Protective motorcycle gear and clothing has and always will be an emotive topic, with many viewpoints. Some riders take the ‘ATGATT’ approach and insist on ‘all the gear all the time‘. Others, are more fashion-led and wear what looks good or what is bang on trend. There’s also an increasing number of riders who straddle these two viewpoints and are looking for a combination of good looks and protection.

It’s fair to say that the ‘new wave custom’ scene that’s emerged over the last decade has contributed to and arguably accelerated demand for both protection and style. And now, the requirement pretty much goes hand-in-hand.

A plethora of new and existing brands are feeding that demand. Technology, from other clothing sectors, is now being utilised to produce a wide range of aesthetically pleasing items, that will also save your skin and bones.

Motorcycle Personal Protection Equipment [PPE]

ONUS ON MANUFACTURERS TO OFFER PROTECTION

With the exception of a legally required CE-rated helmet, (certainly, here in the UK and Europe), it’s decidedly, up to the rider to choose what level of protection he or she wants in other motorcycle clothing.

However, let’s say that a rider elects to wear items of clothing that have been labelled as motorcycle gear; for example a pair of motorcycle jeans instead of fashion jeans. Previously, those jeans may or may not have been fully fit for purpose in the sense that only a small component of the item may have been tested to CE standards, e.g. the armour.

The new regulations place the responsibility on the manufacturer and retailer, rather than the rider, to ensure that the full garment meets the standard it professes.

Over time all motorcycle clothing will need to pass CE certification. As such, as a rider who chooses to wear designated motorcycle clothing, eventually, you will undoubtedly purchase protective clothing whether wittingly or not.

All the gear all the time [ATGATT]

MOTORCYCLE GEAR – PPE CE CERTIFICATION WHAT’S CHANGED?

So how will regulation guarantee that all the gear you purchase, conforms to new safety standards set by the EU Parliament and Council?

Previously, motorcycle clothing manufacturers had the choice of whether to submit their garments for CE testing or not. Clearly, having CE Certification carries potential retail benefits such as attracting more safety-conscious riders.

However, for manufacturers, the testing is exhaustive and expensive. Now, this isn’t too much of a problem for large established brands but could have substantial financial implications for newer and smaller brands – given the arguably prohibitive costs.

Nevertheless, since 21st April 2018, all items of motorcycle clothing have been classed as Protective Personal Equipment (PPE), by the European Parliament, which makes them subject to ‘Regulation 2016/425’. Under this regulation; any clothing or personal equipment sold to provide protection from injury has to comply with the relevant standard. To ensure complicity, motorcycle gear has to be independently tested and verified. That gear should then display a CE label with the level of protection that the item offers.

Motorcycle Gear Certification - understanding PPE regulations and CE Certification for bike gear

ADDITIONAL COMPLEXITY FOR MANUFACTURERS – MORE ASSURANCE FOR RIDERS

To add further complexity for manufacturers but further reassurance for riders, motorcycle garments must be CE certified as a ‘whole garment’, which means each individual part of the garment must meet the CE criteria in order for the whole garment to be awarded certification.

Let’s use a motorcycle jacket as an example. Every individual component of that jacket has to undergo a multitude of tests, including tear strength (and that’s for all types of material used in construction), abrasion resistance and seam strength. The final rating is then issued, based on the lowest score of all of the components.

Badge AA Level 2018 CE-Certified — Image Courtesy of Bike Social

Motorcycle Gear Certification, Past

Prior to this regulation coming into effect, many articles of motorcycle gear with a CE rating may have only had a single component of the garment pass the relevant CE standard. As of April 2018, any garment that passes Whole Garment certification must display the motorcycle pictogram on the label.

Bell Custom 500 with Mirrored Bubble Visor Cameron-Kirby

Motorcycle PPE Certification

CE Certification 3 Performance Level Ratings

There are three performance level ratings available, and the only determination of what level is required is down to the rider i.e. you choose the rating based on your type of riding and environment.

Fuel Rally Raid Collection Motorcycle Jacket and Jeans

CHOICE OF GEAR IS LEFT TO UP TO YOU

The good thing is that the regulations still leave the choice to the rider. So thankfully there’s no insistence from a legal point-of-view, to wear full race leathers to nip down to the corner shop on your bobber!

We can only see this as a positive move. Yes, it puts a short-term financial burden on motorcycle clothing manufacturers which could, in theory, could be passed on to the customer. However, once each individual item of the garment has been rated, it can continue to be utilised in and on other garments, with no further testing. So, if a particular leather and style of stitching have already been certified for a jacket, that stitch style can be reused in other garments, with its CE rating still intact.

In some respects, the decision between looking cool and being protected has been taken out of the equation. Yes, you can still continue to choose to ride in non-protective clothing, (t-shirts and shorts) that’s your prerogative. However, if the item you’re purchasing has been designated as motorcycle clothing thus PPE, you’ll know that it’s been stringently tested.