Motorcycle Insurance

The government is backing a new system from the Department of Transport to rate the safety of motorcycle helmets.

The scheme has been labelled Sharp (Safety helmet assessment ratings programme) and will consist of a star rating system for helmets to give riders a better idea of how effective their helmet is likely to be in a crash. The best helmets will be awarded five stars, whilst the least protective will receive only one star. The best helmets could affect motorcycle insurance premiums.

Ferry Brouwer, an employee with helmet manufacturer Arai Europe for nearly 30 years, believes the scheme could go further: He told Alastair Walker at newspress.com: "The Sharp ratings are supposed to save 50 lives per year, a good aim, which we agree with of course. But the new tests do not go far enough. Sharp do not look at the methods of construction, a manufacturer's track record in racing accidents say, nor do they use repeated or random impacts."

Mr Brouwer compares the Sharp system to its American counterpart, the Snell Foundation, which randomly tests different parts of a helmet. In contrast, Sharp will notify manufacturers as to what parts will be tested.

Despite the cautionary warnings, Sharp has been largely welcomed by bikers, with the French-built Shark RSR2 awarded five stars.

Related articles

Vintage bikes at Classic Motor Show
Honda's Goodwood Festival bikes revealed
Oil levels 'need to be kept under control' by bikers

29/08/08 - Biker helps hospital that helped him. A biker from Norwich who required a heart transplant is planning to raise money for the hospital that treated him.

29/08/08 - Fire service to liaise with bikers. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is trialling a new rescue response motorbike to enable it to better engage with the biker community.

28/08/08 - Bikers raise cash for rescuers. Burnham motorcyclists are to stage a fundraising bike ride for a local rescue service, it is reported.

Past motorbike news