In 2023, 110 motorcyclists died or were seriously injured on the road. This figure is rising every year: there were 79 in 2022 and 71 in 2021. Motorcyclists are therefore a particularly vulnerable group on the road. According to various studies cited by the Luxembourg police, motorcyclists are seven times more likely to be killed than drivers of other vehicles. In 2023, 26,500 motorbikes were registered.

To raise awareness among motorcyclists (and car drivers) of the risks involved on the road, the Driver Training Centre is organising awareness sessions.* And a sign that the subject is a matter of concern, the Grand Ducal Police have also just launched a national campaign to prevent accidents. They have announced that they will be carrying out checks on motorcyclists, in particular on their equipment and the general technical condition of the vehicle, but also possession of compulsory documents.

Prepare yourself

This goes without saying, but before you get back on your two wheels and enjoy some great springtime rides, the Driver Training Centre is reminding us of the importance of being prepared, as during the winter break many motorcyclists put their two-wheelers in the garage in favour of their cars. “This lack of practice is, for a majority of motorcyclists, a risk factor in accidents” says the police department.

In addition to “a technical overhaul” of the motorbike, the Driver Training Centre advises that the body and mind should also be kept in shape. “It’s important that motorcyclists get used to the acceleration and deceleration of their machine again, and that they realise the dangers and unforeseen events that can await them at any time and in any place. The key elements of safety on the road include defensive driving, being prepared for the unexpected and thinking about the behaviour of other road users.”

Roadworthiness testing is mandatory in Luxembourg and applies to all road vehicles subject to registration, including motorbikes. Roadworthiness tests must be carried out periodically, four years after the vehicle is first registered and then six years after the vehicle is first registered. Thereafter, such tests must be carried out every year. In addition, it must be carried out in the event of a change to the vehicle’s technical characteristics, after a major repair or at the request of the police, who would note a lack of conformity or a defect in the vehicle.

Equipping yourself

In a motorbike accident, there is no bodywork to protect the rider and it is often the rider’s body that has to absorb the impact. In 2021, the mobility ministry stated that a fatal motorbike accident is 20 times more likely to occur than a fatal car accident. According to an INRETS study, the parts of the body most affected in accidents are the lower limbs (65%), the upper limbs (50%) and the skull and face (18.5%). Hence the importance of wearing appropriate equipment, which will also serve as protection.

The helmet, preferably full-face, is the first essential piece of equipment. It must be approved and therefore have an ECE number, often affixed to a small label on the inside of the helmet. The visor must also be approved. If the helmet has already suffered an impact, it is advisable to change it, because even without any apparent impact, it may no longer provide adequate protection. Motorcyclists are encouraged to use a visor suited to the time of year when they are riding. Adding reflective elements to the helmet increases visibility, and therefore the safety of the motorcyclist.

Warm or not, other equipment is essential for safe riding, particularly gloves, as the hands are among the limbs most affected in accidents. The ACL recommends gloves with reinforced knuckles and palms. Note that “leather with a minimum thickness of 0.9 mm offers abrasion resistance of 2.5 seconds in a fall.”

Other important equipment includes footwear, which should be high-fitting and waterproof. For jackets, it’s recommended to wear abrasion-resistant materials such as leather, Kevlar or Cordura, and to avoid synthetic materials. Some airbag-type waistcoats are now also available, which inflate by gas if the biker falls in an accident. This system improves the motorcyclist’s protection.

Seeing and being seen

Motorcyclists are often less visible than cars. “It should be noted that motorcyclists represent a very thin silhouette for motorists, that their speed is difficult to estimate and that they easily find themselves in the blind spot of a car, lorry or bus,” say the police.

Although the noise of two-wheelers often alerts people to their presence nearby, it is essential for motorists to check their blind spots before changing direction, and to look over their shoulder--not just check the rear-view mirror.

As for motorcyclists, they can opt for conspicuous equipment and anticipate the behaviour of others. They are advised to avoid positioning themselves in the blind spots of vehicles.

For motorcyclists and motorists alike, there is one watchword: anticipation, which means clearly signalling your intentions (in particular by using indicators) and avoiding sudden changes in traffic.

Bends, which are sources of danger, should encourage users to be more vigilant, for both motorbikes and cars. Keeping to the right is a guarantee of safety, in case the vehicle in front cuts off its trajectory. It is also important to avoid panic braking, i.e. braking too late in a panic as you approach a bend at high speed. This often leads to the motorcycle going off the road. It is in the motorcyclist’s best interests to take into account the surface of the road they are using. On wet dust or cobbles, the braking distance is greatly extended compared with an uneven or normal asphalt road.

Distances and common sense

This applies to all vehicles: keeping your distance from other vehicles makes it easier to react to sudden braking and avoid emergency braking and collisions. A motorbike brakes differently from a car. This also applies when riding alongside a queue of parked cars. It’s advisable to keep your distance to avoid being hit if a motorist opens the car door without looking. “Manoeuvres to park or leave the car park also require the utmost caution, both in town and in the country.”

On the road, common sense comes first. So even if the driver has the right of way, they must first and foremost take account of their surroundings rather than rush headlong into traffic. Always expect other road users to make mistakes. For example, if the motorist in front doesn’t seem to know where to go, then it’s best to take your foot off the accelerator and wait for them to make up their mind.

Beware of intermingling

Allowed in some countries, intermingling, i.e. when a motorcyclist rides between traffic lanes, is prohibited in Luxembourg. It is considered overtaking on the right and is punishable by a fine of €74. In 2023, 21 motorcyclists were identified and fined in Luxembourg for riding between traffic lanes. In 2024, a petition was submitted to the Chamber of Deputies calling for this practice to be authorised. It collected 1,436 signatures, not enough to trigger a debate in the chamber.

In 2020, the government studied the possibility of authorising interchanges, but concluded with a negative opinion citing road safety reasons. The situation varies from country to country. In France, for example, since January 11, 2025, inter-file traffic has been possible throughout the country.

* The training sessions are organised by the Driver Training Centre (Centre de formation pour conducteurs) on 5-6 April and 10-11 May. To register, contact the CFC by telephone or e-mail. The registration fee is €50.

This article was originally published in French.