It appears that many, if not most motorcyclists cannot stop effectively from higher speeds.
For car drivers, stopping in an emergency just requires the driver to stamp on the brakes, even when cornering, as almost all vehicles apart from motorcycles have ABS (anti-lock) brakes, which have only been compulsory since 2016 for motorcycles over 125cc.
The problem may have remained hidden as ‘failure to brake properly’ does not appear as a contributory factor in accident statistics. It is probably lost within ‘Loss of Control’ when a riders skids and falls during braking, although this can also happen on acceleration or cornering. It should be able to be identified by the skid marks left by the tyres, bike and rider.
Probably more likely a failure to brake properly could be incorrectly classed as ‘Speeding’, which in the 2022 accidents stats shows as 10x more likely for riders than drivers. It is virtually impossible to verify in most cases.
Braking failures could also be lost within ‘Failed to look properly’, ‘Failed to judge another persons path or speed’,or ‘learner/inexperienced‘. In addition 30% of collisions have no recorded contributory factors, up from 14% in 2013.
This is primarily because most motorcycles, with the obvious exception of some 2013 Kawasakis, apparently don’t have ‘Event Data Recorders‘ whereas many cars do. The Industry could and should address this.
If you compare the stopping distances from published US research, the best riders ‘Magazine Test Riders‘ can stop in half the distance or less than the worst road rider, and the average rider can’t quite meet the Highway Code braking standard.
This means from 60 mph, the difference between stopping in time, and a 40 mph probably fatal impact, as braking obeys a square law.
It is hoped that the Government, trainers, road safety organisations and charities, will look at new initiatives to look at this potential root cause, to encourage and provide additional braking training nationwide. The most vulnerable group is +17 years teenage riders who move from a 50cc ‘twist and go’ to a 125c geared motorcycle not required to have ABS, with no additional training, but riders, parents and non-DVSA licenced trainers need to be aware of child protection legislation.
It is also intended to encourage some more research to confirm the extent of the problem, and to address the current differing and contradictory advice from the DVSA and Police Motorcycle Roadcraft on how to brake in an emergency.
Riders on ABS equipped bikes probably just need to have the confidence to apply the brakes firmly, which is often a problem due to previous experience on bicycles.
Based on the theory, riders on non-ABS bikes require a high degree of skill and practise to brake effectively. They need to avoid snatching the front brake, instead applying the front brake by squeezing the lever with increasing pressure, just enough to avoid locking the front wheel, but enough to transfer most of the weight as quickly as possible onto the front tyre, then slightly reducing the pressure as the bike slows to leave the rear tyre just lightly touching the road surface. The rear brake can also be applied initially at the same time, but needs to be released again to avoid the rear wheel skidding.
For more information see:-
https://britishsuperbikeschool.com/motorcyclists-brake-for-your-life/
Mike Abbott MBA, RoADAR (Dip), DVSA RPMT 800699, ACU Coach #62210
British Superbike School
Applewood
Old Hall Lane,
East Markham,
Newark
Notts NG22 ORF
Tel: 01777 818013
Mbl: 07939 041606
