| The motorcycle is, from many years, a | | | | The insurances are also important for |
| widespread vehicle, designed for many | | | | motorcyclists; in many countries the |
| purposes, such as urban traffic, racing, | | | | insurance companies are forcing the |
| long distance travel or sport. The first | | | | riders to undertake a motorcyclist |
| motorcycles were built by Wilhelm | | | | training course. The appropriate |
| Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler, in 1885, | | | | equipments, leather clothes and gloves, |
| in Stuttgart, Germany. It was petroleum | | | | are protecting the rider from rains, |
| powered motorized bicycle. In 1867, | | | | snow, humidity, cold and shocks. |
| Sylvester Howard Roper, from | | | | Protective gloves, boots, pants and |
| Massachusetts, designed a vehicle on two | | | | jackets are made from nylon, Kevlar or |
| wheels and a steam propulsion, and | | | | leather. Motorcycle safety clothing |
| presented it at fairs. | | | | includes carbon fiber knuckle |
| The Japanese manufacturers are | | | | protection. Boots include plastic caps |
| dominating today the motorcycle | | | | and reinforcements. |
| production; brands such as Yamaha, | | | | Motorcycle safety clothing provides |
| Suzuki, Honda or Kawasaki are | | | | abrasion, puncture and impact |
| appreciated world wide. There are other | | | | protection; the cowhide is recommended |
| famous motorcycle manufacturers, such as | | | | for the durability and strength; |
| Harley Davidson, Triumph, Ducati or BMW | | | | kangaroo leather is supple, light and |
| with growing popularity. Since 2006 a | | | | resistant. Usually, the motorcyclists |
| Dutch firm produces a diesel powered | | | | wear black leather suits, decorated with |
| motorcycle, reliable and efficient. | | | | metal studs. The classic American |
| Motorcyclist organizations are organized | | | | motorcycle jacket has epaulets and a few |
| geographically; many raise money for | | | | zippers; modern leather clothes have |
| charities organizing rides or popular | | | | armor on the inside to protect the |
| events. People choose a motorcycle to | | | | critical impact zones, such as spine, |
| avoid the effects of huge urban traffic; | | | | knees, or shoulders; the leather clothes |
| motorcycles are an affordable | | | | are spreading the impact to avoid or |
| alternative to other transport vehicles. | | | | minimize injuries. |
| In some countries, such as UK, | | | | Kevlar, Lycra or Cordura are the most |
| motorcyclists are exempt from charges in | | | | popular textiles used for motorcyclist |
| many agglomerated areas, may use the bus | | | | clothing to protect them against rain, |
| lanes and have dedicated free parking. | | | | cold or heat because the artificial |
| Motorcycle safety and motorcycle | | | | fabrics take less time to dry out. Some |
| clothing are vital; the biker is subject | | | | bikers testify than the artificial |
| to vary accidents more often than a | | | | textiles are comfortable, especially in |
| driver. They have a rate of crippling | | | | warm weather. Bikers boots are made of |
| and fatal accidents higher than cars | | | | heavy leather, to protect the bikers |
| (the ratio is 5.1 to 1 in U.S.). If we | | | | feet, legs and ankles. The bikers helmet |
| consider the distance traveled, the | | | | is very important to protect his head; |
| ration increases dramatically: 33 to 1. | | | | many helmets have also face shields, ear |
| The causes of the motorcycle terrible | | | | protection and intercom. There is full |
| accidents are the rights of way | | | | face helmets, open face helmets and half |
| violations and the frequent use of | | | | helmets, all reinforced with carbon |
| alcohol when riding. The accidents can | | | | fiber or Kevlar. There are also some |
| be prevented with proper training, and | | | | other types, non certified, smaller and |
| separating riding and drinking alcohol. | | | | lighter than traditional helmets. |