Photo: indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com
Riders in Europe will be better informed in the future regarding the degree of protection the gear they plan to buy provides. The European Union established a set of amendments that will modify the existing regulations so that all the gear that is being sold within its boundaries will have to comply with certain minimal requirements.
So far, only helmets, boots and protection inserts were required to pass the certification inspections, but this is about to change. All the garments will be certified as soon as the EU clarifies the new standards and the minimum requirements for each type of clothing.
These standards refer to the resistance to impact and abrasion, as these two actions are the ones that cause injuries during a motorcycle or ATV crash. This means that, regardless of what type of protection inserts one plans to buy for his or her jacket or trousers, the clothes themselves must have undergone prior certification inspections.
Riders can choose to wear whatever they want, but when it comes to buying riding gear, they will be able to choose what suits them best. Even more, with more detailed data regarding the degree of protection to abrasion and impact readily available on the tags that come with each piece of clothing, customers will also be able to choose the most appropriate product for a certain intended use.
It is yet unclear how long it will take until the new standards are created and implemented, at least at a theoretical level. An optimistic estimation sees the entire process taking between two and three years. Whether certification will drive the prices up is also one of the things we'd like to know.
These standards refer to the resistance to impact and abrasion, as these two actions are the ones that cause injuries during a motorcycle or ATV crash. This means that, regardless of what type of protection inserts one plans to buy for his or her jacket or trousers, the clothes themselves must have undergone prior certification inspections.
Riders will not be forced by the law to wear such garments
In case you fear that the EU will enforce the use of these certified garments, the answer is no. The changes in the European Union safety-related regulations are only targeting the products themselves.Riders can choose to wear whatever they want, but when it comes to buying riding gear, they will be able to choose what suits them best. Even more, with more detailed data regarding the degree of protection to abrasion and impact readily available on the tags that come with each piece of clothing, customers will also be able to choose the most appropriate product for a certain intended use.
It is yet unclear how long it will take until the new standards are created and implemented, at least at a theoretical level. An optimistic estimation sees the entire process taking between two and three years. Whether certification will drive the prices up is also one of the things we'd like to know.
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