According to the “Report 2010” of the Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles (European motorcycle manufacturers' association), the number of motorcycles throughout the European Union rose from 16 million to more than 22 million between 2001 and 2008.
Taking all two-wheeled motor vehicles into account, in 2008 approximately 33 million vehicles were registered. At the same time, motorcycles are by far the most dangerous means of transport. Two groups (children and elderly people) are especially vulnerable due to their weakness against impact, reflexes and reaction to risk, resistance to the generated forces, etc.
According to the latest accidents data from the European Community database on road accidents (CARE), more than 110 children under 14 years old who were passengers on PTW's were killed on the roads of the Community between 1991 and 2000.
The European Commission is not aware of any specific national standard in the Member States apart from requiring the use of helmets by motorcycle drivers and passengers.
The KID-SHELL project aims to design and develop a protection system addressed to children who are travelling as PTW (powered two-wheeler) passengers. The main aim of the first stage of this project is to know the main characteristics of the traffic accidents involving child motorcycle passengers and which injuries they suffer.
This study takes into account both urban and non-urban areas and sorts accident scenarios and injuries suffered by PTW children passengers not only by frequency but also by severity.