Date: Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Location: Online, 1:00 – 2:00pm AEST
Organiser: Austroads
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Can motorcycle protective clothing really prevent serious injuries in motorcycle crashes?
Over the past 20 years there have been great advances in the technology of impact and abrasion resistant materials and yet many of the garments currently available will fail under average crash conditions or are too hot to be worn in warm climates. In the absence of effective standards, motorcyclists have had to rely on advertising, brand name or price when buying protective garments.
This webinar traces the research process and evidence that has resulted in the development of an independent testing program to inform consumers as to the performance of currently available motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves. The researchers have also developed a guide for the manufacturers of PPE to ensure their products are fit for purpose.
This webinar will describe the mechanisms and limits of motorcyclist’s protective clothing, the prevalence and types of injuries, the limitations of standards, the challenges to manufacturers and road authorities in factoring motorcycle PPE into a safe system.
Join this webinar with Dr Liz de Rome, the winner of the Women in Road Safety Award presented by Austroads at the 2022 Australasian Road Safety Conference.
There will be question and answer opportunities during the session.
Liz de Rome, Phd. Associate Professor (Hon.), Motorcycle Safety, Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University.
Liz de Rome is an injury epidemiologist and behavioural scientist with almost 30 years’ experience in road safety research and planning, with a major focus on motorcycle safety. Liz developed the first motorcycle safety strategic plan for the Motorcycle Council of NSW in 2002, including a motorcycle safety website to provide scientifically based information for riders. She has over 100 motorcycle related publications including Positioned for Safety: A road safety strategic plan for motorcycles (2002, 2007), The Good Gear Guide for motorcycle and scooter riders (2009).
Her research into the effectiveness of motorcycle protective clothing (PPE) led to the development of MotoCAP, an independent testing scheme to inform riders about which garments are fit for purpose. The value of MotoCAP was recognized by the 2019 International Road Safety Award from the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme. Most recently she has led the development of a guide for the manufacturers of motorcycle PPE to ensure their products are effective and suitable for use in warm climates (2022).
Liz served on the ACRS NSW Executive 2004-2021 including as Chair, Treasurer and seminar coordinator, the ACRS National Executive from 2008-2014, 2018-2020 and US Transportation Research Board motorcycle sub-committee 2008-2020. Her work was recognized in 2022 as the inaugural recipient for Women in Road Safety, sponsored by Austroads.
No charge but registration is essential.
Can’t make the live session? Register and we’ll send you a link to the recording.