We have a pair of organizations crying for ABS to be a necessity in U.S. motorcycles – and although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to cave, the amount of ABS-standard bikes in America continues to grow.
Back on November 13th, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released an article on a petition made in partnership with the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). This petition argues that it is safer to ride a bike with ABS and that mandatory ABS on all American motorcycles would save lives.
Between the years 2013 and 2023, the IIHS-HLDI has found the following industry percentages:
- As of 2013, 20% of all registered U.S. motorcycles have ABS as standard
- As of 2023, 59% of all registered U.S. motorcycles have ABS as standard
According to the article, similar laws have already been enforced in the following countries:
- Europe
- The United Kingdom
- Brazil
- Japan
- Taiwan
- Australia
- New Zealand
- India
The above list has been posited to the NHTSA to show, in plain speak, how the IIHS-HLDI feels America is behind on the times, with their President stating the following:
– David Harkey, President, IIHS-HLDI |
Does this mean that America’s Powersports industry will soon be affected?
My gut reaction pleads a negative, though the above percentages seem to lean toward some sort of decision climax around the years 2033-2035 (this being if the NHTSA does nothing in the meantime).
What do you think the NHTSA should do with this petition?