United States Department of Transportation
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International Ride to Work Day, which is being observed on Monday, June 19, celebrates the joys of motorcycle riding. Whether you ride as part of your daily commute, for weekend fun, or as part of a community of riders, safety comes first. The unique freedom of the road that comes with motorcycles also comes with responsibilities—for your safety and for that of others.
Frequently asked questions about importing scooters or motorcycles into the U.S.
A notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) amending FMVSS No. 218 was published on May 21, 2015 (80 FR 29458). The NPRM set forth an interpretation of the definition of “motor vehicle equipment” in the United States Code, as amended by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP–21) Act, and requested comments on two proposed changes to the motorcycle helmet safety standard, FMVSS No. 218. NHTSA proposed to add a definition of “motorcycle helmet” and modify the existing performance requirements of the standard by adding a set of dimensional and compression requirements. These requirements and the associated test procedures would identify those helmets whose physical characteristics indicate that they likely cannot meet the existing performance requirements of the standard. Third, NTHSA proposed an optional alternative compliance process for manufacturers whose helmets do not comply with the proposed dimensional and compression requirements, but do comply with the performance requirements and all other aspects of FMVSS No. 218 . If this proposal is adopted, NHTSA will publish a list of helmets that have complied with the alternative compliance process and can therefore be certified by their manufacturers. The NPRM was the result of the agency’s assessment of other actions that could be taken to further increase the percentage of motorcyclists who wear helmets that comply with the helmet standard.
NHTSA is proposing to amend several aspects of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets, by adopting additional requirements and revising existing
requirements to reduce misleading labeling of novelty helmets that creates the impression that uncertified, noncompliant helmets have been properly certified as compliant.
Highway Safety Program Guideline No. 3 : Motorcycle Safety : November 2006
Road Safety
Motorcyclist deaths occurred 27 times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles, based on 2014 fatal crash data. To keep motorcyclists safe, we urge everyone to share the road and be alert, and we're reminding motorcyclists to make themselves visible, to use DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, and to always ride sober.
Motorcyclist deaths occurred 27 times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles, based on 2014 fatal crash data. To keep motorcyclists safe, we urge everyone to share the road and be alert, and we're reminding motorcyclists to make themselves visible, to use DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, and to always ride sober.
Fail to Load
Effective Strategies for Motorcycle Stops PDF, 1 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/effective-strategie...
This document describes promising practices for safely and effectively conducting traffic stops of motorcyclists, effective officer safety strategies and techniques, as well as strategies and techniques for reducing high-speed pursuits involving motorcycles.
Promising Practices in Motorcycle Rider PDF, 653.34 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/promising-practices...
Motorcycle rider education provides an opportunity for novice riders to learn the basic skills necessary to operate a motorcycle safely and for experienced riders to refresh and refine their techniques.
Guidelines for Motorcycle Operator Licensing PDF, 1.54 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/guidelines-motorcyc...
Since 1974 NHTSA, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation have maintained the Motorcycle Operator Licensing System, a guide for operational licensing systems in the United States, Canada, and several foreign countries. This is the 2009 update and contains information on standard motorcycle operator licensing systems; motorcycle safety initiatives and strategies to increase proper licensure; a model graduated driver licensing (GDL) system for new-entrant riders; and motorcycle rider education waiver programs and third party testing. Also included, as appendices, is information on national data and trends associated with motorcyclist fatalities and injuries; a survey of current motorcycle and operator licensing practices by jurisdiction; an AAMVA guideline document on knowledge and skill test development; and examples of how a few jurisdictions have integrated rider education into their driver licensing system and implemented a Graduated Driver Licensing system for new-entrant motorcyclists.
Implementation Guide - Motorcycle Safety PDF, 3.17 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/implementation-guid...
Implementation Guide - Motorcycle Safety - December : 2006
Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws : January 2008
Motorcycle Braking Simulator Study PDF, 28.88 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/motorcycle-braking-...Effective Strategies for Motorcycle Stops PDF, 1 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/effective-strategie...
2014. This guidance document is designed for law enforcement executives, planners and policy makers, curriculum designers, trainers, supervisory staff, and law enforcement officers at all levels of experience who are responsible for conducting traffic stops in the course of their duties. The primary intent of this document is to assist law enforcement officers in safely conducting motorcycle traffic stops and issuing citations when violations are observed. The suggestions offered are intended to raise awareness of various risks associated with motorcycle traffic stops, as well as to identify strategies and techniques that can help law enforcement officers manage, mitigate, or avoid these risks.
Guidelines for State Motorcycle Programs PDF, 70.79 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/guidelines-state-mo...
Uniform guidelines for state highway safety programs.
Motorcycle Helmet Surveys PDF, 697.03 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/motorcycle-helmet-s... September 19, 2018
Motorcycle Helmet Surveys
The Effect of Entry-Level Motorcycle Rider Training on Motorcycle Crashes.pdf PDF, 1.22 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/effect-entry-level-...How to Identify Unsafe Motorcycle Helmets PDF, 1.05 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/how-identify-unsafe...
Motorcycle helmets save lives. To help protect the lives of motorcycle riders, the U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) requires that all motorcycle helmets sold in the United States meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 -- September 2004 (Revised)
Cruisin without Bruisin - MotorCycle Safety PDF, 112.24 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/cruisin-without-bru...Crusin without bruisin - MotorCycle Safety PDF, 112.24 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/crusin-without-brui...Motorcycle Conspicuity and the Effect of Fleet DRL PDF, 29.63 KB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/motorcycle-conspicu...Examination of the Feasibility of Alcohol Interlocks for Motorcycles PDF, 1.21 MB
https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/examination-feasibi...
In 2011 some 30 percent of the 4,612 motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 g/dL or higher. Although alcohol ignition interlocks are a common sanction to deter impaired driving, they are not typically used on motorcycles. This report reviews information on alcohol ignition interlocks to help determine whether they can be an appropriate DUI countermeasure when installed on motorcycles operated by convicted DUI offenders. The report summarizes issues of perceived liability, technical barriers, statutory or legislative barriers, and other factors related to this issue.