Italy - Riders throughout Europe organise themselves to save motorcyclists from injury or death when they crash and impact crash barriers by mobilising to have Motorcycle Protection Systems (MPS) – underrun guard rails fitted to crash barriers at identified crash barrier sites. In this case, Italy. Recently we reported on the not for non-profit organization MEHRSi from Germany which has the aim to significantly reduce the death rate and the degree of injury among motorcyclists/cyclists by having the “safety barriers” of all curves, that are dangerous for motorcyclists, … [Read more...]
Thank You MEHRSi
Germany – For us at Motorcycle Minds one of the pieces or systems of road infrastructure that we have reported on and have been involved from a rider’s perspective are Vehicle Restraint Systems – Crash Barriers – in all their forms and in solutions to protect riders with the installation of Motorcycle Protection Systems (MPS) to original barrier systems. Over the years we have seen road infrastructure authorities struggle to accept the “danger” that road side and central reservation barriers present to riders including their placement and types of barrier systems. This … [Read more...]
Conference – Safer Crash Barriers
Italy - It has been some time since we have attended any motorcycle conference or been “out” in the world of motorcycle events about research and riders’ issues. It is a world that is populated by those through their specialised fields and riders’ representation that are steering the issues riders face as well as those along for the ride who fund and plan what issues are important to make for safer motorcycling. Elaine from Motorcycle Minds is currently very active, researching the Dynamics of Motorcycle Crashes as part of a team conducting a rider’s survey/study … [Read more...]
Pedants ‘R’ Us
Europe - The one thing that we (Motorcycle Minds) try to ensure in the reporting of our articles is that they are factual to the point of being pedantically detailed. What we detest in articles or reports that we come across by others, is misrepresentation, misinterpretation, no references, or a just lack of professionalism. A general rule of thumb is that it’s not good to pass your personal opinion across as fact or truth in articles. While it might give the author a warm fuzzy feeling, it does not help the reader to understand the issues which are central to whatever … [Read more...]
Mystery of EN1317-8
United Kingdom - On Thursday, June 16, the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) technical committee on road equipment (TC226) held its annual meeting in Stockholm. The draft standard for a road restraint protection system for motorcycles (EN1317-8) was on the agenda. At the meeting, the committee chose to opt for a Technical Specification, which seems to have caused consternation amongst some motorcyclists. In fact the General Secretary of FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) commented “What will be done with this Technical Specification is a … [Read more...]
Crash Barriers Spain – Fitting Regulation
Spain - Ver la versión original en español: In 2005, in Spain a specific standard and a new Motorcyclist Protection System (SPM), was developed to improve the safety of motorcyclists in case of a fall and impact against a metallic crash barrier. It was after the protests of bikers in 2001 and 2002 when the Minister met representatives of riders and promised to work for a solution. This resulted in the UNE135900 standard and conforming to this standard the first SPM of Spain was developed by the Ministerio de Fomento (Ministry of Public Works). This was December, … [Read more...]
Barreras España – Reglamento de montaje
España - Ver la versión Inglés: En el año 2005, en España se había desarrollado una normativa específica y un nuevo elemento (SPM), que mejoraba la seguridad de los motociclistas en caso de caída e impacto contra una barrera metálica de seguridad. Fue tras las manifestaciones de los motoristas de 2001y 2002, cuando el Ministro de Fomento, se reunió con representantes de los motoristas y se comprometió a trabajar por una solución, que dio como resultado la norma UNE135900 y el primer SPM de España, desarrollado por el Ministerio de Fomento conforme a los estándares de la … [Read more...]
