World's first motorbike airbag developed

Posted : 16-09-2005

Honda has unveiled the world's first motorbike airbag in its new Gold Wing touring bike.

The airbag, which deploys whenever four sensors around the front of the bike detect an impact is the first of its kind, and has been 15 years in the making.

Honda started researching motorcycle airbags in 1990, following the success of its then world-first in-car airbag launch in 1987.

The motorbike's airbag was developed as part of Honda's initiative to cut the level of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from motorbike crashes in Japan, and hope to install more of them on motorbikes in the future.

However, Honda does admit the airbag has some problems.

The bike needs to be heavy enough to deploy the bag, as its power comes from the kinetic energy of the forward-moving rider.

Also, the bag needs space to inflate fully, meaning it cannot be installed on sports bikes where the rider is leaning forwards.

There is always room to improve the safety of motorcyclists and their bikes, from obtaining cheaper motorbike insurance to developments such as the airbag, and Honda are currently developing more technology to help riders.

One innovation is a system that can warn motorcyclists of oncoming traffic that is hidden from the riders view, and headlight designs that help other road users to better gauge the distance from the bike, reports Reuters.

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