6 minute read
Many choose to ride motorcycles in order to experience the freedom that can be found on the open road and the excitement of mastering the skills necessary for safe and effective motorcycle operation. However, this thrill comes with significant risks since statistics indicate that motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to be fatally injured and five times more likely to suffer injuries in a traffic accident compared to occupants of passenger cars.
In fact, 2023 records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that 6,335 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal traffic accidents that year, accounting for 15% of all traffic-related fatalities. This figure signifies the highest recorded number of motorcyclist deaths since records began in 1975, highlighting a critical need for enhanced safety measures and greater awareness among all road users to mitigate the risks faced by motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Safety Hazards
While all modes of transportation inherently carry some level of risk due to the possibility of accidents, there is still a clear distinction in safety between cars and motorcycles. Firstly, cars are widely regarded as safer vehicles due to their built-in protective features such as seat belts and airbags. Additionally, in the event of a collision, the car’s structure is designed to absorb the majority of the impact, providing a physical barrier that shields occupants from direct contact with external hazards.
In contrast, motorcycles present significantly greater vulnerabilities because they provide little to no physical protection between the rider and the road, which makes the likelihood of being ejected from the motorcycle relatively high, often resulting in direct contact with the ground or surrounding obstacles. Moreover, the smaller size of motorcycles makes them more difficult for other road users to see, which increases the risk of motorcyclists being overlooked, particularly when in the blind spots of larger vehicles during lane changes or other maneuvers.
There is also the human factor that must be taken into consideration. “Speeding is the most common cause of fatal traffic collisions, causing nearly 360 deaths in a recent year,” says Alex Silkman, motorcycle injury lawyer and founder of Silkman Law Firm.
Furthermore, the risks are significantly heightened in this modern age. Technology is rapidly advancing and the automotive industry is on the brink of a revolution with the rise of driverless vehicles – a development that puts the spotlight on the dynamic between speed, control, and safety on the road. As autonomous vehicles begin to populate highways and city streets, questions arise about the integration, safety, and relevance of motorcycles because, despite advancements in rider safety gear and motorcycle technology, their fundamental vulnerabilities remain.
1. The Coexistence Challenge
The essence of motorcycling is the sense of control, as the rider keeps his hands on the bars and feels the machine responding to his every input. Such traditional interaction is in stark contrast with the hand-off approach of autonomous technology, thus creating the challenge of harmonizing both systems as they share the road.
One can say that this is already being achieved on a certain level since motorcycles are already benefiting from some autonomous safety features such as the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and traction control. More advanced systems are also emerging, like vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or bike-to-vehicle (B2V) communication, which allows every vehicle on the road to share information about its speed, direction, and position. Such systems could help prevent accidents by making motorcycles more visible to autonomous vehicles and allowing for better predictive models of rider behavior.
However, there is still a significant challenge when it comes to teaching autonomous vehicles to interpret the less predictable nature of motorcycles compared to cars because motorcycles present a smaller visual and radar footprint and exhibit different behavior dynamics, such as lane splitting and rapid acceleration. This variance thus necessitates that certain adjustments be made to the algorithms of autonomous vehicles, enabling them to detect and appropriately react to motorcycles.
And while the potential is there for motorcycles to become fully autonomous, this presents a unique set of engineering and philosophical challenges since the concept of an autonomous motorcycle goes against the very grain of riding culture, which holds the human experience of riding as its central tenet. But on the flip side, it can also be argued that autonomy in motorcycles might cater to a different type of consumer, perhaps someone looking for the practical benefits of a motorcycle without the learning curve required for operation.
Fortunately, motorcycle manufacturers are not staying idle during this technological shift as they are continuously experimenting with rider-assist systems that enhance stability and incorporate semi-autonomous features. Adaptations such as these may bridge the gap between the joy of traditional riding and the safety benefits offered by autonomous technology.
2. The Importance Of Infrastructure, Policy, And Education
Amidst these technological developments, the core of the motorcycling experience falls under the spotlight because autonomy in vehicles is as much about safety and efficiency as it is about redefining the relationship between people and their modes of transportation. Thus, along with the evolution of driverless technologies, riders must consider how much control they’re willing to cede and what that means for the essence of motorcycling as they know it.
Since many riders pursue motorcycling for the sense of community, the mechanical harmony between man and machine, and the feeling of freedom found on the open road, it remains to be seen how autonomous technology will alter this pursuit. It could potentially enhance it by reducing certain risks, or it could dilute the very essence that makes motorcycling appealing to its aficionados.
At the same time, one mustn’t underestimate the role of infrastructure in this new era. Properly designed infrastructure can improve safety and efficiency for all types of vehicles, fostering a space where manual and autonomous transportation can coexist. This means that it is crucial to design roads that cater to both autonomous and manually operated vehicles, while traffic management systems will need to consider the presence of motorcycles and ensure that they are not overshadowed by the capabilities of driverless cars.
Governments and policymakers play a crucial part in this evolution as well because they are responsible for setting laws that regulate the operation and integration of autonomous vehicles into existing systems. As this transition unfolds, motorcycle advocates must ensure that rider interests are taken into account during the legislative process, preserving the rights and considerations due to motorcyclists.
Finally, proper education and training are pivotal as these would ensure that motorcycle riders are equipped with knowledge about interacting with autonomous vehicles while those handling autonomous vehicles are familiarized with the nuances of sharing the road with motorcycles. As such, through effective awareness campaigns and improved driver’s education, everyone can help foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding among all road users, regardless of their chosen mode of transportation.
