Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of motorcycle air vests in reducing injuries to motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement.

Research on ‘Inflatable Protective Clothing for Motorcyclists’ was commissioned in December 2016. As the draft findings were inconclusive, the Department decided not to put any further resource into this research and the draft report was not finalised for publication. The Department does advise riders to wear protective clothing. Rule 84 in The Highway Code states: “Strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help to protect you if you are involved in a collision”.