If you’re a female motorcyclist, you’ve likely seen or considered buying those trendy motorcycle leggings or jeggings.
But are they as safe as they look?
A recent study in Australia put these popular pieces of motorcycle gear to the test, and the findings might surprise you.
Key Takeaways from the Study:
The study was conducted by textile experts at Deakin University’s MotoCAP program.
They tested 10 brands of women’s motorcycle leggings and jeggings available in Australia.
Shockingly, 7 out of these 10 brands received a poor half-star rating for protection!
Why This Matters:
Motorcycle accidents aren’t rare. In 2021-22, almost a quarter of serious road injuries in Australia involved motorcyclists.
Protective gear can reduce injury. But, not all gear is made equal, and choosing the wrong one can be risky.
What The Study Found:
Abrasion Injuries: These injuries, like scrapes and cuts, are super common in motorcycle accidents. Sadly, 8 out of the 10 leggings and jeggings tested had poor abrasion resistance. This means if you fall and slide on the road, these leggings might tear easily, exposing your skin to the rough road.
Seam and Burst Resistance: Think of seams as the glue holding your gear together. If they’re weak, your gear can rip open in a crash. Unfortunately, the research found that many leggings and jeggings had weak seams.
Impact Protection: If you fall off a bike, you’re likely to hit the ground hard on your hips or knees. So, protection in those areas is crucial. However, 7 out of 10 brands offered no protection in these critical zones!
What Can You Do? It might feel like a tough choice between looking stylish on the road and staying safe. But safety should always come first.
Before buying any motorcycle gear:
- Check its material. Some materials offer better protection than others.
- Look at its seams. Are they sturdy? Will they hold together during a crash?
- Ensure it offers impact protection, especially on the knees and hips.
For those in Australia and New Zealand, the MotoCAP website is a fantastic resource. They test various motorcycle gear and provide star ratings based on safety.
As a tip, go for gear that has at least 2-star ratings for city rides and 3-star ratings for longer, open road journeys.
Finally, always remember: wearing some gear, even if it’s not top-rated, is better than wearing no gear at all.
Associate Professor Christopher Hurren, the Chief Scientist for the MotoCAP program and a motorcycle enthusiast himself, suggests that a leather jacket, protective denim jeans, long gloves, riding boots, and a helmet are generally good choices for protection.
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Source: Deakin University.
