Source: Sun Media Ltd.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Beginning April 1st, it will be mandatory to have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on motorcycles in New Zealand, improving safety for motorcyclists and other road users.
Changes to the Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002, will make it mandatory for all new model new motorcycles over 125cc to have ABS, and all new model new motorcycles up to and including 125cc to have either ABS or a combined-braking system.
Motorcyclists make up four percent of total road users yet accounted for 17 per cent of road deaths between 2014 and 2018 at 248. The risk of being killed or injured in road crashes is 21 times higher for motorcyclists than for car drivers over the same distance.
In 2017 alone, 46 people motorcycling were killed, 511 were seriously injured, and 820 suffered minor injuries.
“Motorcycles are, by nature, less stable than four-wheeled vehicles. Braking too hard can destabilize a motorcycle and lead to the front or rear wheel locking, causing the bike to overturn or slide. Alternatively, failure to brake hard enough can result in a motorcyclist failing to avoid a crash,” said a NZ Transport Agency spokesperson.
“ABS works to prevent a motorcycle’s wheel, or wheels, from locking during braking. It uses speed sensors on both wheels to accurately determine wheel speed, as well as sensors to determine when a wheel is about to lock.
“ABS adjusts the braking pressure accordingly to prevent the wheel from locking and assists with maintaining the stability of the motorcycle. International studies suggest ABS could reduce crashes by more than a third.”
Compulsory ABS for motorcycles is part of the Government’s focus on road safety, which includes the development of the Road to Zero Safety Strategy 2020-2030.
