Motorcycle community weighs into crash prevention research
Researchers are working with motorcycle riders to tackle the increasing number of injuries from crashes.
As motorcycles and scooters become increasingly popular forms of transport, the number of riders injured and killed in motorcycle crashes is also increasing. Dr Julie Brown and her team are looking for ways to help reduce the pain and suffering as well as the healthcare burden associated with these crashes.
The motorcycle riding community in New South Wales plays a significant role in this research. By talking to over 500 riders across the state, the researchers have begun to build an in-depth profile of the riding population. This will help set priorities for developing strategies to reduce the number of riders injured on our roads. The research team is also investigating specific motorcycle crashes throughout the Greater Sydney, Illawarra and Newcastle regions.
The 101 crashes investigated to date have provided invaluable information about the contribution of the road environment, the riders, their bikes, and other road users and their vehicles to motorcycle crash risk.
This information will be used to implement better education for road users and road designers.
The team will also explore ways to prevent crashes through enhanced motorcycle technology and ways to prevent injury through improved design of motorcycles and protective equipment.