Campaigns
MAG Position - Leg Protectors
The idea for leg protectors came from the number of accidents in which motorcycle riders suffered leg injuries. The design of the leg protectors as proposed by the Transport Research Laboratory [TRL] is only suitable for riders under 6 feet tall, and even then it is cramped for pillions. The evidence put forward by the TRL in support of leg protectors relies upon the testing carried out on a GPz 500, a Norton Commander and a Honda C 90. The results published were based on a limited number of tests, and supported the claims made by the department of transport.
The research was questioned by the motorcycle industry, who commissioned their own studies. The draft specification leg protectors were tested on one scooter and two motorcycle designs. The results showed that the leg protector design was only beneficial in 25% of accident situations and actually detrimental in 50% of accidents.
Worse still the effects of the leg protectors on head trajectory and deceleration would lead to increased severe and fatal head injuries. This is caused by the leg protectors restraining the rider and causing pivoting around the hips bringing the head into contact with the car that the motorcycle was in collision with. There was also an increased chance of pelvis fracture, which is potentially fatal. The net result of the current design is the lower leg injuries are transferred to upper leg, torso, and head injuries.
To date the testing is incomplete, and no testing for the effects on pillions has been undertaken. The defects in the basic design of the leg protector led to the need for the design of motorcycle airbags. The design of the leg protectors is also based on a faired motorcycle, where the lower part of the leg is substantially vertical. This would not suit the custom style of machine, or any other 'feet forward' layout.
There is no final design of leg protector published yet. When and if it is published it may only be a short time before leg protectors are made compulsory. There had to be a helmet standard before the compulsory wearing could be introduced.
MAG is opposed to the leg protector design as it increases injuries, and further engineering 'fixes' are being looked into to solve the problems created by the product.
MAG is calling for the real problem to be solved, and that is the 2/3rds of motorcycle accidents caused by the actions of other road users. Many millions of pounds have been spent by the TRL on leg protector research, yet these devices are still not yet at a stage of development where they can be used reliably. By way of contrast, £900 000 was allocated for leg protector research in 1994, which was more than the money allocated for the study of drink-driving habits, which cause more deaths, injuries, and general distress than lack of leg protectors will ever do.
MAG UKİ October 2001 All rights reserved.
