ABS Standard on All 2012 BMW Models
“Plain and simple, being able to stop a motorcycle faster and more predictably helps prevent a rider from becoming a statistic,” says Pieter de Waal, vice president of BMW Motorrad USA. “It’s time for all of us in the motorcycle industry to embrace the benefits of ABS. Extensive testing by safety experts, law enforcement authorities and journalists around the world consistently demonstrates that ABS reduces overall crashes and saves lives.”
According to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycles equipped with ABS are 37% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
“I commend BMW for taking the lead in making ABS standard across the board,” says Adrian Lund, IIHS president. “Our research results show ABS on motorcycles saves lives, and riders are taking note, too. A recent survey found that a majority of riders said they would look for ABS on their next bikes.”
BMW’s announcement comes the same day the Governors Highway Safety Association released a preliminary report on 2010 motorcycle fatalities. Though the preliminary report found an overall decrease of 2% over 2009, the statistics showed an increase in fatalities in the third quarter of 2010.
“We are concerned that motorcycle deaths may be on the rise again,” says Barbara Harsha, executive director of the GHSA. “ABS and other safety technologies and programs can help continue the progress that has been made in motorcycle safety.”
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