Consumer Reports conducted a new study about motorcycle riders safety habits, and the result is pretty shocking. The organisation polled 1383 of its bike-riding subscribers, but no particular make or model bike is represented, just general riders. 7 in 10 respondents consider themselves to be experienced riders and have held their motorcycle license for at least five years. But 10 percent said they had been in an accident in the last five years and 1 in 4 said they don’t always wear a helmet when they ride.
50% of accidents were single vehicles
10%: always wear protective pants
25%: don’t always wear a helmet
25%: always wear a protective jacket
25%: sometimes ride in shorts
25%: of accidents involved broken bones
33%: of accidents result in road rash
50%: have taken a formal riding course
50%: of accidents were single vehicle
50%: don’t regularly wear boots
50%: don’t regularly wear gloves
60%: sometimes ride in a short-sleeve shirt
70%: consider themselves “experienced” riders
25% of the riders don't always wear a helmet
The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) consumed another interesting survey. This IIHS study concluded that motorcycles equipped with ABS are 37 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than bikes without it. ABS is optional on some motorcycles now, but typically adds about $1000 to the cost, and is offered only on larger, heavier models.
