Motorcycle airbags: Don't worry, you won't inflate them by accident

By dpa | 13 June 2019


A motorcycle airbag vest. — Image from Amazon.com


BERLIN: Airbags for motorcyclists can reduce the risk of injury from falls at high speeds. It takes just milliseconds for them to be deployed electronically or mechanically.

These safety systems are available as jackets, vests and as integrated solutions in various price ranges.

But more than a few bikers have expressed concerns that mechanical systems in particular might be as much of a hazard as they are a safety advantage, if they somehow accidentally inflate while your riding.

In theory, it could happen when dismounting without unbuckling, as a rip cord is attached to the motorcycle.

But in practice, this is virtually impossible, bicycle safety experts say. Depending on the model, the force required to release the cord and trigger inflation is between 20 and 30 kilos, says Germany's Institute for Bike Safety (ifz).

That means anyone who accidentally forgets to unbuckle will feel a strong pull on their jacket, meaning you'd need to give an almighty tug to accidentally inflate the airbags.

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