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Airbags
Air bags and other restraint systems seek to reduce head and chest injury after ejection of the rider in head-on impacts. In head-on impacts,
the rider continues to move forward in a seated position and hits the opposing object at close to his pre-impact velocity. These accidents often result in fatal or serious injury to the head and upper body of the motorcyclist. The lower body and legs often become entangled with the motorcycle which can impart an additional rotational component of velocity to the upper body, so increasing the potential for injury.
Injury could be reduced if some method of restraint could be provided to protect a rider in frontal collisions by controlling his trajectory and reducing his velocity before he hits the opposing vehicle. (Finnis, 1990, p.1)
The restraint methods which have been proposed include: belts, saddle restraints, chest pads and air bags located either on the motorcycle or in the rider's suit. Finnis (1990) notes that most of these devices have proved unsuitable. Earlier studies with prototype motorcycle seat belts showed that restraint but not complete retention is desirable to reduce injury severity.
Information sourced from A review of potential countermeasures for motorcycle and scooter safety across APEC (Full report and References [PDF, 304KB]). |
