Editing Motorcycle (section)

==Safety==
[[File:MotoEqipments HelmetBootsJacketAndGloves.jpg|thumb|Motorcycle equipment]]
{{Main|Motorcycle safety|Motorcycle safety clothing}}
[[File:Modular-helmet.jpg|thumb|Wearing a motorcycle helmet (which is a legal requirement in many countries) reduces the risks of death or head injury in a motorcycle crash.]]
Motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal accidents than automobiles or trucks and buses. [[United States Department of Transportation]] data for 2005 from the [[Fatality Analysis Reporting System]] show that for passenger cars, 18.62 fatal crashes occur per 100,000 registered vehicles. For motorcycles this figure is higher at 75.19 per 100,000 registered vehicles{{spaced ndash}} four times higher than for cars.<ref name="FARS trends">{{cite web |publisher= [[United States Department of Transportation]] |work= [[Fatality Analysis Reporting System]] |title= Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes, 1994–2011 – State: USA |url= http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Trends/TrendsGeneral.aspx |access-date= 18 May 2014 |archive-date= 15 March 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150315002919/http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Trends/TrendsGeneral.aspx |url-status= live }}</ref>
The same data shows that 1.56 fatalities occur per 100 million vehicle miles travelled for passenger cars, whereas for motorcycles the figure is 43.47 which is 28 times higher than for cars (37 times more deaths per mile travelled in 2007).<ref name="www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov"/>
Furthermore, for motorcycles the accident rates have increased significantly since the end of the 1990s, while the rates have dropped for passenger cars.

The most common configuration of motorcycle accidents in the United States is when a motorist pulls out or turns in front of a motorcyclist, violating their right-of-way.<ref>{{cite web |date=1981 |title=MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CAUSE FACTORS AND IDENTIFICATION OF COUNTERMEASURES VOLUME I: TECHNICAL REPORT, Traffic Safety Center - University of Southern California |url=http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/NHTSA/013695.pdf |page=416 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823225106/http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/NHTSA/013695.pdf |archive-date=23 August 2014}}</ref> This is sometimes called a {{linktext|SMIDSY}}, an acronym formed from the motorists' common response of "Sorry mate, I didn't see you".<ref>{{cite web |title=The 'sorry mate I didn't see you' campaign |work=South Gloucestershire Council |url=http://www.southglos.gov.uk/TransportandRoads/Motorcycling/SorryMateIDidntSeeYou/ |access-date=21 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017045041/http://www.southglos.gov.uk/TransportandRoads/Motorcycling/SorryMateIDidntSeeYou/ |archive-date=17 October 2008}}</ref>
Motorcyclists can anticipate and avoid some of these crashes with proper training, increasing their visibility to other traffic, keeping to the speed limits, and not consuming [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] or other [[drug]]s before riding.<ref>{{citation |publisher=[[Motorcycle Safety Foundation]] |title=Quick Tips: General guidelines for riding a motorcycle safely |access-date=13 June 2012 |date=October 2006 |url=http://msf-usa.org/downloads/If_you_ride_a_motorcycle.pdf |archive-date=30 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730103821/http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/If_you_ride_a_motorcycle.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The United Kingdom has several organisations dedicated to improving motorcycle safety by providing advanced rider training beyond what is necessary to pass the basic motorcycle licence test. These include the [[Institute of Advanced Motorists]] (IAM) and the [[Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents]] (RoSPA). Along with increased personal safety, riders with these advanced qualifications may benefit from reduced insurance costs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://think.direct.gov.uk/motorcycle-training.html|title=Motorcycling : THINK! : Roadsafety|website=think.direct.gov.uk|access-date=2016-06-01|archive-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522023759/http://think.direct.gov.uk/motorcycle-training.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In South Africa, the [[Think Bike]] campaign is dedicated to increasing both motorcycle safety and the awareness of motorcycles on the country's roads. The campaign, while strongest in the Gauteng province, has representation in Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and the Free State. It has dozens of trained marshals available for various events such as cycle races and is deeply involved in numerous other projects such as the annual Motorcycle Toy Run.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thinkbike.co.za/2012/index.php/about-us |title=About Think Bike |publisher=[[Think Bike]] |access-date=21 March 2010 |archive-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208075840/http://thinkbike.co.za/2012/index.php/about-us |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Motorcycle safety education is offered throughout the United States by organisations ranging from state agencies to non-profit organisations to corporations. Most states use the courses designed by the [[Motorcycle Safety Foundation]] (MSF), while [[Team Oregon|Oregon]] and Idaho developed their own. All of the training programs include a Basic Rider Course, an Intermediate Rider Course and an Advanced Rider Course.

