Motorcycle Simulator Shows Slow Is Not Always Better

Article at AutoEvolution by Alina Dumitrache on 6 December 2010

Study performed by researchers at The University of Nottingham's Centre for Motorcycle Ergonomics & Rider Human Factors used motorcycle simulator to analyse rider behaviour.

Three groups of riders, namely novice, experienced and those who had taken advanced motorcycle training, were out through the same scenarios .

The findings showed that experience on its own does not make riders safer on the road and in some cases the experienced riders behaved more like novice riders. Advanced riders used better road positioning to anticipate and respond to hazards, kept to urban speed limits, and actually made better progress through bends than riders without the formal advanced training.

“It has demonstrated clear differences between the rider groups and potential benefits to advanced training above and beyond rider experience and basic training. Whilst experience seems to help develop rider skills to an extent, advanced training appears to develop deeper levels of awareness, perception and responsibility. It also appears to make riders better urban riders and quicker, smoother and safer riders in rural settings," said Alex Stedmon from the Human Factors Research Group.