A recent release got IE thinking about rider airbags and the potential they have to save brokers and insurers a great deal of money, as well as protecting the rider of course. A modern airbag weighs under a Kilo, can be worn under normal protective jackets and deploys in milliseconds.
Motorcycles now often have USB sockets, so charging the battery that powers the inflation is easy. For insurers airbag usage could reduce the severity of spinal injury, and therefore a long an complex claim, with rehab, or worst case life-changing injuries. The adoption of airbags, which like the one below cost of £300 is to be encouraged by specialist brokers in this sector.
The way to do that is to nudge riders by offering a decent discount on their premium each year, with an exclusion clause if they crash whilst not wearing it of course – same principle as disc locks and chains. The motorbike insurance brands who take up this challenge are more likely to be seen as being on the side of bikers, rather than just bumping up their premiums each year despite no claims, or changes in circumstances. Partnership on road safety is always a good standpoint for motorcycle brokers; so rewards for training, airbags, security need to be there, written into the policy schedule.
The upside is developing a culture of prevention, rather than cure when it comes to motorcycle claims and the injuries that go with crashes involving other vehicles – the typical SMIDSY incidents in urban areas. Even at 30mph these can be serious in terms of lasting injury.
Insurance brands in the delivery market should reward companies who issue airbag tech to their freelance riders too, it’s a huge PR win for those with the vision to end the “wild west” image of many delivery riders in the UK.
The latest Smart Go bag from Dainese who have a long history in racing, developing rider protection systems. Here’s the word;
The motorcycle airbag was born in the world of racing, where the pursuit of safety has always been ahead of its time. Introduced by Dainese in 2007 and now mandatory in the World Championship, within just a few years it went from elite technology to a practical solution for street use too.
Like every innovation in protection, the airbag is going through an early phase of adoption, much like what the full-face helmet, the back protector, and other protective gear we now take for granted went through in the past. But compared to a few years ago, the context has changed: Today’s systems are lighter, more discreet, easier to use, and above all more affordable.
Technological progress has made these devices compatible with everyday riding: Standalone vests with no connection to the motorcycle, rechargeable like a smartphone, and wearable over or under any jacket; at the end of the ride, they can be folded and stored in any backpack, bag, top case, or the scooter’s under-seat storage. Practicality has become the key factor.
Among the solutions developed with this goal in mind is Smart GO, the new Dainese D-air® airbag designed around a specific principle: to reduce weight, bulk, and complexity in order to encourage regular use. The design emphasizes simplicity and comfort, featuring a buckle-adjustment system and control of key functions via a dedicated app. The goal is to make protective gear a natural part of everyday equipment, without forcing motorcycle riders to change their habits.
What was once designed for the racetrack is now fully integrated into everyday mobility. It doesn’t require changing your habits, and it adapts to every kind of use, from commuting to long trips.
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