Motorcycle riding becomes more and more popular. Since beginning of the 1990s the number of registered motorcycles rose by almost 200% in Austria. Restrictive measures for novice motorcycle drivers could prevent a significant increase of accident numbers. But still, motorcycle riding is seven times more dangerous than car driving. While development and introduction of new passive and active safety features makes car driving safer, powered two wheelers (PTWs) still show increasing numbers of accidents, deaths and injuries. It is assumed that poor braking performance of motorcycle drivers is one of the predominant reasons. Trucks have to be fitted with ABS for many years, most passenger cars on the market have ABS as standard equipment. But most of the mopeds and motorcycles still are delivered with the same braking technology like 100 years ago: Two independent braking devices with two handles. Recent studies found that braking performance of motorcycle drivers stays far behind the capabilities of their vehicles which are better than - or at least equal to - those of passenger cars. It is supposed that ABS is the most effective solution to encounter this fact and its underlying psychological reasons. A field study has been carried out including almost 800 brake test rides in total. A device for measuring deceleration - without the need for any modification on the vehicles used - was developed. The braking performance of 134 experienced motorcycle riders has been compared between test rides with their own vehicles and brake tests with an ABS-equipped motorcycle. 47 trainees were tested with the motorcycle they used during the training and compared with deceleration when braking with an ABS-equipped scooter. All the results were evaluated with respect to personal data of the participants, e.g. age, driving experience and attitudes. Finally, an epidemiological analysis of motorcycle accidents has shown that ABS would be effective in reducing PTW accident numbers.
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