One thing is clear, motorcycle airbag technology continues to evolve and, thank God, we currently find everything from stand-alone vests to jackets and overalls with an integrated airbag. Now, to help distinguish the appropriate systems, ANESDORwith the collaboration of the DGThas developed a Technical Recommendations Guide and an updated catalog of products that meet your criteria 100%.
Why is the airbag so important?
The main objective of these systems, which we all know, is to reduce the energy received by the biker’s body during an impact. The bags inflate in just a few milliseconds and create a protection zone around the torso, which can extend in certain models to other areas such as collarbones, shoulders or hips. The more the better.
It is not an unimportant topic. According to the DGT, the 35% of motorcyclists killed and more of 25% of those hospitalized have injuries to the torso area. Furthermore, different investigations compiled by the organization have confirmed significant reductions in the loads supported by the body with certain airbag systems: up to 80% in the back and close to a 25% in thoracic deformation. The numbers don’t lie.
Of course, the airbag does not replace the rest of the equipment nor does it guarantee that an accident will occur without injuries. It is an additional layer of protection that must, above all, be used correctly. This is something that must be made very clear from the beginning. You have to tattoo it.
Certification comes first
A motorcycle airbag must have a visible CE marking and be classified as Category II PPE in accordance with the Regulation. (EU) 2016/425. It is not enough, therefore, for a garment to have a bag that inflates. Devices designed for other activities, such as horse riding or skiing, cannot automatically be considered suitable for motorcycle riding.
The guide itself ANESDOR was created precisely to resolve this situation, since the regulation and certification scenario for this technology is still not completely homogeneous. That is why it is especially important to check the certification of the specific model before purchasing it.
Mechanical or electronic: two different systems
The airbags of mechanical activation They are physically connected to the motorcycle via a cable. When the rider separates from the motorcycle during a fall, the tension exerted on the system causes its activation and subsequent inflation. These devices must be certified according to EN 1621-4 or its successive revisions, or through the protocol CRITT AMC-011.
The electronic airbags They work differently. They do not require a physical connection to the motorcycle, but instead incorporate a control unit and sensors that continuously monitor driving. When the algorithm detects a situation compatible with an accident, it activates the system.
In this case, the guide includes certifications such as CRITT AMC-011 and CERTOTTICA M.115.001in addition to the future EN 1621-5 when published. The manufacturer must also demonstrate the reliability of the system, both to activate the airbag when it is really necessary and to avoid involuntary activations during normal driving.
Chest and back, essential areas
Regardless of whether the system is mechanical or electronic, the guide states that “the airbag must cover the chest and back.”
Depending on the design, and as we mentioned before, some devices also extend protection to areas such as the collarbones, shoulders or hips. There are also different formats: independent vests that are worn over or under clothing, jackets with integrated airbags and specific jumpsuits. In no case should it be understood as a substitute for the jacket, back protector or other protection.
You have to be careful with the jacket you wear
When the airbag is integrated into a garment, such as a vest, jacket or overalls, the certification of that garment must also be taken into account. The guide states that you must comply with the standard EN 17092with different requirements depending on whether it is a garment designed to be worn under other equipment or as an outer garment. If you incorporate additional passive protections, they must comply with the corresponding standards: EN 1621-1 for limbs, EN 1621-2 for back and EN 1621-3 for chest.
Be careful, it is also essential to check the compatibility with our jacket and back protector. The manufacturer must expressly indicate whether the airbag should be used above or below the jacket and what conditions must be met to allow its correct deployment.
Size and fit also protect
A certified airbag may lose effectiveness if not used correctly. The size must be appropriate and the system has to remain perfectly placed and fastened. You must also respect the instructions on the space necessary for the bag to be deployed, especially when the vest is used under a jacket.
The recommendation is simple: before buying it, It is worth trying it with the equipment that we usually use to ride a motorcycle.
Where to consult all airbag models?
The motorcyclist airbag market already has numerous solutions and continues to grow. Instead of staying with a specific list of manufacturers and models that may change over time, it is best to go to the updated catalog of ANESDOR.
The platform allows you to consult the products whose manufacturers have declared their conformity with the Technical Recommendations Guide, in addition to knowing their activation and certification system.
Consult here the catalog of airbags for motorcyclists. ANESDOR.
The DGT has been promoting this technology for years and in 2025 it once again supported the ANESDOR as a tool to help motorists distinguish legal and safe systems from those that do not offer the same guarantees. The message is clear: the airbag does not replace traditional equipment, but it can become one of the best additional layers of protection for those who use a motorcycle.
