ABS to be mandated in Australia
Anti-lock braking for all new bikes sold in Australia from November 2019From November 2019, Australia will fall in line with the likes of Europe and Japan by mandating that all new road-registerable bikes sold must be equipped with anti-lock braking (ABS) as standard. In effect, the new rules are harmonising with the current EU standards.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure, Paul Fletcher, approved the Australian Design Rule this week. The new rule also makes references to combined braking systems (CBS) where the brake force applied at both wheels can be initiated by a single rider input, such as a brake pedal or lever.
“Research has shown that ABS and CBS (combined braking system) can reduce motorcycle related road trauma in Australia by more than 30 per cent,” Mr Fletcher said.
“With motorcycles currently the fastest growing vehicle type, widespread fitment of this safety technology will make a real impact on reducing fatalities on Australia’s roads each year by ensuring that the safest motorcycles are made available to Australians at the lowest cost.”
There will be exemptions for the new ADR law, which are as follows:
- Enduro and trials bikes;
- Under 250cc trail bikes, which are defined by having a solo seat, predominantly off-road usage, 21-inch front wheels – which means no exemptions for the likes of the Kawasaki KLR650 and Suzuki DR650, which are are pillion equipped and can reasonably expect to be used on all road surfaces (at open road speeds etc.); and
- Adventure Tourers are able to have switchable ABS.
The introduction of advanced braking systems for motorcycles was agreed to under action items in the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020, and National Road Safety Action Plan 2015-2017. The formal process for the implementation of the new ADR began earlier this year when the government called for input on a motorcycle braking statement.
What impact will the new ADR have in Australia? Probably very little in a practical sense, as all the leading manufacturers already equip road motorcycles with ABS as standard, including KTM, BMW, Aprilia, Ducati, Indian, Harley-Davidson, Can-Am, Triumph, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki.
Currently, there are 1001 matches in Bikesales Showroom for ABS models on sale in Australia.
What do you think? Is the ABS mandate long overdue?
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