[[File:Action-w.jpg|thumb|An MSF rider course for novices]]
In [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], since 2010,<ref>{{cite web |title=GDL rollout |publisher=Road Safety Association of Ireland |url=http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/Driver-Training/Graduated-Driver-Licensing/GDL-rollout |access-date=2015-08-15 |archive-date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729013953/http://rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/Driver-Training/Graduated-Driver-Licensing/GDL-rollout/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in the UK and some Australian jurisdictions, such as [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[New South Wales]],<ref name="Learner riders licence">{{cite web |title=Learner riders licence |work=Motorcycle Rider Training Scheme, Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW |url=http://163.189.217.150/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/learnerriderslicence.html |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302033156/http://163.189.217.150/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/learnerriderslicence.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
the [[Australian Capital Territory]],<ref name="Learner Licence">{{cite web |title=Learner Licence |work=Road Transport Information Management, www.rego.act.gov.au |url=http://www.rego.act.gov.au/licensing/licencelearner.htm |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=17 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517154219/http://www.rego.act.gov.au/licensing/licencelearner.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Tasmania]]<ref name="TAS Learner Licence">{{cite web |title=TAS Learner Licence |work=Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources |url=http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licence_information |access-date=13 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611204707/http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licence_information |archive-date=11 June 2009}}</ref>
and the [[Northern Territory]],<ref name="Motorcyclist Education Training And Licensing (METAL)">{{cite web|title=Motorcyclist Education Training And Licensing (METAL) |work=Northern Territory Department of Planning and Infrastructure, www.ipe.nt.gov.au |url=http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/mvr/licensing/metal.html |access-date=16 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507002029/http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/mvr/licensing/metal.html |archive-date=7 May 2007 }}</ref> it is compulsory to complete a basic rider training course before being issued a Learners Licence, after which they can ride on public roads.

In Canada, motorcycle rider training is compulsory in [[Quebec]] and [[Manitoba]] only, but all provinces and territories have [[Graduated driver licensing|graduated licence]] programs which place restrictions on new drivers until they have gained experience. Eligibility for a full motorcycle licence or endorsement for completing a Motorcycle Safety course varies by province. Without the Motorcycle Safety Course the chance of getting insurance for the motorcycle is very low. The [[Canada Safety Council]], a non-profit safety organisation, offers the Gearing Up program across Canada and is endorsed by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council.<ref name="MMIC Information">{{cite web |title=MMIC Information |work=Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council |url=http://www.mmic.ca/ |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=22 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422171133/http://www.mmic.ca/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Training course graduates may qualify for reduced insurance premiums.

Motorcyclists and motor scooter riders are also exposed to an increased risk of suffering hearing damage such as [[Noise-induced hearing loss|hearing loss]] and [[tinnitus]] (ringing ears).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carling-Rodgers |first=Jacqui |title=Is Your Motorcycle Making You Deaf? |url=https://www.valuehearing.com.au/news/is-your-motorcycle-making-you-deaf |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=www.valuehearing.com.au |language=en-au |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326092628/https://www.valuehearing.com.au/news/is-your-motorcycle-making-you-deaf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bikers warned to wear earplugs and avoid lifetime of tinnitus |url=https://www.carolenash.com/news/bike-news/detail/bike-news/bikers-warned-wear-earplugs-avoid-lifetime-tinnitus |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Carole Nash UK |language=en}}</ref> The noise is caused by wind noise while riding, rolling noise from the tyres and the engine itself.<ref>{{Cite web |title=how-do-i-protect-my-ears-when-i-ride-a-motorcycle |url=https://www.campaignforbetterhearing.us/get-informed/faqs/faq-articles/how-do-i-protect-my-ears-when-i-ride-a-motorcycle |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=www.campaignforbetterhearing.us |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326092628/https://www.campaignforbetterhearing.us/get-informed/faqs/faq-articles/how-do-i-protect-my-ears-when-i-ride-a-motorcycle |url-status=live }}</ref> The helmet only provides insufficient protection against high sound pressure levels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Hearing Review |date=2011-08-01 |title=Motorcycle Helmets Don't Protect Hearing Damage Caused by Wind Noise |url=https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/research/motorcycle-helmets-dont-protect-hearing-damage-caused-by-wind-noise |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=The Hearing Review |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326092628/https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/research/motorcycle-helmets-dont-protect-hearing-damage-caused-by-wind-noise |url-status=live }}</ref> Medicine (as of 2024) is not able to cure hearing damage. Wearing hearing protection, such as special earplugs for motorcyclists, can help prevent hearing damage.