Engineering students at Michigan Technological University are working on a prototype for advanced safety in motorcycle helmets. The team wants to mimic our bodies own natural defenses against head trauma, they used the human head as a model for developing a new helmet lining.

These students are one of 16 teams that were chosen from 200 colleges to compete in a National Inventors Conference in San Francisco. They will be demonstrating this new model that they call an Enhanced Biomorphic (EBM) helmet layer at the Exploritorium Science Museum.

There's an exciting new motorcycle accessory on the market, it's called Traction Control Brake System. Not only does this new system look cool on most bikes, but almost all bikers can benefit from it. Unlike anti-lock brake systems, that only work on some newer models of motorcycles, the Traction Control Brake System can bolt onto almost any existing model of bikes. This system can help motorcyclists avoid premature locking of your brakes. In recent tests this product showed improved braking by at least 15% and an average stopping distance of 17 feet rather than 27 feet. At only $80 a wheel, it's a small price to pay for such a great improvement. For more info go to

www.tcbbrakesystems.com

Can Motorcycles Run On Air?

All bikers know that with the rising cost of gas, riding your motorcycle can become an expensive habit. Researchers in Lucknow, India have developed an engine that runs on pressurized air and would all but eliminate the use of gas in motorcycle engines. Before you get too excited and run off to swap your engines out, there are a few problems to overcome. Right now, this engine would only allow bikers to ride the open road for around 30 minutes at 50 mph, not too exciting. However, there is research happening on a new tank that would allow you to travel for up to 6 hours. Researchers are saying that in about a year from now this product could be on the open market. Keep a look-out for motorcycles coming out with compressed air engines soon!

1. Take a motorcycle safety class. Learn how to ride proficiently.
2. Practice in an empty parking lot and become proficient at breaking, turning and evading.
3. Ride using the SIPDE: scan, identify, predict, decide and execute.
4. I am an ABATE member and believe we should have the right to choose whether to wear a helmet or not. In Michigan it's the law.  If you're going to wear a helmet I recommend a good one. A DOT approved helmet and one that has full face coverage.  I've had many clients come to me after a crash and tell me they are happy they had one on.
5. Watch out for intersections.  The vast majority of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. The most common accident I see involves the at fault driver making a left turn.
6. Do not ride in bad weather.  The chances of going down go up.
7. When you ride don't consume any alcohol.  Just make it your policy. 
8. Make sure you insure your bike and do so properly with uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist protection.
9. Be conspicuous.  I remember my motorcycle riding instructor saying, “why is it that everything they make for us is black?”  Wear bright colored coat and helmet. Europeans have the right idea-- they don't think it's “uncool” to wear a high visible reflective vest while riding a motorcycle.  One of the best and most noticeable items I've seen a biker wear was a neon green and orange swirled pattern helmet. When the motorcyclist looked left and right at an intersection the sunlight bounced off of it almost as if it were a police siren.  And what do negligent drivers that hit motorcyclist say, “I just didn't see him.”
10. Watch for people pulling out of side streets, business parking lots and coming across backed up traffic lanes.  These are situations I see constantly where a motorcyclist gets hit.