L-R: Alain Disiviscour, Ministry of Mobility & Public Works; François Bausch, Deputy PM, Minister for Mobility & Public Works; Paul Hammelmann, President of Sécurité routière ASBL; Credit: MMTP

Luxembourg's Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and the Road Safety Association (Sécurité routière ASBL) have launched a new motorcycle safety campaign.

On Friday 1 April 2022, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility and Public Works, François Bausch, and the President of the Road Safety Association, Paul Hammelmann, presented the new road safety campaign for motorcyclists, called "Well equipped, well protected" (Bien équipé, bien protégé), aimed at encouraging motorcyclists to wear adequate protective clothing.

The campaign reminds motorcyclists that adequate clothing is the main element of their protection in the event of an accident and aims to encourage motorcyclists to adopt responsible behaviour on the road.

According to Minister Bausch, "in general, a motorcyclist is more vulnerable and is exposed to more risks than a motorist. In summer, it is not a question of putting on a T-shirt and wearing sunglasses on the motorcycle, but it is important to ride with adequate clothing and above all to wear a helmet".

Paul Hammelmann added: "I like to cite the example of aviation, systematically before take-off, a 'preflight check' is carried out, and it is for this reason that I think that a 'prebike check' should be carried out. As we know that the body must absorb all the shock in the event of a fall, let's check before getting on the bike, it is essential to have maximum body protection".

The campaign focuses on all motorcycle clothing: 

  • Helmet: Wearing an approved helmet is compulsory. For optimal protection, it is strongly recommended to wear a good quality full-face helmet. For travel on public roads, motorcyclists are advised to keep the visor clean and to choose a light-coloured helmet with reflective elements to improve their visibility;
  • Gloves: In the event of a fall, the seriousness of injuries to the hands is likely to be high. Knuckle and palm reinforced gloves that fully cover the hands and wrists are essential. Similarly, the gloves should be waterproof while being flexible enough not to interfere with driving;
  • Jacket: In order to ensure optimal safety, a jacket made out of leather or an anti-abrasive material such as Kevlar or Cordura, equipped with protectors on the back, elbows and shoulders, is strongly recommended. In the event of a fall, other synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon may burn the skin;
  • Trousers: The choice of trousers equipped with protectors covering the legs and an anti-abrasive material (leather, Kevlar, Cordura) is important to guarantee better safety;
  • Shoes: It is advisable to wear high, water-repellent and non-slip shoes, in order to protect the feet and ankles. 

Whatever the season, it is essential to wear an outfit that effectively protects against bad weather.