MotoGP: Airbags mandatory for 2018

MotoGP organisers have announced that the fitting of airbag systems to riders’ leathers will become mandatory for the 2018 season. The move comes after consulting with the equipment manufacturer’s working group, who are in agreement with the organisers.

Dainese and Alpinestars have pioneered the technology, which is credited with greatly reducing the number of collarbone and shoulder injuries in the premiere class in recent years,, with other manufacturers catching up in recent years.

In addition, Dainese recently announced the licensing of their D-Air system to other manufacturers, a move that has seen Rev’it and Furgyan incorporate the technology.

However, the airbag technology also had it’s critics, with some medics saying that not enough research has been done into the effect that they can have of moving the force of an impact away from the shoulder to more vulnerable areas.