All courses › Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A) › Why protective gear?

Why protective gear?

On a motorcycle the only thing protecting you in a fall is what you are wearing. A helmet is required for rider and passenger. A riding suit with armour, a back protector, gloves and boots absorb blows and tarmac. A fall at speed can be compared with a fall from a height, and the calculation shows why all the gear matters.

h = \dfrac{v^2}{2g}

the height you would fall from to reach the same speed

Symbols

$v$	speed	m/s
$g$	gravitational acceleration, 9.81	m/s²

Example

You come off at 50 km/h ( $v \approx 13.9$ m/s).

$h = \dfrac{13.9^2}{2 \cdot 9.81} \approx 9.8$ m – about like falling from a third floor.

Choose bright or fluorescent colours and reflectors. Your gear should both protect you and make you visible.

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Part of Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A): Motorcycle classes, age and gear.