found on motorcycles.
According to the NHTSA, in 2013, the most harmful event in all fatal motorcycle crashes was a collision with another moving motor vehicle, while 22 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved collisions with fixed objects. Of all fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle in the United States that year, 42 percent occurred when the other vehicle was turning left and the motorcycle was traveling straight, passing, or overtaking another vehicle. Speeding was thought to be a factor in 34 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes, compared to 21 percent of fatal car crashes. Furthermore, one-quarter of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2013 were riding without valid motorcycle licenses, and 28 percent had a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Motorcycle helmets are one of the best ways to prevent serious injuries or fatalities in a motorcycle crash. The NHTSA estimated that helmets saved the lives of 1,630 motorcyclists in 2013 and that an additional 715 motorcyclists would have survived if they had been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. For every one hundred motorcycle riders killed while not wearing helmets, thirty-seven would have survived if all one hundred had been wearing helmets; when considering motorcycle passengers alone, this figure increases to forty-one. The NHTSA reports that in states without universal helmet laws, 59 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2013 were not wearing helmets, compared to 8 percent in states with universal helmet laws.
Full-face helmets are much more effective for preventing injury than three-quarter or half helmets, which do not cover the chin, a common site of impact. In addition to helmets, other motorcycle gear can reduce the risk of collision and injury. Retroreflective strips on clothing help to improve the visibility of the rider and reduce the chance of their involvement in a crash. Clothing made from leather, Cordura, or Kevlar can prevent abrasion to motorcyclists if they fall or are thrown from their bike. Clothing with impact protection, such as padding at the elbows, knees, shoulders, and spine, can also greatly reduce the severity of injury in a motorcycle accident. Visors and goggles can also prevent debris from obscuring the rider’s vision or causing damage to the eyes and face.
Many countries require special safety courses or training in order to obtain a motorcycle license. Organizations such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the Canada Safety Council, and the Institute of Advanced Motorists provide advanced riding courses for motorcyclists to learn emergency evasive maneuvers. Because riding a motorcycle is more physically taxing than driving a car, motorcyclists are encouraged to take breaks on long rides to avoid fatigue, which can increase the risk of being involved in an accident. Motorcyclists should stay alert and drive defensively while on the road.
Bibliography
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"Motorcycle Safety." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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