“Protect Your Entire Body on Every Ride” – valuable advice from the Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC) regarding motorcycle protective gear. While wearing a helmet is the only legal requirement, it’s simply not enough. Covering your entire body can make a significant difference in the event of a crash. 

A TAC study highlights the risks motorcyclists face: 

  • Fractures and minor injuries were the most common, affecting 58% of riders surveyed. 
  • Nerve or spinal cord injuries were sustained by 39% of motorcyclists. 
  • Open wound injuries affected 37% of those sampled (n=500). 

Injuries often involve multiple body regions: 

  • On average, motorcyclists suffered injuries in two body regions per crash. 
  • Lower limb injuries were the most frequent, affecting 62% of respondents. 
  • Injuries to the trunk and upper limbs were reported by about half of those interviewed. 
  • 14% experienced head injuries. 

The data speaks for itself: protect yourself with full-body gear to reduce your risk of serious injury. Every ride should be a safe one. 

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The research: McIntyre, Nieuwestegg, Cockfield: Motorcycle Injuries and Protective Clothing: Research with TAC Clients, Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference. Perth, Australia 2011  

Video credit: TAC 

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