Garda appeal to motorcyclists to be safe on the roads

Gardaí have said that currently in Ireland Motorcycles represent 1.4% of the total number of registered vehicles.

However in 2022 they accounted for almost 15 % ( 23 fatalities) of the total number of fatalities on our roads. To date in 2023 two motorcyclists have lost their lives on our roads.

The majority of incidents involving motorcycles are avoidable and all too often, are simply the result of basic errors made by riders. Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users. They are six times more likely to be killed on the road than any other road user. 

Motorcycle PPE

There are several types of important PPE which are essential for motorcyclists. In the past we focused on helmets and last year we spoke about airbag vests.

While researching for this year’s motorcycle segment, I was made aware of injuries suffered by motorcyclists because of a lack of a Back Protector and the wearing of inappropriate footwear. As a result, I have chosen to focus on these two pieces of essential PPE for the motorcycle rider. 

Back Protectors

It is commonly known that a motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of personal protective equipment when it comes to motorcycling.

A motorcycle back protector is the second most important piece of PPE and is something that a significant number of riders go without. A back protector is a piece of body armour designed to protect the spinal column in the event of a collision. It works by dissipating impact energy in the event of a fall.

Back protectors come in different shapes, sizes and fitments. The most common are inserts that slide into a pocket in the back of your motorcycle jacket. These are the easiest to fit and generally they are designed in combination with the jacket. There are also standalone back protectors which the rider puts on before their jacket and they generally fit with waist and shoulder straps to keep the armour in place.

Whilst most motorcycle jackets come with shoulder and elbow protection, they regularly do not come with back protectors. There are approximately two motorcyclists per week receiving life changing injuries in Ireland which are often spinal injuries. Whilst legally you are not obliged to wear a back protector, they are a smart option as they protect the spine in the event of a collision.