In September, the National Transportation Safety Board issued 10 recommendations related to motorcycle crash prevention, and the NTSB asked the AMA what we thought of their recommendations.

The AMA’s conclusion?

While many recommendations, if properly enacted, would improve the safety of motorcyclists in the United States, there remains a troubling reliance on a particular mandate that infringes on a motorcyclist’s individual freedom.

The AMA opposes the NTSB recommendation that calls for all new on-road motorcycles sold in the United States to be equipped with antilock braking systems.

“For riders who take their ABS-equipped motorcycles on [low-traction gravel and dirt roads] and trails, the option to disable ABS systems is critical to retaining directional control in braking and turning conditions,” wrote AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman in response to the NTSB’s request for input on the recommendations.

Dingman did clarify, however, that the AMA recognizes the safety benefits of ABS on most roads and riding surfaces and fully supports ABS technology being available on more on-highway models as an option.

With respect to the NTSB’s other recommendations, Dingman wrote that the AMA applauds the board’s support for the AMA’s insistance that motorcycles are fully incorporated into the development and implementation of technology for on-board crash prevention systems and vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology.

Indeed, many of the other recommendations were in line with efforts the AMA has been engaged in for some time.

The NTSB directed its recommendations to both the government and motorcycling groups, including the AMA.

Recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration include:

1. Incorporate motorcycles in the development of performance standards for passenger vehicle crash warning and prevention systems.

2. Incorporate motorcycles in the development of performance standards for connected vehicle-to-vehicle systems.

3. Work with the Federal Highway Administration to incorporate motorcycles in the development of performance standards for connected vehicle-to-infrastructure systems.

4. Require all new motorcycles manufactured for on-road use in the United States be equipped with ABS technology. While supportive of ABS as an option, the AMA recognizes the necessary safety benefits of being able to deactivate ABS in some environments.

5. Conduct or sponsor research to evaluate the effectiveness of stability control systems for motorcycles.

6. Based on the research recommended in Safety Recommendation 5, develop and publish performance standards for stability control systems on motorcycles, and require systems meeting those standards on all new motorcycles manufactured for on-road use in the United States.

7. Examine the influence of alcohol and other drug use on motorcycle rider crash risk compared to that of passenger vehicle drivers, and develop guidelines to assist states in implementing evidence-based strategies and countermeasures to more effectively address substance-impaired motorcycle rider crashes.

8. Evaluate the effectiveness of state motorcycle licensing procedures for reducing motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities among novice and unlicensed riders; based on the results of that evaluation, update the Guidelines for Motorcycle Operator Licensing or other guidance as appropriate.

To the FHWA:

9. Work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to incorporate motorcycles in the development of performance standards for connected vehicle-to-infrastructure systems.

To the AMA, the Motorcycle Industry Council and safety training organizations, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

10. Inform your members about the findings of this safety report, and promote the safety benefits of advanced motorcycle antilock braking and stability control technologies. Consider yourself informed.