NATIONAL AGENDA FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

In 1997, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partnered with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), a national, nonprofit organization promoting the safety of motorcyclists, to provide the leadership and resources to create the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (National Agenda). The National Agenda is a strategic planning document designed to provide a shared vision for future motorcycle safety efforts by incorporating input from a broad, multi-disciplinary spectrum of stakeholders.

To develop this National Agenda, NHTSA and MSF talked with members of the motorcycling community and selected eight individuals who accepted the opportunity to participate in this key national effort to promote motorcycle safety. These experts formed the Technical Working Group (TWG) responsible for drafting a motorcycle agenda for the future. The TWG, which met for the first time in October 1998, represented motorcyclists, motorcycle and traffic safety advocates, law enforcement, insurance, and health care professionals, and members of the safety research communities.

Using the Haddon Matrix¹ as the foundation, the TWG determined that the best way to proceed was to examine each issue from the standpoint of where we are today, where we want to be in future, and how is the best way to get there. The National Agenda provides a comprehensive look at issues associated with motorcycle safety. It discusses research needs, as well as human, social, vehicle, and environmental factors that influence motorcycle safety.

Twenty-three issues are discussed in detail in the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety. These issues include:

Research and Information

• The Need for Research
• Research in Motorcycle Crashes
• Conveying Research Information to Users

Human Factors

• Motorcyclists Attitudes
  
• Rider Education and Training
  
• Licensing
  
• Crash Avoidance Skills
  
• Motorcyclists Alcohol and Other Impairment
  
• Personal Protective Equipment
  

Social Factors

• Motorist Awareness
• Insurance Industry Involvement
  
• Enforcement and Adjudication
  
• Traffic Safety Community Attitudes
  

Motorcycle Factors

• Introduction to Motorcycles
  
• Motorcycle Design
  
• Braking
  
• Vehicle Modifications
  
• Conspicuity
  
• Lane Use
  

Environment Factors

• Roadway Characteristics
• Other Vehicle Design
  
• First Response
  
• Intelligent Transportation Systems
  

Once the TWG completed the initial draft, members participated in the Blue Ribbon Conference for the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety held in Phoenix, Arizona November 12 - 13, 1999. The conference's purpose was to obtain feedback from individuals and organizations who would be responsible for implementing the National Agenda. Over 125 individuals representing over 90 organizations attended the conference to provide opinion and comment. After the conference the TWG considered over 1,500 comments and revised the National Agenda accordingly.

The National Agenda is not intended to be a consensus document. Given the diverse opinions among the many stakeholders, it would be unrealistic to expect everyone to agree with all aspects of the National Agenda. While there is agreement on the need to improve motorcycle safety, there are differing views on the most effective ways to achieve the goal of fewer crashes, injuries, and deaths involving motorcyclists.

82 Recommendations

The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety lists 81 recommendations for addressing motorcycle safety. The TWG categorized the recommendations into three major groups:

Urgent Recommendations (4), are critical recommendations that need to be addressed immediately;
Essential Recommendations (56), are fundamental recommendations for improving motorcycle safety but are not as time sensitive as the Urgent Recommendations; and
Necessary Recommendations (22), are important to improved motorcycle safety and are the least time sensitive.

The four Urgent Recommendations are:

• Immediate action should be taken by government and industry to address the critical questions in motorcycle safety through comprehensive, in-depth studies as well as studies focused on specific topics (Research in Motorcycle Crashes);
  
• Continue to discourage mixing alcohol and other drugs with motorcycling (Motorcyclists Alcohol and Substance Impairment);
  
• Use effective strategies to increase the use of FMVSS 218 compliant helmets (Personal Protective Equipment); and
  
• Educate operators of other vehicles to be more conscious of the presence of motorcyclists (Motorist Awareness).
  

The recommendations are not in priority order but are listed as they appear in the document. The remaining 77 recommendations cover all the topics discussed in the National Agenda.

The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety holds the promise of a new beginning in motorcycle safety. There is something in the National Agenda for everyone to work toward to make motorcycling safer.

¹ The Haddon Matrix is composed of three time phases of the crash event (pre-crash, crash, and post crash) plus three factor areas (human, vehicle, and environment) influencing each of the phases.

HOW TO ORDER

To obtain a copy of the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, write to the Safety Countermeasures Division, NHTSA, NTS-15, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC, 20590; fax (202) 366-7721; or email: jsyner@nhtsa.dot.gov or visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/pedbimot

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-31
Washington, DC 20590

Traffic Tech is a publication to disseminate information about traffic safety programs, including evaluations, innovative programs, and new publications. Feel free to copy it as you wish.

If you would like to receive a copy contact:

Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., Editor, Evaluation Staff
Traffic Safety Programs
(202) 366-2759, fax (202) 366-7096
E-MAIL: lcosgrove@nhtsa.dot.gov