HC Deb 20 July 1987 vol 120 cc39-40W
Mr. Speed

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to secure a better standard of leg protection for motor cyclists.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Better leg protection could save many thousands of disabling leg injuries suffered by motor cyclists each year. The Department is circulating for comment a draft specification for leg protectors, based on research at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory. It covers dimensions, crush resistance and energy absorption characteristics of protectors which could be fitted to all types of motor cycle and moped. The intention is, after discussion with manufacturers and users, to produce a standard which could form the basis of a regulatory requirement for new machines.

Mr. Speed

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information is available on the numbers of leg injuries to motor cyclists.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In 1985, the latest year for which complete data are available, there were 57,000 reported injuries of all types to motor cyclists, including 800 deaths and 18,000 serious injuries. Although these figures show a decline over the last few years the reduction in injuries has been broadly in line with the reduction in motor cycle traffic. Half the fatal or serious casualties in 1985 were aged 19 or under.

Leg injuries are a particular problem for motor cyclists. Examination of records for hospital in-patients in Scotland shows that lower limb injuries are involved in 30 per cent. of single-vehicle accidents and 50 per cent. of two-vehicle accidents. Unit costs for leg injuries are higher than for average serious casualties, perhaps by 50 per cent.

Motor cyclists tend to stay longer in hospital, partly as a consequence of leg injuries: 26 per cent. stay over 10 nights, compared with only 17 per cent. of car occupants.