Lois and Tors Motorcycle Weblog

The number of motorcyclist crash-related fatalities has more than doubled during the past 10 years. In the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) P.L. 109-59, Congress directed the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of the causes of motorcycle crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published the results from the pilot study that tested methodologies to be used in a more in-depth investigation into motorcycle crashes, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The larger study is now under way at the Oklahoma Transportation Center, a well-respected research facility, under the supervision of Oklahoma State University (OSU).

"The AMA has long advocated for, and supported, a new federal study into the causes of motorcycle crashes and motorcyclist fatalities, particularly in light of evolving demographics and changing technology," said AMA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland.

"A comprehensive motorcycle crash study is long overdue, and this pilot study is the first step to making sure we collect the data necessary and employ the proper procedures to learn lessons that will save lives."

The current report does not focus on crash data from the scaled-down pilot investigation, but rather the investigative procedures that are crucial to the integrity of the OSU study.

"Motorcycle Crash Causes and Outcomes: Pilot Study" describes the processes investigators used to collect crash data, the type of data collected and offers recommendations for a larger motorcycle crash study that's partially funded by a $100,000 grant from the AMA.

The motorcycle crash pilot study can be downloaded here. This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange.

In 2005, Congress approved the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, and the legislation called for the study. Lawmakers pledged $2.8 million for the research, and asked the motorcycling community to pitch in.

In 2007, the AMA committed $100,000, and AMA members contributed an additional $27,000 through the AMA Fuel the Fund campaign. Since then, six state safety programs — New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin — have pledged another $560,000.

Westat, based in Rockville, Md., and Dynamic Science Inc., based in Anaheim, Calif., conducted the pilot study for the federal government. Over a three-month data-collection period, investigators worked with five police agencies in seven jurisdictions. Notifications were received on 53 motorcycle crashes, of which 23 cases were completed. Investigators concluded that data collection is the most-challenging aspect of such a study and offer suggestions to improve that process.

The pilot study reports that the average cost per completed case is $7,500, which includes a margin for dropped cases. However, this figure includes data collection only and does not include overhead costs of forms, manuals, other equipment and back-office support.

The last major motorcycle crash causation study, commonly called the "Hurt Report" in reference to its lead researcher, the late professor Hugh H. "Harry" Hurt, was completed in 1980.

The Hurt Report provided a wealth of data that has been used to develop training and strategies to help keep riders safer on the road. In the decades since, the traffic environment has changed enormously, prompting the AMA to begin campaigning for a new study several years ago.

Passengers are usually at the mercy of the rider's good sense, or
sometimes the lack thereof.  Many passengers don't know better.  So
much is written on riding a bike, so many classes are offered for
riders, yet very little is offered for passengers.

With that, here are my suggestions for passengers:

Wear Good Gear

As a passenger, you are just as vulnerable as the rider.  If the rider
decides to take an asphalt nap, it's beddy-bye time for you too.
Don't accept crappy helmets, while the rider of the bike is in the
very best leathers and replica helmet.  You need good gear.  Good gear
consists of a SNELL/DOT approved helmet (full face is really the
best), a long sleeved leather or Cordura jacket, at least jeans, heavy
leather long fingered gloves, and boots that cover your ankles.  These
are the minimum requirements for riders to take the MSF course. They
are a good idea for you too.
Dress for the weather.  Nothing will take the joy out of a ride by
coming home miserable, either from the heat, cold, or wet.  If your
rider doesn't care about this, I suggest finding someone else to ride
with, someone who will make sure you are dry and warm on that cool
morning.  So now that you know what to wear~E

Mounting/Dismounting

Don't get on or off the bike unless the rider says they are ready.
The best way to dump you, your friend, and their bike is to leap on or
off the thing when the rider isn't expecting it.  Do not stand on the
foot pegs to mount and dismount like you are getting off a horse.  I
have seen a foot peg break off when a pillion stood up, put all their
weight on one peg, and tried to step off a bike.  To get on, lift your
leg over the seat and scoot on, placing your feet on the pegs to
settle into place. To get off, your best bet is to slide your hips
over, set a foot down, and step away from the bike, pulling your leg
over the seat, or around the back.

