Enhancing Rider Safety: The Role of Motorcycle Airbag Vests
By Ms. Brie Christian, Staff Writer
Although motorcycling offers unparalleled freedom on the open road, its liberation comes with inherent risks. In 2022, 6,218 motorcyclists were killed—fifteen percent of all traffic fatalities. Data produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that this considerable portion of fatalities is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975.[1] The Air Force Safety Center recorded that in the last five years, we have lost eighty-eight Air Force personnel to motorcycle deaths. Despite the safety advancements in modern motorcycles and in motorist awareness, motorcyclists remain vulnerable to accidents. Airbag vests have emerged as a plausible solution in mitigating such risks. This article explores these vests, their pros and cons, and their effectiveness in protecting riders.
Effectiveness of Airbag Vests
Blunt force trauma—a leading cause of severe injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists—can be caused when a crash propels a motorcycle rider forward, leading to high-impact collisions with the ground or other objects. Such impacts often lead to severe head, neck, and torso injuries.
Studies show that airbag vests help absorb impact forces, reducing injury severity. Other benefits of airbag vests include:
- Reduction in Forward Momentum: Riders wearing airbag vests experience a significant decrease in forward momentum during a crash; some studies indicate nearly a sixty-percent reduction.[2]
- Decreased Head Trauma: Riders wearing airbag vests reduce their likelihood of sustaining head injuries by nearly eighty percent.
These figures highlight the potential of airbag vests to transform motorcycle safety, offering riders an additional layer of protection beyond traditional gear.
Evolution of Airbag Technology in Motorcycling
The concept of wearable airbags originated in the equestrian world, protecting those who ride horses. In the early 2000s, this technology was adapted for Grand Prix motorcycle racers and has since become commercially available for everyday motorcyclists. This evolution signifies a broader commitment to rider safety and the continuous advancement of protective gear.
Types of Airbag Vests: Tethered vs. Wireless
Motorcycle airbag vests primarily come in two styles: tethered and wireless (electronic). Each system offers unique features tailored to different rider preferences and needs, with its own set of advantages and considerations.
Tethered Airbag Vests
Tethered airbag vests operate through a physical connection between the airbag vest and the motorcycle. A cord links the two, and upon separation—such as when the rider wearing the vest is ejected—the tension triggers the airbag’s deployment.
Pros:
Simplicity and Reliability: Essentially, riders fix the cord to the bike, and if they fall off, the airbag activates. This well-refined technology has been around the longest, confirming consistent performance.
Cost-Effective: Generally more affordable than their electronic counterparts, tethered airbag vests are more accessible to a broader range of riders. Tethered vests do not require batteries and can be recharged by the rider at a low cost.
User-Friendly: Typically, tethered airbag vests are ideal for off-road riders where falls occur more often, reducing inadvertent deployment.
Cons:
Activation Requires Separation: Tethered airbags deploy only when the rider separates from the motorcycle, potentially leaving riders unprotected in certain accident scenarios.
Manual Connection Needed: Riders must remember to connect the tether before each ride; failure to disconnect can lead to accidental deployments.
Wireless (Electronic) Airbag Vests
Wireless airbag vests utilize advanced sensors and algorithms to detect crashes, eliminating the need for a physical connection or tether to a motorcycle. These systems monitor the rider’s movements in real-time to determine when to deploy the airbag.
Pros:
Rapid Response: Advanced sensors (gyros, accelerometers, GPS, etc.) detect impacts and deploy the airbag in milliseconds. A small computer monitors the rider’s condition up to one thousand times per second.
No Physical Connection: Advanced sensors eliminate the need for riders to worry about connecting or disconnecting tethers.
Cons:
Higher Costs: Wireless technology makes these vests more expensive upfront and may require higher maintenance costs than tethered devices. Some vests require a subscription to wear.
Maintenance Requirements: Wireless technology requires regular recharging and cannot be recharged at home without certification. Post-deployment service (inspection by technicians) may be required.
Potential Limitations: Algorithm-based systems for wireless vests may only be compatible with a limited range of jackets, depending on the manufacturer’s design.
Many airbag vests are worn over standard motorcycle jackets, eliminating the need for new gear. However, some electronic systems only integrate into specific vests. Riders should ensure compatibility with their existing equipment when choosing a vest.
Real-World Effectiveness at Various Speeds
Airbag vests tests have been conducted by riders on various surfaces, resulting in minor bruises instead of severe injuries. Although no gear guarantees complete protection, airbag vests primarily shield the collarbones, vital organs, ribs, back, and neck.
Moreover, the effectiveness of airbag vests varies based on impact scenarios. Studies suggest that airbag vests offer limited protection at certain speeds at which an object strikes another. For instance, vests are particularly effective at impact speeds between thirty to forty kilometers/hour, although effectiveness can vary with different impact configurations.[3] However, even at higher speeds, any reduction in injury severity can be crucial.
Final Thoughts
Both tethered and wireless airbag vests offer significant safety benefits; the choice boils down to budget and preference. Nonetheless, the cost of an ambulance ride, hospitalization, and rehabilitation can far exceed the price of any vest. Like any other personal protective equipment (PPE), an airbag vest only works if worn. As the saying goes, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Protecting your life is priceless.
Investing in PPE enhances personal safety and contributes to a broader culture of responsibility and awareness in the motorcycling community. As technology continues to evolve, airbag vests are poised to become an integral piece of motorcycle equipment, offering riders even more safety and lowering the chances of injury and death.
[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. n.d. “Motorcycle Safety.” https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles.
[2] Johnson & Gilbert, P.A. n.d. “Will an Airbag Jacket or Vest Keep Me Safe While Motorcycling?” https://www.mylegalneeds.com/faqs/do-airbag-jackets-keep-motorcyclists-safer.cfm#:~:text=Statistics%20indicate%20that%20forward%20momentum,reduced%20by%20approximately%2080%20percent.
[3] International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury. 2019. “Airbag Jacket for Motorcyclists: Evaluation of Real Effectiveness. https://www.ircobi.org/wordpress/downloads/irc19/pdf-files/76.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com.