Airbags for bikes – the future of motorcycle safety?

The Japanese components manufacturer Toyoda Gosei (TG) has begun crash testing a new airbag concept – this time not in a car, but mounted directly on a motorcycle. The aim is to improve rider protection in collisions and to expand the use of passive safety systems within the motorcycle segment.

The initial tests have been carried out using full-sized motorcycles and crash test dummies, in order to analyse how the airbag behaves in a frontal collision and how it affects a rider without a seatbelt. The results will be used in both physical and digital tests to fine-tune the deployment timing and shape of the airbag.

Toyoda Gosei refers to the high fatality rate among riders of two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles – around 360,000 deaths annually worldwide – as a major driving force behind the project. TG’s ambition is to offer an additional layer of protection directly on the vehicle.

Fitting an airbag to a motorcycle presents several challenges – not least limited space, varying crash scenarios, and strict requirements for low weight and cost. TG’s prototype appears to be mounted in front of the rider and inflates diagonally upwards in the event of a crash, similar to the airbag introduced by Honda on its Gold Wing in 2006.

The company has not yet provided a timeline for launch, and no collaborations with motorcycle manufacturers have been announced. However, as more advanced safety systems – such as adaptive cruise control and collision warning – are making their way into mid-range models, the motorcycle airbag could potentially become a natural next step. Whether the technology will prove effective in real-world use, however, remains to be seen.