At the recent EICMA 2018 motorcycle show in Milan, Bosch (www.bosch.com) showed a number of developments designed to improve motorcycle safety.

Its accident research estimates that radar-based assistance systems could prevent one in seven motorcycle accidents, because they respond more quickly in emergencies than people can.

The technology underpinning these systems is a combination of radar sensor, brake system, engine management and HMI (Human Machine Interface). Giving motorcycles radar as a ‘sensory organ’ supports these new motorcycle assistance and safety functions by providing an accurate picture of the vehicle’s surroundings.

Riding in heavy traffic and maintaining the correct distance to the vehicle in front takes a great deal of concentration and is strenuous over longer periods.

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) adjusts the vehicle speed to the flow of traffic, maintains the necessary safe distance and allows riders to concentrate more on the road, particularly in high-density traffic. Bosch has also developed a collision warning system for motorcycles.

Active as soon as the vehicle starts, it detects that another vehicle is dangerously close and warns riders by way of an acoustic or optical signal, if they do not react to the situation.

Bosch has also developed a blind-spot detection system (as now found in many cars) that keeps a look-out in all directions to help motorcyclists change lanes safely.

Whenever there is a vehicle in the rider’s blind spot, the system warns them by way of an optical signal, for example in the rear-view mirror.

Meanwhile, Bosch’s latest Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) system, which supports the rider during both braking and accelerating, and while either riding straight or cornering, has been reduced in size by 35% and had its weight cut by 20% (compared with the previous-generation unit).

This makes installation easier for motorcycle manufacturers — and allows its installation on smaller motorcycles.

Bosch has also launched the market’s first series-produced anti-lock braking system for eBikes.

It will now be possible to prevent a pedelec’s (the name is derived from pedal-electric cycle) front wheel from locking up and also to limit the lifting of the rear wheel.

This reduces the braking distance as well as the risk of crashing and rollovers.

According to accident researchers, almost a quarter of pedelec accidents could be avoided through the use of ABS. By the end of 2018, ABS for pedelecs will become commercially available on selected models.