How to Sit on the Bike

As a passenger, sit on the seat, with your feet on the passenger pegs.
Keep your body upright and look ahead. You can place your hands on the
hips of the rider or around their waist.  You can also hold onto the
grab bars on the tail section if that works for you.  Another method
is to reach around the rider's waist and place the palms of your hands
on the back of the gas tank.  This works especially well on sport
bikes.  Do not sit or lean against the rider.  Leave yourself a little
room so your helmet doesn't bang into the rider's when they brake.
Remember though: Sit Still!!

A motorcycle is a dynamic machine.  It makes its way by maintaining
balance in turning, acceleration and braking.  The rider is constantly
making small control adjustments throughout the ride.  As a pillion
you can have a great effect on the stability of the motorcycle.  In
short, it is entirely possible for you to run the bike off the road
from the back seat.

Acceleration

When the rider accelerates away from a stop, lean forward slightly to
counteract the tendency for the bike to push you back. Don't forget
this and get so far out of shape that you grab onto the rider.   I
have seen more than one panicked pillion almost yank the rider off the
accelerating bike.  Another thing you can do is squeeze the bike with
your thighs, pressing your weight down on the pegs as you lean
forward.  This helps you maintain your balance.  If the rider is
taking off too fast for you, ask them to slow down a bit.  If they
don't, find someone else to ride with.

Braking

Everyone has to slow down sometime.  When the rider applies the
brakes, your body will tend to slide or lean forward.  You need to
counteract this so you don't slide into the back of the rider.  Like
when accelerating, use your legs to keep yourself upright.  You can
place your hands on the grab rails behind you, or on the back of the
gas tank by reaching around the rider's waist.  Do not, under any
circumstances, place your hands against the rider's back or shoulder
blades.  I don't know who is teaching some passengers to do this but
it is dangerous.  It shoves the rider's weight against the bars,
making it very difficult to control the bike.  The first time a
passenger did this to me, we were almost shoved into oncoming traffic.
I really, really wanted to hunt down the clown rider that taught them
that trick.
Cornering

Bikes lean.  It's what makes them so much fun. When the bike is
cornering, the rider may move around, or even hang off a bit. Don't
try to emulate them.  It is your job to sit still, lean as the bike
leans, keeping your body solid on the seat and aligned with the bike.
Another thing you can do is to look over the inside shoulder of the
rider as you go through the corner.  This doesn't mean you lean over
more than necessary.  Just look towards the inside of the corner.
This also let's you see where you are going so you can anticipate a
stop.

Stopping

As the passenger: when the bike comes to stop, sit still.  Keep your
feet on the pegs.  Let the rider do all the work.  If you need to
shift about, tell the rider you want to move so they are ready for it.

Communication

Talk to your rider, before, during and after the ride.  Let them know
if you are new.  Don't be afraid to tell them if you are scared.
Everyone is inexperienced at something.  There is nothing wrong with
being nervous.  If your rider scoffs at this, come ride with me.
During the ride, if you need a break, say so.  If you want them to
slow down, ask.  After the ride, give them some feedback.  If you had
fun, say so.

If you need to communicate with your rider during the ride, understand
that shouting inside your full-face helmet at 60mph is pretty useless.
You need to get their attention first.  Reach around and tap them on
the top of the thigh, or on the shoulder, to let them know you want
their attention.  When they acknowledge you, speak loudly and in small
words.  If you can, use hand signals to direct them.  Talk about these
signals with your rider before you start the ride, before you need a
rest stop, or need to give them directions.

Take responsibility for your ride.  Communicate with the rider.  Make
it clear what your expectations are, and don't ride with any rider, on
any bike, where you aren't comfortable. Like I said, if your rider
doesn't listen to your concerns, if you aren't comfortable on the back
of that bike, you can always ride with my friends and me.