Protections of the biker

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November 13, 2018

According to road safety figures, motorized two-wheelers only represent 2% of traffic, but 21% of fatal accidents. Motorcycle protection accessories are therefore essential.

Protections for the biker

The different standards and approvals of compulsory equipment

Today, among motorcycle clothing, onlye motorcycle helmet and gloves must meet European standards. An approved helmet must bear, for example, the ECE wording on the white label sewn to the chinstrap. There are several levels of protection and security.

The standard ECE 22-04 P and ECE 22-05 P, corresponds to the full face helmet and can only be used in circulation in the closed position and be well adjusted. The mention "PJ" for protective jet applies to a modular helmet. The letter "J" designates a jet helmet.

To be approved, a helmet must be fitted with reflective stickers : two on the sides, one on the back and one on the front to ensure high visibility.

Since 2016, every biker must have a fluorescent yellow vest – without necessarily wearing it.

Since 2009, motorcycle gloves must meet the EN 13594 standard and since 2016, be CE certified. There again, several levels exist. Only gloves from level 2, compulsory for driving on the track, protect the finger joints.

Each personal protective equipment is laboratory tested to verify its resistance to impact, tearing, abrasion or shattering. Not all motorcycle accessories are subject to legal certification, but it is preferable to opt for an EEC standard.

Equipment "not" compulsory but highly recommended

At present, mandatory motorcycle equipment is limited to gloves and an approved motorcycle helmet. For better protection, it is strongly recommended to go beyond the obligations.

29% of seriously injured people are victims of orthopedic injuries. The motorcycle boots and shoes will protect the feet, ankles and shins, but especially the malleolus.

This bone regularly fractures in a fall if the rider rides in simple sneakers. For good protection, it is better to opt for high-top shoes with a malleolus shell or even motorcycle boots that comply with European standard EN 13634.

On a motorcycle, a fall often rhymes with slipping. The friction of the skin on the bitumen can cause severe burn. Forget the t-shirt: a thick leather jacket will have the advantage of reducing these risks. Jackets from the brands Bering, Dainese or Alpinestars are designed in breathable material like Gore-Tex® for excellent comfort.

For optimal protection, wear a motorcycle jacket and leather pants of the EN 13 595 standard. For cross-country equipment, use the lumbar belt, and the breastplate or stone guard in breathable fabric.

Protect your back with a back protector

In cross country, enduro as well as on the road, a violent fall can seriously damage the chest area and the spine and in the worst case lead to paralysis. The back is an extremely sensitive area that can be secured with back protection.

This biker equipment must meet the standard EN 1621-3. On a motorcycle, scooter or quad, you have to stay free to move around. An ideal motorcycle back protector should not be too heavy or too stiff. D30, an efficient material, offers good flexibility and hardens on impact.

It is recommended to opt for a model which descends from the lower neck – capable of protecting the collarbone – to the tailbone and which covers a large part of the ribs and kidneys.

Protect your knees, elbows and shoulders

Leather jackets and kevlar jeans are generally equipped with CE approved shoulder, elbow and knee protectors. EN 1621-1 approval means that these shells have been tested in a certified laboratory.

The knee protectors are usually sold with the motorcycle pants or suit. There are models that slip on over jeans, but if you fall, you won’t have the hip protectors that motorcycle pants provide..

One of the most recurring injuries, especially in motocross, is undoubtedly the scaphoid fracture of the wrist, which can be avoided with a suitable wrist protector.

Use an airbag vest

Bindings to the thorax and abdomen can be fatal, especially when the rider falls and hits an obstacle such as a vehicle or a safety barrier notorious for its "guillotine" effect. The motorcycle airbag jacket guarantees optimal protection, by protecting the stomach, vital organs and the neck: lesions cervical can lead to serious neurological damage.

The airbag is triggered when the rider suddenly pulls away from the motorcycle. The vest then inflates in order to limit the impact on the ground or with a vehicle. Warning : never wear a backpack with an airbag !

Its cost can slow down some: count between 300 and 1000 euros for this motorcycle protective vest. But does your life have a price? Check with your insurance company: some insurers indeed offer reductions allowing members to equip themselves with this motorcycle jacket at a reduced price or even replace it if it is triggered..

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