Motorcyclists get access to world-first clothing safety rating MotoCAP

A WORLD-FIRST test and rate system has been launched for motorcycle clothing to measure comfort and safety, so riders can dress as safely as possible when on the road.

A WORLD-first program to test and rate protective motorcycle clothing is being set up to help Victorian riders choose the best gear for comfort and durability.

MotoCAP — the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Program — is being launched today, giving riders online access to the independent testing reviews.

The testing is being carried out by Deakin University Institute For Frontier Materials in Geelong.

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Motorcyclists can be safer on the roads thanks to the new ratings program.

The RACV, VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission has joined the national program of safety rating.

The move comes in the high rate of accidents and deaths of motorcyclists compared to their relatively low percentage of road users.

TAC’s senior road safety specialist David Young said the MotoCAP program would provide star ratings on clothing for protection and for comfort.

“Motorcycle and scooter riders have very little protection other than their helmet and their clothing when involved in a crash,” Mr Young said.

“There are plenty of options out there for safe and affordable protective clothing and MotoCAP makes it easier for riders to balance the sometimes conflicting needs of personal protection and comfort.”

New data from the TAC showed that riders in Victoria always wore protective gloves (80 per cent), a full-face helmet (72 per cent) compared to an open-face lid, motorcycle jacket (71 per cent) and boots (70 per cent).

But less than half of respondents wore motorcycle pants all the time.

Bruising, grazing and cuts were the second-most common injury type behind broken limbs in road crashes in Victoria.

Gloves, pants, boots and jackets will be independently reviewed. Picture: Getty Images

RACV vehicle engineering manager Michael Case said abrasion resistance, seam strength and impact protection was tested.

“RACV sees the new rating system as a big step towards making motorcyclists safer,” he said,

So far this year, 21 riders have been killed on Victorian roads, compared to 27 this time last year.

Another 232 motorcyclists have been treated in hospital since January.

Dr Liz de Rome, motorcycle safety researcher at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials, said

her team has been working on this project for several years.

“MotoCAP will be the only independent, scientifically-based motorcycle clothing assessment program worldwide, allowing riders to be able to make informed decisions about what gear they buy,’’ Dr de Rome said.

“Stars are better than standards, when it comes to motorcycle clothing. We’re testing for rider protection as well as thermal comfort, which is an important safety feature, particularly in hot climates, and industry will also be able to compete on product quality by knowing how they compare to others and with transparent indices for performance.”

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said too many riders were seriously injured each year.

“Wearing the best protective gear possible can make a significant difference,” Mr Donnellan said.

“That’s why we’re giving our motorcycle community the information they need to dress as safely as possible when riding.”

@IanRoyall