South Carolina Motorcycle Rights Association

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">Safety Group Pushes for Antilock Braking System
in All New Motorcycles 

Monday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) announced they filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open the rulemaking process and require antilock braking systems (ABS) on all new motorcycles (click here to see this petition). In 2013 the IIHS-HLDI also filed a similar petition with NHTSA on this topic.

According to the current petition, 59% of all new motorcycle models in the U.S. are equipped with ABS. Twenty years ago, in 2003, just 1% of models had ABS. The lack of a mandate in the U.S. is somewhat unique. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and India all require ABS on motorcycles.

While we do not believe in federal mandates like the one proposed here, we can agree on some points that the IIHS-HLDI petition raises. First and foremost, we appreciate the IIHS-HLDI goal of reducing deaths among motorcyclists. We should all be able to agree that the all-time high of over 6,000 deaths in 2021 is an unacceptable number. We also agree with their statement that “ABS obviously does not prevent every crash or death.”  

As noted in their petition, ABS can negatively affect motorcycle handling in loose surface conditions. The IIHS-HLDI proposal to allow for an off switch for ABS fits well with a fundamental principle of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, “let those who ride decide.”

The best person to decide what technologies they are comfortable using while riding is an informed, licensed rider who knows their skills and the capabilities of their motorcycle. While we are not opposed to ABS, we disagree with federal directives that limit consumer choice.

(click here to see the IIHS Press Release for this petition)

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

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