§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research is currently being conducted and at what cost into the use of leg protectors on motor cycles; what have been the conclusions drawn from previous research; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyResearch on leg protectors is continuing at the Transport Research Laboratory—TRL. Most of the current effort is in support of the United Kingdom contribution to the International Standards Organisation—ISO—proposals for an ISO standard on "Test and analysis procedures for research evaluation of rider crash protection devices fitted to motorcycles", in which the motor cycle industry is participating. The cost over the last 10 years has been roughly £300,000 per annum at current 107W prices and at present represents some 29 per cent. of total expenditure on motor cycle related research. The research to date shows that properly designed leg protectors could reduce the severity of, or even eliminate, at least 25 per cent. of leg injuries without increasing injuries to other parts of the body. I refer the hon. Member to TRL's working paper WPNS/213 entitled "TRRL Review of Research on Motorcycle Leg Protection—1991", a copy of which was placed in the Library in July 1992.