February 14, 2008

BMW Developing Crash Proof Motorcycle

Safety Advance that Won't Put Me Out of Business

   According to a recent patent application, BMW is working on a motorcycle that won't crash. Independently tilting front and rear wheels, computerized yaw control, computerized use of ABS, and so forth. The basic concept is that when sensors indicate that the motorcycle is out of control, the computer will create inputs to regain control.

    Really, this is just the next step up from ABS and yaw control, although a somewhat major step, at that.

    Hopefully,this will make riding safer, by pulling motorcyclists back from the ragged edge of losing control.

    Will it have any effect on motorcycle lawyers? No. Almost invariably, the cases I handle involve someone who violated the right of way of the motorcyclist. Left hand turn in front of motorcycle. Left hand turn into motorcycle. Right hand turn through the place where the motorcycle is. Motorist cuts into lane, hits motorcycle. Motorist hits motorcycle from behind. Motorist cuts off motorcycle.

    In theory there are some situations where the motorcycle will do better by reason of the crash proofing BMW is developing. In reality, it will almost never make a difference.

    That said, we are all thankful for the continued attempts to make riding a safer activity for all of us.