There is no doubt that potholes are dangerous to riders.
A pothole can cause a big jolt in the front suspension, kick the handlebars about and possibly damage a rim. But at least the suspension is set up to absorb most of the impact.
They can lift the front wheel off the ground, kick the bike left or right into the bush or oncoming traffic, or cause a tank slapper where the handlebars oscillate wildly.
Bumps are also harder to see and seem to be less likely to be fixed than potholes in yet another example of how the authorities ignore and neglect motorcycles.
Permanent cameras can be mounted on and hardwired to the motorcycle.
The latter is becoming more popular, especially for commuters as they are a fixture, difficult to steal and will start recording as soon as you start the bike.
Basically they are a set-and-forget option … until you need them.
Then they supply looped intervals of recordings so you can easily find the bit you need.
Latest bike dashcam
A new dashcam with the easy-to-remember name “Model MCDV2HD-W2G” is available online in December for $320 and through some specialist installers.
Not that you will need a professional installer.
Installation is easy with a Smart Power module that connects directly to the battery and switches power to the dashcam automatically after the engine starts and switching off when it stops.
With more bikes now using CANBus (a simplified wiring loom) and not having easy access to accessory/ignition power, the Smart Power module solves this issue.
The unit consists of two small front and rear cameras which are permanently fitted and difficult to see on most big bikes.
The front camera is a full HD 1080P device with a Sony IMX323 sensor that has a low light facility while the rear camera is a HD 720P unit.
This new model has a weatherproof main unit (IP65) and, of course, weatherproof cameras (IP67).
One of the niftiest features is that it has built-in Wi-Fi so you access it from a smartphone app (iOS or Android).
That should make it easy to access recordings while out on the road.
It includes GPS included to automatically confirm time and location of an event.
The handlebar controller is retained from previous models to allow the rider to save particular files in a simple-to-find format.
You won’t need to search through a large number of video files to find just the one or two events that were notable. Pressing the button saves a file with a different prefix to allow quick and easy sorting and location.
Data storage is by Micro SD card up to 128GB.
Distributors Chipatronic recommend and supply Samsung cards when you order (SD cards cost extra and depend on the size you order.)
Video files can be re-played using the smartphone app or the card can be connected to a Windows PC where the files can be accessed and viewed in the same way as any external storage device.
Files are saved in MOV format which can be played by most up to date media player software including Windows Media Player, Photos, VLC and others.
To be able to view the maps from the GPS data on PC the user will need to download a free software package.
This is despite the report acknowledging that motorcycle crash rates have decreased as a proportion of the number of riders. (In NSW and Victoria alone, rider numbers have increased as much as 74% in a decade.)
Suggestion box
The uni report also suggests:
Licence refresher courses for older and returned riders;
Promote high-visibility motorcycle clothing and research into its effects;
Increase motorcycle visibility technology such as modulating headlights;
Support national standards for motorcycle protective clothing;
Reduced speed limits in high-speed zones, rural areas and intersection;
Increase speed limit enforcement;
Increase rider licensing requirements;
Promote technologies to mitigate multi-vehicle crashes;
Improve the quality of rural roads;
Evaluate roads for their specific motorcycle safety; and
Reconsider the learner-approved motorcycle scheme (LAMS) to also consider bike type, not just power-to-weight ratio.
Visibility fear
While some of the recommendations have merit, there is a fear among riders that authorities will twist words such as “promote” and “support” into “mandatory”.
This could lead to mandatory high visibility clothing, mandatory protective clothing minimums and mandatory technology such as emergency braking, traction control and crash sensors.
It has been compiled using 2005-2014 data from police crash reports in several states, vehicle registrations in Victoria and NSW, and Redbook motorcycle specifications.
The Monash Uni report reflects previous studies with findings such as older rider numbers and associated crashes are increasing.
However, it also found some new and interesting characteristics such as the fact that the number of riders choosing more powerful motorcycles has doubled.
It also claims to show that the crash and injury severity risks on high power-to-weight-ratio bikes are higher.
