Over 50% of all road traffic fatalities involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. These individuals are at greater risk due to their lack of physical protection compared to vehicle occupants, making up a significant portion of road casualties and underscoring the need for improved safety measures.
Between January and October 2025, Washington State recorded 1,493 motorcycle crashes. Of these, 80 were fatal, 453 caused severe or life-changing injuries, and at least 680 resulted in other types of harm. The highest number of crashes occurred in Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett
With just this general context, it’s easy to understand that the development of safety and prevention technology for motorcycles is being pursued not only by large corporations but also by startups and lifelong enthusiasts.
Gear Tech
Helmets
By 2024, helmets have evolved with advanced features such as built-in communication systems, augmented reality displays, and improved impact resistance. It’s essential to always check that your helmet fits correctly and is in proper condition to ensure maximum safety.
Motorcycle helmets that comply with DOT standards play a crucial role in saving lives and minimizing injuries. Notably, helmet use among motorcyclists grew from 64.9% in 2021 to 66.5% in 2022, after three years of decline. Similarly, for riders with passengers, the rate of helmet use jumped from 52.1% in 2021 to 58.3% in 2022.
- Smart Helmets: In 2024, smart helmets are increasingly prevalent. These helmets feature advanced technology such as heads-up displays (HUDs), rearview cameras, and Bluetooth connectivity. HUDs project crucial information like speed and navigation directly onto the visor, reducing distractions. Rearview cameras help eliminate blind spots, improving situational awareness. Bluetooth connectivity enables safe communication with other riders or access to smartphones. Additionally, some smart helmets include voice control and emergency response systems that can alert authorities in case of an accident.
Gloves
Motorcycle gloves shield your hands from injuries and enhance your grip on the handlebars. In 2024, gloves commonly feature touchscreen-compatible fingertips and advanced knuckle protection. This design helps prevent losing valuable seconds when placing even the simplest commands while navigating.
Navigation Features
- Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS): ARAS offers features such as adaptive cruise control, collision warning systems, and blind-spot detection. These tools help riders avoid potential dangers and remain aware of their environment.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Automatically adjusts the motorcycle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, helping to keep a steady pace and reduce the need for manual speed adjustments.
- Collision Warning Systems (CWS): Provides alerts to the rider about potential collisions with other vehicles or obstacles in their path, enhancing awareness and allowing for timely evasive actions.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Engages the brakes automatically when a collision is imminent, helping to either prevent the collision or lessen its impact by reducing the vehicle’s speed.
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD): Monitors the areas behind and beside the motorcycle that are not visible to the rider, alerting them to vehicles or objects in their blind spots to prevent unsafe lane changes.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Alerts the rider if they unintentionally drift out of their lane, helping to prevent potential accidents caused by straying from their intended path.
Lights
Lights are also a crucial factor in technological development and integration into motorcycles.
Previously, some enthusiasts added this feature themselves, but now manufacturers have incorporated it into their designs. When a rider brakes abruptly, the rear lights flash in a distinctive pattern to provide a more pronounced alert to vehicles behind, enhancing safety.
An additional feature to stay aware of: a start-up company in San Diego is working to launch its product, Vololights, which are designed to automatically illuminate when a motorcycle begins to decelerate. The innovative feature of these lights is that they activate even if the rider is not using the brakes, providing an independent action that could reduce potential safety concerns.
Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) vs No ABS
Studies have shown that vehicles equipped with ABS are 35% less likely to be involved in a collision compared to those without it. The Anti-lock Braking System relies on wheel sensors and other critical components to detect skidding conditions and activate the ABS. Without this system, drivers might instinctively resort to panic braking, leading them to aggressively pump the brakes. ABS automates this process, enhancing safety during emergency situations.
The system is specifically designed to prevent the wheels from locking by maintaining traction, reducing the risk of skidding. When the wheels lock, the vehicle can dangerously slide across the road, especially on wet surfaces, leaving the driver with little control. ABS effectively prevents lock-ups and skidding, even on icy roads. By allowing drivers to maintain better control of their vehicles, ABS has been proven to save lives in critical moments.
Panic Braking
The biggest issue motorcycle riders face in accident prevention is the limited maneuverability when performing a hard stop. This is specifically known as Panic Braking.
Panic braking can occur in any vehicle. The difference is that in four-wheeled vehicles or more, it may result in a brief skid or, at worst, a jarring impact inside the car. However, in the case of motorcycles, locking one of the wheels at high speed often causes the rider to be thrown from their seat due to inertia.
An average of 1.9 seconds is all it takes from the moment a crash sequence begins (such as a car turning into a motorcycle’s path) to the point of impact. This key finding came from the Hurt study (formally titled “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures”) after thoroughly examining 900 motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles.
Investing in Safety
Let’s keep in mind a key social element: people who ride motorcycles daily in urban areas might include couriers, work fleets, students, or even individuals using scooter-type vehicles. It’s not that these riders are negligent or indifferent to their safety; rather, advanced technologies can be quite costly, often starting at around $30,000. This price range is more feasible for motorcycle enthusiasts who regularly invest in maintaining their bikes in excellent condition and use them for various activities and interprovincial travel without significant issues.