New motorcycle safety technology : an overview for South Australia

Abstract

The popularity of motorcycling in South Australia is rising and there have been increasing numbers in registrations and total distance travelled by riders. However, motorcyclists remain vulnerable road users and are at a higher risk of being involved in a serious crash. In 2012, motorcycle crashes were 17.5 times more likely to result in a fatality in SA relative to other vehicles, per distance travelled. There have been considerable improvements to passenger vehicle safety over the last few decades but little has changed regarding safety for motorcycles. This report describes the relatively new technologies of anti-lock braking systems (ABS), combined braking systems (CBS) and traction control systems (TCS) for motorcycles, and the effectiveness of these systems in reducing motorcycle crashes. Mechanisms to encourage uptake of these technologies are also presented. ABS appears to be the most beneficial of these technologies and an analysis of ABS is included, estimating the potential benefit of the technology for South Australian motorcyclists.....