Here is a summary of the crash stat findings:
Fatal and serious injury motorcycle crashes increased 20%;
Rural areas are more dangerous for riders;
Most popular motorcycle types — sport, off-road and cruisers — also have the highest incidence of severe injury crashes;
Unlicensed and novice riders are more likely to crash older motorcycles;
Severe injury risk in motorcycle crashes is higher at intersections and in multi-vehicle collisions; and
Risk is lower in 50km/h zones.
What do you think of the Monash University report? Leave your comments below.
Witnesses are being sought after a 2004 blue Honda Accord sedan merged into a lane with a 2012 blue Harley-Davidson causing it to crash on the Logan Motorway at Springwood last Wednesday (November 7, 2018).
Forensic Crash Unit investigators have released this video as part of an appeal for information.
The crash happened about 4.50pm on the Logan Road on-ramp, towards the southbound lanes of the Pacific Motorway.
A 55-year-old Harley rider was hit when the Accord to merged into his lane. He remains in the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A 21-year-old Woodridge man “continues to assist with the investigation”.
The driver did not pull up after the Harley crashed at the side of the road.
However, a second motorcyclist pulled the driver over for a short conversation before riding on.
Police now want to speak with the second motorcyclist to continue investigations into the crash, or any other witnesses, particularly those with dash cam footage.
Eye witnesses can contact Policelink on 131 444, fill out the online form 24hrs per day, or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au.
German automotive technology company Continental AG plans to be the first with a motorcycle emergency brake-assist system that applies extra brake pressure when it senses a crash.
Their system would not be automatic like in some cars that take over braking duties from the driver.
Continental recognises that motorcycles are different to cars and say their system would only assist the rider.
It works by using accurate fifth-generation radar sensors to detect imminent crash dangers.
However, the system would have to be different to cars as motorcycles lane filter close to vehicles which could easily activate emergency braking systems and send riders tumbling into traffic.
Continental motorcycle spokesman Christian Pfeiffer says their system would first alert the rider via “haptic” vibrations in the handlebars.
“Low initial braking pressure then helps the rider with the active braking operation,” he says.
“If the rider does not react to the warning, emergency brake assist automatically builds up braking force if the rider has both hands on the handlebars. The deceleration is much less pronounced than in a passenger car emergency braking system.”
A few years ago ABS was an optional safety system for those who wanted it. From the end of next year it will be mandatory in Australia. (See details at the end of this article)
How long before emergency brake assist also becomes mandatory on motorcycles?
The United Nations #STOPTHECRASH campaign has called for mandatory autonomous emergency braking that activates at slow speeds if an obstacle is sensed in front of the bike.
Of course, the makers of many of these electronic safety devices, Continental, Bosch and Denso, are supporters of the UN program.
Emergency brake assist is not the only electronic safety technology Continental is developing.
They are also working on sensors that detect roadside speed signs and display them to the rider, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and automatic switching to high beam.
Sign detection
Adaptive cruise control
Blind spot alert
Headlight assist
All these systems are based on Continental’s fifth-generation radar that go into production in 2019.
They use improved object detection algorithms that detect even smaller objects such as an exhaust that has fallen off a car.
The heights of objects can also be calculated by an elevation measurement device that detects the tail of a traffic jam under a bridge or road boundaries such as kerbs.
Continental claims their tech is now smaller and lighter.
It consists of a sensor cluster that measures acceleration and yaw rate, a radar system that analyses this data, plus brake and engine control units that activate on demand.
Continental say these can be fitted to motorcycles of all sizes from a single source, including the instrument cluster, that warns the rider of an imminent collision.
ABS will be mandatory on motorcycles, trikes and scooters over 125cc, while either ABS or CBS will be mandatory on those under 125cc.Trail bikes under 250cc and all enduro and trials bikes are exempt.
If the bike has switchable ABS, the default setting when the bike is turned off and turned back on again will be for ABS to be active.
Countries with mandatory ABS on designated motorcycles in all European nations, Japan, India, Brazil and Taiwan.
Even the USA – the land of freedom of choice – is now considering making ABS mandatory.
