Will Harley Davidson’s new electric motorcycle be safer or more dangerous on the road?

One of the most common ways motorcyclists are involved in collisions is a result of their lack of visibility to an automobile driver. Often their slimmer profiles, low-to-the-road position, and the dark leather gear required to be worn for safety protection can make them difficult to see even to a careful driver. These situations often are a cause of a motorcycle accident where, unfortunately, people suffer serious injuries. One thing, however, that makes other drivers aware of their presence would be the classic roaring rumble of a motorcycle engine.

The most famous and distinct motorcycle sound in America belongs to the engine of a Harley-Davidson. That may be about to change. Harley-Davidson has recently announced their newest concept project — the LiveWire model, a fully electric motorcycle.  Electric motorcycles are not very popular in the U.S. at the moment, and the only place where anything similar is popular is the Chinese demand for electronic mopeds and scooters. And while they are environmentally friendly, there is a catch that may make motorists even less aware of motorcycles on the road — the engine is silent.

So before, when a motorist was switching lanes and did not happen to see the motorcyclist in the lane next to them, they were able to avoid a collision by hearing it instead. Now, they will not hear the rumble of a Harley engine. Instead, they will only hear the sound that the shifting gears make, which is described as something similar to the sound a jet engine makes before taking off.

While the silent engine of Harley Davidson’s LiveWire motorcycle can possibly cause problems for a motorists trying to avoid motorcyclists on the road, there are other aspects of the design that make it safer for the motorcyclists themselves. It has a lower mounted engine, making the center of gravity of the motorcycle lower and allow for easier handling and maneuvering of the motorcycle. Also, the electric engine eliminates the need to shift gears, thus removing a minor distraction of the driver and allowing them to focus solely on the road.

Even so, the biggest danger to motorcyclists on the road is not themselves, but the motorists around them. The electric engine takes away the one saving grace that motorcyclists had to make them more visible on the road, and accidents resulting in traumatic brain injury, fractured bones, spinal injury, cuts, abrasions, and limb loss are bound to happen when a negligent driver switches lane without checking and doesn’t hear the electric motorcycle next to them.

At Dolman Law Group, we constantly preach about motorcycle safety and the steps that need to be taken in order to avoid the common causes of motorcycle accidents. If you or loved one has been the victim of a driver’s negligence to motorcyclists, contact Dolman Law Group today. We have experienced motorcycle injury attorneys on staff who are up to date on the science behind injuries suffered from motorcycle accidents, and we will make sure you are not treated unfairly by an insurance company. Our attorneys are available 24/7 and list their personal cell phone numbers on their business cards.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900 

http://www.dolmanlaw.com/practice-area/motorcycle-accidents/