Riding a motorcycle is arguably the most liberating feeling in the world. It has a thrill to it which makes your adrenaline rush. There is something about the risk of it. Could this risk be dealt with by wearing a seat belt? Do motorcycles even have seat belts?
No, motorcycles do not have seat belts. This is for the safety and ease of the rider. The seat belt may restrain them when they need to escape. Moreover, body movement aids the movement of the motorcycle, so free movement is necessary.
Safety measures are still necessary. Let us learn more about motorcycles and safety.
History Of Motorcycles
The history of motorcycles is interesting and expands over an extensive period of time. The motorcycle was invented in 1885 and looked similar to what a bicycle looks today. The only difference is that it was steam or petroleum powered. The invention took place to solve the conveyance problem and reduce manual power usage to move from one place to another. As the world progressed, motorcycles got better, more efficient, and safer.
The Science of Riding A Motorcycle
As much as you hate physics, it is at work everywhere. Even while riding a bike! Multiple laws of physics are at play when manufacturing and driving a motorcycle. When riding the motorbike, the forces of gravity and torque help stabilize it by keeping it from toppling over. When you brake, inertia comes into play.
As the body of the bike suddenly stops, it moves the subject sitting on it forward towards the handle so that the balance stays. Unlike in cars, the rider’s movement is critical to maintaining the balance and stability of the motorcycle.
Why Are Seat Belts Important?
If cars and motorcycles serve the same purpose, i.e., moving people and objects around, why do cars have seat belts? The need for seat belts is straightforward: they provide safety. They secure passengers into place and help prevent excessive movement. In times of accidents, seat belts:
- Keep people inside the vehicle
- Buffer the impact of the accident
- Protect the vital organs, especially the brain and spinal cord
- Prevent severe and sudden movement of the body
- Reduce the chance of injury or death
Cars are not the only transportation medium with seat belts; airplanes, buses, trains, and cars all have seat belts. Only bicycles and motorcycles lack them, for a good reason. In planes, you may be asked to take your seat belt off if you need to eject. In other vehicles, the seat belt is the most significant protection device.
Why Do Motorcycles Not Have Seatbelts?
If every vehicle gets it, why do motorcycles not get it? There are scientific explanations for this decision, but there are practical implications of this conscious decision as well.
Prevention From Crushing Under The Motorcycle
Unlike other vehicles which stand on more than two tires, motorcycles have a chance of falling or tipping over. Due to gravity, motorcycles would naturally fall to the ground unless kept in place using physical force. If such an event occurs where the bike falls down with a passenger on it, a seat belt will restrain them to the same position. This may cause considerable damage, especially to the lower body, which may be under the motorcycle’s weight. Not having a seat belt makes it easier to protect yourself from injury.
Free Movement
A bike rider needs free movement. The movement and the position help to keep the bike in place and add to the phenomenon responsible for maintaining the bike’s upright position. Unlimited spatial movement brings control to the vehicle and ensures a smooth ride.
Easy Escape From Accidents
When an accident occurs in a car, the car’s body protects the driver from external harm. It serves as a shield. However, in the case of a motorcycle, the rider is open to all external forces. If the rider stays on the bike as it falls, they may be at risk of being hit by passing traffic. Not having a seatbelt makes it easier to escape the site of the accident and be safer.
What Would Adding A Seatbelt To A Motorcycle Do?
Considering the factors mentioned above that have led to the exclusion of a seat belts on motorcycles, adding a seatbelt on a bike would do more harm than good. This will restrict the driver’s movement and reduce the control of a vehicle that is already dangerous. Moreover, a crash will keep the rider strapped to the motorcycle, causing injury due to the machine’s weight or other passing traffic. Adding a seat belt may prove to be fatal for motorcycle riders.
How To Be Safe On A Motorcycle Without A Seatbelt?
Many safety measures are in place as per the law. However, others must be taken into consideration to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Below are ten ways to be safe on a motorcycle without needing a seatbelt.
- Wear a helmet
- Wear additional gear like shin, elbow, and knee pads
- Obey traffic rules and do not Overspeed
- Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Inspect your bike for any malfunctions before riding it
- Stay vigilant
- Do not drink and ride.
- Keep a check on the weather and stay extra careful during strong winds or rain. Strong winds may increase the unnecessary movement of the bike. Rain causes wet roads, reducing the friction between the tires and the road.
- Learn how to crash properly
- Know what to do when a crash occurs.
Here is a helpful Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Qu5DayjKYnQ
Final Thoughts
Motorcycles are better off without seatbelts. Drivers tend to have more control over their vehicles, can move freely, and can escape dangerous and life-threatening situations more quickly. Instead of a seatbelt, other measures may be taken to improve safety. Riders can wear helmets and elbow and knee pads and keep their motorcycle in good condition by regularly inspecting them. Seatbelts are better designed for enclosed vehicles that stand upright on their own.
