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