Casey Stoner welcomes new research into safety benefits of motorcycle clothing

Does the protective clothing you wear on your motorcycle help prevent long-term injury in a crash? And could it be more effective in doing so?

These are some of the questions that will be addressed as part of a new three-year research project by The George Institute, sponsored by Australia’s leading motorcycle insurer Swann Insurance.

The study will look at the association between the use of protective clothing in motorcycle crashes and the severity and long-term consequences of any injuries sustained.

The findings will be of great value to all bike riders. It is also expected that this research will help pave the way for refining and improving the effectiveness of protective clothing used by motorcyclists around the world.

Casey Stoner, the current MotoGP world champion and Swann’s Motorcycle Safety Ambassador, is delighted that the effectiveness of motorcycle protective clothing is coming under the microscope.

Stoner, 22, said safety was a huge concern for all bike riders – not just sports champions.

“Whether you are out on a race track or riding on a road – crashes can happen and you need to know that your clothing will give you the maximum possible protection should this occur.”

Stuart Chapman, head of Swann Insurance, said "Swann is very excited to the sponsor of the George Institute's study of the benefits of motorcycle protective clothing.  We hope the results will provide valuable information to assist motorcyclists reduce their risk of injury."

Researcher Liz De Rome from the George Institute said, previous studies have solely concentrated on hospitalised riders and have shown protective clothing can reduce the severity of injuries and time away from work.  This study is unique in that it will include all riders involved in motorcycle crashes - those who escaped serious injury and those hospitalised."

"Standard have been developed for motorcycle protective clothing in Europe, but they are not enforceable in Australia," added Ms de Rome.  "This research will provide Asutralian riders with better information about the protective clothing they wear."

The full report is expected to be delivered around December 2009.

Swann Insurance has been a proud sponsor of Casey Stoner since 2004, with both sharing a common goal to improve motorcycle safety. Stoner played an integral role in Swann’s Motorcycle of the Future development and attended the media launch in August 2007.

Stoner hails from Kurri Kurri in country NSW and is the current MotoGP world champion. The 2008 MotoGP world series started last Sunday (March 9) in Qatar, where Stoner began the defence of his title with a comfortable victory in what was the first ever grand prix race held in the evening under lights.