IT’S the difference between life and death. Ulysses Orange Branch president Lester Davis says wearing the right clothing can make all the difference when riding a motorcycle.
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During the five year period 2013 to 2017, 323 motorcyclists were killed and more than 13,200 hospitalised from injuries sustained in crashes on NSW roads, data from the Centre for Road Safety shows.
A world-first first star ratings system for motorcycle clothing was announced this week and it already has the backing of riders and road safety experts.
The Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program (MotoCAP) gives riding jackets, pants and gloves star ratings for safety protection and thermal comfort.
Protection ratings on clothing considers each item’s impact absorption, abrasion resistance and whether or not seems will burst during an accident.
While MotoCAP’s thermal comfort is the only one that considers Australia’s climate.
Mr Davis has held a motorbike licence since the 1970s and said first-hand experience during accidents was a tough reminder that riders needed “maximum protection for the longest time”.
“When you come down you’re relying on the clothing and gear to just last long enough until you come to a stop,” he said.
“It’s about consumer confidence that the product that they buy has certain ratings and that they can rely on that.”
Dubbo Dirt Bike Club president Ben Woldhuis said it was difficult to source appropriate motorcycle gear in Dubbo and the ratings would help the club’s 150-plus members buy clothing online.
Mr Woldhuis has off-road and road motorbikes and said the appropriate safety clothing was vital no matter where you were riding.
“It’s very important for comfort and safety is a factor,” he said.
Calare Academy of Road Safety director and motorcycle assessor and trainer, Matt Irvine, welcomed the ratings system.
“It’s one step below regulation and I like that it puts the incentive on the consumer,” he said.
“The difference between wearing a good pair of [motorcycle] pants and jeans are poles apart.”
Mr Irvine said motorcycle riding could be risky and the chance of another road user not seeing a bike happened all too often.
During the five year period 2013 to 2017, 323 motorcyclists were killed and more than 13,200 hospitalised from injuries sustained in crashes on NSW roads.
- Centre for Road Safety
Motorcycle road safety expert Duncan McRae said the ratings were “desperately needed” and they would help riders choose the safest clothing.
“It can make the difference between walking away [from an accident] and two months in hospital,” he said.
“If you’ve got gear that works you’ll slide down the road, get up and dust yourself off and walk away.”
Mr McRae said people should not fear that the ratings were the first step to making clothing options law or that prices of gear will increase.
“There’s a great fear that this will increase the cost of gear but it won’t, it’ll make manufacturers lift their game,” he said.
He said the ratings were not about recognising the most expensive clothing, but the safest gear on the market.
“There’s companies out there that are fashion brands and you pay for that,” he said.
The ratings are the only ones worldwide to factor in thermal factors and comfort for Australian conditions.
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
