A new study will investigate causes for motorcycle crashes (Photo: Drew Leavy)
Despite reports in recent weeks that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has decided against helping to fund a new motorcycle safety study, that decision is not necessarily final.
"The MSF has not shut the door," said Tim Buche, the MSF president, in an interview Wednesday. "We're open to learning more" and if new information suggests a statistically valid study can be conducted with fewer than 900 crashes studied, that information will be presented to the MSF board. Reconsideration of the funding decision would then "depend on the quality of the work and the rationale." The MSF would also consider the opinions of other involved entities, such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Oklahoma State University's (OSU) Oklahoma Transportation Center.
The MSF's willingness to reconsider its decision not to participate in funding the study is significant because Dr. Samir Ahmed, the OSU researcher heading the study, is currently conducting a statistical analysis to determine how many crashes would need to be studied in order to achieve statistically valid results. That analysis is expected to be concluded in December.
The MSF's current position is that ". . . with a limited sample size of approximately 300, we believe the study will not provide sufficient statistical significance of the OECD identified study variables and the MSF Board of Trustees has determined that MSF must continue to make its commitment of funds contingent upon a sample size of at least 900 cases."
Three hundred crashes is the number that Ahmed believes current funding will cover, without $2.8 million the MSF has raised and another $200,000 committed by the Motorcycle Industry Council. The current funding comes from a federal grant of $3 million that, after administrative expenses are deducted, will amount to "$2 million and change," according to Buche. The American Motorcyclist Association has also pledged $100,000.
Buche explained that the MSF, which is sponsored by the major motorcycle manufacturers, has an international perspective considering that the manufacturers are international in their operations. Thus, it is important that any study they fund be such that results can be reliably correlated with studies in other countries.
He also pointed out that the researchers will be collecting data on 1,800 to 2,000 variables on each crash, some of which do not come into play except in a minority of instances. Thus, the more crashes studied, the more likely it is that a representative number of crashes will involve these less common variables, resulting then in better, broader data.
To that end, the NTSB has previously stated its belief that a minimum of 1,200 crashes must be studied to achieve the desired results. "We put a lot of faith and confidence in their view," said Buche.
Buche said Ahmed "is correct saying no one knows for sure" how many crashes must be studied, and he described him as "a hero charged with a pretty tough job." When Ahmed's analysis is complete and that information is ready, Buche said, "I will take what we've learned to the board, tell them 'Here's what's changed, here's what others think--does that change your thinking?'"
Needless to say, a change in the board's thinking could have a major impact on the scope of the study. But even without the MSF's funding, Ahmed has said that he has hopes that other funding sources can be tapped so that ultimately the study can succeed.
Related articles
New motorcycle safety study in pilot stage
New motorcycle safety study: Valid number of crashes to study is unknown
Some particulars clear, others still unclear in new motorcycle safety study
Motorcycle Safety Foundation open to reconsidering safety study funding
Analysis says valid motorcycle crash data achievable with available funding
Rationale of motorcycle crash study statistical analysis explained
MSF funding for crash study still looks like a no-go
MSF's motorcycle crash study reluctance challenged
MSF, VTTI to conduct 'naturalistic' motorcycle safety study
Motorcycle crash study will proceed without MSF money
MSF President Tim Buche discusses motorcycle safety studies
Check out the latest articles from other Motorcycle Examiners:
- Info 101: What's in a name? Bikers earn their call sign - Shreveport Motorcycle Travel Examiner, Mary Baker
- Treasure Falls Colorado - Bike and Hike - Colorado Springs Motorcycle Travel Examiner - AJ Butler
- Oh deer! Every rider's fear. Do deer whistles work? - Seattle Motorcycle Travel Examinar
- The vintage project part 5 - translating British English to American English - National Motorcycle Travel Examiner
- Looking for riding buddies? Try Meetup.com - Fort Collins Motorcycle Travel Examiner
- Motorcycles and red light sensors; which ones don't work? - Baltimore Motorcycle Travel Examiner
- Cycle World international motorcycle show - Dallas Motorcycle Travel Examiner
- Drinking and riding - Newark Motorcycle Examiner
- BMW 2010 R1300RT - spy shots - Colorado Springs Motorcycle Examiner
- Learning to ride a Sidecar Rig - Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
- Mental and physical discipline in motorcycle riding - target fixation and gravel - Spokane Motorcycle Travel Examiner
- BMW demo ride - first impressions: Sport - K1300S - DC Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Comments
Since it has been so long since the last comprehensive test of motorcycle crashes, I hope MSF will at least participate if not help fund the Oklahoma State University study.
A lot can be gained from a new, valid study. I would like to see MSF maintain their credibility and not only participate, but fund the study.
It's not that the MSF, AMA, MRF, or any or all of the other rider and motorcycle groups or associations don't or won't partisipate. We in the feald have been calling for and waiting for just such a study to be done for years. The problem is the study SIZE! Would it be a viable study, have usable statistics and/or information? It is theirs, and most everyones elses opinion, that this study will be way to small, and have NO insite or usable information.
Wheeler--
I understand and agree completely with what you're saying. That's the whole key to the issue. Dr. Ahmed is working on a statistical analysis to determine--for the first time--how many crashes need to be studied to make the overall study statistically valid. If the number he arrives at is more than 900 then the MSF's position will be unchanged. The question is whether, if it comes in at fewer than 900, the MSF and others will consider the math sufficiently compelling to persuade them to throw in their $2.8 million.
There are no good guys and bad guys here, it's all a question of what it's going to take to be valid.
MSF needs to stop holding up progress and write the check.
I am going to be one of the guys that will be working on the study.
Back in Dec 2002 when I was working on the Large Truck Crash Causation Study for NHTSA they told me to start training for a MC study.
Back in Sept 09 I got a call and told we would be starting soon.
Mike@MotorcycleProperty.com
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!